Travel insurance with a relative who is sick

ACG

Hi,

Im due to go to Las Vegas at the end of September. Since the beginning of the year my gran (who is not going on the holiday) has been showing signs of Alzheimers - more just forgetting things, a little quieter than normal. Physically she is fine, she had a fall at the turn of the year but we think that was alcohol related (go gran!:rotfl:) more than anything else as she has been fine since she reduced her tipples down.

They have done loads of tests, brain scans etc and have not diagnosed Alzheimers as far as I am aware, but have put her on some medication and Vitamin B injections.

I am sure she will still be around in September and for a lot longer thereafter but a previous neighbour had a rapid decline when he had Alzheimers/dementia and passed away within around 6 months of us being aware he had it.

Would I likely be able to get holiday insurance to cover cancellation should she pass away or have a sharp decline? If so is anyone aware of any providers in particular or who I should speak to?

McKneff

I don't think you would get cover now from anywhere, now that you are aware of it.


You should always take holiday insurance out the minute you book a holiday, it probably still wouldn't cover this sort of thing but it would cover a lot of other things, your own death, breaking a leg, etc etc.

ACG

If I die, I dont think I will be worried about the holiday :P

InsideInsurance

There is one or two insurers that do allow you to declare non-travelling close relatives conditions for consideration of providing cover for them in the same way as you can get cover for travelling members pre-existing conditions.

The problem is that there is only one or two so pricing may not be competitive and if they arent comfortable with the risk then there arent others you can turn to. The fact you dont have a definitive diagnosis yet means is highly likely that the two that do exist wont offer terms to cover it.

ACG

Thanks.

There will not be a definitive diagnosis as they have stopped testing her. I think for all intents and purposes it is some form of dementia/alzheimers or another but as far as I am aware it has not been confirmed. My grandad is in his 80s so is not the best at explaining these things but the letters I have seen from the NHS do appear to hint towards one of these neurolgical "things".

The reason it did not even occur to me to buy it was because I genuinely do believe she will be hear in 12-24 months and I will have returned by mid October so I think in terms of risk there is a minute but you are right, not having a definitive diagnosis is probably going to be an issue that I did not think of (no idea why as I sell CI all day long!).

I dont suppose you are able to PM me the names of these companies are you so I can at least attempt it?

Cheers

lisyloo

If I die, I dont think I will be worried about the holiday :P

If you die whilst on holiday then repatriation can be expensive.
Also if you were a large party (even a family of 4) then cancelling the holiday could be expensive.

ACG

Meh, dump me in a suitcase, might have to pay the overweight luggage allowance but who cares - its freezing in the storage bit anyway so I wont decay.

I know what you mean though.

ACG

Just for anyone in a similar situation I did find a company prepared to quote, the only thing they wanted was for me to confirm that should I have to make a claim her GP would be happy to confirm there was no expectation that she was going to pass away before October (which is when I return).

It was not particularly cheap £150 for 2 weeks cover to vegas but it is available.

sparkles1980

Hi, I am in a similar position and cannot get cover for my mum's health condition, would you be able to let me know the name of the company that helped you, I don't mind paying extra, if I cannot sort cover in the next 3 weeks I will have to cancel the holiday. Thankyou

ACG

sunworld travel.

Just bare in mind you (or your mums GP) needs to be pretty confident she will still be around well after the time you come back. Obviously there are no guarantees but just bare it in mind.

sparkles1980

Hi, thanks for that I'll give them a call, she is quite unique with her condition as she was only given to the age 8 to live when she was 5 and she is now 69 but the consultant has said he thinks she has around 12 months to live that was 2 months ago. I will see what they say and then perhaps try and speak to her consultant. Thankyou