Travel insurance - Dad in hospital

bertiebb_2

Checking the wording it says that if a relative is seriously ill.

Dad has been in hospital for 6 weeks now. Stable but he is 89.

Im supposed to be going on holidays in 7 days. Obviously, I'd rather not.
Not phoned the insurance people yet but I've got a feeling they'll say:-

1. Hes not seriously ill if hes stable and been there 6 weeks.
2. Hes 89 - hes unlikely to be in perfect health.

Am I likely to be right?

DullGreyGuy

Are you concerned he isn't ill enough to trigger the coverage for cancelling the holiday or are you concerned it's a pre-existing condition so not covered? You two bullets hint at different concerns. 

For the former generally anyone in hospital is seriously ill, the possible exception are those that have recovered adequately to be discharged but there are concerns of the home situation and the wheels of social services and NHS are grinding slowly. So why is he still in hospital?

For the later need to know exactly the wording in the policy book and then the relevant timeline in terms of when the holiday was booked, when the insurance was bought (or incepted if an annual policy) and when your father first had symptoms of this illness (not just this episode if its a chronic condition). Further dates may be helpful depending on the terms. 

Mark_d

Are you certain in your interpretation of the policy wording?  I am surprised - as a lot of people have a relative who could be described as seriously ill.

If you are correct, then I imagine the policy wording would define the term "seriously ill".  Can you tell us what policy you have?

bertiebb_2

Both I guess.....

Alas, its sort of the 2nd one now - hes been there a while.

Holiday was booked months ago. Insurance is via bank account. His initial hospital visit was due to falling at home.

"seriously injured, falls seriously ill, or dies"

bertiebb_2

Insurance company as much use as a chocolate teapot.....

Yes if you "unavoidably" had to cancel we'd cover you. No comment on whether the fact that hes been in hospital 8 weeks and is not desperately ill would mean I'd have to "unavoidably" cancel.......

Great eh? Cancel first then hope they pay up.

Mark_d

bertiebb_2 said:

"seriously injured, falls seriously ill, or dies"

Surely this only applies if you were travelling with the relative, or if you were travelling to stay with the relative?  I find it hard to believe that an insurance policy would allow everyone with a seriously ill relative to cancel their trip.

DullGreyGuy

Is your decision really tied to the outcome of a claim? That certainly starts to make it sound more discretionary 

Ultimately need to see the wording and to some degree understand why they are still in hospital - is it illness or practicalities

Aretnap

Mark_d said:

bertiebb_2 said:

"seriously injured, falls seriously ill, or dies"

Surely this only applies if you were travelling with the relative, or if you were travelling to stay with the relative?  I find it hard to believe that an insurance policy would allow everyone with a seriously ill relative to cancel their trip.

It's quite normal for travel insurance to cover cancellation due to the serious illness of a close relative who is not travelling with you. See Direct Line's wording, as a random example.

It will come with caveats of course - the policy will have a definition of close relative (father probably covered, second cousin who you happen to be very close to, not so much), and the relative will have to have been in reasonable health at the time you booked the holiday and/or took out the policy. But yes in principle having to cancel a trip because your dad is rushed to hospital just as you're about to go is covered.

saajan_12

bertiebb_2 said:

Insurance company as much use as a chocolate teapot.....

Yes if you "unavoidably" had to cancel we'd cover you. No comment on whether the fact that hes been in hospital 8 weeks and is not desperately ill would mean I'd have to "unavoidably" cancel.......

Great eh? Cancel first then hope they pay up.

Well that sort of reverse engineers into what they're aiming to distinguish.. if knowing that they wouldn't cover would  make you not cancel, then the cancellation is avoidable. 

So yes if its that severe that you feel you have to stay, then stay regardless. The insurance co will review your claim later. 

bertiebb_2

Jeez it never rains it pours....

Have had a builder in this week tiling our bathroom. Removed and replaced the original shower.
Came home tonight the house is flooded - probably need new floor, living room ceiling etc.

Supposed to be on holidays a week today... Might be something else I need to cancel for.

BarelySentientAI

Sounds more like you should be on holiday because you'll want to be out of the house for clean up and repairs.