EHIC ‘crucial’ for identifying genuine illness claims
Holidaymakers who fall ill in EU destinations are more likely to be able to prove their illness is genuine if they take out an EHIC medical card.
In light of the false claim epidemic that has swept Spain – and is now reported to be hitting other countries, such as Portugal – genuine claimants will find it increasingly difficult to be believed, according to Rock Insurance director of sales Phil Carr.
He said: "Most travellers don’t carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but it is invaluable.
"Fraudulent sickness claims are very difficult to prove. If people do have a genuine sickness claim they need to have an EHIC card not only to cover health costs, but also to prove their claim is genuine."
"This is something we are talking to the industry about in detail. There are reports of bogus claims in Portugal and these claims could potentially spread elsewhere.
"But travellers need to know the EHIC card is not a replacement for adequate travel insurance, as it will not repatriate them if they need to come home."
Carr says travel costs are already rising across Europe in the wake of Brexit and fraudulent claims will push up prices even more, with insurance policies going up 10-15%.
"Optional add-ons like insurance could see travellers significantly under-protected for their trip and this is a concern.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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