HOLIDAY INSURANCE

[Lesleyray]

Help, I’m due to go on holiday abroad twice this year but my bank will no longer give me health insurance due to AF. I have looked on many compare price sites that cater for specialist insurance but many are unknown to me. Can anyone advise and do you also have the same problem? I live in the UK

[Buffafly]

We used Staysure which has a good reputation but you will get other good suggestions, or do a search of HU. A useful tip I was given is to haggle, get a few quotes and ask your favoured company to drop theirs if necessary.

[Lesleyray in reply to Buffafly]

Will do, thank you

[Hidden]

Yes , I'm afraid that a diagnosis of AF is going to affect your insurance to some extent.

I have found over the years that the best companies for me were AllClear, Staysure and Saga. Do be aware though that if you are on the waiting list for a procedure many will not cover you or require a hefty premium. ( I was recently quoted almost 1K for a 7day European cruise as I'm on a waiting list and some asked for £1350 !)

[Lesleyray in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, I am waiting for confirmation for a ablation, been a month since I saw the cardiologist and the letter is still in his out tray waiting to be signed, very frustrating

[Hidden in reply to Lesleyray]

Also..bear in mind that travelling to Spain bumps up premiums quite a bit

[Hilly22]

Good morning Lesley. I’ve recently booked 10 days away in France and Italy and got insurance quotes from two companies I’ve used before. One is age UK and the other is Planet Earth. They both quoted me just over £44 in spite of my Arrhythmia, a left bundle branch block, treated high blood pressure, GERD, a recurring problem with an epidermoid cyst and two unplanned hospital visits. I’m 66.

I’ve gone with Planet Earth because my husband is insured with them (less complicated to be with the same insurer) and they insure him for a condition other companies won’t touch.

I thought that was very reasonable, made me realise that my heart condition can’t be that bad ... mind you, if it’s Europe the EHIC still counts for a lot.

Good luck, would love to hear how you get on x

[Lesleyray in reply to Hilly22]

Thank you, will keep you posted x

[Thomas45]

Go to the Arrhythmia Alliance website, then to the For Patients section, then to Living with Arrhythmias where there's a helpful section on Holiday insurance.

[Lesleyray in reply to Thomas45]

Thank you

[Ianc2]

If you are under 74 join the women's institute - they have a 'group' scheme.

[Lesleyray in reply to Ianc2]

Thank you