Travel insurance advice sought

tezzer09

Hi

My wife and I are taking my children (14 & 11) to Florida in October. We've currently got worldwide travel insurance for the two of us with Columbus which has just come up for renewal. We enquired about adding the children to our policy but Columbus won't cover them because they aren't resident with us - they live with Mum. I've googled a bit but nothing comes up which quickly helps me decide what to go for so wondered if anyone on here has been in similar situation?

The question is....

Shall I:-

1/ Ring around some insurance companies and look for someone who will cover the kids for an all-in-one policy? Could be wasteful as although my wife and I may do another trip on our own after Christmas, the children only need to be covered for this big trip.

or

2/ Renew with Columbus and look for a single trip insurance cover just for the kids? Many companies I've looked at online assume the children are just extras to the main policy.

Any advice welcomed.

FH_Brit

Tezzer - Good news - I called Fortis (Post Office Policy) for you and they will cover kids not living with you either as part of your policy or you can just insure the kids and keep your policy (although if Columbus don't give you what you want - why stay with them).

I often recommend the Post Office policy (although a certain poster here thinks that I have an ulterior motive or that I am gaining somehow!!!) In dealing with travel insurance claims (30,000+ on my "desk" at the moment) for over 7 years for the hospital I work for, I have come accross many policies and this (although not the cheapest) is really good value for money and their claims service is second to none if you are unfortunate enough to need to claim. And seeing that you are having difficulties covering what you need from the cheaper policies proves that they do offer a "better coverage".

I spoke to Holly 0800 294 2292 (open until 9pm weekdays).

Quentin

FH_Brit wrote: »

I often recommend the Post Office policy (although a certain poster here thinks that I have an ulterior motive or that I am gaining somehow!!!)

No-one involved in the industry is allowed to "recommend" any company the way you constantly recommend this one. You seem to seize on any opportunity to spam us like this. Your motives have been questioned as to why you do this, and your answer has been "curiosity killed the cat" - so what are we to conclude is your real reason? Now you are phoning them on behalf of posters, and giving us their phone number and hours of work!!

In any case, it is far from the best (eg it won't cover any ash problems should they arise and ruin holidays!)

FH_Brit

TEZZER - See a certain poster HAD to comment! - Please ignore the comments posted and see for yourself.

Yes Fortis are not covering volcanic ash claims on new policies - But they cover a whole lot more! And seeing the ash situation is the first time it has happened in THE HISTORY OF AVIATION, what are the chances your holiday will be affected in the next 100 years.

For TEZZER's situation, what is better, putting a high priority on ash coverage that happens once in 100 years or get actual coverage that will cover the kids if they should fall ill or have an accident on holiday - an event that happens many time EACH DAY in Orlando/Florida!!!!

Similar to 911 - following the towers in 2001 - tons of insurers "adjusted" their acts of terrorism conditions in their policies, and now it is extremely hard to get terrorism coverage, but in the 9 years since 911 how many British tourists have been affected by terrorism? (unless they are foolish enough to go somewhere on holiday that is high in terrorist activity or they do something stupid like hiking holidays and "drift" into Iraq and get arrested!!!!)

QUENTIN - I really am fed up with your always negative comments. For a start I am NOT in "the industry" as you put it! I am employed by a large US (countrywide) Healthacare organisation so your comment is totally unfounded.

AGAIN AND AGAIN - I have to always repeat myself to you - They are the best IN MY OPINION AND EXPERIENCE! You really can come across as condescending to readers when you do not give them the credit that they deserve. Readers here have their own minds and can make educated decisions for themselves and you always have to have a negative comment about ANYTHING I post.

I notice that MSE have removed a few of your posts and personal comments you have made to me! Well done there!!! You must be proud!!!

Quentin

FH_Brit wrote: »

I notice that MSE have removed a few of your posts and personal comments you have made to me! Well done there!!! You must be proud!!!

That is not so, and a lie. When have I made personal comments about you?

What has happened is that your vitriolic comments (which you tend to make should any of your "advice" get questioned) have been removed, along with the replies to leave the threads on their original topics.

FH_Brit

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/34550141#Comment_34550141

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2576219=

I wonder why the Ignore button does'nt work on you?

Quentin

FH_Brit wrote: »

And seeing the ash situation is the first time it has happened in THE HISTORY OF AVIATION, what are the chances your holiday will be affected in the next 100 years.

Your change of heart over cover for volcanic ash amounts to hypocrisy.

Why?

Because you were the one extolling your favourite company precisely because you (wrongly as it happens) told us they covered the ash issue.

Here you are urging us to make sure we had the cover:

FH_Brit wrote: »

....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)


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.

In fact this wasn't so.

As an MSE member found to his cost after "someone" on MSE had recommended he go with Fortis:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2521811

Strangely, you managed to stay away from that thread. Wonder why?

ERICS_MUM

Hi Tezzer,

have you heard of the DIBB ? It's a british site dedicated to holidays in Florida and full of helpful people who can offer advice on travel insurance as well as loads of other info . You would get a more helpful response there:

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/index.php


Hope you enjoy it.

Linda

FH_Brit

For goodness sake Quentuin - take one day off will you - I have NEVER said that Fortis are perfect. there is no such thing as a perfect insurer - that one case (and I am sure there are others not happy with Fortis) happens to ALL insurers - Fortis, as far as I am converned have it happen less than most insurers.

Fortis DID cover the ash situation and still do on policies taken out prior to the event. They have since decided not to cover it in future - Perhaps you should take that up with Fortis directly as it is their business decision - not mine - to cease coverage.

URGING US??? - The only thing I have ever urged you to do is get off my case!

I surely hope that TEZZER - actually gets his cover and comes back here to comment.

FH_Brit

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

Hi Tezzer,

have you heard of the DIBB ? It's a british site dedicated to holidays in Florida and full of helpful people who can offer advice on travel insurance as well as loads of other info . You would get a more helpful response there:

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/index.php


Hope you enjoy it.

Linda

Perhaps people on here are also contributors on DIBB???? - There's a thought!!!

Quentin

FH_Brit wrote: »

Fortis DID cover the ash situation and still do on policies taken out prior to the event.

You keep telling us this, but this is not what happened to MSE member Missile who took "advice" regarding Fortis. (And his policy was taken out prior to the event). You have consistently ignored the problems reported by Missile with Fortis:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2521811

So why continue to push them at every opportunity? (Anything to do with you telling us your employer pays you for making posts in forums?)