Suitable, cheap travel insurance starting post-volcano

gunjin

There are several threads about which travel insurance company is paying out and which isn't but not (as far as i can see) about what travel insurance you should opt for in the mid or post-volcano era. Nor is there anything on the main part of MSE.

As i see it there are two issues for people seeking new travel insurance at the moment:
1) which insurers will reject claims for future volcano-related problems on the grounds that those taking out insurance and going abroad at this juncture are doing so in the full knowledge of the potential for Volcano related problems? Someone on another thread here has suggested that insurers will do this.
2) which insurers that are willing to cover volcano-related claims through policies taken out at this juncture offer the best value?

As far as i can tell, no price comparison sites indicate which ones do or do not in their comparison tables. The cheapest i have found via individual price searches is around £58 including luggage and cancellation insurance (worldfirst) for a single under 65 WW traveller.

Anyone got more info or found better?

martinrothwell

Hey Gunjin thasnks for the mention.

I can only speak for our own firm (www.world-first.co.uk) as it is too early to say what others will do. Some insurers may now put exclusions into their policies whilst others might state speficially that they will cover volcano activity. We would consider a new airspace ban as a new event and clients would be covered except where a policy is purchased after any new event becomes public knowledge. However, we cannot guarantee that policy wordings will not change and more will be known when the industry gets together to discuss its stance more fully. At the moment we are just concentrating on looking after our clients and getting them home.

FH_Brit

gunjin wrote: »

Anyone got more info or found better?

Gunjin - No, absolutely no insurer will cover for THIS volcano - insurance is against an unknown event/incident this volcano is now known to be active and therefore none will cover THAT volcano.

see below my usual recommendations (and they covered the volcanic ash delays)

Don’t forget to buy DECENT insurance.

1. Do not buy from a Travel Agent.
2. Do not buy from foreign insurer (Incl. White Horse)
3. Do not buy on price alone - make sure you have adequate coverage.
4. Compare prices on EQUAL policies only.
5. If the price (premiums) do sound cheap - then probably so is the cover!
6. See who UNDERWRITES the policy - I advise you do not buy any Axa policy.
7. If you want it - make sure your policy covers Volcano, Cancellation (Charter AND scheduled airline), Delay, and costs (Hotel, food, alternate travel arrangements).

Finally my recommendation for a great insurer…….

Fortis Insurance. (Post Office is the easiest way to purchase)
http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump1?catId=62900708&mediaId=63300708

Why?........

They are excellent at after claims service and pay your claims quicker than most other insurers. (based on my own experiences as someone who bills 20,000+ claims a year)
They were THE FIRST UK insurer to announce they would be covering the volcanic ash claims. (and the few others followed!)
They are a little more expensive than most – but you REALLY DO get what you pay for. (Why skimp on insurance when the cheaper won’t pay out anyway?) £20-30 extra is a little price to pay for peace of mind and worry free travel when you have spent £6,000+ on a family holiday!

FH_Brit

Martin - Are you a Broker?

I notice that from your links your underwriters are PTIC in Gibraltar and I have had problems with these people in the past with refusal to deal with us. I may be interested if you'd like to improve your relationship with our hospitals please PM me.

gunjin

In light of FH Brit's cautionary comments and Martin's assurance that a new airspace ban would constitute a new coverable event for his company, i have bought travel insurance via Worldfirst. Thanks to both.

nickp8

FH Brit what problems have you had?

I have a chronic medical condition and am looking for travel insruance. I got a quote from World First and it is significantly lower than other companies. I found their screening system to be more thorough then other companies when asking questions related to my condition but am in two minds now about them after seeing your post.

FH_Brit

NICKP8 - This insurer (not the only one - Canadian Medical Network [CMN] are another main offender), refuse to deal with collection agencies and as you (the patient) are responsible for your medical bills and not your insurer, we have no alternative but to pursue you when they refuse to deal. Then you believe them when they tell you to ignore us.

The problem is unclear, if it is their office policy or Gibralta (where they are based) Law, or a miss-interpretation of the UK laws (Data Protection Act mainly) in any of these cases they are wrong. You, the patient had treatment in Florida and therefore you are bound by Florida State and U.S. Federal Laws.

I have had (at least 3) cases in the past where we have taken action (to different levels) against PTIC policy holders because of PTIC's lack of communication with us.

EXAMPLE- One case a grandfather owns a property here and tried to transfer it to his son because we were "chasing" him for payment that he owed when he brought the grandchildren here for a holiday and one of them needed treatment. The Lien stopped him from doing this (Lien = like a mortgage company's first charge on your home and you have to pay the Lien holder before you can sell/transfer) = His case will be up in front of the Judge shortly (legal fees + debt + interest etc etc = $1.5m)! ALL BECAUSE PTIC WOULD NOT SPEAK TO ME!

Once the medical provider has won (and they will) they THEN willl have the "AMMUNITION" to report PTIC to The Office of Insurance (Government Dept.) who will ban PTIC and/or their agents from operating in Florida. - Bear in mind this is being done not by me/my company but the medical service provider directly.