If you are on a camper van tour, or taking a road trip through Europe and camping along the way, you can get specialist insurance that will cover you through pretty much all of Europe and some other countries too (North Africa, Turkey).
It is ideal for travellers as you don't need a permanent address, and you can arrange cover for just as long as you need.
When you go skiing in Europe DON'T rely on your EU membership for treatment.
Even with insurance and a fantastic ski rep my husband lay on a stretcher for three hours cold, soaking wet and in agony in a draughty corridor while the doctor treating him waited for a fax from our insurance company to say he was fully covered. We STILL had to pay for everything, in full but saved all the receipts and had a refund on our return to the UK. I've never been so helpless and angry as I was that day, to make matters worse no one was allowed to be with him.
Don't let this happen to you!
ANYWHERE IN EUROPE!
This does not seem to exist in Phuket, which I guess is why they want to look after your passport for the duration of the hire period. Any damage, and you get your passport back when the damage is made good.
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