Staysure not paying out - Pre-Existing Medical Condition

Grippo

Hi, I am looking for some advice please. I was diagnosed with terminal Motor Neurone Disease (MND) back in August 2018. So since then I have had to take out a Pre Existing Condition Travel Insurance.
I took out an annual policy with Staysure on 30.08.2019 with cancellation cover up to £5000. I then booked flights with Ryanair on 11.10.2019 for a July 2020 departure.
When Covid hit around March 2020 I was strongly advised by my Neurologist not to travel due to my condition, and he gave me a letter confirming this to use for travel insurance purposes.
Ryanair didn't cancel the flight but we didn't travel.
I have since made a claim to Staysure for the £1500 I paid for the flights, but they are refusing to pay out as I never actually caught Covid.
I thought having taken out a Medical Travel Insurance I would be covered for any cancellation that was due to a complication or increased risk due to my condition?
As you can imagine, I am extremely disappointed by this, as this money was spent on what we thought was a memory making holiday for our family. And there is no guarantee that I will be physically able to travel when Covid is under control.
My local MND Charity are helping me with taking the decision to the Ombudsman. But any other advice would be much appreciated.

unforeseen

Does your policy exclude pre-existing conditions? If so then their refusal makes sense as the insurance wouldn't have covered the cancellation. 

Caz3121

Did the letter state you were not fit to travel?
where were you due to travel to? if there was FCDO advice not to travel to that country you may be able to claim on that basis.
Also worth looking at who is named on your policy...if insurance pay out they will only cover the flights for those named on the policy. If you purchased flights for anyone else they would need to try and claim on their own policies

Grippo

Thanks for the replies...
The insurance included my Pre Existing Medical Condition of Motor Neurone Disease. That's why I took this particular policy and paid extra for it.

We were due to go to Gran Canaria.

The letter stated that due to my "medical treatment, diagnosis and the current infection risk of Covid 19 to vulnerable patients of this kind, I have advised Mr....... not to travel"
All four of us are named on the policy.

sheramber

I don't think insurance will consider  'advised' means not fit to travel. Normally you would need a  medical certificate stating  that you are not fit to travel.

Hasbeen

OP Like many posting on this forum.You were advised not to travel.

Some took Government advice, some doctors and in your case your Neorolgolist.

But that's all it was just advice.

Your insurance company is probably using the disinclined to travel as the terms for not paying out?

Hopefully you may get somewhere with your complaint.

epm-84

Staysure's COVID cover says it's the following:

• Cancelling your trip if you have COVID-19 within 14 days of travelling*
• Emergency medical expenses abroad**
• Repatriation to help you get back home**
• Cancellation and repatriation cover if you’re denied boarding with a positive test for COVID-19
• Additional accommodation and transport if deemed necessary by our medical officer
• Daily benefit if you are ordered to self-isolate in your holiday accommodation if you have COVID-19
• Cancelling or cutting your trip short after death in the family from COVID-19
• Your travelling companion(s), people you live with, or people you’re staying with on holiday being diagnosed with COVID-19 within 14 days of travel***

I imagine their defence is they don't cover cancellation due to shielding advice and the medical insurance covers the conditions you are insured against getting worse or a new condition developing.