Holiday Insurance After Making a Claim

vrokastro

I have a worldwide holiday insurance policy with Staysure that expires in May. Unfortunately I had to make a claim on it for health reasons last year (refund of deposit). I have not upgraded the policy with my new health conditions because the cost is excessive and I can't afford to go worldwide again. In effect the policy is void as far as cover for me is concerned although I have been told that my wife is still covered.
I checked with Staysure to see if I could cancel the policy and take out a new one with them for European travel only. They said I couldn't cancel as I had made a claim. All I could do was pay the additional cover for worldwide cover and then change to Europe cover when the policy renews. That means paying a lot for cover that I don't need. 
I don't understand why I can't cancel the existing policy and take out a new one either with Staysure or another provider. I obviously don't expect any refund. It's not simply a matter of waiting for the existing policy to expire as I will be booking the next trip before the existing policy runs out.

TELLIT01

Did you make it clear to Staysure that you aren't looking for any form of refund?  Alternatively, is it possible to take out a policy for Europe only while the Worldwide policy is active?

cw8825

vrokastro said:

I have a worldwide holiday insurance policy with Staysure that expires in May. Unfortunately I had to make a claim on it for health reasons last year (refund of deposit). I have not upgraded the policy with my new health conditions because the cost is excessive and I can't afford to go worldwide again. In effect the policy is void as far as cover for me is concerned although I have been told that my wife is still covered.
I checked with Staysure to see if I could cancel the policy and take out a new one with them for European travel only. They said I couldn't cancel as I had made a claim. All I could do was pay the additional cover for worldwide cover and then change to Europe cover when the policy renews. That means paying a lot for cover that I don't need. 
I don't understand why I can't cancel the existing policy and take out a new one either with Staysure or another provider. I obviously don't expect any refund. It's not simply a matter of waiting for the existing policy to expire as I will be booking the next trip before the existing policy runs out.

they are doing the right thing for you.

You have the cover in place (assuming you tell them about your conditions)
theres little benefit for you to cancel as they are not providing you with a refund.
you have already paid for the cover what they are trying to do is make you get the most out of it.

they cannot force you not to cancel but it makes sense to keep the current cover until renewal.

vrokastro

The problem is that my insurance is currently invalid due to a new health issue. If I update the policy to include the new problem it will be very expensive as the policy is for worldwide cover. I only want to travel in Europe now, which is much cheaper to cover.

mgfvvc

vrokastro said:

The problem is that my insurance is currently invalid due to a new health issue. If I update the policy to include the new problem it will be very expensive as the policy is for worldwide cover. I only want to travel in Europe now, which is much cheaper to cover.

You should be able to cancel, but wouldn't be due a refund as you have made a claim.
Even if you can't cancel I don't think there is anything to stop you taking out a new policy with just European cover. As your existing policy is invalid you won't have dual cover, although your wife may, if it is taken out as a couple's policy. If your insurer will allow you to take out a new policy with them, that should avoid any issues with dual cover as they would be the only insurer, even if there are 2 policies.