Insurance health costs

[r4dent]

If its just for a month I would wing it with the GHIC if you cant get suitable insurance thats not a fortune. As said they often dont include pre existing conditions anyway or if they do its extremely pricey.

We are both relatively young but since we started travelling in 2008 Ive only relied on the health card. Never bothered with extra insurance although I think we got it free through the bank at one point. France is not that far anyway.

It is a personal choice but the cost of a hospital stay can be extreme.
Plus the cost of repatriation by air can make a hospital bill look cheap.

I've only been involved in one human (deceased) and one vehicle (written off) repatriation from France and both were expensive but both covered by insurance.

 

[marchie]

That sounds low.
I just got a LV quote for the two of us worldwide with unlimited trips, maximum 90 days per trip..

It was £1500. It does not cover expenses related to my 2001 heart attack (no stents) or my T2 diabetes (insulin injection).

I have the email with me on my phone, here in Spain. The renewal shows the declared conditions for both of us, and includes cruise cover, but excludes baggage. I phoned LV before we left home (policy expires 7 days before this trip ends ...) and was told that Renewal would be offered 'at not much more than last year'. The increase was around 11%, but that was around £40

Steve

 

[izwozral]

Hi. I haven’t posted in quite a while due to many problems. For those who remember our van was broken into and eventually written off. As this happened at the start of Covid we were paid out at pre Covid prices which were nothing compared to the hike in prices that arrived with the pandemic. Anyway we are now looking for a van again to go to Fance but 3 years ago my husband was diagnosed with bowel cancer and underwent a resection. Luckily he has so far not needed any other treatment but we are still in the 5 year period. He is now undergoing biopsies for prostate cancer. Now for the point of the post, is there anyone out there in a similar position who could tell me roughly what I’d be looking at for insurance costs for a month in France. Previously we always just went with the insurance card but so much has changed I don’t know if that’s allowed anymore

Worth enquiring at All Clear. They gave me cover when no one else would. Insurance is certainly vital when abroad as the GHIC card whilst handy still leaves potentially huge bills possible.

It has just cost me £2,245.00 with All Clear, they wouldn't give me 12 months travel insurance, the cost is just to cover our 3 month trip to NZ.
Ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, emphysema and glaucoma being the culprits.
My view of insurance companies....well, you can probably guess, suffice to say I don't like them very much.

 

[Canalsman]

I suggest you use a comparison website to get quotes.

Even better, if you have a Quidco account or would consider getting one, is to use their travel insurnace comparison.

On my current trip the premium was £247 and I am going to get £52 cashback!

That's great value in my view.

(If you are sceptical that the premium has been bumped up before getting cashback that was not the case. I did the same comparison on Moneysupermarket and the premiums offered were identical. So the cashback is real.)

 

[barryd]

"FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS​

What are the terms and conditions for traveling [sic] to France for British Nationals?
Since January 1, 2021, British nationals are subject to more thorough checks. Travelers from the United Kingdom are advised to bring a passport and to present themselves in advance at the border post to travel to the European Union. At the border post, they must take the "third-country national" line, and no longer the "EU / EEA / CH" line.

1/ British nationals who do not have resident status in a Member State of the European Union and who wish to go to France for a short stay or who are in transit to another Member State or the Schengen area n don't need a visa.

They must:

• present their passport which will be stamped when entering and leaving the Schengen area. The maximum duration of a short stay cannot exceed 90 days for any period of 180 days;
• be able to prove that they have sufficient resources to meet their needs during their stay. Barring exceptions, the minimum amount of resources required in France is 65 euros per day [1];
• have an insurance certificate covering all medical, hospital and death expenses likely to be incurred throughout the duration of their stay in France, including repatriation costs for medical reasons.

The supporting documents used to verify compliance with the entry conditions are listed in Annex I of the Schengen Borders Code, accessible here."

https://******.gouv.fr/sites/******/accueil/vous-etes-britannique-en/modalites-de-voyage-en.html

I've never yet been asked for proof of funds or insurance, but that does not mean that it can't happen.

The GHIC card is all that is required for entry to France. There is no mention of mandatory health insurance being a requirement that I can find anywhere on any official sites and its not mentioned on our government site or in the reasons for refusal on the annex document link above. The other link doesn't work.

Health - France travel advice

FCDO travel advice for France. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.

www.gov.uk

 

[mark61]

The GHIC card is all that is required for entry to France. There is no mention of mandatory health insurance being a requirement that I can find anywhere on any official sites and its not mentioned on our government site or in the reasons for refusal on the annex document link above. The other link doesn't work.

Health - France travel advice

FCDO travel advice for France. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.

www.gov.uk

What's the definition of "They must:" then?

 

[colinm]

Just get ready to set up a 'go fund me' page to get all the mugs to pay.

 

[barryd]

What's the definition of "They must:" then?

Where does it say "they must" in my link which is the government site for travel to France?

 

[marchie]

The GHIC card is all that is required for entry to France. There is no mention of mandatory health insurance being a requirement that I can find anywhere on any official sites and its not mentioned on our government site or in the reasons for refusal on the annex document link above. The other link doesn't work.

Health - France travel advice

FCDO travel advice for France. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.

www.gov.uk

The UK Government website says that private travel insurance is strongly advised, not least because GHIC is for emergencies, and the definition of what constitutes an emergency lies with the hospital ...

