Travel insurance

I had a bank account that included travel insurance no questions asked.

I don't travel anywhere though! I am told it goes up anyway when we reach 70 so I intend to do lots of travelling when I'm 69!

Try All Clear or Coverwise - I found them more affordable than Staysure, and that was for both my husband and myself, with existing medical conditions. It might be worth trying Saga too - I've had decent quotes from them in the past.

If you have pre-existing conditions insurance will be expensive, just because a company specialises does not mean they are cheaper, more likely they will give a quote where others will not.
The really expensive insurance is to the US

All Clear quoted me twice what Holiday Extras charged. Dont necessarily believe those companies that say they specialise in older travellers.

Try InsuranceWith. You need to start by completing online questionnaire. Don’t be put off if it says they will have to call you. It’s because they will want to talk in depth about your health conditions. They are recommended for those with cancer.

I had a week’s holiday in Italy a year after a cancer operation and the insurance was £73 in 2023.

I did take an GHIC as well and contemplated using just that.

Use a comparison site, you will probably get it much cheaper. Just make sure you list all your medical conditions.
I have various medical conditions and used comparison sites for travel insurance. I paid £130 for annual travel insurance with Admiral [ via comparison site.] I am off to Thailand, Spain and Canada next year and covered.

It's always worth checking other places before giving up.

This October I told my Travel Insurance company that I was due to go into Hospital a week after my long weekend in Boston for a Cardioversion.
I had a annual cover with Staysure. Well that threw them and had to refer to underwriter. I was then refused the cover, for everything.
I was told to ring BIBA, as they will help as they have info on companies that will insure you. I was impressed, instant to get through, they then put my call directly onto a Company (which was All Clear) who gave me cover no problem, it was for me cheaper to do a year cover that my one off one, as I was in Berlin end of this November.
If you don't have any luck, Google BIBA and ask them.

Try Worldwide travel insure. We got an annual policy to cover 3 people for about £450. A single trip insurance would be much less. This covers all my medical conditions - they go through everything with you on the phone in advance. Been using them for years. Although I am not 70, OH is over 70 so the premium is based on over 70s. Easier to do it over the phone with them than online - they are very helpful and nice.

www.worldwideinsure.com/

There are also three different levels of cover and different levels of excess you can choose to bring the premium down. I would think it would be no more than £200.

But it might depend what your medical conditions are.

Stay Sure cancelled my travel insurance when I was going to Malta because I had an appointment come through for a medical procedure two weeks after my return! When I paid for the insurance I was unaware that I was even on a waiting list! I now insure with All Clear because they record the conversation I have with their operative and I can ask questions about what needs to be declared and what's not. It's no problem to go online if your medical situation is straightforward but so much better to talk to a human if it's not as my fear is that if I fail to declare something it might affect my ability to make a claim and if they are faced with a big claim, every insurance company goes through your medical records with a fine tooth comb!

Thank you for this thread. I was about to use Staysure for a 3 day trip to Paris however I am now going to use a comparison site for a more competitive price hopefully.