Ethniki Hellenic General Insurance Company S.A. (A.E.E.G.A. "I Ethniki")
Εθνική Ασφαλιστική
Εθνική Ασφαλιστική is a travel insurance for the Greece market with no online purchase and 24/7 assistance.
Direct payment
The insurer arranges and coordinates medical transport and repatriation of remains directly through the contracted provider's coordination center. Where direct organization of remains transport is not possible, the provider is obliged to assume retrospective indemnification. For other covered expenses, reimbursement is made retrospectively upon submission of required documentation.
Geographic scope
worldwide
No stated geographic restriction on coverage provision; insured must be permanent residents of Greece and not abroad for more than 6 consecutive months. Greek students and sailors are considered permanent residents of Greece if declared as such.
Unique selling points
- Dedicated exclusive 24/7 health helpline operated by the coordination center for insured persons, ensuring immediate access to emergency assistance at any hour worldwide.
- Comprehensive family support during hospitalization: covers travel, accommodation and return of a relative to care for the hospitalized insured (after 5+ days), and care arrangements for minor children under 14 traveling with the insured.
- Mandatory interpreter and medical file translation services included at no extra cost when the insured is hospitalized abroad during travel, reducing language barriers in foreign healthcare systems.
- Accident coverage for illness-related restrictions continues beyond age 70, ensuring that elderly travelers retain transport and repatriation protection even after the illness-coverage age limit is reached.
- Flexible annual premium payment in up to 12 monthly installments accepted via credit/debit card, internet banking, cash, phone banking, and ATM (National Bank of Greece), providing broad payment accessibility.
Coverage limits
Medical Expenses (General)
Excluded
The product 'Άμεση Ιατρική Βοήθεια' does not cover general medical treatment or pharmaceutical expenses. Coverage is limited to coordination and transport services (medical evacuation, return to permanent residence, repatriation of remains, 24/7 assistance line, interpreter and translation services). Direct medical treatment costs are not within scope.
Emergency Medical Treatment
Excluded
Direct emergency medical treatment costs are not covered by this product. The product covers coordination of medical transport to an appropriate medical facility in case of accident or sudden illness, but does not pay the hospital or physician fees at destination.
Hospitalization Costs
Excluded
Hospitalization costs themselves are not covered. Coverage is limited to coordination of transport services triggered by hospitalization (e.g., return of travel companions, visit by a relative if hospitalization exceeds 5 days, medical file translation). The policy does not reimburse hospital room, treatment or surgery costs.
Outpatient Treatment
Excluded
Outpatient treatment costs are not within the scope of this product. The product exclusively provides assistance and coordination services related to medical transport and repatriation.
Emergency Dental Treatment
Excluded
Emergency dental treatment is not mentioned as a covered benefit in this product. The IPID does not include dental expenses in the list of covered items.
Medical Transport / Evacuation to Appropriate Facility
Covered
Covers the cost of medical transport (evacuation) of the insured to an appropriate hospital when medically necessary due to accident or sudden illness during travel. Also covers return to permanent residence after hospitalization by non-standard medical transport, and return by standard transport after hospital discharge following a travel accident. Coverage of return of non-injured traveling family members to the insured's permanent residence when the insured is hospitalized due to a travel accident.
Medical Evacuation
Covered
Covers medical evacuation of the insured to an appropriate medical facility when deemed medically necessary due to accident or sudden illness during travel. The coordination center of the contracted provider must be contacted first. Primary evacuations and rescue services are explicitly excluded.
Repatriation of Remains
Covered
Covers repatriation of the insured's remains in the event of death occurring during travel abroad. If direct organization of remains transport by the contracted provider is not possible for any reason, the provider is obliged to assume retrospective indemnification. Excluded: transport of remains to a third country, airport-to-burial-site transport costs, and burial expenses.
Search and Rescue
Excluded
Primary evacuations and rescue services are explicitly excluded from this product. The IPID states: 'Οι πρωτογενείς διακομιδές και υπηρεσίες διάσωσης' are not covered.
COVID-19 Treatment
Excluded
COVID-19 treatment is not mentioned in this product's IPID (dated April 2019, prior to the pandemic). No COVID-19 specific coverage is evidenced in the available source documents for this product.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Excluded
Pre-existing bodily injury or illness and any complications that existed at the time of insurance inception are explicitly excluded. The policy states: 'Προγενέστερη σωματική βλάβη ή ασθένεια και οι τυχόν επιπλοκές που υπήρχαν κατά την σύναψη της ασφάλισης.'
