Accidents and illness when travelling independently

Summary

As an independent traveller you can’t rely on a holiday rep to help you if you have a medical emergency so it’s especially important to have medical insurance. Without insurance medical emergencies abroad can cost thousands of pounds. The most comprehensive travel insurance policies will offer at least £2 million of medical cover. This cover normally includes the cost of an air ambulance to get you home, should this be necessary. When you’re buying travel insurance, make sure that it includes this kind of medical cover. If you're a UK resident and have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you can still use it to get healthcare in EU countries until it expires. If you don't have an EHIC or it has expired, you can apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) on the NHS website. You can use a GHIC to get healthcare in EU countries at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. If you’re visiting Norway you can use your UK passport to get medically necessary healthcare there. If you’re travelling outside the EU you may be entitled to reduced cost or free healthcare if the country has a healthcare arrangement with the UK. You can check the rules for different countries on the NHS.

Key information

• •More about making a claim on your travel insurance
• •Check the healthcare rules of different countries on the NHS Choices website
• •Find details of local British embassies and consuls get an application form from your post office or phone 0845 606 2030.
• •For more information about EHICs, visit the NHS choices website at: www.nhs.uk
• •As an independent traveller you can’t rely on a holiday rep to help you if you have a medical emergency so it’s especially important to have medical insurance. Without insurance medical emergencies abroad can cost thousands of pounds. The most comprehensive travel insurance policies will offer at least £2 million of medical cover. This cover normally includes the cost of an air ambulance to get you home, should this be necessary. When you’re buying travel insurance, make sure that it includes this kind of medical cover.
• •If you're a UK resident and have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you can still use it to get healthcare in EU countries until it expires.
• •If you don't have an EHIC or it has expired, you can apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) on the NHS website. You can use a GHIC to get healthcare in EU countries at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. If you’re visiting Norway you can use your UK passport to get medically necessary healthcare there.
• •If you’re travelling outside the EU you may be entitled to reduced cost or free healthcare if the country has a healthcare arrangement with the UK. You can check the rules for different countries on the NHS choices website.
• •You can also contact your local British Consul for help. Consular staff can offer practical advice, help and support with things like finding a local doctor.
• •If you have travel insurance you will normally be expected to pay for minor claims.
• •For example, you’ll probably be expected to pay a bill of £50 charged by a local doctor for a consultation and drugs and claim the money back when you get home. Make sure you keep receipts for any money you spend. If you are hospitalised, the insurer’s assistance company will usually deal with medical bills as they come in.

Practical guidance

• •Source: [Accidents and illness when travelling independently](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/insurance/types-of-insurance/travel-insurance1/accidents-and-illness-when-travelling-independently/)

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