Travel Insurance to Channel Islands

Lots of bays for water sports, including surfing, fishing and sailing.

The Channel Islands are easy to reach from many airports and southern England ferry ports.

A vibrant history lends itself to many museums, castles, sea and land activities, traditional craft shops and festivals.

You'll find accommodation to suit every visitor, from luxury spa hotels to traditional cottages, b&bs and hostels.

Healthcare

Island visitors need to be aware that from 2009 the UK ended reciprocal healthcare agreements with the Channel Islands! See www.gov.je 4 January 2011 Interim Document.

Travel Insurance

The UK government recommends: visitors take out travel insurance to cover their medical requirements while on holiday.

The Jersey government recommends: "All visitors and new residents are advised to take out health insurance before travelling to the Island to cover the cost of any medical treatment they may require, along with repatriation costs." www.gov.je.

In Jersey emergency hospital treatment is free of charge at the General Hospital A and E Dept. All other treatment and any related expenses must be paid for.

Holiday Cover

Travel insurance is designed to cover multiple travel risks, including:

• Emergency medical cover & repatriation from abroad
• Cancellation, curtailment & trip interruption
• Baggage for accidental loss of, theft of or damage to items of baggage, articles and valuables
• Personal money - accidental loss of, theft of, or damage to money
• Personal liability - for compensation, legal costs and expenses of third parties
• Delayed departure
• Missed departure at home or the destination
• Missed connection departure or return
• Hijack/Kidnap - of the plane or ferry
• Legal expenses - legal costs (to a set value) to pursue a civil claim
• Extended dog kennel / cattery fees - if delayed abroad because of medical reason

Sports activites

Policy schedules provide a long list of allowed sport activities such as:

• cycling and mountain biking
• hiking and orienteering
• fishing, rowing; and sailing/yachting (if qualified)
• horse riding

More adventurous sports may need special cover - so always read the small print especially as you will not have an EHIC to fall-back on if your activity is excluded.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Travel insurance is not generally a substitute for a private medical insurance policy as it usually only covers emergency medical treatment in the event of accident or unexpected illness occurring during your trip.

An additional premium can usually be paid to include existing conditions if currently stable.

A medical screening service will assess conditions and quote for covering an existing condition such as a heart problem, high blood pressure, raised cholesterol or blood clots.

N.B. If a member of a family or group fails to declare an existing condition that causes a cancellation you might find difficulty with a claim.

EHIC and NHS

Termination of Bilateral Healthcare Agreement with the Channel Islands

www.dh.gov.uk

Any medical and healthcare costs incurred are not refundable by the UK government or NHS.

The Channel Islands are not part of the European Economic Area (EEA) and European Health Insurance Card EHIC (formerly the E111 Form) is NOT relevant or accepted.

"The agreements do not cover the cost of returning you to the UK (repatriation) or routine monitoring of pre-existing conditions. The range of medical services in these countries may be more restricted than under the NHS. Therefore, ensure you have a valid private travel insurance policy when travelling to any country."
NHS - Travelling outside the European Economic Area (EEA)

Dept of Health state: "UK residents visiting the Channel Islands must ensure they have adequate travel insurance from 1 April. The recommendation comes from the Department as the healthcare arrangements for UK visitors to the Islands are due to change.

The current agreement, which allowed UK travellers to get a limited number of medical treatments in the Channel Islands free of charge, will end on March 31. Anyone travelling to the Islands, which include Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark and Herm, will be required to pay for medical treatment should they become ill or injured there after this date. Visitors should therefore take out adequate insurance before they travel.

Visitors from the Channel Islands to the UK will also now be liable for charges for medical treatment when visiting the UK, so they should also have health insurance cover.

If you have any questions relating to the end of the reciprocal health agreement with the Channel Islands, information on charges can be found by telephoning the Department of Health Customer Service Centre on 0207 210 4850 or e-mailing dhmail@dh.gsi.gov.uk."

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