JERSEY insurance brokers are urging businesses and individuals to review the small print in their travel insurance policies, in view of recent changes.

From 1 April Islanders who need health care while in the UK will have to find a means to pay for it themselves, the UK government has decided. The ending of the longstanding reciprocal health agreement, announced last week, has come as a shock to those in the insurance industry, according to Ian Touzel, director at Islands Insurance. ‘Although we were aware that negotiations were going on, we were under the impression until quite recently that there would not be any change. So when the news came through I suspect that was a bit of a surprise.’

Mr Touzel said that so far insurance providers had indicated that they would be prepared to extend the current cover for Jersey residents to include the UK. ‘A few have said they will definitely be covering Jersey, and I am confident that others will do the same,’ he said.

Further good news is that the insurers do not seem inclined to increase the current premiums. ‘It is too early to confirm that, but at the moment there is no indication that they will increase,’ said Mr Touzel.

Pictured: Islanders travelling to the UK are now effectively going to a foreign country as far as travel insurance goes