Cover refused on holiday when Father has cancer?

Quentin

jaffab wrote: »

Working of the document (that is relevant)....

There must also be wording regarding exclusions to the cover and there will be a section regarding pre existing conditions etc

rs65

From what I can see online, the policy covers cancellation if you are unable to travel if a close family member becomes ill.

jaffab wrote: »

So why does the policy applications only ask about pre-conditions for those on the insurance document? Where are the questions about other immediate family members?

It then goes on to say they cannot medically screen non-policyholders. It reads that you are not covered if it is a recurrence or complication of a medical condition diagnosed prior to booking.

I think their interpretation/reason is wrong.

rs65

jaffab wrote: »

Working of the document (that is relevant):

Ah, that's a different wording to the one I found.

huckster

This is straightforward as far as i can see.

The Insurers have no current evidence in front of them of a close relative being dead or being gravely ill with a timing of death likely to need the cancellation of a trip booked in November.

Therefore the Insurers won't consider cancellation now, but might later in the year, if it looks like your close relative is about to die near or during your booked trip.

You have cover under the policy, as the Insurance was in place and trip booked before your close relative had any Doctors consulation. It is just a question of when it is appropriate to consider cancellation.

Remember the case of the musician Wilko Johnson who was given 6 months to live with terminal cancer. He went on TV telling people about this and planned a farewell tour. This was about 5 years ago and he is still alive today and has no cancer. Each persons cancer is different, but your close relative might still be alive in November 2018, well after your trip.

magpiecottage

When did you book the holiday?

jaffab

@ Huckster
>The Insurers have no current evidence in front of them of a close
>relative being dead or being gravely ill with a timing of death
>likely to need the cancellation of a trip booked in November.

>Therefore the Insurers won't consider cancellation now, but
>might later in the year, if it looks like your close relative is about
>to die near or during your booked trip.


Agreed. But trying to get the options together. Looking at the wording, it talks about 'coming home' so within the letter of the contract, it would mean I would have to go on the holiday, and then as soon as I get there, start coming home to get the compensation. Whereas in my logical mind, cancelling now before further costs come into play is the sensible thing to do.
And I hear what you say about him possibly living for much longer, it may happen.


@magpiecottage
>When did you book the holiday?


Instance started August last year, tripped booked in March 2016

huckster

Why do you need to get your options together and think your Insurers need to get involved 5 months before any trip ? At the present time, you have notified your Insurers of the possibility the trip may be cancelled or curtailed, which is the only thing your Insurers are interested inat this time. If the renewal of the annual policy is due before your trip, make sure it is renewed so you have cover.

In regard to the holiday, you have to plan on the basis you will be going on the trip in November. If you cancel the trip way before just in case, that is your decision and at your cost. The Insurance is there to cover cancellation if your close relative dies close to your trip and curtailment if you need to come home early, because they die when you are away.

Sorry to be a little blunt in language, but this is the score.

Quentin

It looks like your policy will need renewing in August.


With annual policies your disclosures have to be given at renewal (and each time you book a trip)


So when you renew this will mean that your relative's condition won't be covered (even if it is now).

sheramber

jaffab wrote: »

Hi, and thnks for replying. He had had trouble sleeping and a loss of appetite, but that was it. We took the policy out in August 2015, and he started having further tests 2 or 3 months ago (this year).

Did he consult his doctor over the symptoms before you booked the trip?

from the Gold Annual policy document on the website
cover is provided that you
accept that we can only offer to medically screen and extend cover for existing
medical conditions to our own policyholders
so if any of the following people
cause you to cancel because of a reoccurrence or complication of a medical
condition diagnosed prior to booking, you will not be covered:
o
a travel companion not insured by us.
o
a close relative of you or your travel companion.
o
a business associate of you or your travel companion.

huckster

Quentin

Re annual policy renewals and continuity of cover regarding an issue that started before renewal, there have been FOS rulings on this. Dacouch has posted them before. Basically as long as the issue would have been a covered event before renewal, the Insurers cannot treat the renewal as being the start of a new policy. As long as the policyholder renews, they maintain cover for the trip affected.

The trip was booked some time ago and the close relatives medical issue was not known about at the time of booking.