Millions of people are putting themselves at risk by not insuring themselves when they travel to Europe as they believe they are covered by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). But although the card covers British travellers for emergency medical treatment it does not provide cover for any other mishaps.

According to InsureandGo, 11% (2.3 million) of Brits who travelled to Europe in the last 12 months did not take out travel insurance. They believed they were adequately covered by the EHIC. A further 7% travelled without either travel insurance, or the card.

The EHIC was formally introduced in 2006, replacing the old E111. It covers temporary visitors to EEA (European Economic Area) countries, or Switzerland to any necessary medical treatment brought about through illness or accident. Each individual travelling should have their own card, which lasts for up to five years.

According to the Department of Health the card provides access to state-provided medical treatment only. It entitles the bearer to be treated on the same basis as an 'insured' person living in the country they are visiting. It also covers any treatment needed for a chronic disease or pre-existing illness, although arrangements may need to be made in advance for certain treatments. In addition it should cover routine maternity care.

The Department of Health stresses, however, that the card does not necessarily cover all the things you would expect to get free of charge from the NHS in the UK. It is possible that you may have to make a contribution to the cost of your care, although reimbursement is possible in some cases.

The EHIC does not cover transportation home, lost or stolen baggage, flight delays or holiday cancellations. Nor will it provide cover if the sole purpose of a trip is to obtain medical treatment.

However many people are unaware of this. Research carried out by InsureandGo found that 48% of those surveyed did not realise that the card only provides free, or reduced-cost medical treatment for emergency health problems. 13%, the equivalent of six million people, believed it would entitle them to be transported home in the event of a serious accident. 8% (3 million) thought it would pay for their ‘health tourism’. 3% of people thought the EHIC covered them for lost or stolen money,  documents or luggage, and 2% thought it would provide compensation if their flight or holiday was cancelled, or delayed.

 “These are very worrying findings,” comments Perry Wilson from InsureandGo. “It appears the EHIC card is giving millions of people a false sense of security and we are concerned that the Government is not making it sufficiently clear to travellers that they need travel insurance as well when they go abroad for business or pleasure.”

Perry Wilson says the card should not really have the word insurance in its name, as it is misleading. “It does not offer people insurance in the sense they have come to expect. If people rely on the EHIC card to cover them for medical and other emergencies they should know that they are putting themselves and any dependants at real risk.”

So as the Department of Health advises, if you are planning to travel to Europe, either for business or pleasure, it is advisable to take out comprehensive travel insurance as well as carry an EHIC card, to ensure you are covered for all eventualities.