Florida Medical & Travel Insurance Info B4 You Go!

Leigh-Anne_60

themaccas wrote: »

This is really interesting, we have an bank account that gives free annual worldwide travel insurance (Halifax) it was one of the main reasons we took the account. I have looked at the policy and it seems very good and I am happy with the cover overall but do these type of policies pay out ok? We are off to Boston USA later this year and were relying on this policy to cover us.

EDIT: Just found out the policy is administered by FirstAssist Insurance Services Limited and
underwritten by Great Lakes Reinsurance (UK) PLC.

You'll find this policy is more than adequate cover... and is not your typical 'freebie' policy... Thats assuming it is the Ultimate Reward account you have? Firstassist also have there own assistance company, which provide the assistance for lots of different insurers... FH any comments on them??

Leigh-Anne_60

FH_Brit wrote: »

Leigh-Anne - To be "Devils Advocate" from their point if you hide or flat out lie about PEMC they (understandably) have doubts about what other "facts" you put in your proposal, and although unfair/appallind/dubious it seems the proposer also agreed to reveal EVERYTHING when the proposer took the policy they agreed to declare and by not declaring, means that the proposer/insured have breached their contract (Policy).

However my view is this - insurance companies do not make any money from you buying their policies, but they do make their money from not paying out on claims!!!

Sorry FH, just seen your reply
Im sure this probably went on years ago... but today it wouldn't happen, Insurers just couldnt/wouldnt get away with it.

People forget to declare PEMC's all the time...... Not to fool or defraud the insurer, just through naivity or plain old forgetfulness..... Cant then decline an unrelated claim because of it?

themaccas

Thanks LH, yes it is the Ultimate Reward Account we have.

lauraaurora

Just posting to 'tag' thread. We're also insured with Great Lakes Reinsurance (UK) PLC through OUL Direct so would like to know FH Brit has any thoughts on them. TIA.

dacouch

Lauraandclive, the policy you have taken has quite big excesses which range between £150 to £250. These are big excesses, most companies excesses are between £40 and £100 on average.

Leigh-Anne_60

OUL? Who are they? To be honest Great Lakes are just the underwriter..... Its the performance of the Assistance company that FH will hopefully be able to comment on.... It should detail in your policy docs under medical emergency section who yours are. Though will guess with the GL link, it will be Firstassist

lauraaurora

I know, I've just read through the policy! We're young(ish), getting married on Friday and going on our honeymoon on Sunday... By which I mean we've got a million things to think about, and getting travel insurance was one thing I've ticked off of the list. I appreciate your comment, and I am now aware of that fact. Better to have a high excess than no insurance at all!!!!

Thanks x

lauraaurora

Leigh-Anne_60 wrote: »

OUL? Who are they? To be honest Great Lakes are just the underwriter..... Its the performance of the Assistance company that FH will hopefully be able to comment on.... It should detail in your policy docs under medical emergency section who yours are. Though will guess with the GL link, it will be Firstassist

Yes, it is First Assist.

dacouch

It is better to have insurance rather than none.

Some companies have a habit of putting bigger excesses on their policy as it means their premiums are lower as their total bill for claims are lower. When they have a low price it means they come higher on the comparison sites etc.

When you get quotes for your car and home insurance have a look at the "Total Excess" (Any voluntary excess plus any compulsory excess) as its a common trick on their.

Good luck with the wedding and have a nice honeymoon

FH_Brit

Stillsmiling wrote: »

No this isn't free insurance, this is a travel insurance policy from American Express.

I tried to find who the assistance company were but couldn't find anything.

Oh dear ! I just looked - Amex is AXA policy see - http://www.americanexpress.com/uk/personal/insurance/travel/pdfs/661ABSelect.pdf

(go to bottom of document and page back [page 65]) - I have my fingers crossed that you do not become a customer of mine later!!!