The British are advised to verify the expiration date in their European Health Insurance (EHIC) cards before planning their summer vacations. The warning comes from experts compared to travel insurance in qotezone.co.uk, which warn that travelers could be unsuspecting if their card has expired.

The global health insurance card (GHIC) replaced the EHIC in 2020, offering access to emergency and medically necessary medical care in the EU and in certain other countries, including Australia. However, some EHIC cards remain valid until their expiration date.

Since these cards are valid for five years, 2025 is expected to see a wave of travelers who need to change the GHIC for the first time, which may not be aware of these changes. According to travel regulations after Brexit, British must request a GHIC once their ehic expires or up to nine months before expiration.

Otherwise, he could take the United Kingdom travelers to face strong invoices for medical attention, even if they had obtained travel insurance before their trip. General travel insurance is recommended to protect and compensate for travelers, even if they have a GHIC or EHIC.

Some insurers can give up any excess medical treatment if you use an EHIC or GHIC, but it is crucial to verify the terms of the policy.

The travel card is not extended to cover the additional costs that one could incur the treatment abroad, such as the return trip if extended treatment is needed due to a disease or injury, any copat required for the special treatment or assistance for repatriation, most travel insurance policies. Travelers must remember to reveal pre -existing medical conditions when taking out a policy, ensuring that all the details are precise and that their insurance is properly adequate for their travel requirements.

Without a comprehensive travel insurance plan, the United Kingdom Globerotters could be depleting amazing sums for crucial medical services. A simple broken leg in Spain could leave a traveler more than £ 25,000 in his pocket, while an accident that requires Greece surgery and repatriation could delay them more than £ 80,000.

Greg Wilson, founder and insurance teacher at Qotezone.co.uk, stressed the importance of awareness about changes in travel stipulations for this year. He commented: “This year will be important, even for experienced travelers, to ensure that they know the changes in travel requirements. Anyone who travels with a valid EHIC can continue to use it when traveling within European countries until their expiration date.”

However, he added an important warning for those whose cards are expired or lost: “But, if your card is about to overcome or has lost your card, it is time to request the new GHIC. Anyone who will be renewed in 2020 as the legislation changed, will have received some of the last ehic available and now, five years, they will be ready for your first GHIC.

“Remember, the card is not a replacement for travel insurance, it allows you to access the medically necessary treatment at the local rate of the country in which it is located, so it is important that you have a relevant and precise insurance policy to protect it before traveling, especially if you have a pre -existing condition.

“Travel insurance is a vital part of any trip, and can provide tranquility for tourists. But, it also provides essential coverage for parts of its attention that an EHIC or a GHIC would not do, including the cover of your trip home or any special requirement necessary to return home, depending on your policy.

“We urge all British to see their EHIC and verify the expiration date before their spring or summer trips to avoid the risk of being vulnerable if the worst was going to happen abroad. Medical care in some countries throughout Europe can be very expensive even for smaller injuries, so when you verify your passport it is on the date this season of vacation, be sure to verify your health insurance letter.”

How to request a global health insurance card (GHIC)

Use the NHS website to request a card for free, since other unofficial websites can collect a rate. It lasts five years and usually does not take long to arrive, approximately 15 business days, and can be renewed online, however, it leaves a lot of additional for the frankness in the accumulation of the Christmas season, since you need to take the physical card with you.

If you must travel before it arrives and requires medical treatment abroad, a provisional replacement certificate (PRC) can provide temporary coverage. It is crucial to be well prepared before leaving, with the details of its available insurance policy, including the policy number and the emergency contact number of its insurer.

Share these details with friends or family at home and your travel companions, if they need to contact their insurance company in your name.