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

JackieH1

My husband has a quite serious heart condition and after a lot of research found that good old Marks and Spencers is the best and by far one of the cheapest. Under written by Axxa, you can ring them direct for a quote but I find it easier to fill in the form on Marks web site and only a couple of quid dearer. You can declare any medical condition and opt to have it covered or not-used them for past 4 years now.

luci

Anything underwritten by Axa is normally not recommended as they don't have a good record of paying out and the insurance experts on here usually say to avoid.

Regardless how cheap a policy is, you don't know how good an insurance company is until you need to claim.

macro_duck

ariane5 wrote: »

Columbus results:

Diabetes - Declined
Angina - Declined
Atherosclerosis - Declined
Hypercholesterolaemia - Declined
Hypertension - Declined

Onwards and upwards.......

My wife and I were with Columbus last year but this year they refused to cover my wife's Hypertension and Hypercholesterolaemia . Obtained cover with Staysure. Co.Uk. £120 for worldwide cover.

Roger

gocat

Ok not really an insurance question as never got round to get any :rolleyes: but dont know where to put this.
Hubby booked flights with Air Asia to Malaysia few months back for travel end of October to visit relatives.
Unfortunately I've since been diagnosed with breast cancer, dont know how severe yet (only just had lumpectomy and waiting for result etc).
I really want to cancel the flight as dont think it will be good for me to travel so soon, plus dont know yet what future treatment I have coming up (radiotherapy has been mentioned).

Anyway, hubby says can they wont refund the monies and thinks I will be ok to travel anyhow . What are my options here seeing as I dont have insurance. Someone has told me if I get a doctors letter then the travel agent should refund? Is that right.

Btw. tickets havent been issued yet

TomsMom

gocat wrote: »

Unfortunately I've since been diagnosed with breast cancer, dont know how severe yet (only just had lumpectomy and waiting for result etc). .......... not really an insurance question as never got round to get any

Sorry to hear this and hope everything goes OK for you. I'm sure you don't want a lecture about travel insurance but at the risk of being shot down in flames ........ that's exactly the sort of thing it's for and why it needs to be taken out as soon as you book ANYTHING to do with a holiday. Still, I'm sure that now you've realised that and next time you'll take it out straight away.

I really want to cancel the flight as dont think it will be good for me to travel so soon, plus dont know yet what future treatment I have coming up (radiotherapy has been mentioned).

Different people react to the treatment differently. I know someone who sailed through her treatment and others don't. Your treatment should be starting very soon so you can always discuss with your doctors.

Anyway, hubby says can they wont refund the monies and thinks I will be ok to travel anyhow .

With all due respect to your hubby, he can't possibly know that you will be OK to travel and shouldn't presume so.

What are my options here seeing as I dont have insurance. Someone has told me if I get a doctors letter then the travel agent should refund? Is that right.

Who are the travel agents? Some big concern? If so I'd be very surprised if they'll do anything. If it's a local independent who you've used for years and know you very well, then maybe they'll do what they can because of your relationship with them and they'll be hoping you'll stick with them in the future.

Btw. tickets havent been issued yet

I think tickets issued through an agent are generally sent to you a couple of weeks before flight date.

We booked with Monarch direct for a flight to Spain last year, a few months in advance, and had to cancel because OH was diagnosed with cancer. As paperwork was dealt with online and printed off, the deal was done there and then. We had got insurance and it was even a struggle to get a refund in these circumstances, but it has to be said it was a c*ck up by the claims people that caused the problem.

To be honest, I wouldn't hold my breath about a refund. Ask the agent, see what they say. If they wont refund just hope that you will be well enough to travel BUT what happens if, whilst you are away, something happens to you or hubby that would need to be covered by the insurance you haven't got - I'm thinking serious here, the sort of thing whereby you'd need to be airlifted home with an accompanying nurse. You really do need to try and get some insurance if you're going ahead with this trip and it either wont be easy now because of your diagnosis or it will be costly.

Good luck, I hope you get it sorted and your treatment goes well.

JackieH1

luci wrote: »

Anything underwritten by Axa is normally not recommended as they don't have a good record of paying out and the insurance experts on here usually say to avoid.

Regardless how cheap a policy is, you don't know how good an insurance company is until you need to claim.

Actually....we were insured with Axxa when my husband had a massive heart attack whilst on holiday a few years ago. I must say their service and care was wonderful! And once back in the UK-escorted all the way home to the front door by a Doctor organised by them- ALL bills were settled in full without any problems. I am more than happy to be insured by them again now.

gocat

TomsMom wrote: »

Who are the travel agents? Some big concern? If so I'd be very surprised if they'll do anything. If it's a local independent who you've used for years and know you very well, then maybe they'll do what they can because of your relationship with them and they'll be hoping you'll stick with them in the future.



I think tickets issued through an agent are generally sent to you a couple of weeks before flight date.

.

Travel agen is called Rexair and yes we have used them many times before. Paid by credit card. Would that make a difference Worth mentioning to them that we used the many times I guess

Got a quote from some place called pulse insurance for £250. Seems cheapest so far. :T

TomsMom

gocat wrote: »

Travel agen is called Rexair and yes we have used them many times before. Paid by credit card. Would that make a difference Worth mentioning to them that we used the many times I guess

Got a quote from some place called pulse insurance for £250. Seems cheapest so far. :T

OK, if it was me my first step would be to go into Rexair tomorrow and have a chat with the person who knows you best from your previous dealings with them (face to face, not over the phone, it's easier for them to say no on the phone).

Also, take a look at the Ts & Cs of your credit card. If someone is smiling down on you today you might even find that there is travel insurance included ???????

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Savvy_Sue

Just to add to what TomsMum said, even if they won't refund, they MIGHT be able to re-book at a later time if you'd feel happier about that.

icklejulez

I understand this is a stab in the dark as I dont have all the details but my boyfriends grandparents of reasonably good health are going to stay with family in Australia at Christmas for 12 months and are struggling to get travel insurance for this period. They have been quoted over £1000 and SAGA say they dont cover for this length of stay.

Its an area I dont really understand so would be gratefull if anyone had any words of wisdom I could pass on. Wouldnt like to fail being future grandparents in law...

Thanks