Barclays Travel Ins with Bank Account - questions on new diagnosis'

blue_monkey_2

My husband has 'Family Travel Insurance' with his Barclays Account. We have never used it but are going away later this year so it seems daft to buy another policy if we already have one we can use.

Both myself and my husband have Asthma, my DD has eczema and another skin condition and my son has eczema, ADHD (which he is currently medicated for) and Autism, all of these are usually declared but when I went to France last year I paid, for myself and the 2 kids, £25 for a 3 days when the cover was usually £8, because of the declared conditions however at that time my son was not medicated. On top of this my husband is currently waiting for an op for a detached retina - which should be fixed before we go.

He has had this policy since they started it (many years) and the illnesses and conditions - except my asthma which I have had for many years - have been diagnosed after the policy started, I am assuming the policy is a continuation one because they just take a fee each month.

Will they refuse to insure us for these conditions or will I have to pay more? If anyone could help I'd be most grateful as it is in his name so I cannot speak to them to get it sorted. Thanks.

FH_Brit

Even on these policies you MUST declare any medical condition.

In the event of a claim (decent size) they will require a statement/declaration from your GP to say that yuo have no PEMC's. When they find out that you have not declared they may (that means will in usual circumstances) deny your claim leaving you to pay your med bills.

Please note - (as people pick holes in everything said here) this is based on my experience dealing with hundreds of UK policies each month - Every policy and underwriters have ttheir own conditions that may be unique to their policies. You should always check with your insurer as to if you need to declare or get a medical screening before coverage is confirmed.

blue_monkey_2

Thanks Brit,

I was not disputing paying it at all, even things like the eczema/Autism will definalety be declared because you never know what might come up and I would just not risk it, I just did not know if Barclays would ask for more money and if they did it might be worthwhile getting cover elsewhere.

FH_Brit

Blue - no one here an speak of Barclays policies regarding premiums, although they are near the top of my insurers list (usually a good policy) only they can "assess' the risk your family's illnesses create and therefore if they do consider it a greater risk they may increase your premiums. You'd probably be better off paying their extra premium than buying a second policy - but compare them just in case!

blue_monkey_2

Hi Brit,

I've called them as I found they were open til 8pm and not 5pm and given them the details, everything is covered for no extra charge except my hubbies eye problem, that is an exclusion as he waiting for an op, but once that is done I have to call back and they will re-assess it. They even spoke to me (he was here but did not speak to them) about it and I gave all the details - I did not think they would do that but they did.

I am glad that you think the policy is a good one, still cannot believe I was not charged extra for all of the conditions, they probably thought I was a bit daft mentioning the eczema but if she gets an infection or something at least I will know we are covered for it. A few hundred pounds more to spend on holiday. Yay!!

FH_Brit

Another thing, when you call back re the eye thing, get them to send you confirmation that you have declared those conditions (better safe than sorry)

blue_monkey_2

Thanks, yes, she did say she would put everything in writing. I kept on telling him to cancel it but I do think we would not be paying more in annual insurance than the £16 pm we are paying right now. It was about £200 last time before DS was diagnosed with all these things.

FH_Brit

£16??? sounds cheap - look at the coverage!!!

blue_monkey_2

The policy info is here:

http://www.personal.barclays.co.uk/PFS/A/Content/Files/9909243_AddAct_Travel_dec09.pdf

He gets lots of stuff for £16 pm, it is one of those all in bank account things you pay each month for.

FH_Brit

OK - I though £16 for the policy

These "per month" extras on bank accounts can be false economy - if you paid for all the benefits individually it could be cheaper - £16 aint bad, but I'd still look at what you get for £192 per year and compare!