Cheapest Travel Insurance Discussion

gaggyball

I have booked a 2 week holiday in France with Carisma Holidays but the booking form states that holiday insurance will automatically be added to my final invoice.

The website details say that they (Carisma) will let you have your own travel insurance only if you have an annual policy taken out before the booking.

I have only taken out insurance for a single trip which cost £22 compared to £69 for Carisma's policy.

Can anyone tell me what my rights are over this as my holiday is only 4 weeks away?

piglit36

I tried the online quote for travel insurance, suggested in the article but it won't accept us as my son has a pre-existing medical condition. In the past companies always check his (mild) heart condition out, then accept the family at the existing rate - any reason why online companies aren't keen to do this? Any suggestions as to where else to try for insurance for an 8 day trip to France at the end of July?
Thanks!

Art_2

piglit36 wrote:

I tried the online quote for travel insurance, suggested in the article but it won't accept us as my son has a pre-existing medical condition. In the past companies always check his (mild) heart condition out, then accept the family at the existing rate - any reason why online companies aren't keen to do this? Any suggestions as to where else to try for insurance for an 8 day trip to France at the end of July?
Thanks!

The on-line quotes are for standard risk cover where you can answer 'Yes' to all the questions. A computer generated quote cannot assess your son's condition and an underwriter will need to view it. I'm afraid you are going to have to contact an insurer on the telephone.

Regards,
Art.

crossleydd42

Anyone who is a smile (online-bank) customer can upgrade to 'smile more' for £6pm (£72pa) and have worldwide travel insurance. While average for youngsters, it does go up to age 69 and then becomes one of the cheapest. Includes children up to 23, too.

In general, 'smilemore' seems to be one of the better 'monthly charge' current bank accounts for benefits. Another subject for one of Martyn's reviews, perhaps!

And maybe he could do one for the best current accounts for students for this Autumn.

crossleydd42

gaggyball wrote:

I have booked a 2 week holiday in France with Carisma Holidays but the booking form states that holiday insurance will automatically be added to my final invoice.

The website details say that they (Carisma) will let you have your own travel insurance only if you have an annual policy taken out before the booking.

I have only taken out insurance for a single trip which cost £22 compared to £69 for Carisma's policy.

Can anyone tell me what my rights are over this as my holiday is only 4 weeks away?

You'll have to grin and bear it, I think, since actually booking implies acceptance of their conditions. It's a lesson for the future, though. It might be worth seeing if you can suspaend/get a refund on the single-trip one. At least you know that annual insurance is not that expensive than single-trip if bought privately.

Art_2

piglit36 wrote:

I tried the online quote for travel insurance, suggested in the article but it won't accept us as my son has a pre-existing medical condition. In the past companies always check his (mild) heart condition out, then accept the family at the existing rate - any reason why online companies aren't keen to do this? Any suggestions as to where else to try for insurance for an 8 day trip to France at the end of July?
Thanks!

I came across a company today advertising annual cover for £30 and single trip for £6. I don't know anything about what their policy covers but it's worth a call. In view of your son's condition a phone call will be advisable.

The company web site is: https://www.insureandgo.com
Their phone number is 0870 901 3674.

Let us know how you get on.

Regards,
Art.

Darryl

Do any of these best buy policies offer pet kennel/cattery costs cover in the event that you cannot collect them as scheduled, due to accident, illness, etc?

Darryl.

PaulT_4

In the discussion on the best rates of holiday insurance,little attention is paid to those with an accepted medical condition.This may be under control e.g no reoccurrence over a few years.
Many insurers just exclude pre-existing conditions- It seems to me unwise to proceed with insurance on these terms.Others impose large excesses.
I have found Norwich Union will accept these conditions if diagnosed beyond 12 months ago and similarly there has been no hospitalisation for 12 months for the same condition.
Which other companies offer this more sympathetic approach at reasonable cost?

id

tks paul - i shall give norwich union a try - ingrid

pealy

PaulT wrote:

Which other companies offer this more sympathetic approach at reasonable cost?

I'm looking for insurance for my dad (who has cancer) and was given the following info by a friend in insurance.

Age Concern Insurance Services
Lowthian House
Market Street
Preston
Lancashire PR1 2ET
Telephone: 0845 601 2234
Medical Screening Line: 0800 387 092
Will discuss cover with you if you have been diagnosed with a medical condition and are unsure about cover. No age restriction. No country restrictions. Customers will need to speak to medical screening line.

All Clear Plus Travel Insurance
(from Bishopscourt Group Insurance Services)
6th Floor
Regent House
Hubert Road
Brentwood
Essex CM14 4JE
Telephone: 0870 777 9339
No age or country restrictions. Will cover people with a terminal prognosis as long as it is not less than six months from the date the customer returns home. No medical screening line; the call centre processes the policy while the caller is on the line. In most cases a doctor's certificate is not required. After two years of clear annual check-ups the premiums are reduced, although customers will still be covered for any claim relating to their breast cancer.

Free Spirit Travel Insurance
P J Hayman & Company Ltd
Stansted House
Rowlands Castle
Hampshire P09 6DX
Telephone: 0845 230 5000 (medical desk)
Specially aimed at people with health problems including cancer. Cover only single trips up to a maximum of 94 days. Upper age limit 79. Will not cover secondary cancers outside Europe.

Leisurecare
Premier House
107A High Street
Cricklade
Wiltshire SN6 6AE
Telephone: 01793 750150
Specially aimed at people with cancer. Will cover only EU countries and people under 65. Customer's GP or consultant will need to complete a questionnaire.

MARRS
Refuge House
9-10 River Front
Enfield EN1 3SZ
Telephone: 020 8366 2222
Customer will need to speak to a medical screening line. Each case judged on its own merits. Will not cover anyone having ongoing treatment or who has a terminal prognosis. No age or country restrictions. Will consider covering annual policies once treatment is completed.

MediCover Insurance Services
Lumby Park
Selborne Road
Alton
Hampshire GU34 3HF
Telephone: 0870 735 3600
Each case considered on its own merits. Cover only for single trips up to 185 days in total. Medical report may be required. Will consider all applicants including those with a terminal diagnosis.

Medi Travelcover Ltd
76 Crooksbury Road
Farnham
Surrey GU10 1QD
Telephone: 01252 782392
Specialist travel insurance for holidaymakers with life-threatening or life-limiting medical conditions. All countries covered. Can also offer cover to those receiving chemotherapy. Main requirement is consultant's approval to travel.

Perry Gamble & Co Ltd
East Devon Business Park
Wilmington
Honiton
Devon EX14 9RL
Telephone: 01404 830100
Will cover people up to age 80 on single trips, but only up to age 75 on annual policies. No country restrictions. Will not cover terminal prognosis. Will need to speak to medical screening line.

Travelbility
From J & M Insurance Services
14-16 Guildford Street
London WC1N 1DW
Telephone: 020 7446 7626
Each case assessed on its own merits. Customer will usually need to speak to a medical screening line.

Venturesure (formerly Travelcare Ltd)
68 High Street
Chislehurst
Kent BR7 5AQ
Telephone: 0800 181 532
Maximum period of cover for anyone between 65 and 74 years is 31 days; over 75 years is 24 days. Will not cover terminal prognosis. Can cover most people with a pre-existing condition, but not those who are currently undergoing or awaiting hospital treatment. Customer will need to speak to medical line if s/he has had any treatment in the last two years. Anyone who has had chemotherapy or radiotherapy will need to be three months clear of their last treatment before contacting them for a quote.