Travel Insurance Continuity

CMG_2

It's well known that if your insurance policy is not in force at the point you make your booking then it is likely the insurer won't cover you should the trip be cancelled etc. etc. My question is regarding continuation of a travel insurance policy with a new company:

For example, I have had cover since 30 July 08 with Flexicover, but now want to move to a different insurer (there are more competative rates to be had). Am I safe to do this? If my trip was to be cancelled who would the liability be with, would the flexicover policy which was in force when I made the booking (but has now expired) cover me, as I assume the new insurance company wouldn't as the policy was not inforce with them when the booking was made...


Also, if I was to continue with Flexicover, but applied via moneysupermarket would this still be viewed as a renewal and would I be covered?

Any advice, comments views most welcome.

Thanks!

don9999

Great question. I'm in the exact same boat. And also with Flexicover.

My annual family insurance runs out on 2nd August.
We're going on holiday on 7th August, so I need to take out new insurance on 3rd August.

But are we covered for cancellation or similar before the 7th August?

Does it matter if I take out the renewel with Flexicover, OR, a NEW policy with Flexicover (Which is cheaper), OR, go with a different company (which is even cheaper again.)?

Cheers,
Don

CMG_2

I knew someone else would be in the same boat... I'm sure someone will come along in a minute and clarify how this all works!

Quentin

The insurer under whom the loss ocurred would be liable. ie If you have to cancel the day after renewing, then the new insurer would cover this. If you cancel the day before renewing, then the old insurer is responsible.

Note that when you renew (or take out new) annual policies, you need to declare any matters that are now existing (even though they weren't at the time of booking the trip). Unfortunate when expensive new medical conditions have turned up (or a close relative has recently become ill who could make you cancel the trip)

Changing insurer at renewal makes no difference - whether you stay loyal or move, they both want fresh declarations.

FH_Brit

Although I agree with Quentin to a certain amount - the best advice would be to call the new IC and ask them, it's all well and good getting advice here but none of us are YOUR insurers and we have not seen your T&C's.

Check with your new company first if they won't cover it stay with your existing IC. If the new IC says you are covered make sure you have this condition IN WRITING

Quentin

FH_Brit wrote: »

Check with your new company first if they won't cover it stay with your existing IC. If the new IC says you are covered make sure you have this condition IN WRITING

Staying with your current travel IC won't guarantee they will cover recently developed conditions into a new policy year.

With annual travel insurance, you need to make your declarations twice. Once at inception AND at each renewal, and every time you subsequently make a booking during the policy year.

Thus if someone develops a declarable condition after making a booking during the course of the policy year, but is not due to travel till after the policy year ends, then cover for that condition isn't automatically carried on into the "new" insurance year. It needs to be declared, and the insurer then can decide whether to cover or whether to impose exclusion conditions or extra premium etc.