Co-op bank account 'free' travel insurance - now you pay extra if you have had a joint replacement

Ferrygirl

I have a Co-op Privilege Premier bank account which entitles me to free travel insurance. But I found out today that their provider - Axa/Rock Insurance - have changed their policy, and you are no longer covered if you have had a joint replacement! I had a knee replacement 2 years ago (nowadays a common and routine procedure) - I declared it to insurers - everything fine. This week the Co-op wrote to ask me to 'renew my declaration', so I telephoned and answered various health related questions, confirming that there had been no change to my health. Imagine my surprise when they said they are now charging customers with historical joint replacements £36 for cover because 'they were getting too many claims'. Neither the Co-op nor Axa communicated this change of policy, and there are probably tens of thousands of Co-op bank customers with joint replacements wandering off on holiday, oblivious to the fact that their travel insurance is invalid. If they had an accident involving the affected limb, they would be liable to pay for their own medical treatment and repatriation - unless they had paid the extra premium (which no one warned them about.) Given the failure to communicate this change in policy to customers, there could be some very interesting legal challenges.

sheramber

They will be covered until they renew after the date of the change and if they renew their declaration as you did they will be advised about the change

jonesMUFCforever

The Co-op like every other bank will write to you annually to see if the fee paying account is still suitable for you. If you ignore or choose not to inform the insurers of health problems then all legal challenges won't get far.