Travel Insurance Discussion Area

Madmel

Anyone who is thinking of going to the US without travel insurance really needs to take a long hard look at themselves. Last year we were out there when DH's appendix ruptured. He had a couple of days of feeling "off" whilst we were there, but we put it down to the food, water & heat (like you do on holiday). His medical bills ran into 6 figures: life support for 4 days, a medical evacuation by helicopter of 235 miles ($38000), 4 operations, a week in ICU and a further week in a ward.

The UK consulate in LA was fantastic. The insurers here were ok - it was AA Travel Insurance, but their Canadian counterparts who deal with things on that side of the Atlantic were awful. Like Dave & Aleks, they tried to say it was a pre-existing medical condition, they rang me at all hours of the day & night to shout at me for not returning forms to them. When I asked where they had faxed them to (like hotel or hospital) they said it was "confidential":eek: . The hospital thought it was hilarious and we spent a happy 2 hours with the Head Social Worker, Consultant and various junior docs on the phone then typing letters to them. In the end, my Dad who was back in the UK gave them a mouthful by phone and threatened them with my "cousin" a TV researcher, which seemed to do the trick.

The worst thing of all was that they expected my 2 kids to fly home alone, including 2 changes of plane and an overnight stop in Chicago. They were 8 and 6 :eek: . Generously, they grudgingly offered to fly someone out to accompany them, until I pointed out that all possible rellies were either dead, infirm or my Dad who I needed in the UK helping me. I also pointed out that flying an adult both ways was way more expensive that taking them with us on a re-arranged flight. Just what I needed with a husband on life support.

The moral of the story is to get decent cover and take with you the contact info for the nearest British Consulate. The US health system was stunning and DH has made a great recovery. But I wouldn't wish it on anyone else.

cupid_s

Hi,
DH and I are going to the galapagos islands next year, and we want to get annual insurance to cover this. But I'm fed up of searching through quotes to find they all only have cancellation cover up to 5k maximum.
Does anyone know of a company which offers extended cover for this?

edit: ignore me - it's 5k per person which is plenty enough. Silly me.

midlands_guy

mattp wrote: »

For those looking for travel insurance for the elderly and medical conditions, i can recommend a company called Total Travel Insurance (www.totaltravelinsurance.co.uk) - we went on holiday to spain with a relative who is 73 and is in a wheelchair after suffering a stroke a few years ago, their quote was nearly £50 cheaper than anywhere else (and I tried about 6 companies!)

Certainly worth a call if you are struggling to find a good quote

All the best
Matt

Ive just got annual multitrip europe wide insurance with my existing medical conditions covered for £86.96 or if i want worldwide its approx !30. The insurers i used are
www.allcleartravel.co.uk my quote from norwich union this year for the same cover had gone uop to £140 so try all clear if yr under 69

katies_mum

We have had an annual policy with M & S for the last 3 years. It will be up for renewal on the 16th May (not had details yet) last year in Sharm El Sheikh had to make a claim as had very bad food poisioning /gastroenteritis (sorry can`t spell it) I was on a drip for 24 hours, doctor was great he came to the hotel room etc as he was based in hotel. Hubby also had a bit of an iffy tummy but just got tablets. The doctor did all the necessary with
M & S we didn`t have to do anything apart from give our Insurance details.

Do you think because of this claim our premiums may go up with M & S. If we were to go to another insurance company do we just have to tell them what happened etc (the claim was May 2007)

Thanks

LouBlue

Hi there.

Me and OH are going to NY for 3 days end of May and then to China for 6 days in September. So want the travel insurance cover to cover both trips.

Any ideas for a good deal? Many thanks.

katies_mum

Has anyone used Insure and Go recently got a lot better quote off them than M & S for a gold policy with no excess, my claim last year doesn`t make any difference. They were £72 for a family cover, M & S wanted another £60+ on top of that.
Wondered what they are like should you be unfortunate enough to have to make a claim!

pokerman2542

I Have Just Had A Travel Ins.quote From Morethan With Pre Existing Medical Conditions.i Am 65yrs Old And The Quote Blows All The Rest Away.pokerman321

Leigh-Anne_60

pokerman2542 wrote: »

I Have Just Had A Travel Ins.quote From Morethan With Pre Existing Medical Conditions.i Am 65yrs Old And The Quote Blows All The Rest Away.pokerman321

Pokerman - Assume by that you mean cheap?

TomsMom

pokerman2542 wrote: »

I Have Just Had A Travel Ins.quote From Morethan With Pre Existing Medical Conditions.i Am 65yrs Old And The Quote Blows All The Rest Away.pokerman321

Come on pokerman, spill the beans How much then?

haylee_299

Hi

I am looking for travel insurance for 6o days world wide as we are a fmaily of 5 travelling to the Far East and US this summer. Does anybody have any tips as to who would be a good insurer to go with.

Cheers
Haylee

MSE_Archna wrote: »

This thread is specifically to discuss the content of the

Travel Insurance: Protect yourself when away at a fraction of the cost article.

To discuss or ask a question about this article: click reply