By The country’s biggest travel insurance provider has today advised that UK tourists travelling to Europe could face hefty medical treatment costs.
Currently, travellers with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) receive either free medical treatment or care at a substantially reduced rate. The card covers pre-existing conditions when travelling and accidents and emergencies whilst travelling.
The EHIC scheme is in place in 31 countries across the EU, but reports show that only 3 of these countries have agreed to continue with the scheme given that a no-deal Brexit is likely.
Government spend figures place British travellers health costs with EHIC around £150m but this figure is set to rocket if the remaining 28 countries no not agree to the scheme when Britain leaves the EU.
So what does this mean for tourists post-Brexit on 31st October?
If EHIC is not continued after Brexit in a travellers EU destination country then they will need to either pay for travel insurance before travel or face paying large costs incurred directly at the time of care – with some reports already warning of costs for emergency care starting at £30,000 plus.
However, should travel insurance claims increase, this expense will presumably not be absorbed by insurers, but passed on to their consumers and in insurance cover charges, premiums, additional cover costs etc. Early indications from insurers predict a sharp spike in prices across the board.
Credit BBC
Contact Gi National
Email us: news@gi-media.co.uk
