Repatriation Cover: Why a GHIC does not replace travel insurance

Although it is important to have a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) when you travel to Europe, as it proves your right to state provided health care, it is not a replacement for travel insurance.

We often hear people say, ‘why do I need travel insurance when we have a reciprocal health care agreement with the country I’m travelling to?’

The answer is repatriation.

Repatriation means bringing you back to the UK; either back to your home, or to a UK hospital for further treatment.

When there is a reciprocal health arrangement between the UK and the country you are visiting, you may get healthcare at the same cost as a local (which may or may not be free of charge), but you won’t get any help to cover your costs if requiring medical treatment means you need to stay longer or require alternative transport home.

That’s where travel insurance with repatriation cover comes in. Without it you would either have to foot the bill yourself or stay overseas until you are well enough to return home on a standard flight.

What does repatriation include?

The help and support provided under repatriation cover varies according to the needs of the individual concerned, but could include:

• Arranging and paying for an alternative flight because you missed your pre-booked flight due to receiving medical treatment.
• Organising more than one seat on a plane because you are required to keep your leg raised or lay flat.
• Providing a stretcher if you are required to lay flat.
• Providing a medical escort to monitor your condition throughout your journey.
• Providing an air ambulance to get you back to a hospital in the UK.

We have a team of medical professionals who are experienced in aviation medicine, they will advise on both the timing and method of repatriation which is best suited to your individual needs and your recovery.

If you do need to stay overseas for longer due to receiving emergency medical treatment our travel insurance policies also cover additional travel and accommodation costs for you and any one other person who is required for medical reasons to stay with you.

Repatriation is an important element of our travel insurance cover; without it you could get stranded abroad.

Travel insurance with cover for medical conditions

If you have a holiday booked get a quote and get covered.