It comes amid fears that British holidaymakers would be unable to use the European Health Insurance Card (Ehic) if the UK voted to exit the European Union. The Ehic card offers members of the EU access to state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in another European Economic Area.

Experts confessed that it was not clear what would happen to British access to the Ehic if the public voted for Brexit, but said any subsequent rise in insurance costs to cover the loss of the Ehic would be minimal.

Kate Huet, managing director of insurance firm International Travel and Healthcare, said: “The reality is that insurance might go up but only slightly. Not that many travellers actually use Ehic – it is only a small percentage. The majority of travellers often end up in private hospitals rather than state institutions,” she added.

Antony Martin, managing director at Rock Insurance, agreed with Huet but said the information was still unclear to draw a definite conclusion. “We’ve been looking for some information to support a view on this. I’m not sure how well the Ehic card is used and I can’t see it having a huge impact on the cost of insurance.”

Andy Cooper of Owens-Cooper Consulting added: “There are no facts – both sides are trying to second-guess and that’s ludicrous. Both sides are scaremongering.”