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That's got me thinking about our last sojourn in the UK and Spain. I don't remember us taking out medical insurance. We're both British passport holders so that covered the UK. My missus has a Spanish passport so I take it she'd be covered in Spain although I've no idea if it's free or not for Spanish passport holders and spouse. Does your missus have a Spanish passport?
For many years I used IMG Global to cover 30-90 trips to USA. Recently paid PAX for a year of as many 1-60 day trips as needed, thinking I might take more than the one I was preparing . No comment on either of them since I have never made a claim. Both would have been cheaper without coverage in USA. PAX gives some discount if you link from some Argentina banks or other services.
That's got me thinking about our last sojourn in the UK and Spain. I don't remember us taking out medical insurance. We're both British passport holders so that covered the UK. My missus has a Spanish passport so I take it she'd be covered in Spain although I've no idea if it's free or not for Spanish passport holders and spouse. Does your missus have a Spanish passport?
She and her sister began the very long process of obtaining a Spanish passport many months ago and because it was so complicated, they used an agent. She assures me that they will get their passports after we come come back, so fingers crossed, even though that doesn't help us right now.
Thanks to Brexit, we now have to consider it.
After reading the fine print in travel insurance contracts, we always decide that for us, it’s just not worth it.
After reading the fine print in travel insurance contracts, we always decide that for us, it’s just not worth it.
I agree there is little need travel insurance when talking about travel disruption or air and hotel bookings, luggage lost, etc…. Though I do find it important to have health insurance coverage in the country you travel. For most people from USA with full US based coverage, I believe they are mostly covered for urgent care. That was my case for many years traveling to other countries. For everyone else without a US policy, a separate policy is needed to cover urgent care when visiting other countries.
I agree there is little need travel insurance when talking about travel disruption or air and hotel bookings, luggage lost, etc…. Though I do find it important to have health insurance coverage in the country you travel. For most people from USA with full US based coverage, I believe they are mostly covered for urgent care. That was my case for many years traveling to other countries. For everyone else without a US policy, a separate policy is needed to cover urgent care when visiting other countries.
Got to agree especially the older you get.
In mid August we're travelling to the UK with a couple of days in Madrid before we land in Gatwick, five days in Barcelona, then back to the UK for another ten days.
Clearly, the NHS would deal with us if we needed medical care and one would assume my wife too. But the NHS is overstretched and I've heard of 12 hour waiting at A&E.
However, for those days in Spain we're thinking of medical cover, but it's expensive at our age - mid 60s.
Any thoughts?
Yes, the NHS will treat you but free treatment is for UK residents only. If you haven't already bought a house or rented a flat or otherwise demonstrated an intention to permanantly remain there, as a non-resident you and your wife are in the same boat as all other non-residents when you visit the UK.
Emergency treatment is free for everybody but once it ceases to be an emergency then the NHS charges non-residents at cost+50% and emergency treatment becomes non-emergency surprisingly early into the process. Once you have been stabilised, it's not an emergency any more.
Top tip: don't call an ambulance. Even if the ambulance were to turn up within a few hours, you would still end up in a queue for ages outside whilst the ambulance tries to discharge you into A&E. Instead, note the number of the local taxi company and call them. They will drop you at the public entrance to A&E and straight into the triage system.
Yes this is worth a read.
