Cheapest Travel Insurance Discussion

IvanOpinion

Luvly.cuppa.T wrote:

Alrightee people!
I will be on a trip of a life time in 3 weeks and need the beloved insurance.
However there are some legal issues that I need cleared....

I read with OH somewhere, but cannot find for the life of me now, that when you book just a flight without accomadation, you cannot get 'normal insurance', but only backpackers. When you have at least 3 nights booked, then you can go for the 'normal' option.

Thing is I'm off to Australia for 19 days in total travel, and we have the first 3 nights booked and a few other nights. BUT in Australia they don't take any payment until you arrive, so we have very little to proove that we have things booked.

No idea, I didn't think this would affect your insurance (very interested to read that it might though). I thought you just bought single trip cover for a number of days which covered you regardless (similar to annual cover were you may have no idea where you will be going or staying) ?????

ALSO - the problem that we are having is trying to find insurance that include a skydive. I found one on STA travel (actually I was given the link by a MSEr), but that was on premier 'normal insurance' not on their backpackers one.

Is it true that Australia will cover you with hospital care etc, as they do here? In other words would it really be necessary to get this extra cover , when we might not need it?

Part of the problem will be if you happen to go splat and have the pleasure of decorating part of Australia with your entrails ... somebody has to go out with a fish slice to pick your bits up, shove them in a box and then you basically become freight on the way home. If you are going to be doing excluded or dangerous sports then you need this additional cover otherwise the insurance company could null and oid your entire insurance policy. You only have to watch many of the holiday programs were people get the cheapest insurance they can and then complain that it does not pay out because they have undertaken excluded activities.

Have a great trip ... remember delicate landing on feet is good .. sickening squidgy splat is bad.

Ivan

Luvly.cuppa.T

WEll that was informative LOL !!!!

Good point about annual insurance.... never thought about that one. We are also staying at my mates out there for about 5 nights, who is renting a place (she and a few others are out there for a year), so people who do that must be covered on the 'normal insurance' too?

I think that I will try to find a better definition of backpackers and go from there.

Discussing it today with travel mate about the 'splat issue', we realised that it would cost to get you home etc, so that's why the insurance is needed. Wonder if you can get a separate one for skydiving? Or would that invalidate the holiday insurance?

It's very annoying though that the more cover that you want for personal stuff and delayed flights etc, the more medical you get, even though you don't need it!!
Also with personal items inc passport, they will only pay out for loss if your stuff was securely put away, ie in a safe. Now , really what are the chances of that happening? Should we consider paying that extra for that kind of cover?

emily_june

we also have NatWest Advantage Gold account. We were delayed from Gatwick to USA by 7 hrs.
we rang the 24hr line where we were told that after 4hrs of delay we can spent up to £250 per insured person (myself,hubby & a child) for refresments etc;
didnt believe them as my previos insurance covered after 12hrs of delay
anyway- we got back from the states, claim forms were awaiting us, submitted claim & it was succesful & most of all, there was no excess to pay!!!

joss

We are going on holiday to peru and the galapagos island next month our annual travel insurance has increased from £160 to £200 my husband is 67 and I am 62. Some of the quotes on internet show £80 What do you think will this be ok we want to feel safe with the company we choose. Also does anyone know where I can get book Birds, Mammals and Reptiles of the Galapagos by Rob Swash it is out of print 1sbn number 1 873403828 many thanks

sylwright

Could the people who have got NatWest advantage gold accounts and get free insurance please tell me who that will cover. Just booked flights and stopover hotels for New Zealand for myself, husband and 2 adult children. Will the NatWest cover be sufficient for New Zealand and will it cover all of us. Paid for whole trip on NatWest Credit card to be able to ask for free insurance, but thinking I should have paid on Tesco Credit Card to get points and took out their insurance.

Porker

joss wrote:

We are going on holiday to peru and the galapagos island next month our annual travel insurance has increased from £160 to £200 my husband is 67 and I am 62. Some of the quotes on internet show £80 What do you think will this be ok we want to feel safe with the company we choose. Also does anyone know where I can get book Birds, Mammals and Reptiles of the Galapagos by Rob Swash it is out of print 1sbn number 1 873403828 many thanks

this book is available on amazon...£13.50 ish, and it's by Andy Swash and Rob Still.

Hope this helps.

goldie_2

Has anyone else noticed that some Travel Insurance contact telephone numbers are 0870 numbers? The last thing you want if you are in trouble abroad!! Something else you may wish to check when looking for a Policy.

joss

Thank you Porker for the information about the book on the Galapagos I have ordered it and expect delivery soon. Now I am looking for a good map of the Galapagos any ideas? Many thanks again Joss

joss

We have taken up nat west advantage gold which give "free" insurance cover to people up to aged 69 free with good cover. So will be able to enjy over trip to the Galapagos islands.

muppy

Hi

Does anyone know of any annual multi-trip worldwide (including USA) travel insurance which do not require you to be a permanent resident? I have looked at most of the online sites, including STA Travel and Endsleigh, and all require permanent residency or have spent at least 6 months in the UK prior to buying the insurance. I have only been here for 3 months as a student! I'm looking specifically for travel insurance, not those which cover studies for international students. Please help.

Thanks!