Annual Travel Insurance Policy Problem

GorgeousJ

Six months ago I took out an Annual Travel policy with Avanti because there are a number of trips I intend doing this year.  I declared all medical conditions at the time.  Today I received a letter from Avanti saying 'you need to let us know if there have been any changes to your health.  If your health has changed recently, there may be ADDITIONAL premium to keep your protected' !!

I assumed that the whole point of an annual policy is that you are covered for a year and that if anything new occurs, you are still covered.  Otherwise what is the point of taking out an annual policy?

If they decide that a change I notify them of requires an increase in premium, I am stuck.  They won't refund what I have paid and will cancel if I won't pay more.  It is unacceptable.

What is interesting, is that in their Q&A one of the questions is 'Can I remove benefits I no longer want?'  The answer is 'No you can't remove or reduce benefits' This means they won't allow changes in my favour, but they want changes that will increase my premium.

I am stuck for a year now but will never insure with Avanti again.  Thanks Lindsey Howsam Managing Director of Avanti
  

TELLIT01

You will find the same requirement on almost all travel policies.  To use a comparison with motor insurance, if you get points on your licence you have to inform your insurer and premium may be increased, so much the same thing.

user1977

GorgeousJ said:

I assumed that the whole point of an annual policy is that you are covered for a year and that if anything new occurs, you are still covered.  Otherwise what is the point of taking out an annual policy?

Presumably that they're cheaper than taking out individual policies for each trip? I've never heard of anybody arguing that their "point" is not needing to declare new health problems.

You can (hopefully) understand why they'd expect to have a chance to consider any new health issues before you leave home, rather than when you call them for an air ambulance from the other side of the globe.

GorgeousJ

Hmm I still don't get the point of the annual premium if it doesn't cover you for a year.  let's say you tell them you have had something and they double your premium.  You can't say, ok I'd like to cancel, they won't give a refund.  So you either pay double or lose what you have already paid.  Sounds like a ripoff to me.