U.K. short break travel insurance

ripplyuk

I’m trying to find insurance for a 3 night holiday but when I mention health problems, they refuse to quote. I can’t understand this because I’m not leaving the U.K. so any health emergencies that occur on holiday would be dealt with by the NHS, not the insurer. We only want the insurance to cover cancellation, not healthcare. 

I’m on the waiting list for surgery but it’s not urgent. I’ve already been on the waiting list for 5yrs and it’s unlikely to happen this year either but I’d like insurance to cover the remote possibility that I get a date for surgery around the same time as the holiday and have to cancel. Or if one of us gets some random illness that prevents us going on holiday, like a flu or covid or food poisoning etc.

Does such a thing exist? Does anyone know any companies that offer this? 

elsien

But if your reason for cancellation is due to an existing health condition, then they would still be lumbered with paying out for the accommodation, even if the healthcare itself is covered by the NHS.
They may be making a commercial decision that it’s just not worth it for them.
What sort of break are you looking at? Is it possible to book something refundable?
Have you phoned any of the companies to speak to someone in person? That can be a way round any “computer says no“ issues.

ripplyuk

elsien said:

But if your reason for cancellation is due to an existing health condition, then they would still be lumbered with paying out for the accommodation, even if the healthcare itself is covered by the NHS.
They may be making a commercial decision that it’s just not worth it for them.
What sort of break are you looking at? Is it possible to book something refundable?
Have you phoned any of the companies to speak to someone in person? That can be a way round any “computer says no“ issues.

They wouldn’t have to pay for accommodation. We’d just drive home. We’re only going to be 2hrs away. It’s a National Trust cottage. They don’t offer refunds if you cancel within 30 days. 

I only tried getting online quotes but I’ll try ringing a few companies on Tuesday. 

TELLIT01

They wouldn’t have to pay for accommodation. We’d just drive home. We’re only going to be 2hrs away. It’s a National Trust cottage. They don’t offer refunds if you cancel within 30 days. 

I only tried getting online quotes but I’ll try ringing a few companies on Tuesday. 

If you had to cancel within 30 days of the occupation date you would lose your money.  Presumably that's why you want cancellation insurance.  If you wouldn't want to claim that cost from the insurer, there seems no point in taking out insurance.  Or am I missing something here?

CSI_Yorkshire

ripplyuk said:

elsien said:

But if your reason for cancellation is due to an existing health condition, then they would still be lumbered with paying out for the accommodation, even if the healthcare itself is covered by the NHS.
They may be making a commercial decision that it’s just not worth it for them.
What sort of break are you looking at? Is it possible to book something refundable?
Have you phoned any of the companies to speak to someone in person? That can be a way round any “computer says no“ issues.

They wouldn’t have to pay for accommodation. We’d just drive home. We’re only going to be 2hrs away. It’s a National Trust cottage. They don’t offer refunds if you cancel within 30 days. 

I only tried getting online quotes but I’ll try ringing a few companies on Tuesday. 

You want the insurance for cancellation, but then say that they wouldn't have to pay for accommodation?  What are you actually trying to insure against?

ripplyuk

Sorry, my mistake. I thought elsien meant paying for accommodation if we were stuck there, far from home, due to some health emergency. 

Yes, we would want the 3 nights holiday accommodation covered for cancellation costs. 

huckster

Probably wise to speak to specialist brokers like PJ Hayman.

Reason is that most policies will exclude risks that you know about, that could lead to cancellation. So to be covered, you would need to disclose all relevant information, so the Insurers can calculate premium to cover the specific risk. And you need to speak to Broker or Insurers, so they can ask you for all relevant information.