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

zzzLazyDaisy

ariane5 wrote: »

Thanks, will do. I thought perhaps Diabetes UK would be good, but nooooo.....I think their quote was a new record!

I have diabetes and a number of other conditions. Lloyds TSB insured all my pre-existing conditions and my annual cover came in at just under £70 (well worth it to me for the peace of mind).

I do have a LTSB account, but this was a separate retail policy, not linked to a pay per month account.

dacouch

icklejulez wrote: »

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

What are their ages?

zzzLazyDaisy

icklejulez wrote: »

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.

Australia has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK

http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/migrants/visitors/uk.jsp

Also, if they are going for longer than 3 months they will need a visa

Hope this helps

icklejulez

Im not 100% on there ages without my boyfriend being here but I think they are approx 65-70 off the top of my head.

icklejulez

Hi there ages are 64Female and 69Male

dacouch

£1000 is not that excessive for twelve months travel insurance based on their ages.

You could investigate the option Lazydaisy posted.

Another option would be for the 64 year old to take out cover seperately as her premium will be considerably lower. I have had a quick look and this brings it down to circa £900.

Another option is to delete the baggage cover as this could save between 10% and 20% off the premium, bearing in mind the saving and any excesses they would pay if they did claim and the fact baggage cover is pretty poor on travel policies anyway

icklejulez

Hi Im sorry Iv re-read my post and can see that I said 12 months, they are in fact only going for 6 months. This is why the insurance seemed a little obsessive.

I talked to them about the option by Lazydaisy but they need more cover than just Health cover. Im sure there only trying to cover there backs but there not 100% on what this travel insurance covers can anyone advise?

Thanks

TomsMom

icklejulez wrote: »

I talked to them about the option by Lazydaisy but they need more cover than just Health cover. Im sure there only trying to cover there backs but there not 100% on what this travel insurance covers can anyone advise?

Thanks

So what are they looking for?

There's a travel insurance guide on Moneysupermarket. The page I've linked to gives a general overview of what's needed.

Have you read Martin's article - and make sure you read the Minimum Cover Levels bit.

If you go to any insurance website you can check out what their policies cover and see if it's what your boyfriend's grandparents are happy with.

We've been to Australia a few times on DIY trips. We've always taken out insurance on the same day the flight was booked - if they do this cancellation of flight is covered if there is any reason they can't go, be it any medical reason where they are concerned or close relatives that would prevent them going, but check what's covered.

dacouch

Have a look at the PJ Hayman Backpacker which will be roughly half the quote you have http://www.pjhayman.com/downloads/BROC_backpacker.pdf
http://www.pjhayman.com/index.asp

happypig

Thanks to this thread, my friend just got cover for a 7 day trip within Europe with Columbus. She had a kidney transplant 4 years ago and in otherwise good health. Quotes with other ins companies coming up anywhere between £50 and £100, but only £18 with Columbus! She's mid thirties. Hope this helps someone else.