Travel insurance

[robertsw]

Hi I am looking for annual travel insurance for cruise and flying holidays. I have CLL and was diagnosed October 2015 I am on watch and wait and no treatment. Any good sites or anyone got any suggestions for competitive rates. Thank you

[Newdawn Administrator]

Hi Robert,

The two most used or recommended on here seem to be;

world-first.co.uk

insurancewith.com

I’m insured with World First and managed a good quote but I know cruises are more expensive to cover. For European travel, make sure you take a EHIC card with you as many companies expect you to use public hospitals first for more minor medical issues.

Best wishes,

Newdawn

[sallye8998]

Try allcleartravel, I got a great rate for an annual policy with CLL covered and my hubby did too with a heart condition. Worldwide excluding USA as I didn't need that destination and premium would be higher to include USA. Easy to use website and not as long winded questionnaire like insurancewith.

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to sallye8998]

Thanks Sally, I was trying to think of the name of the other insurance company which is allcleartravel.

I like World First because the medical screening is done over the phone and they seem to actually understand CLL but like all of them, it is a bit long winded I’m afraid.

Newdawn

[Jabb-UK in reply to sallye8998]

Thanks for this as my husband had a heart attack recently and we'll need to investigate travel insurance. Up till now, we've used the annual travel insurance that comes with our Nationwide account, with no surcharge for my CLL as I am still on W&W.

[Hillolant in reply to Jabb-UK]

We are with Lloyd’s bank and my husband is on ww he was diagnosed a year ago and they wanted £1200 .00

[Hazel33]

I have tried most sites but last year discovered Nationwide would cover me (6years WW) and my husband by having their Flexplus account.

[jaypax]

Hi. Travel insurance can be a nightmare to find when you have cll, no matter if your on watch and wait or in remission. I'm not sure if this will help but I have found AllClear the best for me. I am in remission and have only taken out 1 or 2 weeks at a time but not for cruises. You can only ask! Good luck.

[GMa27]

I have never had a problem. Confused. I have traveled several times over the years and have used AAA agent in USA for booking my trip. Or have added insurance on a flight to visit family. There was nothing for me to fill out about any conditions. Never even thought about health issues or my CLL. I just pay for it based on age and ticket price for cruises or huge trips and basic cost for short local trips. Can anyone clarify?

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to GMa27]

I’m wondering if your trips were outside of the US GMa27. Certainly in the UK, we are covered by the NHS and few people have additional private insurance. If we travel within Europe there are presently reciprocal arrangements to provide health care in their public hospitals using a EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). However this card doesn’t cover re-patriation, accommodation costs or other expenditure nor does it cover very expensive treatment not provided in public hospitals. Hence we take out travel insurance here or the financial consequences could be astronomical.

When we apply for travel insurance of any kind there is an expectation that pre-existing conditions are fully disclosed. In honesty, I’d be surprised if any travel policy is valid if full disclosure hasn’t been made. Cruises are particularly risky in case there’s necessity for us to be airlifted off. No insurance company would give full cover without being fully appraised of the level of risk. Insurance companies automatically seek out pre-existing condition information at the time of claim and will use any small non disclosure as reason not to pay out. The costs can be astronomical and with CLL, there’s sometimes unexpected emergencies arising from serious infections.

I’d honestly take a closer look at your policy because I can’t believe it isn’t a factor there unless of course you’re not going out of country and your standard health insurance policy covers you.

Regards,

Newdawn

[Rt2000 in reply to GMa27]

GMa27, be sure and read your policy. I have found that most policies in the US have a pre- existing conditions exclusion. Some policies will cover pre-existing conditions if purchased within 10-30 days of first payment for your trip, depending on the company. They don’t ask health questions when you buy, but you can be sure the question will come up if you file a claim. We just put a deposit on a cruise in November, but I am going to be sure and buy my trip insurance shortly.

[Tingy]

Hi robertsw,

I’ve used J.D.Travel Insurance Consultants who deal with insurance for those with serious medical conditions. I’ve used them since my diagnosis three years ago plus I’ve also other medical conditions. Their yearly rate for Europe is cheaper than We we’re paying before my diagnosis!

Both my husband I regularly cruise and fly abroad and have found them most helpful. The medical assessment is dealt with over the phone.

Having been taken ill abroad a number of years ago where we adequately covered, I’m very careful when taking out a policy and feel this company meets our needs.

Their web page is: jdtravelinsurance.co.uk

Phone no: 0344 2474749

Hope this of use to you.

Tingy

[Newdawn Administrator]

Here’s a very good article and link to the best insurance companies mentioned; (may be limited to the UK)

telegraph.co.uk/travel/advi...

Newdawn

[SuzeJc in reply to Newdawn]

This is a really useful article. Thank you

[robertsw]

Thank you I will take a look at it when home from church 😇

[hammyj]

I have a nationwide bank account with travel insurance included and I am covered with theirs.