Travel Insurance

[dianemle]

Does anybody have any recommendations for reasonable travel insurance for a cruise in Europe? 

Thank you

[Hils67]

Hi dianemle,

I recently contacted my travel insurance company (alpha travel insurance) as I'd taken out a multi trip insurance before I was diagnosed. I told them that I have PBC stipulating that I have cholangitis not cirrhosis. They advised me that as my diagnosis was less than 3 months they couldn't provide cover for any claim as a result of my PBC but I was covered as normal for everything else. I have to contact them again once the 3 months have elapsed and they will reevaluate to see if they can provide cover for the PBC. Possibly with an increase in premium. 

My thoughts are that the PBC won't cause me to cancel a holiday, shouldn't cause me to claim so as long as I'm covered for everything else like other illness, missed flight, accidents abroad etc I'm happy.

I've never claimed on travel insurance but just the other week I had to cancel a holiday because my dad was admitted as an emergency the day before we were due to fly. I spoke to the claims dept who confirmed that I would be covered to claim as long as dads emergency wasn't related to any pre existing medical conditions...so I've put my claim in. Time will tell if they pay up...I'll keep you posted on here.

I think it depends on what level of cover you want, and whether you want to be covered for PBC (which I presume will depend on how poorly you are with PBC). I'm lucky in that I don't get too much in the way of symptoms...but we're all different!

Good luck...I'm sure others will have other experiences to share.

Hilary x

[dianemle in reply to Hils67]

Thanks Hillary.  I went with Staysure who I have used previously.  The price is excellent and they covered PBC but with cirrhosis and not cholangitis as most insurance companies don't know about the name change yet. One company said they wouldn't cover me and another the premium was high. I have full blown cirrhosis but they just wanted to know about liver transplant,  jaundice and varices. Fortunately I am not on transplant list or have either of the other two. If I was on the list I wouldn't go abroad anyway. 

[Hils67 in reply to dianemle]

Yes, I had to do a lot of explaining about the name change. The operator said that cholangitis wasn't on their list so didn't foresee it as a problem.

Glad to hear you're not on the transplant list or suffer from varices or jaundice. I suppose that's the difficulty with PBC it's so different for everyone...no surprise the insurance companies don't really know how much a risk an individual is...like we don't!

Good luck with getting insurance though...a cruise is a lovely thing to look forward too 🙂.  We're going to Crete in June...can't wait to just lie and relax for 10 days!

Best wishes x

[dianemle in reply to Hils67]

We are also going to the Greek Islands on our cruise in June for 10 days. Can't wait too x

[Hils67]

Fantastic!! We're staying in Elounda for 10 days 4th -14th June. I'm busy learning my Greek...love the language and the people, and of course the beautiful weather and lovely friendly people 😎👙☀️🍹

[maeF]

our travel insurance declined to quote for us, due to PSC, eventually got one company who quoted £1547, for 2weeks in USA! More than the holiday would cost!!!!! Will need to keep looking! I will try Staysure, are they easy to find on internet? X

[dianemle in reply to maeF]

Yes they are easy to find.  Good luck

[Goldsworthyhelen]

I'm not sure who I was with last year but I was diagnosed 4 days before going to Thailand so dutifully told them as GP suggested. They cancelled my yearly premium immediately and charged over 300£ for my holiday. I had no choice but to go with it.

As we had a cruise book this year already was worried, stay sure was expensive but managed to get one for 100£ . No one wanted to do annual insurance as we have a chronic disease , I was told that can change quickly, so insurance companies do not have a clue.

[dianemle]

I agree insurance companies don't have a clue. The Daily Mail insurance didn't want to know and Tesco was expensive and their insurance didn't cover much anyway without PBC.  I paid £119 with Staysure that's with PBC and just having gallbladder removed and for my husband who is 70. It all depends on where you are going too as medical expenses vary in different countries.  

[alpha3]

I travelled to Canada with my Husband, both in our 70's with Saga holidays. Most of the insurance companies quoted huge prices, but Saga actually included insurance in the price of the holiday and covered PBC and also my Husband's medical conditions. I've tried several companies for cover many will not cover PBC and others are a joke.