European Health Insurance Card Leaves Tourist Stranded
A British holiday maker has spent well over a month in a serious condition in a hospital in Dublin as her family scramble to try and gather together the £10,000 needed to fly her home to London.
The International Travel Insurance Journal recently reported that Sarah Hampton, age 59, and her daughter had only been in Ireland for a matter of hours when she fell down a flight of stairs and suffered a broken neck, head injuries and severe bruising. She has since lost sensation and movement down one half of her body.
Ms. Hampton had not taken out travel Insurance for her trip as she thought the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) would cover the costs of any treatment needed. Sarah Hampton was correct, the European Health Insurance Card, did cover the cost of hospital treatment, but Sarah and her family found out too late that it does not cover the cost of repatriation.
Her daughter Isabel said, "I spoke to the British Embassy and to the Foreign Office and they are going by the book. They are saying if there is no travel insurance, then there is no repatriation."
The case which has been reported to the Irish media, yet again serves to highlight the face that the government must do more to educate the public about the hidden facts contained within the EHIC.
As stated by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, "You still need sufficient travel insurance to cover healthcare costs. Many people think an EHIC will be enough and do not take out insurance. They regret this when they have to pay thousands of pounds for an air ambulance back to the UK or pay out for extra accommodation to stay with a sick relative."
When travelling abroad, as a Insure Pink policyholder, you will receive protection 24 hours a day, everyday of the year safe in the knowledge that should an emergency arise, you are able to return home quickly and safely.
If your travelling abroad this year, be safe with Insure Pink travel Insurance!