Travel Insurance help needed

crazyshark_2

We travelled to South Africa a couple of years ago and my little boy (5 months) fell ill at the airport and starting projectile vomiting. The medical staff at the airport advised against flying and our baggage was offloaded (and then lost but that is another story). The ground crew were all really helpful, and allowed us to call the travel insurance company here in the UK. I was then told that the policy only allows for one parent to remain behind with an ill child and the other parent would need to fly home on the return ticket! I couldn't believe it at the time and were fortunate that the airline (SAA) went out of the way to re-arrange our tickets at very minimal cost. We had to extend our holiday for a couple of days until he was given the all clear to fly - but in the end didn't end up making a claim for hotel costs and car hire etc as were put off by the earlier discussion with the company.

We have now booked a second trip (this time with a second child in tow) and are wary of incurring the same problem if one of the children is ill. Does anybody know of any insurance companies that allow families to stay together if one is ill. So far I have not had any joy with the companies that I have contacted.

Many thanks
Charles

lisyloo

I couldn't believe it at the time

Why? Surely it's only necessary for one adult to look after the child?
(unless specific medical needs require more than one adult)

Does anybody know of any insurance companies that allow families to stay together if one is ill.

My guess is you proabbly won't find many as this is unnecessary.
(Save for when you actually need two people for lifting or inserting medical tubes etc.)
I would suggest consulting a broker, but what you are wanting is beyond what is necessary for health & safety and therefore I think you have to expect to pay for this yourself.

BTW - My baby nephew was ill recently and it took two adults to insert/remove a feeding tube (one to hold him still) so I do understand there are scenarios that might need more than one person, but generally you'd be in hospital if you needed more than one person to attend.