I posted the actual text on a similar Thread about a week ago

Steve

 

[barryd]

The UK Government website says that private travel insurance is strongly advised, not least because GHIC is for emergencies, and the definition of what constitutes an emergency lies with the hospital ...

I posted the actual text on a similar Thread about a week ago

Steve

Yep. Everywhere advises it but I can find no reference anywhere in the UK at least that says its mandatory unless your travel requires a visa and then I think it is. GHIC or the EHIC card to be fair as it was last time we went over the water always served us well and we did use it a fair bit. It got used in France, Italy and Germany over the years. I am sure I read stories of Travel insurance companies insisting you use the card first anyway.

 

[mark61]

Where does it say "they must" in my link which is the government site for travel to France?

It doesn't there, but it does on the French .Gov site. The one TJBi linked to.

The link doesn't work because it contains our favourite B word, just add the B word where the ****** are

 

[TJBi]

The GHIC card is all that is required for entry to France. There is no mention of mandatory health insurance being a requirement that I can find anywhere on any official sites and its not mentioned on our government site or in the reasons for refusal on the annex document link above. The other link doesn't work.

Health - France travel advice

FCDO travel advice for France. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.

www.gov.uk

The link was OK when I pasted it in. Here it is again:

https://******.gouv.fr/sites/******/accueil/vous-etes-britannique-en/modalites-de-voyage-en.html

And asterisks inserted again when it is posted!
Let's try: https:// followed immediately by ******.gouv.fr/sites/******/accueil/vous-etes-britannique-en/modalites-de-voyage-en.html
But even that doesn't work!

https:// ******.gouv.fr/ sites/******/accueil/ vous-etes-britannique-en/ modalites-de-voyage-en.html

Ah! I've figured it out! This site doesn't permit a certain word beginning with b followed by an r, an e, an x, an i and a t and replaces them with asterisks.

 

[barryd]

It doesn't there, but it does on the French .Gov site. The one TJBi linked to.

The link doesn't work because it contains our favourite B word, just add the B word where the ****** are

I found that but the link it links to in the annex for required supporting documents does not include health insurance and on the form for reasons for refusal it doesn't either. Given that our own governments advice and every single other UK site I have come across that also states its not required for a "visa free" visit from the UK I reckon the statement on that original link is incorrect.

 

[colinm]

I found that but the link it links to in the annex for required supporting documents does not include health insurance and on the form for reasons for refusal it doesn't either. Given that our own governments advice and every single other UK site I have come across that also states its not required for a "visa free" visit from the UK I reckon the statement on that original link is incorrect.

.gov uk states for travel to France check.

• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

The GHIC doesn't include medical evacuation, gouv.fr states you need it.

 

[korky]

I suggest you use a comparison website to get quotes.

Even better, if you have a Quidco account or would consider getting one, is to use their travel insurnace comparison.

On my current trip the premium was £247 and I am going to get £52 cashback!

That's great value in my view.

(If you are sceptical that the premium has been bumped up before getting cashback that was not the case. I did the same comparison on Moneysupermarket and the premiums offered were identical. So the cashback is real.)

I tried comparison sites but found none of the companies did 90 days multi trip, or wouldn't quote for pre-existing conditions.

 

[barryd]

.gov uk states for travel to France check.

• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

The GHIC doesn't include medical evacuation, gouv.fr states you need it.

Nowhere does it say its a mandatory requirement though and of course it would if it was. Try googling "is travel insurance mandatory for uk citizens travelling to France?" All the results suggest its not, many of them from actual insurance companies.

 

[colinm]

I tried comparison sites but found none of the companies did 90 days multi trip, or wouldn't quote for pre-existing conditions.

Try these.

Travel Insurance

Get specialist travel insurance for pre-existing conditions with The Insurance Surgery. We provide specialised life insurance, learn more and get a quote today!

www.the-insurance-surgery.co.uk

 

[barryd]

It doesn't there, but it does on the French .Gov site. The one TJBi linked to.

The link doesn't work because it contains our favourite B word, just add the B word where the ****** are

As an aside I emailed the contact address on the French Brex*t site from the original link to ask for clarification and the address is no longer valid and its bounced back. I suspect its out of date and not been updated.

 

[colinm]

Nowhere does it say its a mandatory requirement though and of course it would if it was. Try googling "is travel insurance mandatory for uk citizens travelling to France?" All the results suggest its not, many of them from actual insurance companies.

ok try https://france-visas.gouv.fr/web/france-visas/votre-arrivee-en-france?p_l_back_url=/web/france-visas/rechercher?q=arrival+in+france
I've never been asked, but then I forgot the V5c for our van last year, and that is a legal requirement.

 

[marchie]

Yep. Everywhere advises it but I can find no reference anywhere in the UK at least that says its mandatory unless your travel requires a visa and then I think it is. GHIC or the EHIC card to be fair as it was last time we went over the water always served us well and we did use it a fair bit. It got used in France, Italy and Germany over the years. I am sure I read stories of Travel insurance companies insisting you use the card first anyway.

That's because private travel insurance is *not* mandatory - it is advisable. It's up to the individual if they wish to run the risk, but I certainly wouldn't contribute to a Gofundme Appeal for anyone

Steve