Private Health Insurance companies for EU and UK - any recommends ?

[Marceline]

Hello again - just another newb question

Just wondering - are there any Private Health Insurance companies people could recommend for being in/around EU but also give coverage when back in the UK ? Hoping next year to get over to Ireland and other countries the next year for a month or so (likely under 90/180 day rules, but am also hoping to get visa stay for longer in a couple of years) and wondered if there were companies who's insurance would be useful both when in UK or EU areas?

 

[Tranona]

You are covered by your GHIC card as you will be a tourist rather than a resident. If you want to get additional cover for short stay then you need a specialist travel insurance. If travelling by boat then you can get this from a variety of insurers. Try Bishop Skinner. Many people find the GHIC adequate in Europe. When you apply for your visa (presumably for France) then they have a medical insurance requirement as you can no longer use the GHIC. Suggest you wait until then to find out what the requirements actually are.

 

[Sandy]

I use Topsail for delivery trips, purchase for as many days as you need or annually.

 

[Forty_Two]

Many people find the GHIC adequate in Europe. When you apply for your visa (presumably for France) then they have a medical insurance requirement as you can no longer use the GHIC.

Just to clarify that. For the 6mth French visa the GHIC is accepted. For the 12 month one it's not, but that visa is a prelude to residency rather than tourism.

 

[ashtead]

You have to understand that health insurance in your country of residence eg UK and the travel insurance you buy as a uk resident to travel abroad is very different product. If you want to have cover to travel in EU(but not fot Channel Islands ) than as said then what was previously called EHIC and now GHIC gives basic treatment but not evac home -some eu countries hospital facilities and fairly basic eg Greece say and clearly outside eu eg Egypt or suchlike even more basic -examplles abound of holidaying brits complaint at facilities in foreign hospitals (not because of medical care but the hotel type facilities) . Press stories aboud where they want to be evacuated but are not fit enough to travel and have to undue local facilities.
If you want to travel therefore either take out cover with a bank card eg nationwide card or Amex card etc or go broker eg Staysure,the Co-op etc ,A A or whatever. Just don’t buy cheap as chips cover . For uk health insurance it’s clearly best to buy via your employer (even civil servants can get private cover) she’s but if self employed then just stick to main names but of course it’s tax deductible and no doubt you already have an insurance broker for critical illness cover and corporate policies like third party liability who might help with what’s suitable for needs

 

[Marceline]

thanks ever so much for the replies - really appreciated and I'll start to look into them