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

bargainscot_2

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.

We are a 60'ish couple with the wife taking medication for high blood pressure.
For 2 years now we have taken out annual travel insurance for Europe with a company called InsureandGo. £70 total for both of us incl. a no excess premium, and all done on line.

Billy_Box

I've checked out Endsleigh Travel Insurance (annual &single trip) for people with pre-existing conditions like myself and it looks like a good buy, providing your condition is controlled by medication or diet. You must have been diagnosed over 12 months prior to taking out the insurance.
Can someboy better qualified than myself check this one out as I am looking to buy during May 2007.

Cheers
Billy Box

Billy_Box

Endsleigh Travel.
Go online as if to buy, enter all screens to see conditions, have a look at the travel booklet, its on a PDF

edhenson

At 80+ I had difficulty getting reasonable travel insurance to include pre-esisting medical conditions. I found Freedom travel insurance, which has been developed by groups in the medical sector. It cost £196 for one week at Cyprus - for self and wife in 70s -seems expensive but I did get the cover.
They have a very good web site at https://www.freedominsure.co.uk
By the way, I notice from Archers direct brochure, they cover up to 90 years of age. edh

swagman

My 'portfolio' of pre existing conditions at 68 includes bladder cancer (1990, finally signed off 2005), heart attack 2003 daily medication, and diet controlled diabetes.

After an exhaustive process of getting quotes I found an annual multi-trip policy for Europe, to include my wife who has no medical conditions, for £138 - this is the standard price with no loading because of medical conditions. Most companies would not offer me multi-trip at all.

This policy is from https://www.covermytravels.co.uk, where I found the only adviser in my searches who was clearly knowledgeable about the topics - knew the drug names and so on.

What seems to make the difference with this company is that the criterion is not only what have you had - it is what has been stable for 12 months. As all my medications have been the same for that period, then all the conditions are fully covered.

If you want to try them the number is 0800 917 7829 Mon-Fri 9 - 5. Policy details are on the website, plus a long list of conditions which, if stable, do not attract an extra premium. By the way - I have no connection with the company except as a policy holder!

Susieostrich

My husband had a stroke in Oct at 53 and fit as the proverbial flea until then (out on a 60 mile bikeride at the time). Tried several providers, many of whom would not quote - others wanted up to £300 for single trip european cover. We got good cover at £77 annual european covering pre-existing condition but excluding bags & baggage etc as we are already covered on household policy for this (would have been £10 more). Well worth a try - it was Nationwide, very friendly and helpful though they did put the conditions down as mine on the quote - so check it carefully before you accept.

swagman

Essexwader wrote: »

I note various comments about http://www.covermytravels.co.uk/ including one that states - have check ups every 6 months and they covered me - (not verbatim).
Strange that when I tried to obtain cover today from this Company; I have a Heart condition checked up on by Hospital every 8 months, it was refused as "we only cover clients with pre-existing Medical Conditions if they visit hospital for ANNUAL CHECKS". Anything < this no cover available.
Maybe some aren't being upfront in their answers - beware any claim likely to be refused as frequency of Hospital Check-ups is to verify.

Yes, covermytravels set great store by a condition being stable for 12 months. I can see that a condition may well be stable IN REALITY for 12 months (ie medication etc does not change) but check ups are more frequent. This seems tough, but I guess they regard the frequency of check ups as an indication of what the consultant thinks is the likely stability of the condition.

Even so, covermytravels do seem to be taking pre existing conditions that many other insurers are not. I had quotes as high as £500, other total refusals and covermytravels at the standard premium with no loading. It all defies logic!

mrs.money-penny_3

Spent many days trawling the internet, (looking at all the companies recommended) and on the telephone to Medical screening lines. Thanks to 'nfiche' we seem to have solved all our problems. BMC insurance certainly look the best out there - no upper age limit and ask sensible questions.

thelmarnold

After paying over £200 to cover my pre-existing conditions (Diabetes and hypertension) for annual worldwide travel, I checked with Sainsburys and saved over £100.

samread

Every year the best offers seem to change - and the insurance company I was delighted with last time has developed a new policy. American Express offered to continue with annual insurance whatever age I reached until renewal date when an age limit had suddenly appeared.

My latest find is http://www.24drtravel.com who came up trumps both on age and pre-existing conditions. Backed by Europ Assistance they are certainly worth a try.