Get holiday insurance ASAB or wait?

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82044134#Comment_82044134

Though unlikely, given its only 3 weeks away, there is also the risk that you develop a new medical condition between now and your date of travel which doesnt make you unfit to travel but does significantly increase your premiums or is not a confirmed diagnosis yet and therefore effectively making you almost uninsurable.

Frankie56

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82044211#Comment_82044211

Hi. I have booked through Air France before. They bought KLM which flies from my local airport to Amsterdam twice a day. Then I go with KLM to Singapore where I go with Qantas. Thanks for thinking of that though.

Frankie56

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82044493#Comment_82044493

Thank you. True. I've booked the insurance now just to be sure.

Frankie56

Thank you everyone for your input. There were a couple of things mentioned I hadn't thought about. I've booked the insurance now just to be safe. I was shocked at how much some insurers asked. Last time I did this journey, 3 years ago, I paid around £50. This time they were asking up to £750, probably due to my age and an extra health problem. After an afternoon of searching, I finally found one for £235.

The other thing I did to try and save money was apply a code which was on the airline's front page for £50 off, and also the insurer offered a code for 15% off. When I tried to add them, both said they were not valid. Oh well. Some you win, some you lose.

saajan_12

Some very strong comments for the reality. OP has effectively bought insurance from the airline at the cost of "that bit extra" which allows cancellation for not only insurable reasons but also change of mind or somethign that the insurer doesn't consider to be a valid reason.

So there's no NEED to buy insurance again for the cancellation side, only insurance prior to leaving the house is needed for the medical and issues when en route. Now its likely going to make £tiny difference when its 3 weeks out, may make more difference a year out. So may as well get it, but its not a MUST like posters are saying.

Pollycat

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82044592#Comment_82044592

I consider insurance a MUST for the repatriation cover.

I shudder to think of the cost of repatriation from Australia. 😱

Frankie56

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82044592#Comment_82044592

That's exactly what I thought. Thank you.

Frankie56

Absolutely, but I was talking about the 3 weeks before I leave the UK. I definitely agree with medical insurance from leaving the UK until getting back home. Now I have taken out insurance to cover from now until I get home, but also can cancel the flights for a full refund because I've changed my mind because I paid a little extra to the airline.

eskbanker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82044642#Comment_82044642

You may have misunderstood - nobody was suggesting not being insured when away! The issue being discussed is the extent to which pre-departure cancellation cover is beneficial for OP in their specific circumstances…

luci

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82044581#Comment_82044581

Did you try Top cashback? I got £165 cashback on the policy I bought last year. That softened the blow of having to pay a high premium.