Message Forums

We take out a Worldwide Multitrip Health Insurance through HSBC, as we visit our daughter in the States a couple of times a year as well as caravanning in Europe.

I then take out Red Pennant Motoring only, to cover the car and caravan on our motoring/caravanning holiday in Europe, (I wouldn't go without it - they were brilliant when my clutch went a few years ago, I don't think I could relax on holiday if I didn't have Red Pennant cover, the slightest miss or hiccup would cause a heart attack!)

The EU health insurance card will get you treatment, but then you are through the door and on you own, no aftercare in hospital and no "get you home" service.

If I couldn't afford the insurances I wouldn't go.

Hi Keith

Done this a few times for 1month every year you would be well advised to check your car insurance as well, most  only cover 90 days abroad in a one year period sorry can't help with any of the rest and have a great time

Hi Keith.  Have just gone through all this as we are about to go off on a 3month trip to France having just retired.  Then plan a return in late Aug/Sept.  In a nutshell, its a minefield and I needed to be retired to sort it all out!  Ultimately very few car ins co's cover you for more than 90days in total abroad.  Caravan Club and Saga do.  Ditto caravan ins and breakdown ins, ditto travel (health) ins needs to be clarifed clearly with insurer, cover easy to arrange but all extra if going for longer single trips.  Have ended up with CC for car, Brittania for b'down, Bakers for caravan (storing it in france this year) and morethan for travel.  (Latter wasnt the best deal but only took it out last Dec so too costly to cancel, shall shop around next time.)  Friends of ours in similar cirmumstances reckon theyve got a good deal with Saga. Good Luck!

Tricia Thomas

We are off for 91 days in July, but our car insurance (Liverpool Victoria) covers 180 days in any year, so that is OK.  We will take the CC Red Pennant insurance.  House insurance is OK as we still have DD living at home.

Our main problems are with mobile phone , and internet for banking and keeping in touch with DD and DS.

Just done all the research on this:  Mobile phone - find an old one - (bet there's loads stuffed in drawers!) make sure its unlocked - can be done on internet (mobilefun.co.uk for a Fiver) or take to an accessory shop.  Then - get a french sim card - its £12.99 + vat with £3.50 credit to start, you can then do a direct debit to top up at £10 a go.  Company is oneroam.co.uk or 0870 3343417. (Calls 27p min to uk and free to receive)  From UK landline if you put in access code first its 13p min.    Another provider is 0044.co.uk but thats £34.99 and you buy top-up cards in supermarkets etc as in UK. (Also they have a limited shelf life whereas oneroam can be carried over til you're next visit even if next year).   Re internet banking - am a technophobe re this and am very very afraid to do it from an internet cafe so have set up telephone banking and hopefully this will suffice.  Good luck, have a great hol, maybe we'll meet up!

Tricia Thomas

Hi Tricia

If you have a wifi ready laptop using it is simple in most wifi hotspots. A lot of french sites use the bar area as the hotspot and you purchase a card from them. Macdonalds in this country offers free hotspots but I dont know if thats the case in France. You may find hotspots in other public areas as well, such as railway stations, libraries etc where you allow your laptop to pick up the signal then pay for your time by credit/debit card.

Carol

My Motorola mobile is so old I have been told it cannot be unlocked!  But I am still checking this out.  If it can't be then I will buy a simple Nokia, carphone warehouse do one that is already unlocked.   For sim card I am considering roameo, it can be used anywhere and easy to top up.  Call costs are similar to oneroam, I will check them out too, thanks.

I think I will get DD to do the banking from home, I will call her and request funds be transferred as needed.

I see the EU has ordered a drastic cut in roaming charges by June, so I'm waiting to see what happens before doing the phone stuff.