One in ten Brits are thinking of foregoing traditional holiday insurance cover this year and plan on taking a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) instead, according to recent research conducted by Saga travel insurance .
However, the insurer has indicated that the card will only cover passengers for necessary medical treatments and does not provide any compensation for those who lose their luggage or experience cancellations. The study from Saga also found that the cost of being escorted home from abroad after falling sick is £1,475 for those in France and as much as £1,983 from North Africa and the Canary Islands .
Andrew Goodsell, the executive chairman of Saga, said: “When travelling within Europe, and even within the UK, holidaymakers should ensure they have adequate travel insurance in place before departing, to provide sound cover and peace of mind.”
Travellers can apply for an EHIC online or get an application form from their local Post Office .