Travel Insurance Watch Out!!

[Trot]

last year Mrs Trot was taken ill while on holiday with anaemia. Ambulance to hospital, A+E, overnight stay in hospital, all paid for by the insurance company. No paperwork just a few phone calls. We were well impressed.

Luckily I had read the small print after a friendly warning when we took the policy out about 5 years ago and declared that she had a pre existing medical history (which was not conected to the anaemia).

On Thursday this week we had our renewal notice as we have an annual policy. I phoned the medical screen line to ensure they knew about what happened last year. After a 20 minute phone call we were informed they would not cover Mrs Trot for her existing condition or anything connected with the problem she had last year and questioned whether they would cover her for anything connected with the medication and treatment she has had over the past year. They then went through a list of exempt conditions.

Basically if she fell over while sober, on a flat surface covered in a protective layer she would be ok, everything else she would not be covered.

I've read the small print again but there is nothing which even implies the level of cover would change as a result of what is straight forward, basic, medical treatment.

The goal posts have been removed let alone moved so BE AWARE. If in doubt tell the insurance company everything and NEVER assume the level of cover you had last year will be the same if you renew the policy.

The silver lining is that we have found insurance that is cheaper and guaranteed to cover us even when everything is declared.

[xxxjojoxxx]

You say that your wife has a pre-existing medical history and that the silver lining was cheaper insurance even with declarations,nice one but what insurance company did you use??I have this every year cos I'm spinal and everything is attached to that!!!!!!

[Trot]

we looked at the moneysupermarket website. Its got a list of insurers who specialise in insurance for people with medical conditions. You get links to the websites which give you a quote or there are free phone numbers.

Depending on which condition you have you can also use links from the charity websites.

We have taken a family policy for me and the kids and taken a seperate policy for Mrs Trot.

[roxy]

The only thing i would say about having mrs trot on a seperate policy is im not sure that they would cover you to stay with her if she was hospitalised for any reason.
I say this because me and my husband are on the same policy but last september in Cyprus i was hospitalised the day before we were due to fly home and the insurance company said that he should fly home and leave me there !!!!! Yes right, like he was going to do that!!
Anyway after the doctor at the hospital spoke to the insurance company they did agree to pay for his flight home with me 4 days later.

It is just something that i would double check on

[mary]

Normally the insurance includes a member of the family to stay but often the insurers will wriggle. It works out better for them if they dont allow anyone to stay on (which would include a hotel stay too) and then give the sick person 3 seats to come home alone - or even medical escort if they are that sick.
In Roxy's case, the doc probably explained her condition and that medical escort or multiple seats werent necessary.
The insurers will wriggle at every opportunity. If they hear alcohol in association with a condition then they wriggle.
Declare everything so they dont have any cause to wriggle

Lots of wriggling in that post!!

[Trot]

we've checked the wording and it does cover us. Thanks for the warning.

Something else we have found out is that some of the cheaper policies insist on the EHIC being used otherwise the policy can be void.

The one we have says if we use the EHIC the excess is not applicable.

To be honest the more you read these policies the more you realise its best to stay drunk, walk around on your broken ankle and then fall over at the airport when you get home.

[mary]

Alot of insurers want you to have the EHIC. This is so if things get too complicated for a private hospital then they can transfer you across to the NHS system.

Remember though that it isnt worth having just a EHIC. This wont fly you or your family home or cover you for any treatment done in a private clinic

[Sunshine girl]

years ago I trawled to get insurance for my (then) 18 year old and every policy stated not covered when under the influence of alcohol! What 18 yr old is going to go on holiday and stay sober!!! Worth checking