Travel insurance

Once you have bought a travel insurance policy, be sure to notify them if you or OH has any change in your health.

Unfortunately, it varies between companies what they need to be told about (I read in a Which magazine at the hairdresser).

Some want to be told if there is a visit to the GP re concerns, even if you only get advice.
Some want to be told if any tests are done.
Some only need to know once a new illness is diagnosed.

So check up what your chosen company's rules are on that.

We have just got a year’s travel insurance with Age UK. We were Staysure before but because we are going on a cruise for our 50thanniversary that has stops in Mexico and Columbia it was going to be £790! Age U.K. was still v. expensive but about £300cheaper so might be worth looking at them.

I’ve found Just Travel helpful and reasonably priced. They have people in the north east answering the phone who talk through the questions they ask in a clear and calm way. I’d spent some time finding most firms wanted me to complete an on line application form, much prefer to speak to someone who is efficient and friendly

lucky I don’t suppose you have travel cover with a bank account? We do via M&S. We have to pay an extra premium to cover pre existing conditions but still cheaper than starting from scratch. I hope you can be confident in one soon. As you say it would give your husband something concrete to look forward to. You too . I’d love to hear you had been on your holiday.

I struggled to get travel insurance once I had an increased collection of health problems then I found [email protected]. I do have to pay an extra premium which is well affordable and gives me peace of mind when on holiday. Best to give the insurance company all the info you have re health issues. Good luck in finding an insurance company which suits your needs.

Thanks for the advice, and for warning re StaySure. OH has so many problems that I suspect it will not be too hard for ins co to wriggle out. I declared everything I could think of for the quote - but I think I might log into his medical records with the GP to check that I have it all.

I changed from Staysure to All Clear. I had been with Staysure for years, but every time I had a routine x-ray or test at my rheumatology clinic, my insurance was suspended until I got the results. It was getting ridiculous, as my GP was chasing results, so that I could go on holiday.
All Clear was also less expensive.

Do make sure you declare all pre existing conditions when you take out the travel insurance since if you do have to claim, and I hope you won’t, they get a copy of your medical records from your GP. And they will do everything they can to avoid paying out. Be grateful for a quote of £300. My husband can’t get a quote at all. I hope you get there. Alternatively, how about a large property here decorated with pictures of Switzerland and you can serve cheese fondue?

Just a point with Staysure if you try to claim.
When we tried to claim because the items stolen, because they were covered in our contents insurance they wouldn't pay out.
We had a mayor claim for flood damage in our home previously to this happening. We didn't want to claim on contents because this would have put our premium up so we were very very cross to think we had paid Staysure for cover and they wouldn't pay out. So the loss of money and items we had to stand.
Just a point to consider with this company.

Thanks Willow - I too think £300 is not too bad considering our health problems.

TBH, looking at my OH now lying on the sofa unable to get up, I wonder if this is all a pipe dream - but it is worth £300 to me for him to have something to look forward to.

I will try Staysure.

Have you tried Staysure - I booked with them when we went to NZ 2 years ago. Unfortunately with pre-existing medical problems I don't think there are any which are low cost. I looked it up for me to go to the US earlier this year for work and the cost had shot up with my newly diagnosed health issue. I don't actually think £300 for both of you is that bad really. I hope you manage to go on your holiday - it sounds lovely and Switerland is beautiful.

I think I meant to say "very dear"!!