A great number of Brits are expected to have travelled abroad this Easter without adequate health insurance.

According to Thisismoney.co.uk, millions of British holidaymakers may have travelled abroad for an Easter break assuming they were covered when in fact they were not.

Earlier this month, the Department of Health advised Brits to ensure they renew their European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) after revealing that over three million were due to expire by the end of March.

The EHIC card enables holidaymakers free or discounted medical treatment in the case of becoming ill whilst travelling in Europe, although it ”is not an alternative to private cover, which should be taken out as a backup,” said a spokesperson from the DoH.

Failing to renew EHIC cards

Brits who fail to renew the cards could face hefty bills in the case of an accident abroad as they will not be covered for basic treatment.

Sue Edwards, health information manager at the NHS Rotherham Health Advice Centre said: "Anyone travelling with an expired EHIC is putting themselves at risk as they will not be covered for basic medical care."

Health minister Dawn Primarolo also stated that those “travelling with an expired EHIC are putting themselves at risk.”

She said:  “It is vital that UK residents holidaying in Europe carry their EHIC and take out adequate travel insurance to avoid having to pay out unnecessarily for medical costs that could be covered by a valid EHIC.”

Despite the number of warnings from travel agents, insurers and the DoH, millions of Brits are expected to have travelled abroad during the Easter weekend being unaware that they not have enough cover.

According to a recent survey by the DoH, 50 per cent of the EHIC holders were unaware that the cards even had an expiry date while 68 per cent of EHIC holders did not know when their cards would expire.

Furthermore, EHIC card holders are not notified when the cards expire.

A spokesperson from the DoH stated that all EHIC holders and especially holidaymakers who are heavily dependent upon their EHIC cards, must “be aware of their card’s expiry date.”

He said: “Not all EHICs have expired, as has been reported recently in some parts of the media, but some people's three-to five-year cover will have run out last week. This is why all holders should be aware of their card's expiry date, especially for those who solely rely on their EHIC.”

And with more EHIC card holders with little awareness of the expiry date of the cards, Paul Siddell, Overseas Healthcare Programme Manager at the DoH advised the card holders that: “If you find your EHIC is out of date, it is very easy to renew online or over the phone.  It can also be done up to six months in advance of expiry.”