Ethias

Medical expenses (hospitalization, surgical, pharmaceutical) abroad

Covered

Reimbursement of pharmaceutical, surgical and hospitalization costs incurred abroad up to €500,000 per insured person per event. Ambulatory medical care prescribed by a doctor abroad is reimbursed up to €1,250 per insured per event. Medical costs prescribed or incurred in Belgium are explicitly excluded, even if resulting from illness or accident abroad.

Emergency medical treatment abroad

Covered

Ethias organizes the necessary medical contacts in case of illness or injury and covers pharmaceutical, surgical and hospitalization costs up to €500,000 per insured per event. Ambulatory care is covered up to €1,250. Payment can be made as a direct advance to foreign hospitals or reimbursed upon return. Prior approval by Ethias is required in all cases.

Hospitalization costs abroad

Covered

Reimbursement of pharmaceutical costs in hospital, surgical and hospitalization costs up to €500,000 per insured per event, linked to an accident or illness occurring abroad. Hospitalization costs incurred in Belgium are not covered.

Outpatient medical care (ambulatory)

Covered

Reimbursement of costs for ambulatory medical care prescribed by a doctor abroad, limited to €1,250 per insured per event. Must be prescribed by a physician. Costs incurred in Belgium are excluded even if resulting from a foreign illness or accident.

Emergency dental care abroad

Covered

Reimbursement of dental care costs up to €125 per insured per event abroad. Dental costs exceeding €125 are not reimbursed.

Medical transport to hospital

Covered

Ethias organizes and covers transport to a better-equipped hospital when recommended by doctors. Transport means include train (sleeper/couchette), ambulance, rental vehicle, regular airline or special air ambulance, chosen based solely on medical requirements. Prior approval by Ethias is mandatory in all cases. Also covers transport within Belgium from the site of an accident to hospital and return home upon discharge.

Medical evacuation / repatriation of the insured

Covered

Ethias organizes and covers repatriation of the sick or injured insured abroad, under medical supervision if required, by train, ambulance, rental vehicle, scheduled airline or special air ambulance. Also covers the return of another insured accompanying the patient. Decision is taken in agreement with the local doctor. Prior approval by Ethias is mandatory. Repatriation is not granted for mild conditions treatable on-site, pre-existing mental illnesses under treatment, pregnancy without clear unforeseen complications, or relapses of a previously treated condition (hospitalized in the last 6 months or at least 3 relapse episodes with hospitalization in the last 2 years).

Repatriation of mortal remains

Covered

In case of death of an insured abroad, Ethias covers: coffin costs up to €750, administrative formalities, funeral treatment and encoffining costs, and repatriation of the remains to the home address or funeral home in Belgium. Alternatively if burial/cremation is done on-site, Ethias covers coffin costs up to €750, administrative formalities, and local transport of the remains. Ceremony and burial costs remain at the family's expense.

Search and rescue costs abroad

Covered

In case of accident or disappearance abroad, Ethias covers search and rescue costs up to €6,250 per insured. Winter sports coverage includes helicopter/sled descent and transfer to hospital after a ski accident.

Winter sports coverage

Covered

Included in the base policy. In case of accident on or off ski slopes, Ethias covers: helicopter/sled descent costs and transfer to hospital; reimbursement of unused ski pass days up to €125 when the insured cannot ski due to accident or illness (on presentation of a medical certificate). Ski accident triggers standard medical transport and repatriation coverage.

Legal assistance / bail bond advance abroad

Covered

If an insured is incarcerated or threatened with incarceration following a road traffic accident abroad, Ethias advances the criminal bail required by authorities up to €12,500 per insured. Ethias can also advance attorney fees up to €1,250 per insured. The insured has 6 months from the date of the advance to reimburse. Interpreter costs are also covered by Ethias.

24/7 Ethias Assistance helpline

Covered

Ethias Assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The helpline is operated by IMA BENELUX on behalf of Ethias. Dutch-speaking line: 011 28 28 28; French-speaking line: 04 220 30 40; email: ethias.assistance@ethias.be. Services must be requested and organized through Ethias Assistance during the trip; services not requested or organized via Ethias do not give rise to reimbursement.