Backpacking Insurance Advice - Complicated living arrangements

poleyg

Hi,

I've got a bit of a complicated question. Myself and my partner are going to be doing a round the world backpacking trip beginning in August. We're currently trying to find some decent cover, and have been looking at the World Nomad policies - which look great for us.

Now here are our problems:
- I am an Irish passport holder, she is a UK passport holder.
- I was born in Northern Ireland, so technically I am a UK citizen.
- We both live in Spain, and have done so for more than 5 years.
- We still hold bank accounts in the UK, and are both still registered for UK doctors.
- Our parents both live in the UK and, as we are giving up our flat in Spain, we will be using their addresses for emergency contact and correspondence.
- We do intend to return to Spain after our trip ends, but we will be setting off from Manchester.

So, my question: Is it illegal (or immoral) for us to contract travel insurance with a British company? The prices from Spanish companies are absurd. The policy says we must agree with the following:

"I am a British Citizen and have a permanent residential address in the United Kingdom or a resident in the United Kingdom at the time of purchasing this policy."

Do we match these criteria?

lovesgshp

As you do not have a permanent UK address, then I think you will have a problem.

May be worth getting a quote from this site:
https://www.worldwideinsure.com/longstay-travel-insurance-eu.htm

poleyg

Our bank accounts and NHS doctors are registered at our parents' addresses. Would this not count as a permanent address? We're also both still registered to vote from our parents' houses...

lovesgshp

I live in Italy and also have UK bank accounts. Many years ago, I had travel insurance with Amex ...... no problem at that time. The next time I tried they would not cover, as I was not UK resident.
Also, travel had to start and finish in the UK. Something to do with the underwriters.
Obviously up to you if you want to try it on, but you are not UK resident, you are a Spanish resident.

Voyager2002

poleyg wrote: »

So, my question: Is it illegal (or immoral) for us to contract travel insurance with a British company? The prices from Spanish companies are absurd. The policy says we must agree with the following:

"I am a British Citizen and have a permanent residential address in the United Kingdom or a resident in the United Kingdom at the time of purchasing this policy."

Do we match these criteria?

With respect, that is the wrong question. What counts is whether or not the insurance will protect you. So: imagine yourselves in a situation where you have a substantial claim, and the insurer is refusing to pay out on the basis that you are not UK residents. What evidence could you produce that would convince a court to order the insurer to meet your claim?

paddyrg

Booking a policy for which you are ineligible (not a UK resident) is wasting money. If you need to claim you might find yourself entirely on your own right when you need it most (by definition)

mgdavid

However, looking at it another way if you give up the Spanish rental place what then becomes your 'base'? Would you clasify yourself as 'of no fixed abode' like a tramp or would you identify with your parents and use that address? Do you have use of a room at your parents house? Do you go there often? Do you leave some possessions there?
If yes to all then I don't see any insurance company arguing the toss - how would they know any different, yet alone provide any evidence to the contrary?

Voyager2002

mgdavid wrote: »

However, looking at it another way if you give up the Spanish rental place what then becomes your 'base'? Would you clasify yourself as 'of no fixed abode' like a tramp or would you identify with your parents and use that address? Do you have use of a room at your parents house? Do you go there often? Do you leave some possessions there?
If yes to all then I don't see any insurance company arguing the toss - how would they know any different, yet alone provide any evidence to the contrary?

The standard requirement is to have been resident in the UK for at least six months before the trip begins. Would an insurer be able to establish that the OP did not meet this condition? I suspect that if enough money were at stake the insurer would ask questions about jobs and lifestyle and would be able to find ways to invalidate the claim...