Travel Insurance: A Warning - £100k bill

[Lowerfield_no_more]

This article is worth a read if you haven't seen it already

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-s...

My observations...

1. Fill in all applications as honestly as you are able and read the small print, otherwise if you claim it might be rejected.

2, So called 'premium' providers, like Axa in this case, are probably just as likely to decline a claim if they can find good reason just as much as the others.

3. According to the article one quarter of claims are rejected.

[Survivor1952]

Very importantly the insurer here isn't Aviva, it's Axa. Please get your facts correct.

Secondly the proposer made assumptions about the cover as they declared the trip started in the UK when it didn't.

[Lowerfield_no_more in reply to Survivor1952]

What a silly billy I am! I have corrected the OP. But nothing else

[pasigal]

Yes, you have to be totally honest on your travel insurance. And you also have to ask very explicit questions, such as: "If I have a heart attack in country XX, what will you cover?"

I wound up paying out of pocket for a few thousand US dollars worth of tests in summer 2021 because I assumed my AmEx credit card would cover things it did not. An expensive lesson learned, but it could have been much worse. So now I get everything in writing.

Another point: I have declined work trips to non-European (and North American) countries because I am not certain about the health care there and what would be covered. (I'm talking expicitly about Brazil and China). I would also not travel to many islands, or frankly, Africa and most parts of Asia. I know I would be missing out on experiences and am probably being a bit paranoid, but so be it.

[Noodlesalad in reply to pasigal]

You're not being paranoid your being extremely responsible and sensible.

[Noodlesalad]

Very true. My friend going on holiday did all the form truthfully and spoke with an insurance agent after going through every detail she asked a question I never ask despite divulging all blood pressure and heart meds "so if I have a heart attack while I'm away am I covered" , his answer was No!I never asked her why or what, I'm speaking to her tomorrow so I'll ask her then, but if I'm lucky enough to get away this year I'll definitely be asking that very important question at the end of my honest reveal all form, we pay such alot of money to get it right but are the insurers really being honest with us.

[wischo]

Insurance companies will avoid any claim they can get themselves out of paying, motor, travel, home or anything else they can find a loophole in. Online forms are useless so ask all the questions before you go irrespective of how silly you may feel. I prefer Europe myself as I know I will be fully covered should anything happen.

[Partner20]

I know that insurance forms can be complicated but he father didn't answer certain questions correctly, and he even admitted it! If you are not sure how to complete forms, ring the agent and ask for assistance.