Over 65's Travel Insurance

arlowood

Hi there

My wife and I have now entered the realms of the "crinklies" where we suddenly turn into the pariahs of the travel insurance industry.

We are looking for an annual travel policy to cover us for holidays in Europe. We have found that several providers will quote us including Saga and Age UK. However both of these providers specifically exclude any form of cancellation or curtailment cover if a non-travelling relative has a pre-existing medical condition that might cause us to cancel a holiday.

My 95 year old mother still lives independently in sheltered accommodation but she is taking medication for hypothyroidism and depression. She has been taking the thyroid medication for at least 20 years and the anti-depressants for 6 years and both conditions are well under control.

Because of this, I interpret the Saga and Age UK exclusions to mean that we would not be covered if we had to cancel or shorten a holiday due to some problem with my mother.

Does anyone know a provider who would still offer cancellation/ curtailment cover in these circumstances?

luci

Try https://www.eta.co.uk They don't load the premium if you are older. I also called them re PEMC's of Close Relatives not travelling and they said this would be covered.

You could also try emailing them on their website as I found them fairly prompt in responding.

arlowood

Hi Luci

Many thanks for your prompt response.

Have had a quick look at the ETA site and reviewed their policy document - particularly the Cancellation/ Curtailment cover and exclusions.

Looks like they will provide the cover we need and the quote they gave online was attractive.

Will follow up with an email just to confirm my interpretation of their policy wording. If it's OK I will go ahead and sign up.

moonrakerz

arlowood wrote: »

We have found that several providers will quote us including Saga and Age UK. However both of these providers specifically exclude any form of cancellation or curtailment cover if a non-travelling relative has a pre-existing medical condition that might cause us to cancel a holiday.

I think that you will find that this condition is becoming more and more widespread.

I would be VERY careful of "bargain" insurance policies. The main thing you want is a company that WILL pay out when called upon.
We have used Saga for some years - if you phone them and talk through your medical "problems" many of them are ignored.

When it came to the crunch and we had to claim from Saga (TWICE!) they paid up without a murmur.
We still use them and they don't appear to have loaded us for our previous claims. We could probably get it cheaper (from ETA ?) - but I have total confidence in Saga - why risk going elsewhere ?

McKneff

Have a look at the RIAS website, its for people over 50 and i got a good deal from them in June.

Bob_the_Saver

There comes a time for short haul trips when self insurance for this aspect should be looked at.
I AM NOT saying travel anywhere further than Tesco without cover for yourself.