Travel Insurance via bank account perk?

lilac_lady

My sister and OH are going to the USA in January. He is on medication because he's had a TIA (mini stroke, I think). He takes tablets for high cholesterol and high blood pressure. She had bother getting him insured to cover his condition but says that her Royal Bank of Scotland accounts covers him via a perk because she pays £7 per month as a fee. Thay are both over 60 now, No loading has been put on it and she says that it covers ANY pre-existing condition. Can this be correct? Will he be fully insured via this policy?

Astaroth

Need to get a copy of the policybook and read it to check.... they are available from the branch.

I have a Natwest version of the account and I know I was surprised at the level of cover that the free insurance gave (much better than the one that was with my credit card from another bank) but my policybook is on my desk at work so I cant check for you now.

courtjester

My inclination would be to believe nothing in the policy wording. The USA is a serious location to require medial assistance, particularly if the condition is potentially life threatening. Because of the huge potential liability involved if the person(s) required hospital care or emergency treatment /repatriation, I would make absolutely certain that the insurance policy covered the trip before going.

The only way to be sure is to write to the insurance company with full details of the existing medical condition and health of the travellers (enclosing medical certificates of 'fitness to travel' from their GP) and obtain IN WRITING from the insurers confirmation that the medical cover is available without additional limits or exclusions for any treatment in the USA arising from the conditions disclosed.

I am not familiar with the bank membership insurance schemes, but I could see a potential trap if the medical condition pre-dated the start of the banks membership payments (the insurers may attempt to exclude claims for conditions not reported to them at the time of taking out the membership...)

Astaroth

at the end of the day, your policy book is your contract of insurance with them and therefore they cannot decline cover on the basis of anything other than that is in the policybook... the FOS are there to enforce it if they do try it on

paulboy83

Read the policy carefully. And give them a call if you are not 100% sure, bear in mind taking medication is recieving treatment in the eyes of insurance companies.

courtjester

Astaroth wrote:

at the end of the day, your policy book is your contract of insurance with them and therefore they cannot decline cover on the basis of anything other than that is in the policybook... the FOS are there to enforce it if they do try it on

Astaroth, you are right in theory of course, but in practice it is dependent on the quality of the claims service provided and the interpretation of the terms used in the contract. Especially with medical conditions, what may be regarded as 'material' to disclose by one underwriter may not be deemed so by another.

Travel insurance is one of the worst examples for fineprint and endless exclusions and conditions and if the insurer can find a way to turn down a claim on medical grounds, they will certainly try.

If there is a risk that through not declaring something you may end up in an argument, it doesn't really matter that you may be in the right or may win your argument after going to the Ombudsman or to court - in the meantime, you are saddled with all the worry and expense of how to deal with substantial medical bills with no guarantee of recompense as well as the upset and stress of at the same time perhaps trying to deal with a seriously ill partner. The last thing you need is to be fighting your corner as well with an insurance company at this time.

The point of insurance is to take away the risk and provide peace of mind. Too many insurers forget this principle after the marketing is done and the policy is sold and put all their efforts into avoiding reasonable claims on spurious grounds or technicalities.

As far as individual medical issues, I believe it is far easier and clearer to get things completely agreed before the trip begins. Most insurers have a travel screening department who will provide written confirmation in advance of trips abroad.

Astaroth

Having now remembered to check my policy it does state:

Condition: All medical conditions must be disclosed to us

Exclusions: A pre-existing medical condition

Obviously this is the Natwest version so the RBS one may be different

However, to the other discussion, it is exceptionally clear simply by reading the policy book.