What to Do in a Medical Emergency Abroad

What to do if you become ill or injured abroad

1. Get medical help. Call the local emergency services or go to the nearest appropriate medical facility if the situation is urgent.
2. Contact the medical assistance team. Call +353 91 545 907 as soon as possible if it is a a serious emergency, you are admitted to hospital, or the likely cost is more than €500.
3. Have your policy details ready. If you can, provide your name, policy or insurance reference, location and details of the illness or injury.
4. Follow the advice you are given. The assistance team may speak with the treating doctor, help manage eligible costs or arrange repatriation when medically appropriate.
5. Keep all evidence. Ask for medical reports, prescriptions, invoices and receipts, even where the amount seems small.

Who should you call?

For a serious or life-threatening situation, contact the local emergency services first. Once immediate help is on the way, call InsureandGo’s 24-hour emergency medical assistance line on +353 91 545 907.

For a non-emergency illness while you are abroad, TravelGP gives policyholders access to an online doctor. TravelGP can be useful for medical advice and everyday illnesses, but it does not replace the emergency services or the medical assistance team in a serious situation.

Get approval before incurring major expenses

You must obtain prior consent before incurring medical expenses over €500, cutting your trip short or extending it because of illness or injury. If you are physically unable to contact us, you or someone acting for you should make contact within 48 hours. A delay in notification may affect the outcome of a claim.

If you are admitted to hospital and the stay is likely to last more than 24 hours, contact us immediately. Where appropriate, the team may liaise with the hospital or doctor and arrange payment of eligible costs, subject to the policy terms and limits.

What if the bill is €500 or less?

For a minor illness or accident with a claim value of €500 or less, you should normally pay the provider yourself where possible and claim the eligible amount back afterwards. Keep the original medical report, invoice and receipt, and notify the claims team within 30 days of returning home.

You can download a claim form here. You can also call +353 91 545 907 for help with a claim.

What medical expenses may be covered?

The medical expenses section of the policy may cover necessary and reasonable costs following a sudden and unforeseen illness or injury during a trip. Depending on the circumstances, this can include doctors’ fees, hospital treatment, outpatient care and medical transport to the nearest suitable hospital.

Cover is not unlimited, and an excess may apply. Treatment that can reasonably wait until you return to Ireland, planned treatment abroad and undeclared pre-existing medical conditions are among the matters that may not be covered. Check your Schedule of Cover and the policy wording for the full details.

Returning home for treatment

If a doctor appointed by InsureandGo’s medical assistance team believes it is medically appropriate for you to return to Ireland, we will arrange the repatriation. The method of travel is decided in consultation with the doctor treating you abroad, and the treating doctor must confirm that you are fit to travel.

Do not arrange your own medical transport home without speaking to the us first. Transport that hasn’t been arranged by the insurer may not be covered.

Does an EHIC replace travel insurance?

No. A European Health Insurance Card, or EHIC, can give you access to necessary public healthcare for free or at a reduced cost in the EU, the EEA and Switzerland. It does not cover private healthcare, repatriation to Ireland or many of the other things covered by travel insurance. In some countries, you may still have to make a patient contribution.

Bring a valid EHIC where it can be used, but take out travel insurance as well. You can check the latest EHIC information on the HSE website.

Emergency dental treatment

The policy may provide limited cover for emergency dental treatment needed for immediate pain relief, or emergency repairs to dentures or artificial teeth to relieve difficulty eating. The amount depends on your product, so check the dental treatment limit shown on your Schedule of Cover.

If you have private health insurance

If you confirmed that you have private health insurance when buying the policy, you may need to claim from that insurer first for inpatient medical expenses abroad. Your travel insurance may then respond in line with its own terms and limits. Keep the contact details for both insurers with you while travelling.

Before you travel

• Save +353 91 545 907 in your phone and keep your policy details somewhere accessible.
• Bring your EHIC card where it can be used and check that it is still valid.
• Declare pre-existing medical conditions and tell InsureandGo about relevant changes before travelling.
• Bring enough prescribed medication for the trip and carry it as advised by your doctor or pharmacist.
• Check the medical expenses, dental treatment and excess amounts on your Schedule of Cover.

Important policy information

Medical cover is subject to the terms, limits and exclusions of your policy. Pre-existing medical conditions must be declared and accepted where required, and you are not covered if you travel against medical advice or travel to obtain treatment. Read the policy wording and your Schedule of Cover before travelling. If anything is unclear, contact us.