Proof of Health Insurance Required??

Czech embassy site says we need proof of health insurance that covers us while in Prague.

Is this something they really check? Find it hard to believe college-age backpackers have the coverage, let alone carry the paperwork!

Thanks,

Sara

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%26quot;Is this something they really check?%26quot;

I doubt it.

%26quot;Find it hard to believe college-age backpackers have the coverage, let alone carry the paperwork!%26quot;

Then they are just %26quot;not smart%26quot; to put it mildly. Traveling without insurance is insanely stupid - regardless of destination.

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LKHK is spot on ,you should never tarvel without proper health insurance.i thing in America you view travel insurance diffrently to us in Europe.I buy an annual policy the covers me for muliple trips,accident and illness whilst travelling,repatriation and also third party cover.this cost about £40 ($80) per year.

In Europe we also have the european health Insurance card that covers us for reciprocal treatment from the various EEc health care facilities privided by each country.

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should also say my Insurance covers me for flight delays,cancellation ,curtailment ,lost baggage etc.

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there is a requirement for non visa free entry into the Czech Republic to have health insurance. occasionally, the authorities at the airport do a blitz and ask fro proof at the border.

as heinokules and unclegus both correctly say, it is nonsensical to travel to a foriegn country without health insurance. it is also illegal to do so if you are coming from the US to the Czech Republic.

as for paperwork to carry, many health insurance companies have the paperwork that you need to carry in a plastic card no larger than a credit card. hardly too large for a young backpacker to carry around

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Thanks, everyone for your feedback.

Yes, health insurance is iimperative, and yes, we have it. If our card (credit card size) is sufficient, then yes, I have it and ALWAYS carry it -- even when just out walking the dog.

The card doesn%26#39;t list coverage in the detail required. I%26#39;ve contacted my insurance company and they%26#39;re sending the paperwork to verify the geographic and financial extent of our coverage.

In the US people are litigation-crazy, so we are insured for every imaginable circumstance -- and a few we can%26#39;t or don%26#39;t care to imagine!

Clearly things have changed for backpackers in the 25 years it%26#39;s been since I was in that crowd. We had our passports and some traveller%26#39;s checks (not even a credit card!) and that was it. I%26#39;m not sure I even knew what health insurance was back then!

I%26#39;ll stop now as I%26#39;m beginning to sound like an old granny telling stories of the good old days. Can%26#39;t wait to get to Prague!

Thanks again,

Sara

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so if you do have health insurance, what was the point of the question? it would be very foolish to have health insurance and not bring the card / documentation with you, as murphys law will say that you will end up needing it

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I didn%26#39;t recall seeing this requirement in other countries I%26#39;ve visited. Perhaps I%26#39;ve missed it in the past and have just been lucky that no one asked for my paperwork.

I do think it%26#39;s a good rule.

As previously stated, my card does not describe my coverage in detail. If I were the one enforcing the rules, I would not accept it as proof of $35,000 coverage while in the Czech Republic.

Therefore I believed that additional paperwork would be required from my insurance company. Dealing with an insurance company%26#39;s bureaucracy (or rather their multi-layered phone menus) can be frustrating and time consuming.

I would have preferred to avoid that step in the process.

However, I called them and within minutes had what I need.

So I was lazy. Sue me.

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the health insurance requirement exists for any EU country that you visit as a non EU citizen - it is not a requirement specific to the czech republic

if your health insurance card does not state the coverage, it is essential to bring it, not just for the authorities at the border but for people at the hospital if you are unfortunate enough to need to use it

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Thanks, peb7.

My card is ALWAYS with me and now I have the additional proof/paperwork so I%26#39;m all set.

I%26#39;ll be there next Wednesday. Looking forward to it!

Sara

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