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

fairyann

travelling to New Zealand last year with my mum and her sister (73 and 74 with pre-exisiting conditions) I discovered we could put them on one family policy - EVEN THOUGH they have separate addresses. This cut the premium in half (obviously!). The total was £130 and i though 65 quid each wasnt bad for an annual worldwide policy. Company was called Independent travel ( I think i have that right). BUT my main point is check if you can double people up - siblings as well as partners were eligible for this family policy and they didnt have to travel together. I was amazed, frankly, had to call twice to check! However, we had to dump this company for this year's travel as the premium rocketed - my mum turns 75 this year.

Lalls

MSE_Archna wrote: »

This is a special discussion thread to discuss hints and tips for older travellers and those with pre-existing conditions. If you spot a good provider please report please click reply.

For the general Travel Insurance discussion link please click here.

Just found a fantastic quote with the BMC in Didsbury. http://www.thebmc.co.uk/ Join up half price till end June (about £14.75 for single person). Price for 82 year old with med. condition, annual worldwide travel staying for more than 93 days was £420.00. First time ever we've been able to get an annual worldwide cover policy when staying over 90 days. If you are over 75 and travel worldwide for long periods and have a med. condition, you will know that this is a fabulous deal. Very friendly at the BMC office. You will be given screening number to call and get reference re med. condition and then call back BMC on Tel: 0161 445 6111. All done in 15 minutes max. Halved the cost paid last year. Underwritten by Fortis. Bought on Friday, documents arrived Saturday.

katylittlelady

Firstly thankyou to everyone who has contributed to this post it is very helpful! This is just a quick question as it appears posters have done various things but wanted to get some advice! We are going on travelling for our honeymoon later this year for four months. I have a pre-existing condition but my partner doesn't. Does it work out better to get a joint policy or seperate policies in this situation?

hansi

Just wanted to add that if you have a condition that has been under control for 12 months, then get a quote from covermytravels.co.uk. My present company wanted a ridiculous amount to cover me even though my condition ( high cholesterol) is under control, but CMT gave me an excellent quote which will cover me and my wife's condition. Don't forget to ask how much purchasing the excess waiver would cost. Mine was quite low and it is worth it when you come to make a claim.

hansi

Could someone answer this one for me? I currently have an Annual Multi Trip Policy with Atlas Travel which expires on 23 May next. I already have three holidays booked for 2008 and obviously these are covered for cancellation charges etc. I am now changing insurance companies as from fom 24th May. I assume I will still be covered for cancellation charges on the holidays already booked?

wigan1705

After trawling round the internet for almost two days looking for travel insurance for pre existing medical conditions (I have a pacemaked fitted for heard block) I managed to get a really good deal with jsinsurance.co.uk . For a single trip holiday to Turkey for myself and my two daughters I was qouted £33.00. Now thats what I call a good deal!!!

JessicaF_2

This is a very useful thread for people. However, can I urge people to check the terms and conditions of these policies that cover you for pre-existing conditions, particularly for the USA.

We paid close to £1000 to cover my father for 2 weeks in US (he has multiple medical issues including paraplegia & brain damage), all pre existing conditions declared and 'covered'. This was with medicover.

Upon receiving the terms and conditions, in the small print it states that pre existing conditions in the US are only covered up to $100,000. Not the normal $2million.

Having lived in the US I can say that $100,000 would not last very long for treatment, so whilst these deals are great - please check the small print to make sure that your pre-existing conditions are not covered for a lesser amount of money.

Jessica

Bobrobin_2

JessicaF wrote: »

This is a very useful thread for people. However, can I urge people to check the terms and conditions of these policies that cover you for pre-existing conditions, particularly for the USA.

We paid close to £1000 to cover my father for 2 weeks in US (he has multiple medical issues including paraplegia & brain damage), all pre existing conditions declared and 'covered'. This was with medicover.

Upon receiving the terms and conditions, in the small print it states that pre existing conditions in the US are only covered up to $100,000. Not the normal $2million.

Having lived in the US I can say that $100,000 would not last very long for treatment, so whilst these deals are great - please check the small print to make sure that your pre-existing conditions are not covered for a lesser amount of money.

Jessica

I totally agree jessica, $100k is not much cover at all for the USA.
We should all try remembering that Insurance cover can be a CON & a Ripp-off, if the small print isn't what your wanting & needing.
I've Had one that covered Mother for pre existing declared, but that American' Express insurance would NOT cover the hospital bill as it was a declared pre existing condition... Nothing in the small print saying this would be so though. Still no payment from them.

wigan1705

[quote=wigan1705;10971753]After trawling round the internet for almost two days looking for travel insurance for pre existing medical conditions (I have a pacemaked fitted for heard block) I managed to get a really good deal with jsinsurance.co.uk . For a single trip holiday to Turkey for myself and my two daughters I was qouted £33.00. Now thats what I call a good deal!!! This is for 5 million medical cover

snowy_robin

Just had one of those great moments of customer service.
I registered for this forum just so i could pass on the details
Spoke to Manor Insurance about a one way travel policy for myself and my wife to Australia, we are emigrating.
I had a triple heart bypass in Jan this year!
Great guy on phone Sam handled call very well. Had to call a company called Fortis for a medical screening, they were also excellent on the phone and required no additional uplift for my condition even tho its inside 12 months of the op
Final quote for myself and my wife, 17 days one way to Australia via Malaysia and Singapore including covering my heart condition is £83.00 To me thats amazing value

Peter