Travel Insurance Discussion Area

RibAd

malc_b wrote: »

I seem to have just fallen into a M&S trap over this. I can't say that I would recommend them as I have in the past.

The situation is that my daughter has a minor blood disorder

. First thing they did was deny cover for anything related to her condition. So aren't you going to check on this (screening as they call it). Oh no we only screen in the 1st 14 days. So do I have to cancel and take the insurance out again (and get what is left of my premium refunded). Oh no we don't do that. So they won't screen and they won't refund. I now have insurance that does not insure me..

Firstly, to answer pre existing medical condition and what it is : "my daughter has a minor blood disorder" there you go, that's a pre existing medical condition. if it's on your medical record, you need to tell them.

I'd be a bit dubious about the response you got from M&S. It sounds a bit odd, because people do get diagnoised with new medical conditions and something like that sounds a bit odd. I would ring them again and ask the same question. If the answer is any different, ask to speak to a supervisor.

When did you take out the policy? It if was within the last 14 days, you should be entitled to a full refund.

ceejayblue

IvanOpinion wrote: »

But you can't blame the insurance companies for that .. on most websites the T&Cs and policy Sumary are available and you normally have to tick a box saying you have read them (that is your responsibility) ... no matter how you buy you have a grace period during which you can cancel. The problem is not with the insurance companies but with a general public that often can not see further than the price ... to be competitive many policies have been trimmed to the bone offering a very basic cover (as demanded by the public who complained about paying for stuff they did not need) .. anything outside of basic cover is an optional extra and it is the responsibility of each individual to ensure they have all the optional extras they need. Further if they go on holiday and think 'I fancy trying that' then they need to make sure they are insured for it.

But you are right, many people do buy policies that are unsuitable for them but that is their own fault for only looking at the price and gambling with the health of themselves and their families.

Unfortunately though when it comes to pre-existing medical conditions you just know they are going to load them because of a significant jump in risk. You do have a choice though of NOT covering pre-existing conditions ... the gamble is yours.

Ivan

I have several pre-existing conditions and up until this year have not had a loading on my premiums. However, now I am over 55 I think the insurance companies see me as a bigger risk. I tried Insure and Go and they wanted to add an extra £15 (not a lot I know) for my sleep apnoea, even though I have other pre-existing conditions which could cause me more problems when I'm away but which haven't caused me any problems at all for years! I went back to Direct Travel, who I have used for years without a loading, and this year they added an extra £12! I know its not a lot but when they haven't done it before it is very annoying!

The problem is though if you have something in your medical history that you've forgotten about because it happened once a long time ago and so you didn't declare it, you then find that the insurers won't pay out on anything because of it! So, I've found its best to declare everything you can remember and play safe it would be awful to be on holiday and taken ill and not be covered!

malc_b

To answer RibAd, the trap is that if something new is diagnosed then you are covered until the end of the policy. If however, you didn't think something was relevant but later think you may be mistaken, that is the trap. It's rather like buying car insurance and changing cars only to find that you can't pay more nor can you get a refund.

I still think M&S are acting incorrectly. Plus, the question of what needs to be declared should be better defined and in writing (M&S say I was asked different questions to the policy T&Cs!). I would not interpret the M&S policy document as applying and still don't.

And the question with declaring everything is where do you stop? How about an operation 30yrs ago for ingrowing toenails, or tonsils being taken out when a kid, or appendix? My read of the M&S policy doc is to catch serious risks, stroke, cancer, heart, etc. This is not in the same league.

UKoap

Seems to me the answer is to go to High Street brokers,
they will divert you to screening lines for pre-existing conditions but will yelp at them if you are refused. Worth a
try anyway. EH Ranson have been very helpful to my circle of friends.

Napalm1983

I'm in the US at the moment and I bought travel insurance before I left, with TopDog.

I'm sure I must have checked, but the policy only covers me for 31 days.... and I'm here for 60...

The policy went "live" on the 26th of March... can I cancel the cover now, and find a new one that will cover me while I'm in country for 60 days?

Have I shot myself in the foot......?

I'm also sick with a chest infection - I'm not even sure how I go to the doctors over here and tell them I have insurance.. or is the insurance just to claim back expenses after the event?

Many thanks in advance,
David
[napalmftw on skype]

UKoap

Go to the nearest MD now, probably cost you around
$60-100, take advantage of your 31 days if need be. Let's hope your chest infection clears-up with medication. Your policy excess might not cover a visit and medication anyway.
Good luck.

deshie

My 2 daughters are off to usa on 30 june staying in hotels and using amtrak.Which is best for them annual or single and when should cover start to cover cancellation as theyre flying from terminal 5? Is there any cover for their credit/debit cards available? Thanks

TomsMom

deshie wrote: »

Which is best for them annual or single

That question can only be answered when they've had quotes from various places. Everyone differs depending on whether there are medical conditions to declare, ages, etc. Each insurance company is different in what their maximum stay is or how they view various medical conditions, etc. Lots to take into account.

deshie wrote: »

when should cover start to cover cancellation

Cover should start as soon as the holiday is booked. Anything can happen at any time which could cause cancellation. If your daughter fell and broke her leg the day after booking and it prevented her from taking the holiday, insurance would need to already be in place if there is to be any hope of a return of a deposit, etc. Or are you only concerned with there being a cancellation because of flying from Terminal 5? In that case I don't know if that could be covered.

deshie wrote: »

Is there any cover for their credit/debit cards available?

Again, you'd need to check what each policy offers. Most companies put a summary of their policy on their website.

pcg2001

Hi everyone,

I will be travelling twice to the US this year and am thinking of taking an annual policy either for myself or as a couple (even though on one occasion I will be travelling alone). I read Martin's article but am confused why there is a difference in price between http://www.moneysupermarket.com/TravelInsurance and going directly for example with Columbus Direct (via quidco). In the former the quote is for £39 couple and the latter is £65.

Columbus seems like a good deal, has anyone used them and can recommend them?

TIA

TomsMom

pcg2001 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I will be travelling twice to the US this year and am thinking of taking an annual policy either for myself or as a couple (even though on one occasion I will be travelling alone). I read Martin's article but am confused why there is a difference in price between http://www.moneysupermarket.com/TravelInsurance and going directly for example with Columbus Direct (via quidco). In the former the quote is for £39 couple and the latter is £65.

Columbus seems like a good deal, has anyone used them and can recommend them?

TIA

We have an annual policy multi-trip worldwide (excluding USA) which we took out last year. Fantastic price compared with others and would recommend them on that. However, we have not had to claim so can't comment as far as that's concerned.