ANY travel insurance does NOT exclude alcohol consumption?

pughpugh

I'm struggling to find any travel any company that does not exclude covering your claim if you have consumed alcohol. I'm looking for single cover travel insurance for my 18 year old son going on a holiday with his friends for the first time and its proving impossible. Does anyone know of any travel insurance provider that does cover alcohol consumption - ie, you've broken your leg (for instance) whether it was your fault or a 3rd party but you'd consumed some alcohol?

whatmichaelsays

I'd be amazed if there was such a policy out there. Think about it - how could an insurer possibly know what sort of risk they were taking on?

somethingcorporate

I very much doubt it.

udaysm2209

I don't think there is a company such that will provide you insurance cover when found drunk. The company will face legal issues if doing so. And no company is stupid enough to take losses by providing insurance covers to someone who is self responsible for and sort of accidents.

DCFC79

Where is he going ?

Why not just trust him to be responsible ?

elsien

The policies vary and most will cover you if you've had a couple of drinks, or if your blood alcohol is below a specified level (it varies according to insurer) but if they're so bladdered that it affects their judgement ie jumping !!!!ed off a hotel balcony into a swimming pool then no-one is going to cover that.
You need to check the general exclusions for more specific info, or try a broker.


I found this quote if its any help.


Alcohol exclusions are surprisingly common in travel insurance policies – and a major cause of complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service when insurers refuse to pay. All the policies reviewed had some form of alcohol exclusion, but there were different definitions. Admiral specifies a blood/alcohol reading level, Asda has a general clause relating to the "misuse" of alcohol, and LV's exclusions refer to being "under the influence".
The ombudsman says insurers cannot simply assume that certain injuries are alcohol-related, and must provide CCTV footage or witness evidence if hospital blood tests are not available.

pughpugh

elsien wrote: »

The policies vary and most will cover you if you've had a couple of drinks, or if your blood alcohol is below a specified level (it varies according to insurer) but if they're so bladdered that it affects their judgement ie jumping !!!!ed off a hotel balcony into a swimming pool then no-one is going to cover that.
You need to check the general exclusions for more specific info, or try a broker.


I found this quote if its any help.


Alcohol exclusions are surprisingly common in travel insurance policies – and a major cause of complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service when insurers refuse to pay. All the policies reviewed had some form of alcohol exclusion, but there were different definitions. Admiral specifies a blood/alcohol reading level, Asda has a general clause relating to the "misuse" of alcohol, and LV's exclusions refer to being "under the influence".
The ombudsman says insurers cannot simply assume that certain injuries are alcohol-related, and must provide CCTV footage or witness evidence if hospital blood tests are not available.

Thank you elsien - I've spent hours looking into this and you are correct, I've seen loads of reports on the internet of its being used as an excuse and not just for teenagers. That is very handy for insurers. Every single insurance company has in its smallprint that it won't cover you if you've been drinking. They vary in their degree's of drinking but its a sort of wishy washy vague approach that is very one sided, in my opinion.


However, there is a high premium to pay for new learner drivers (teenage) so why not similar to cover accident when under the influence of alcohol?

pughpugh

whatmichaelsays wrote: »

I'd be amazed if there was such a policy out there. Think about it - how could an insurer possibly know what sort of risk they were taking on?

I agree. I thought there might be similar to new learner drivers, ie a high premium specialist insurer, perhaps, but it seems not.

pughpugh

udaysm2209 wrote: »

I don't think there is a company such that will provide you insurance cover when found drunk. The company will face legal issues if doing so. And no company is stupid enough to take losses by providing insurance covers to someone who is self responsible for and sort of accidents.

I don't think its necessarily about being drunk, though that could well come into it. I've seen a lot of info about all sorts of people being refused, because they were asked if they'd 'consumed any alcohol'. Most people (but not all) would have a drink on holiday.

pughpugh

DCFC79 wrote: »

Where is he going ?

Why not just trust him to be responsible ?

On his first lads holiday. I'd like to cover the things I think 'might' be a problem.


I'm just trying to do the right thing, as his friends are telling him he is fine with his EHIC. Well that's fine for NHS style treatment, but if you need, eg, repatriating for whatever reason, then you are stuffed. Seems there isn't a solution to cover him.

somethingcorporate

pughpugh wrote: »

I agree. I thought there might be similar to new learner drivers, ie a high premium specialist insurer, perhaps, but it seems not.

You cannot get insurance for drink driving.

The issue with drinking is it impairs your ability to act and be rational and or sensible. There is literally no amount of damage a drunk person is not capable of causing so this would be like writing a blank cheque.