Travel Insurance Claim Problem

sarah69696pink

hollydays wrote: »

It concerns me that he’s not got the ok from the insurance company first. I’m always worried that if I didn’t do this they wouldn’t honour the claim? Maybe I worry too much.

Not got the OK? Not sure what this means? I've luckily never had to do a medical claim on holiday insurance but I certainly wouldn't think of getting the OK before getting treatment. My priority would be to get well. Surely you are covered for anything that is essential?

stevenhp1987

sarah69696pink wrote: »

Not got the OK? Not sure what this means? I've luckily never had to do a medical claim on holiday insurance but I certainly wouldn't think of getting the OK before getting treatment. My priority would be to get well. Surely you are covered for anything that is essential?

Most insurance policies require pre-authorisation before any medical treatment. No pre-authorisation == no payment.

leylandsunaddict

sarah69696pink wrote: »

Not got the OK? Not sure what this means? I've luckily never had to do a medical claim on holiday insurance but I certainly wouldn't think of getting the OK before getting treatment. My priority would be to get well. Surely you are covered for anything that is essential?

Most insurers tell you that if a claim is likely to go over x amount you have to get it authorised first. Some also insist that you use the facilities of the local health service with your EHIC.

pollypenny

stevenhp1987 wrote: »

Most insurance policies require pre-authorisation before any medical treatment. No pre-authorisation == no payment.

I assume that means in a non-emergency situation.

leylandsunaddict

pollypenny wrote: »

I assume that means in a non-emergency situation.

You're hardly likely to be going to hospital on holiday unless it's an emergency situation.

I'm just looking at the policy booklet for my last policy and under the What is not Covered it says

Any in-patient, hospital, clinic or repatriation expenses in excess of £500 which have not been reported to and authorised by the Medical Assistance Helpline in advance.

Several years ago my son had an accident one year. He slipped and cracked his head on marble floor and was drifting in and out of consciousness. We rang the insurers immediately and they liased with the hospital and paid the hospital direct. Since then though most companies now tell you that you have to use the local health service where available.

sarah69696pink

Wow glad I read this - learnt about authorisation! I would never have thought of this in an emergency - will be telling all my travel companions just in case too!

dawyldthing

Yeah we had this problem ten or so years ago to the point the hospital wouldn't release nan until the bill was paid but the insurer wouldn't pay up for a while as I don't think we had asked first. Like you said it's not something you would think about but unfortunately you have to

RADDERS

But as the ops father was travelling alone, how was he supposed to get authorisation before treatment? That seems very harsh surely it was more important to ensure that he got the treatment as it could have been a life or death situation.

Manxman_in_exile

hollydays wrote: »

It concerns me that he’s not got the ok from the insurance company first. I’m always worried that if I didn’t do this they wouldn’t honour the claim? Maybe I worry too much.

That was the point of my question - and I don't think you worry too much!


We're both 60ish and have pre-existing conditions. We travel abroad a couple of times a year - most recently three weeks ago. We'd checked the EHIC website about the country we were going to and we each had a separate copy of our travel insurance including UK contact 'phone numbers and when we had to contact our insurers. We also had these numbers saved on our 'phones.

Manxman_in_exile

sarah69696pink wrote: »

Wow glad I read this - learnt about authorisation! I would never have thought of this in an emergency - will be telling all my travel companions just in case too!

I hate to say this, but you really need to read the T&Cs of your travel insurance! If you aren't covered (eg by not getting prior authorisation when you should) you are not covered. (Probably).


EDIT: Your policy ought to give you instructions as to what to do in any eventuality and UK 'phone numbers to call for advice. Our's certainly does and we each take copies with us when on holiday. It also says clearly you need prior authorisation for any treatment. Difficult (if not impossible) I know, but that's what they cover you for. Different companies have different policies and different T&Cs - shop around - but don't buy the cheapest!)