This is a travel insurance policy and not private medical insurance and does not provide cover for procedures that can be carried out in your country of residence after repatriation, or any medical expenses incurred in private facilities if a medically suitable state facility is available unless specifically agreed and authorised by the Emergency Assistance Service.
You can contact the Emergency Assistance Service on +44 (0)1733 224357.
If you suffer a serious illness or bodily injury on your trip, you must contact our Emergency Assistance Service if this leads to hospital treatment as an inpatient or before any arrangements are made to transport you home. The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for advice and help making arrangements to admit you to hospital or to transport you home, and for authorising medical expenses. If you cannot contact our Emergency Assistance Service at the time we specify because you need immediate emergency treatment, you must contact them as soon as you can.
Payment for medical treatment abroad
If you are admitted to a hospital or clinic while abroad, our Emergency Assistance Service will arrange for medical expenses covered by this policy to be paid directly to the hospital or clinic. To take advantage of this benefit, someone must contact our Emergency Assistance Service for you as soon as possible.
Simple outpatient treatment
For simple outpatient treatment, you should pay the hospital or clinic yourself and claim back medical expenses from us. Be cautious if you are asked to sign for excessive treatment or charges. If in doubt, call our Emergency Assistance Service for guidance.
If you are travelling to a country that has a reciprocal health agreement with the United Kingdom, it is a condition of this policy that you use this reciprocal health agreement if you suffer a serious illness or bodily injury.
Europe
If you are a United Kingdom resident, you are entitled to state-provided medical healthcare when temporarily visiting countries in the European Union (EU) only. You will have access to treatment at the same cost as residents of the country you are visiting. In some countries, state healthcare is not completely free to residents and there may be a cost for your treatment. You can apply for a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) online at www.ghic.org.uk.
Under Section B – Emergency Medical and Other Expenses we will not deduct an excess in the event of a claim where the cost of treatment has been reduced by the use of a reciprocal health agreement.
Australia
If you need medical treatment in Australia, you must enrol with a local MEDICARE office. You do not need to enrol when you arrive in the country, but you must do so after the first time you receive treatment. Inpatient and outpatient treatment at a public hospital is then free.
You can find details of how to enrol, and the free treatment available, in the Health Advice for Travellers booklet available from your local post office. Or click here to visit the official website.
If you are admitted to hospital you, or someone on your behalf, must contact our Emergency Assistance Service as soon as possible so that they can authorise any treatment that is not available under MEDICARE.