French healthcare standards are very high and provided on the same terms as French nationals if you have an EHIC. That said, it’s important to remember the treatment may not be free at the point of service. Should the UK leave the EU without a Brexit deal, it is likely that Britons will not be able to use the EHIC, making travel insurance an even more important purchase.

If you need to top-up any prescribed drugs – you’ll need a prescription from a local doctor. To make this a little easier, make sure you carry a copy of your prescription and a doctor’s note to explain why you are taking any medicines.

If you’re a British citizen with a valid passport, you won’t need a visa to travel to France if your trip is for less than 3 months.

The currency is the Euro and cards are widely accepted. Tipping isn’t expected but much appreciated if you’ve received really good service.

If you plan to drive in France you’ll need to carry your full UK driving licence, passport, V5C (registration document) and your insurance documents.

You will also need to buy a GB sticker, spare bulbs, a traffic triangle, breathalyser tests, snow chains, headlight deflector stickers and reflective jackets – you can get kits with all these items included online or if you forget, they’re available on ferries and petrol stations near the ports.

If the UK leaves the EU without a Brexit deal, you may also be required to carry an International Driving Permit, available from most Post Offices, and a motor insurance green card which you’ll need to get from your insurer.

While English is widely spoken as a second language in big cities, it isn’t commonly used in rural areas. It’s always a good idea to learn some phrases and use as much French as you can.

Full benefits begin on the travel dates you have selected. However, if you have chosen cancellation cover to be included, this cover begins as soon as you buy your policy. For this reason, it’s important to buy your travel insurance as early as possible – or as soon as you have your trip booked. You can book a single trip policy up to 12 months in advance of your holiday.

We’re pleased to say our AllClear Gold and Gold Plus policies have no age limits. During your quote, you’ll only be shown quotes which can cover your age category

If you have an EHIC (which used to be called the E111), you get medical treatment at the same price as the residents within EU countries you’re visiting. This often means either free or reduced costs. However, the EHIC does not cover you for all eventualities, and so you also need comprehensive travel insurance.  For example, if you’re taken to a private clinic in a private ambulance, you won’t be covered. The EHIC also doesn’t cover the cost of repatriation if you need to be flown back to the UK following an accident on holiday.

Allowed trip lengths vary between policies, however, the maximum you can get for a single trip quote online is for up to 92 days. Find out more about maximum trip durations here: How long you can travel for.

Whether buying a single or annual multi-trip policy is best for you, it depends on how often you intend to travel during the next 12 months.  If you are going on holiday multiple times throughout the year, an annual policy could work out better value for you.

With an annual multi-trip policy you can travel as many times as you like throughout the period of your insurance. There are, however, limits on the number of days you can be away for any one trip; which for some providers also depends upon your age.