Travel Insurance Cost Cutting Tips For Older Travellers/Pre-existing Conditions

clairewomble

:j

I can agree with Matt. I too have purchased my insurance from https://www.totaltravelinsurance.co.uk and it is very good value for money and has covered my condition. Other places wanted hundreds of pounds more to cover it, but this place charges reasonable,normal fees....amazing!!

jodrellcat

Those considering travelling to Europe with only the card should consider cost of repatriation. Could be expensive if say driver taken ill or family needs hotel accommodation for two or three weeks. Remember, also, that belongings are usually covered under household policy and this should reduce travel insurance by about 10%.
Anyone know of a policy and cost which would cover us either for a rtw trip or to spend say about three months in Australia?
Insurance companies will have to wake up to the increasing numbers of over-65 gap year travellers. Usually health conditions are well controlled, we are often fit and healthy and don't just want to pop over to Spain for a couple of weeks - we have the time to spend months travelling. But not when the insurance policy costs more than the airfare!

millie

mattp wrote:

For those looking for travel insurance for the elderly and medical conditions, i can recommend a company called Total Travel Insurance (https://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

I have just had a quote from Total Travel, my husband is 65 and had a heart bypass 14 years ago, a minor heart attack the year after and a very slight stroke about 5 years ago which left him with no diabilities. Also a stent was fitted in his heart 2 years ago, he still has to go to the hostpital for check ups every 6 months.

After phoning the medical screening dept. who asked very few questions and did not need me to elaborate on anything. They gave me a refence number.

I phoned the insurance company back, they did not want the refence number just said I needed to keep it with me, when we travelled. They came up with a figure of £49.26 for both of us (I have no medical problems) This was the same figure as they gave me before the screeening. I was told this was correct and if I had not been give the reference number we would not be covered by them. I have not taken the insurance out at the moment bacause I am not sure that it is as it seems. The cheapest quote I have had so far is from Free Spirit £212, and another from Marks & Spencer for £256. Does anyone think this is OK ?

nfiche

I have studied the responses to my post at start of this thread. It proves the obvious -- shop around, don't necessarily believe what you are told by helplines etc, some quotes are good for one person but not for another, including myself. etc etc I am 74, wife 68, both with some health difficulties, wanted an annual worldwide policy (daughter in Far East) and I have looked at all those mentioned.
American Express did not want to know, Prudential wanted £450, laterlife would charge £203 each, totaltravelinsurance would not cover over 70's for an annual policy -- and so it goes on !
Re jodrellcat's plea for a round-the-world, have a look at https://www.bmcinsurance.co.uk (British Mountaineering Council) which offers annual 93-day stay (and longer for a fee) worldwide "ordinary" policies ie not rock-climbing etc. You have to join for a fee of £28.50 each , and the reasonable premiums are increased by 50% for 65-69, 70% for 70-75 and 100% for over 75, but it might still be attractive given the longstay bit. It is a Fortis Insurance policy which has a very straightforward health declaration(the same as laterlife).
Basically, if you have been in the clear for 12 months apart from regular medication, haven't got a terminal prognosis, have not seen a specialist for 3 months etc etc, you will be covered, which is much simpler than some of the hoops you have to leap through-- and you don't have to listen to Bach for half an hour to do it!
That leaves the LloydsTSB. Yes, it is good -- provided you fit but they excluded my wife's angina altogether ! Which is making me think twice about a policy that has many advantages
A good thread. Keep the hints comng in !

mattp_3

millie wrote:

I have just had a quote from Total Travel, my husband is 65 and had a heart bypass 14 years ago, a minor heart attack the year after and a very slight stroke about 5 years ago which left him with no diabilities. Also a stent was fitted in his heart 2 years ago, he still has to go to the hostpital for check ups every 6 months.

After phoning the medical screening dept. who asked very few questions and did not need me to elaborate on anything. They gave me a refence number.

I phoned the insurance company back, they did not want the refence number just said I needed to keep it with me, when we travelled. They came up with a figure of £49.26 for both of us (I have no medical problems) This was the same figure as they gave me before the screeening. I was told this was correct and if I had not been give the reference number we would not be covered by them. I have not taken the insurance out at the moment bacause I am not sure that it is as it seems. The cheapest quote I have had so far is from Free Spirit £212, and another from Marks & Spencer for £256. Does anyone think this is OK ?

Hi Millie

Yeah that was the same for me (although they did take the reference number) but the quote was the same, if you pass the questions from the medical screening number then it means that they can insure you without additional cost - so the premium is still the same.

I checked the terms and conditions of the policy when I took out the polcicy and all seemed fine - they said that as long as the medical condition hadn't been a problem within the last 4years then they could insure without extra cost - i guess this is the case for your husbands situation?

All the best
Matt

barron_2

Hi Millie,
Double Check,!!!!!
What happens on our insurance is ,The client obtains the Ref number ,rings back(us),we then book the insurance.BUT the client then has to ring back the Medical Screening Company and pay what ever extras there is.
I know its along winded way,we have just started dealing with this company,but i am sure most are the same.
I have just tried to do a Sgl trip Europe for my Nephew age 14 who is coming with us on Monday,with late booker discount Quote =£5.79pfor 10 days,because I checked ,he has mild Astma,the screening company wanted an extra £8.89,which then makes it expensive.
Please Double Check That Insurance From Total,I hope you are right ,and dont have to pay any more,but be carefull.
Happy Hols.

millie

mattp wrote:

Hi Millie

Yeah that was the same for me (although they did take the reference number) but the quote was the same, if you pass the questions from the medical screening number then it means that they can insure you without additional cost - so the premium is still the same.

I checked the terms and conditions of the policy when I took out the polcicy and all seemed fine - they said that as long as the medical condition hadn't been a problem within the last 4years then they could insure without extra cost - i guess this is the case for your husbands situation?

All the best
Matt

Thanks for the reply. did they send you a copy of the medical declaration that you gave them, because without a copy of it in writing if anything happens how can you prove what was said in the declaration.

Also did you have to phone the medical line back and pay extra, as Barron has said. It all seems very strange to me and I am abit worried about taking it up.

cableguy_3

Try this website / company:

http://www.freedominsure.co.uk/

CableGuy

millie

Finally found travel Insurance with Asda covering all pre-existing conditions for £66.54 si all I need to do is sort the holiday now.

Porker

Insurance for over 65’s - https://www.insureforall.com



Insurance for people with medical conditions:


Columbus Direct - 0800 083 9503

Insure For All - 0870 8903648

MakeSure - 0870 156 6679

MediCover - https://www.medi-cover.co.uk

HTH!