Holiday Insurance

[KenC]

While I was at a meeting in Central Office a few weeks ago, we had a talk from a lady from an Insurance company who said that they could provide cheaper insurance for people with Dementia.

I said that we were very interested, as every time I try to get holiday insurance for my dementia, it feels as if the sky is the limit as far as these companies are concerned.

Eventually a gentleman rang up and took all the details from my wife, and gave us a quote which was not took good to say the least. However he did say that he would need to go and do some research before coming back with a final quote.

However yesterday he rang back with more details, but as my wife was out he would not leave them with me, which is probably not a bad idea, as most things go in one ear and out the other.
He did ring back later and gave my wife a better quote along with a list of countries that are not recommended when something like Dementia is around.

Needless to say we are both very happy and now, as this was half the original quote, we are looking forward to planning a holiday, once my daughter has produced her third child in July.

This Travel Insurance is something that many people with dementia have major problems with, and I do feel that many companies victimise people with dementia and their carers, but hopefully now the tables are turning in our favour.

We all live in hope

Best Wishes

Ken

 

[living in hope]

Hi Ken
Dont know which company you use but we used Saga (not sure if I can mention names) and declared Brians AD and I thought quote was reasonable, our usual company would not have paid out for anything connected with Brians ad.
Love
Lorraine

 

[connie]

Quote from KenC: and I do feel that many companies victimise people with dementia and their carers,

Totally agree Ken, but that is insurance companies for you.

They also disciminate once you turn 65........and then again at 70. I am going to start lying about my age.

 

[KenC]

Hi Lorraine

I don't think we are allowed to mention company names, but it was not the Group you mentioned. We did have a quote from them originally, but it was far above this new quote, however it does seem as if I am fully covered for my dementia with this new company, although I would not want to push this to try it.

Best Wishes

Ken

 

[Margarita]

I said that we were very interested, as every time I try to get holiday insurance for my dementia, it feels as if the sky is the limit as far as these companies are concerned.

don't forget this one also , on top of the other one your getting as this it's free . All your Info on it from the NHS in England .

The European Health Insurance Card / EHIC

http://www.monetos.co.uk/insurance/health-insurance/nhs/ehic/

As a UK resident you are entitled to health care when abroad in another member country of the European Union. You may be entitled to health care in countries belonging to the European Economic Area, or EEA. The European Economic Area represents the freedom of movement and agreement to certain social policies undertaken by its thirty member states.

These thirty member states are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

 

[KenC]

Hi Margarita

Some of those countries you name actually think that people with this illness are a liability. But the insurance company did say that if a person with or without dementia needed medical treatment in certain named countries, the bill would be tremendous.

For that very reason, I would never go to these places as, I can never tell what I am going to do from one moment to the next, and I do not want to add extra pressure on my wife who has enough problems without me adding more.


Ken

 

[Margarita]

I never new that , So Where are you going to then?

 

[Margarita]

Am also wondering what are you both foreseeing & the insurance company that is going to happen to someone with a dementia that they could be a liability ?

As the worse that happen to my mother when we both travel abroad is that mum could of had a panic attract .

Sounds like insurance company are using scare tactics to make more money out of insurance for people with Demetria , but that is only from my personal point of view.

 

[Grannie G]

It`s not only dementia which is the problem. Dhiren has been refused travel insurance from Saga and even Shearings, for UK coach trips, because he takes anti depressants.
These are the only two companies we have applied to but I expect other companies have the same qualifiers.

 

[KenC]

Hi Margarita

At present I do not know where we are going. We may go to Italy as we have been a few years ago and really enjoyed it.

This company are trying to specialise in all cases where there are pre-existing medical conditions, and they already know that these people with all sorts of illness suffer when trying to get this insurance, so they have genuinely said that they will attempt to stop the victimisation where it happens. That has to be good for all concerned, and w all hope that they succeed.


Best Wishes

Ken

 

[llamedos]

Travel Insurance & AD - no problem

Travel Insurance can be a problem - whatever your illness, but I have used one company only for nearly 20 years without problem.

The Company I use specialise in insuring people with health problems!

My last policy earlier this year was for my wife and I to visit Spain for 2 weeks. We are both 74, and I have had heart surgery, and recently had to pay an extra premium for my condition - my wife has AD [no extra charge] only condition is that I am her carer 24/7. Premium was £124 for 2 weeks.....fine by me! We are both fully insured for our declared conditions which gives us imense peace of mind

People suffering from depression are not covered for depression [with this Insurance Company] - whether they take anti-deps, or not - otherwise usually no problems.

