Travel Insurance - new condition after booking

Be_Happy

Can anyone help me out with this query please?

OH aged 82 has several pre-existing medical conditions which don't trouble him at present, but are always declared in travel insurance quotes.

If we take out travel insurance for a cruise almost a year ahead and he develops a new condition, I understand this has to be declared to the insurer.

New condition does not make it necessary to cancel holiday, but insurer decides this is just too much and can't be covered. Will insurer pay out for holiday cancellation, or are we left with a booked holiday and no insurance/incomplete insurance cover?

We are able to get a very good advance booking deal, but this insurance possibility is causing me concern.

Thanks

BazzaDP

I honestly think you're best asking the insurance company when you phone up and join. Different companies have different rules. Also don't take the sales person's word on this in case they get it wrong - double check the Terms and Conditions carefully when they get posted out and phone to complain immediately if it's not as you were promised.

jonesMUFCforever

Make sure that any travel insurance policy will cover him as he is over 80 years of age. Most normal travel insurance policies will not go this high.

rs65

Be_Happy wrote: »

If we take out travel insurance for a cruise almost a year ahead and he develops a new condition, I understand this has to be declared to the insurer.

Check what the policy says about changes to your health. Looking at the post office policy, any changes to health only need to be declared if you have taken out annual cover. Even then, any holidays already booked before the condition develops are still covered.

dacouch

rs65 wrote: »

Check what the policy says about changes to your health. Looking at the post office policy, any changes to health only need to be declared if you have taken out annual cover. Even then, any holidays already booked before the condition develops are still covered.

Or if they're not prepared to cover the trip (Assuming cover and booking before the new condition) pay the cancellation charges

Be_Happy

BazzaDP wrote: »

I honestly think you're best asking the insurance company when you phone up and join. Different companies have different rules. Also don't take the sales person's word on this in case they get it wrong - double check the Terms and Conditions carefully when they get posted out and phone to complain immediately if it's not as you were promised.

I would do this, but I couldn't trust what I'm told. The call centre staff are desperate to make a sale.

Be_Happy

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

Make sure that any travel insurance policy will cover him as he is over 80 years of age. Most normal travel insurance policies will not go this high.

While it's impossible to get annual cover over age 80, we've never had a problem getting single trip cover - only problem has been the cost. On a recent holiday quote the basic premium after giving the holiday details, our ages, etc was around £70. After declaring the medical conditions it was over £300.

Be_Happy

The policy wording is usually very vague.

I think what I'll have to do is e-mail them and ask them to clarify what would happen, so that I have something in writing.

magpiecottage

It is likely that the policy conditions preclude travelling against medical advice regardless.

However, if it was a condition that the insured person was unaware of, and had no particular reason to be aware of, at the time the policy was taken out (or trip booked in the case of annual policies) then the insurer should meet the cost of cancellation less the usual excess.

gayleanne

They seem to make up their own rules as they go along, I would get everything put in writing, my parents thought they were completely covered, they gave every detail about illnesses they have had, and their insurance company tried to stop paying out when my parents claimed, because my father hadn't told them that he broke his nose playing rugby, 40 years ago. He was claiming for an emergency operation in America for Gall stones, what that has to do with his nose we still cant figure out. It took months and loads of solicitors letters, before their claim was paid.