Holiday Lettings news - Britons should check EHIC health card expiry date

Britons should check EHIC health card expiry date

Britons are being advised to check the expiry date of their European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs). Millions of EHICs will soon expire, invalidating some travel insurance.

Almost 1.5 million EHICs are due to expire at the end of October, warns the Department of Health. Another 1.5 million are only valid until the end of March 2009.

Some travel insurance policies are invalid without an EHIC, which was introduced in 2005 to replace the E111. The holder of an EHIC is covered for medical treatment within the European Economic Area (EEA).

"Many Britons are putting themselves at unnecessary risk by not checking their EHIC expiry date," said Paul Siddell from the Department of Health.

"If you're travelling in Europe, it's vital that you carry an EHIC as well as comprehensive travel insurance."

Approximately 28 million Britons currently have an EHIC. However, recent research found that over 50 per cent of those with the card are unaware that it has an expiry date.

Anyone needing to renew their EHIC or obtain a new one should contact EHIC: nhs.co.uk/healthcareabroad, 0845 606 2030.

This story was brought to you by holidaylettings.co.uk, the UK's No.1 holiday home website.

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