Does anybody in Europe ever check whether one has travel insurance? (1 Viewer)

[PlacidoD]

I am on the ferry Newhaven-Dieppe Monday for just a short trip to Normandy. I have managed to sort a single trip policy today but with slight difficulty effecting payment because of the IT glitch from yesterday. That leads me to wonder does anybody ever check whether you have travel insurance on this or other ferry services? I can see circumstances in which IT problems or lack of wifi might make it impossible to sort insurance at the last minute or perhaps your existing policy lapsed and you failed to spot it!

To my mind it is not worth the risk of doing it deliberately but if the choice is between making the ferry or going online with a dodgy signal from the terminal car park and missing that ferry it would be good to know whether anybody ever checks? If not one could shop around online over a beer after disembarkation in France to get the best deal.

Chris

 

[Lenny HB]

If not one could shop around online over a beer after disembarkation in France to get the best deal.

Travel insurance is only valid if the policy is in force before departing the UK.

 

[prb]

A tad confused over what insurance you are concerned about. Travel (health and accident) insurance isn't compulsory, although strongly advised, or do you mean vehicle insurance for use abroad?

 

[HKF]

A tad confused over what insurance you are concerned about. Travel (health and accident) insurance isn't compulsory, although strongly advised, or do you mean vehicle insurance for use abroad?

I think they mean do they check when the policy was actually taken out - before the trip started or after. Certainly, in the event of a claim against travel insurance, they would check and would want proof that it started before the journey.

 

[Brains]

No one checks or bothers until you need it.
At which point the insurance company will go over it with microscopic detail and look for any way they can worm their way out of it.

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[PlacidoD]

I said and meant vanilla flavoured travel insurance not breakdown insurance or vehicle insurance.

If you read all the guff about entry requirements Border Control can refuse you entry on the basis that you do not have adequate financial support and I thing travel insurance is somewhere on their list. Hence my question.

Good point Lenny but surely you should be able to renew an annual policy that is about to lapse or take out a fresh single trip policy while abroad if circumstances mean that you are extending your stay.

 

[The Wino]

Some countries (Cuba springs to mind) do have a requirement to have health insurance in place before entry and have a separate desk to check your documents before entry. I personally think we should do exactly the same here. In Europe it's up to people if they take insurance or not personally I think only a fool would travel without it. The problem with allowing people to take out insurance when they're already abroad would be the ones who take it out one day and conveniently have an accident the next ( with injuries that look a day old!)

 

[carolyn]

I said and meant vanilla flavoured travel insurance not breakdown insurance or vehicle insurance.

If you read all the guff about entry requirements Border Control can refuse you entry on the basis that you do not have adequate financial support and I thing travel insurance is somewhere on their list. Hence my question.

Good point Lenny but surely you should be able to renew an annual policy that is about to lapse or take out a fresh single trip policy while abroad if circumstances mean that you are extending your stay.

An annual policy could be renewed.

You wouldn’t be able to take out a new single trip policy whilst abroad if you just fancied staying longer, as Lenny says the rules still apply, whether you could phone and ask to extend your policy and pay a fee, worth a try, but no idea if it would work.

Actually I’m wrong. I’ve just found a company who will do it. Big Cat Travel Insurance, part of Allianz. Goodness knows the cost but looks like it’s aimed at the more adventurous traveller usually. You have to usually be a UK resident. Doesn’t cover for the first 48 hrs after you take it out, I presume to avoid it being abused by people who might only take it out after they actually might use it.

 

[Sleeveless]

Travel insurance (for health) is normally only mandatory when a visa is required, so no checks entering European Union for UK residents, but sensible to have it regardless.

 

[Millcourt]

No one checks or bothers until you need it.
At which point the insurance company will go over it with microscopic detail and look for any way they can worm their way out of it.

Presumably to prevent fraudulent claims, which would result in higher premiums for those seeking to insure correctly.

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[Pugsy]

My uncle went to visit family in Canada a number of years ago and died whilst there, he forgot to get his insurance before he left UK.
The family in Canada spent thousands on medical and getting his body back home.the family in Scotland were supposed to reimburse them when they sold his house,they didn't it cause such a lot of trouble within the families and still bitter and unpaid to this day . If you can afford the holiday you can afford the insurance.I have my GHIC card when I go to Spain in the winter months but also take out health insurance for the uncovered event.
Good luck on your trip and enjoy.
Cheers Cris .

 

[jumartoo]

My mum (91 at the time) came to stay with us (well in the next doors apartment that I'd rented for her and my brother). She paid over £350 for two weeks insurance, but she was happy that she was covered.

I paid the accommodation, my brother paid for the flights, so her £350 for her peace of mind was well worth it

 

[Spriddler]

That leads me to wonder does anybody ever check whether you have travel insurance on this or other ferry services?

I've never had anyone check but if they did and I didn't have health insurance I could prove that I have sufficient funds to pay for any health (or undertakers') charges.

if the choice is between making the ferry or going online with a dodgy signal from the terminal car park and missing that ferry it would be good to know whether anybody ever checks?

I reckon most people would decide well before travelling and not leave it until they are in the ferry car park.

 

[Carpmart]

An annual policy could be renewed.

You wouldn’t be able to take out a new single trip policy whilst abroad if you just fancied staying longer, as Lenny says the rules still apply, whether you could phone and ask to extend your policy and pay a fee, worth a try, but no idea if it would work.

Actually I’m wrong. I’ve just found a company who will do it. Big Cat Travel Insurance, part of Allianz. Goodness knows the cost but looks like it’s aimed at the more adventurous traveller usually. You have to usually be a UK resident. Doesn’t cover for the first 48 hrs after you take it out, I presume to avoid it being abused by people who might only take it out after they actually might use it.

I’m been on a Big Cat policy for just under a year and have recently extended until June 2025 to cover the next trip. Very good value for extended travel like we are doing!

 

[scotzsue]

Carpmart just looked, seems we are too old.

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[Carpmart]

Carpmart just looked, seems we are too old.

 

[Howard B]

Don't worry about it, just sort a sob story & start a Gofundme page if you need repatriation or help with medical costs.