Winter Sports Cover
No limit stated
Winter sports are not mentioned as a covered activity in this product. The IPID does not reference any winter sports extension or add-on.
Adventure Sports Cover
Excluded
Adventure sports are not mentioned as covered. Racing events are explicitly excluded. Participation in military exercises, illegal criminal activities, and speed races are listed as exclusions.
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Excluded
Pregnancy and childbirth are explicitly excluded from coverage. The IPID states 'Κύηση και τοκετό' as a non-covered item.
Personal Liability
Excluded
Personal liability is not part of this product. The product scope is limited to direct medical assistance services (transport, repatriation, coordination, interpreter services). No liability coverage is mentioned in the IPID.
Legal Assistance
No limit stated
Legal assistance is not included in this product. The IPID does not reference any legal assistance coverage.
24/7 Assistance and Coordination Center
Covered
Covers 24-hour daily service from the coordination center with an exclusive health line for insured persons. Also includes mandatory interpreter services when the insured is hospitalized abroad during travel, and medical file translation services in case of hospitalization abroad during travel.
Key conditions
Assistance call deadline
The insured must contact the coordination center of the contracted provider BEFORE receiving medical transport or evacuation services. Incidents not reported to the coordination center within 30 days are excluded from coverage. Exceptions apply only when the insured was unable to communicate.
Unauthorized treatment
Coverage is excluded for events where the coordination center was not notified in advance and further authorization of medical transport was not obtained, except when the insured was unable to communicate. Coverage is also excluded for incidents where the covered medical transport was not used and which were not reported to the coordination center within 30 days.
Purchase while abroad
No specific provision for purchasing coverage while already abroad is stated in the IPID. Coverage begins only upon full payment of the due premium. The policy is available through insurance intermediaries.
Chronic conditions
Chronic mobility problems are explicitly excluded. Pre-existing bodily injury or illness and any complications that existed at the time of insurance inception are also excluded. Coverage for illness is excluded entirely after the insured reaches age 70 (accident coverage continues).
Pregnancy
Pregnancy and childbirth are explicitly excluded from coverage. No exceptions or partial coverage for pregnancy complications is mentioned in the IPID.
Pre-existing condition exclusions
Pre-existing bodily injury or illness and any related complications existing at the time of taking out the policy are explicitly excluded from coverage.
Coverage duration limit
The insurance is valid for the period defined in each individual policy contract. Insured persons must be permanent residents of Greece and must not be abroad for more than 6 consecutive months. Greek students and sailors are considered permanent residents of Greece if they have declared Greece as their permanent place of residence.
Where to buy
Documents
IPID - Άμεση Ιατρική Βοήθεια (Απρίλιος 2019)
IPID
Policy specifics
Emergency Medical Assistance
Coverage for emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and medical advice during travel
SourceMedical Repatriation
Coverage for transportation of insured person to home country for continued medical treatment or to nearest adequate medical facility
SourceTravel-Related Exclusions
Exclusions for medical travel (treatment trips), remains transport to third countries, and expenses for medical treatment required prior to departure
SourcePre-Authorization for Medical Services
Insured must contact the coordinating emergency assistance center before obtaining non-emergency medical services to ensure proper coverage authorization
SourceMental Health and Psychological Condition Exclusions
Coverage excludes suicide attempts, self-injury, mental health conditions, intellectual disabilities and related emergency medical care
SourceHigh-Risk Activity Exclusions
Coverage excludes military exercises, illegal criminal activities, racing events, and similar high-risk professional or sporting activities
SourcePre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion
Pre-existing bodily injury or illness and any complications that existed at the time of insurance inception are excluded
SourceAge Restriction for Illness Coverage
Coverage for illness-related events is excluded after the insured reaches age 70. Coverage for accident-related events continues beyond age 70 without interruption.
SourcePermanent Residency Requirement in Greece
Coverage applies to insured persons who permanently reside in Greece and are not abroad for more than 6 consecutive months. Greek students and sailors are considered permanent residents of Greece if they have declared Greece as their permanent place of residence.
Source