Hi Everyone,
I have not been on here for ages. Hope everyone is doing really well. I am going to America next friday and was just wanting possible advice on holiday insurance. Best companies to choose and some advice on when i make the call what do i tell them.
Thank you in advance.
Donna xXx
Try Explorer. but going to America makes it expensive. Strongly suggest you tell the insurance company everything, and I do mean everything as it can mean they won`t pay out if you didn`t declare something when you take out the policy and in America treatment can cost a fortune.
Hopefully you wont have any problems when you are away and have a lovely holiday.
If you don't get any answers, please call Alan, in the office, as he has a list of companies with whom our members have had success.
Hi Donna, I have just insured with Rothwell and Towler (World First Travel), they are very professional and will do their best to help you. As Oidra said you have got to tell them EVERYTHING, this includes if you are awaiting any test results or awaiting any referrals.
I am just curious, has some insurance companies had negative attitude towards persons who have this diagnosis? I just wonder this, because there are lot of different kinds of autoimmune diagnoses, and is it also hard for them to have a travel insurance?
Hi Sunny,
NB - some of this is just my opinion (although informed opinion) but there is a huge difference in TI companies.
Some just do not cover pre-existing conditions, at all. Some, which are at the cheaper end of the market, will cover run-of-the-mill conditions, but not anything that is unusual, or which will cost them a lot: eg if you are hospitalised for a long time in a country like the States. That's largely why the companies that cover the more unusual or health-risky conditions do charge more.
You have to remember that they are all purely profit-making organisations, just that some of them present a far more efficient, caring and compassionate face to the public. Sadly, it is the case that some of the telephone people are atrocious, and some of their 'medical' advisors do not know what they are talking about. Also, they all (I think?) use vast, medical database systems on which they check your 'condition' and all the symptoms, stages etc. but some of the systems are more up-to-date or detailed than others. Two years ago I tried several companies who did not know of my eye condition, and in the end I asked my optician if there was a different name to use for it. It turned out that the companies I was trying only knew the second term; but last year, I found companies with better databases, who knew both terms.
About 2 years ago, TI companies, in general, were told off by the Ombudsmans Office, and told to get their houses in order, as the Ombudsman had received far more complaints about TI companies from the public, than about any other companies/services. One of the main complaints was that there is often no clear definition of 'pre-existing medical conditions' ... yet this was still an obvious problem last year, so many did not take any notice.
Also, the range of autoimmune conditions is very wide, and some are seriously life-threatening, while others, people can have and not even know they have a condition.
Hi Sunny, when you go through the health questionnaire with some travel insurers I have found they will not cover you if you have PBC.
Try Mia Travel Insurance. They were brilliant. have used twice and very professional. I have varicies and they charged me £60 for a week in canaries. no one else would quote or it was £300 +. good luck.
Hi Donna30,
I agree completely with nomorepies about R &T, very nice, comforting, professional, excellent up-to-date database, etc. My only concern last year was that when I had a closer read of the policy after I'd paid up, at that time, I would not be covered if I was ill on the flight and the airplane had to land or be diverted. I know it's not going to happen ... but I had thought that I'd covered myself completely - and I thought I'd read the policy from cover to cover .. but I'd missed that, and it did bother me a bit. You may find that things have changed, so if this bothers you, do check the policy carefully.
I've been told Columbus and AllClear are good, but have not tried them yet.
I'd love to know how you get on, as TI is a bone of contention with me, so please do post and let us all know.
PS I forgot, there is a company called J&D Consultants. I believe they are a firm of Travel Insurance Brokers, and you tell them everything and they find you the best deal for your conditions. I have not tried them, but a friend recommended them a while ago. Other Insurance Brokers may be able to help you, but these do specialise in Travel, and particularly in T Ins for people with awkward pre-existing medical conditions. I keep meaning to try them out.
Thank you everyone for your replies its really appreciated i decided to go for World First, £150 for the year International they were fab and i explained everything in detail. All the best to everyone xx
World First. Is excellent. It is better to phone than do it online. They charged me £240 single trip and £320 annual. Online is too restricting.
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