Finally - always declare all your existing, and pre-existing illnesses, and medication, when prompted to do so by the operator - tell the truth 101% - because this information given over the phone is usually recorded, and can be used in the event of a claim.

 

[sue38]

My mum and dad have a bank account (with a certain high street bank that has been much in the news recently) and it includes travel insurance, although since they turned 70 they have had to pay an additional premium. I think about £70 per year in total.

As many of you know I have recently had cause to check the policy for my mum, and I noticed my dad's dementia was included in the pre-exising conditions.

Don't ever go abroad without travel insurance. My mum's admission to a Greek hospital for an emergency operation on her bowel would have cost us over £10,000, had she not been insured.

 

[Softy]

Dear All

I am very worried by this thread, as some of you are aware I am an insurance broker and regularly have conversations with clients regarding pre-existing conditions. I do know the specialist market but have never found them to be inexpensive so I am worried that there may be a loophole that is not apparent. I know that we cannot name companies in the open forums and am not sure about private messages however if anyone has come across a policy which will provide this cover I would like to check it out. Regarding the EEC cards please remember that cover under these cards only apply if you have the cards on you in the event of an accident, if you leave them in your hotel bedrooms then the cover does not apply. Please take care when buying travel insurance get advise on the policy first there are alot of shabby operators out there and I would not want any of you to be landed with a large bill for medical expenses or worse being stranded overseas. I must stress I am not looking to sell insurance to anyone as we offer travel insurance only for an existing clients however I am happy to advise and I have been involved in the industry for over 30 years (for my sins)

 

[Margarita]

Regarding the EEC cards please remember that cover under these cards only apply if you have the cards on you in the event of an accident, if you leave them in your hotel bedrooms then the cover does not apply.

That is strange to read, because when my daughter applied for the card , she left before it arrived . Was told that as long as she gave the hospital in the country she was in the phone number they gave her,

the country just phone them up and they will authorize that she is covered under the NHS EEC ID card . My daughter has Epilepsy.

 

[JPG1]

EHIC European Health Insurance Card

The EHIC is definitely not an alternative to holiday/travel insurance.

It won't cover the costs of repatriation, for example. And not all countries provide all healthcare free of charge, so you could still end up with a large bill, unless you also take out travel insurance.

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/Pages/About.aspx

"Your EHIC will allow you access to the same state-provided healthcare as a resident of the country you are visiting. However, many countries expect the patient to pay towards their treatment, and even with an EHIC, you might be expected to do the same. You may be able to seek reimbursement for this cost when you are back in the UK if you are not able to do so in the other country.

The EHIC is NOT an alternative to travel insurance. It will not cover any private medical healthcare or the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts, repatriation to the UK or lost or stolen property."


.

 

[llamedos]

EU Card - ?

Hi, I note what Softy has said, and don't want to enter into any dispute about such cards, but I can speak from personal experience having been hospitalised on several occassions whilst in Spain.

First of all - I have never experienced any problems using my EHIC card [E110 as it was called]. Treatment was given without any problem - ambulance, paramedics, all fantastic - even took me back to our hotel in the ambulance after treatment. As I was barefooted, one paramedic actually went up to our room, and found suitable footware for me - 100% satisfaction.

Secondly, I have been using my present travel insurance company for 20 years - they are very thorough, sensitive to my needs, and unfortuntely, had several claims - all paid in full without any delay - I have never been surcharged for my past claims - what better recommendation do you require - why do you do want want to 'check out' such a company.

I have recommeded my Travel Insurance providers for around 20 years - all my recommendations have taken up cover, and very pleased with the price quoted

Finally, as a person with a lifetime of management experience in the Insurance / Assurance sector, I know a good deal when I get one.

PS: I have never been employed by this travel company - my own company would not give me cover.....nuff said!

TIP: You can reduce your travel premium if you elect to cancel any baggage, personal effects cover, BUT only do so if your present House/contents policy provide personal effects cover out side the home.

 

[KenC]

As it has been pointed out, some companies are now becoming more sensitive to our needs, and that has to be a very good thing.

However I have heard of some people travelling without travel insurance, and that could lead to disastrous situations for themselves, as well as those who are left to pick up the pieces.

It now proves the point that if we shop around we can find companies that will insure us, and bearing in mind that it is not just my Dementia but also my wife's Breast Cancer, that caused problems with getting reasonable travel insurance, we can say that we are happy with our quote, which was supplied with all the paper work to explain everything.

Best Wishes

Ken