Urgent - Travel insurance to cover cancellation due to bereavement

SpadgeBoo

Hi there...wondering if anyone could help me.

Booked a flight with Virgin to fly to US this time next week for me and my boyfriend. Only booked a week ago and I am yet to purchase travel insurance, although he has his via his bank.

In the last week his Grandma has become very ill and there is now a possibility that we many have to cancel the holiday either due to death/funeral.

He will be covered by his insurance. But since I don't yet have insurance, I'm searching for a company which would cover the cancellation of the holiday, just in case. As she is not a blood relative to ME, I'm encountering problems. I wondered if anyone has any recommendations?

Thanks

Mr_Lahey

Doubt it, when you get insurance it will ask for any known illnesses etc...

I have to be honest, i'd still go. But then i guess that depends how close they are.

richardw

You can't get insured the event has happened.

Incapuppy

Are you sure your BF is covered? If his Grandma's illness is linked to a pre-existing medical condition then usually this will have had to have been declared and accepted by his insurers before cover is provided.

Richardw is correct - you will not get insurance for yourself to cover this.

If you do not travel you may able able to reclaim taxes; alternatively have you checked whether the dates of travel could be changed for a fee?

SpadgeBoo

It's not a pre-existing condition though, nor is it an 'event'. She's old and is going through a bout of illness, like any one of us might. It could just be a cold, but obv colds can have more serious implications for an older person. She's not even in hospital. I'm really just exploring my options and considering worst case scenario.

If something happens, then we won't be travelling because they are very close. It's not really an option to change the dates - the villa is booked for certain dates, I have uni exams, he's starting a new job. So unfortunately, the only option would be to cancel.

I need to get travel insurance anyway, it was always something I was in the process of doing, just as it happens, now that this is the case, just wondered if there were any companies out there, albeit for a more expensive premium, that covered such an eventuality.

System

I'm not even sure that grandparents' death would be covered anyway for your BF. I don't think grandparents would be classed as immediate family.

SpadgeBoo

Most insurance companies refer to a 'close relative' and yes, grandparents are included. You might be surprised at the extensive list which the companies quote...aunties, uncles, legal guardians, etc. I guess no-one can dispute the term 'close' as it's so ambiguous, so it should be the case that they include such an exhaustive list.

I really don't see why companies are so strict with this rule. Most people who take out travel insurance are likely to have a relative, particularly a grandparent, who are in poor health. Especially at certain times of the year. I'd understand more if the person was sick in hospital receiving treatment, unlikely to recover. But in my situation, she hasn't even sought medical advice. She is still at home, living her life, but feeling very unwell.

Well I will be taking out travel insurance anyway, I guess it's up to them what they decide to pay out on. I've had bad experience with travel insurance before as last year was ill with tonsillitis. After paying over £100 for a visit to the doctor and medication, the company wouldn't pay out as I'd had the condition 12 months ago. Again, it's likely that anyone going on holiday will have a pre-existing medical condition. The parameters really are too constricted.

Incapuppy

SpadgeBoo wrote: »

After paying over £100 for a visit to the doctor and medication, the company wouldn't pay out as I'd had the condition 12 months ago. Again, it's likely that anyone going on holiday will have a pre-existing medical condition. The parameters really are too constricted.

Which is exactly why any pre-existing medical comditions for the person travelling should be declared to and accepted (or not) by the insurer and any additional premium paid.

If you are likely to wish to cancel or curtail a trip due to the ill health of a travelling companion or any close relatives of yours (or theirs) any PEMCs relating to these people should also be declared to insurers.

SpadgeBoo

I'm just going to phone the company and explain the situation. Think that's the best option. I need the insurance anyway, there's no doubt about that. So it really doesn't make a difference if they don't pay out...I'm not going to travel without insurance, that's for sure!

Janie2008

Virgin will allow you to cancel your booking in these circumstances. Travelling companions are covered also. This wont help with your booked villa of course.

richardw

SpadgeBoo wrote: »

It's not a pre-existing condition though, nor is it an 'event'.

It is because you haven't got insurance and it has already happened.

It is the same as looking for theft only insurance after something has already been stolen.