A European Health Insurance Card, E111 or EHIC proves your right to state provided healthcare at a reduced cost throughout the European Economic Area and Switzerland.
Here are the 3 important things you should know:
1. The EHIC is free, don't be fooled by websites that charge
2. The EHIC does not replace travel insurance. An EHIC card is unlikely to cover all of your medical costs. It entitles you to the same healthcare as a local resident, which means the level of cover varies from country to country and treatment is not necessarily free of charge. An EHIC will not cover transport back to the UK if you are unable to travel on your pre-booked flight.
3. The EHIC can save money - If using the EHIC results in a reduction in the cost of medical treatment we will waive the excess on your claim. This applies to ALL policies.
TIF have advised that customers don't have to have an EHIC card, to be eligible to make any claim and that it is not essential for a customer to get an EHIC card, though TIF do strongly advise it, as it mitigates the loss, in some cases dramatically. Especially as it is free to get. See EHIC website: https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/startApplication.do