Travel Insurance Adivce Needed

Maggie_Bob

Hello there, and I'm so greatful in advance for any advice you can offer.

Hubby and I are in the US and were due to fly back to the UK yesterday evening. However we got to the airport and hubby threw up. Our bags were pulled, we moved our tickets to open and checked in to an airport hotel. Hubby is still unable to keep anything down, but it doesn't seem drastic i.e. just a stomach bug or possibly some dodgy food. Fingers crossed he should be fit to fly tomorrow.

Now obviously, changing our tickets and staying in this hotel is costing us a bit - shouldd we be covered for this on our travel insurance? Would I need to get the doctor to see him and give us a doctors note (this will cost more $$ surely?) or should the records of him being ill at the airport be enough proof? Sorry for asking, but I'm just not sure what to do, am looking after hubby (poor thing!) and hoping I don't get ill myself.

dogbot

Get onto the phone with your travel insurance company immediately and ask them. There is a 24/7 phone number to call and they are there to help. Only they can tell you if you are covered under the terms of their policy and they will also be able to provide local medical assistance quickly. In particular, if there is something medical, it is quite possible they will require one of their authorised doctors or hospitals to see the case.

Maggie_Bob

Thanks for the advice - I'll be getting on the phone!

dogbot

Should have said before, but hope that your husband gets well soon and all is as smooth as possible for you!

FH_Brit

Maggie - I work in Orlando Medical - dog is totally correct - plus a few other points - the Airline may now require a "fit to travel" certificate from a doctor before they allow him to fly.

Probably under the terms of your policy you should have already called them for advice as they may not pay for the hotel you chose - they would pay for a hotel (the cheapest they could find) so if delayed any longer you could be on the move.

I would think your IC will inform you to seek med attention. The assist company will advise you where to go, and what to do - take their number to hosp/med facility as if your IC do not "pre-cert" you'd be expected to pay before you leave. In any case legally the patient is always responsible here not your IC.

See my other thread that has some useful Travel Insurance info:
Click Here for must-read information: Medical & Travel Insurance

Maggie_Bob

Thank you all for the sound advice. We've got things sorted as best as possible (although we still need to keep our fingers crossed about getting a seat on a flight tomorrow), and hubby is all but his old self again. Luckily, the airline had warned us about the medical clearance.

Thanks again!