Can I get cancellation insurance when one child has just had chicken pox?

IndependentOfZfc

We have a weekend break booked and paid for at Center Parks Longleat starting a week today. We didn't buy cancellation insurance at the time of booking.

Our youngest child has just had chicken pox, but is no longer contagious as all the spots are now crusted over, so this will not prevent us going. However we are now concerned we may have to cancel if our other child becomes ill too. He has no sign of the disease at all at the moment, so we would be telling the truth in not declaring any existing conditions that might lead to cancellation. However obviously there is a risk that he does have the virus and it is still gestating.

Are there any cancellation insurance products we could buy now in this situation, which would pay out given the circumstances? None of the products I've looked at have questions where this information could be given, but does this fact alone mean we could have a valid claim?

Many thanks.

Chickenlips

Unfortunately, this is the risk you take when you opt to self-insure.

Is it worth looking into an annual policy as a back up? With at least four of you, I imagine any trips can be quite expensive so may be worth getting cover!

I wouldn't risk doing what you suggest. It is referred to non-disclosure of material facts. If caught, you could find you get a fraud marker and can't get cover/have to use very expensive specialist cover for all insurances you have.

If insurer is willing to cover based on the full material facts, then I'd say go for it... but be completely honest.

sheramber

you will not be able to take out Center Parks cancellation insurance as it says

As far as you know, at the time of taking out this insurance, the following apply:

You are not aware of any reason why the holiday may be cancelled or curtailed or of any medical condition which could result in a claim.

Whether you can take out other travel insurance cover will depend on the conditions stated in the policy.

silvercar

Take out a policy over the phone and declare that your youngest has just recovered from chicken pox and you elder child has no symptoms.

You may be able to get cover. Even though you think there is a high risk, there is a chance that he/ she has some immunity or has had it too mildly for you to notice in the past.

Even if the risk of a sibling catching chicken pox may be high in your eyes, in insurer’s eyes the risk may be a calculated differently. They may even not be interested if everyone is symptom free now. We don’t hear of claims being turned down on the grounds that chicken pox was going round the school before someone claimed, yet the chance of catching it must be higher if there are many cases in your children’s school.

Worth checking if all the adults have had chicken pox; it’s not fun as an adult but ant-virals are available from your GP.

Manxman_in_exile

silvercar wrote: »

Take out a policy over the phone and declare that your youngest has just recovered from chicken pox and you elder child has no symptoms.

You may be able to get cover. Even though you think there is a high risk, there is a chance that he/ she has some immunity or has had it too mildly for you to notice in the past.

Even if the risk of a sibling catching chicken pox may be high in your eyes, in insurer’s eyes the risk may be a calculated differently. They may even not be interested if everyone is symptom free now. We don’t hear of claims being turned down on the grounds that chicken pox was going round the school before someone claimed, yet the chance of catching it must be higher if there are many cases in your children’s school.

Worth checking if all the adults have had chicken pox; it’s not fun as an adult but ant-virals are available from your GP.

That's what I would do. Buy it over the 'phone and answer the questions they ask you. One of those will be something like "Have any of you been ill in the last 12 months etc?" and the answer will be "one of my two children has just recovered from chickenpox".


(About adults and chickenpox, at the last count I've had it four times - twice in middle age. Also shingles)