Travel insurance for the older amongst us or maybe good for the younger ones, too….

[stroller]

Having been diagnosed with a minor heart condition, I have been somewhat shocked at the cost of annual multi-trip insurance after declaring my medical condition. Quotes in the range £950- £1500 !!
LV seems to be at the lower end of this cost and importantly they cover motorcycling on bikes larger than 125cc - anyone used them?

 

[wessie]

Having been diagnosed with a minor heart condition, I have been somewhat shocked at the cost of annual multi-trip insurance after declaring my medical condition. Quotes in the range £950- £1500 !!
LV seems to be at the lower end of this cost and importantly they cover motorcycling on bikes larger than 125cc - anyone used them?

LV is now part of Allianz, a German company. I have not claimed from them but they are behind many of the policies mentioned above including the one I have now from Voyager and the one I had from Allclear last year. They seem to have a good reputation. Certainly better than Axa that underwrite many schemes also mentioned above.
You will probably find this line in the actual policy document:
"This insurance is underwritten by AWP P&C S.A., a French company authorised in France acting through its UK Branch." AWP is owned by Allianz Worldwide Partners and you will likely get through to their call centre in an emergency.

 

[Steve398]

We’ve used Nationwide Flexplus travel insurance for many years now, and very recently had to claim with their new insurers Aviva after my wife did her ACL skiing. First class service and very fast claim process, as in I called the claim in at 9am Monday and the money hit my bank within 24 hours.
I’ve just checked if M/C of any size are excluded and been advised there are no exclusions for our 1200RT for touring use.

 

[Fluffmeister]

Hi, just off the phone with Staysure (I called as I have a pre-existing condition - minor op to remove a basal cell carcinoma fyi ! ) expecting to conclude the quote and buy the insurance policy.

Staysure DO NOT provide insurance if you are travelling on a motorcycle, if it is more that 125cc.

Well, that's a fat lot of good then !

They changed their stance on that last year. I was one who recommended them originally as they did offer cover for motorcycles over 125cc if it was yours and you had the license etc. I should have mentioned it.

Last year I ended up going with Avion / Allianz through the broker https://www.justtravelcover.com/ and got an annual policy, with pre-existing conditions declared (Brain Tumour / Neurosurgery and Prostate Cancer). Last year an annual policy for myself and the wife, with my conditions, covering all of continental Europe was £348

I just got my renewal through for this year, and it's £360, which for two adults, Europe wide, with my recent medical history, including bikes of unlimited capacity is a pretty good price.

Just Travel Cover have been good to work with, U.K. Call centre in the North East (If that's important to you)

 

[Kitsilano]

I have found the whole travel insurance process to be an absolute nightmare if either of the following requirements are your needs:
- coverage for more than a 21- or 30-day period in any single journey
- total time away from U.K. expected to be more than 183 days in a calendar year.

The most that I can find is a 90-day coverage period, with no limit of away days annually (ie return to UK every 91st day and depart again).


I surely can't be alone in a pre-retirement/retirement situation where these needs are pretty reasonable?

Any recommended insurers? (BTW, it's generally only AFTER completing the same repetitive medical questions/answers, presumably dictated by the same overall underwriter, that the trip duration limitations are made known. Talk about wasting time..

 

[wessie]

I have found the whole travel insurance process to be an absolute nightmare if either of the following requirements are your needs:
- coverage for more than a 21- or 30-day period in any single journey
- total time away from U.K. expected to be more than 183 days in a calendar year.

The most that I can find is a 90-day coverage period, with no limit of away days annually (ie return to UK every 91st day and depart again).


I surely can't be alone in a pre-retirement/retirement situation where these needs are pretty reasonable?

Any recommended insurers? (BTW, it's generally only AFTER completing the same repetitive medical questions/answers, presumably dictated by the same overall underwriter, that the trip duration limitations are made known. Talk about wasting time..

https://www.allcleartravel.co.uk/long-stay/ - I have only used their standard annual policy for shorter trips but Allclear have an excellent reputation for tailoring a policy to your needs

You can read the policy wording at https://help.allcleartravel.co.uk/hc/en-gb/categories/23163451076241-Policy-Wording

 

[Kitsilano]

Thanks, @wessie
I think my issue is being 67yrs old, as insurers increase their stringency and start clamping down on away days (good luck on a RTW cruise!) ... Having searched and ranted, and searched again I have found LV= with a 90-day max, worldwide, multi-trip, at £948, which is the cheapest thus far. I will return to All clear for another go. I appreciate your feedback.

 

[Skippy]

They changed their stance on that last year. I was one who recommended them originally as they did offer cover for motorcycles over 125cc if it was yours and you had the license etc. I should have mentioned it.

Last year I ended up going with Avion / Allianz through the broker https://www.justtravelcover.com/ and got an annual policy, with pre-existing conditions declared (Brain Tumour / Neurosurgery and Prostate Cancer). Last year an annual policy for myself and the wife, with my conditions, covering all of continental Europe was £348

I just got my renewal through for this year, and it's £360, which for two adults, Europe wide, with my recent medical history, including bikes of unlimited capacity is a pretty good price.

Just Travel Cover have been good to work with, U.K. Call centre in the North East (If that's important to you)


View attachment 396135

View attachment 396136

Thank you, that's really useful info.

Had my op this morning so typing away with one eye bandaged over. I'll tackle the insurance next week. Thanks again.

 

[Fluffmeister]

Thank you, that's really useful info.

Had my op this morning so typing away with one eye bandaged over. I'll tackle the insurance next week. Thanks again.

Good luck and speedy recovery.

 

[KJB]

Staysure, recommended April 2024 - Apparently good with pre-existing conditions

All Clear, recommended April 2024 - Apparently good for ‘Bucket and spade’ holidays and for ‘health impaired’ customers

Insure & Go, recommended April 2024

Direct Travel, recommended April 2024 - Apparently good with pre-existing medical conditions

Navigator Insurance, recommended April 2024 - Apparently good with low level medical conditions

Puffin, recommended April 2024 - Apparently good with medical history stuff

Tesco, recommended April 2024 - Apparently good with medical history stuff

Allclear, recommended April 2024 - Apparently good with low level medical stuff

Was with Staysure for a few years renewed in November tried to up premium 35% no discussion not interested !! Went to Insure and Go very helpfull same cover almost have the price, happy days

 

[Neil W]

We have a joint travel medical insurance policy, always been expensive due to the wifes LUPUS and associated medical issues , however, recently she has gone on the kidhey transplant list and been diagnosed that in the near future she will need to go onto dialysis.
Normal run of the mill travel insurance carries an exemption on any issues related to her medical conditions so hence the specialist policy, premiums have jumped from £400 last year to almost £800 thus year but it would be irresponsible to travel without it

 

[Wapping]

but it would be irresponsible to travel without it

In one. Or indeed, irresponsible for any age / health of traveller

 

[Skippy]

Good luck and speedy recovery.

Cheers! Well, had the stitches out, or so they thought. Buggers left one in, nice and deep. Started scratching my eyeball and got very sore. Pop down to Eye Casualty at RBH and hey presto, quick fiddle with a tiny scalpel and tweezers, all sorted.

 

[Skippy]

https://www.allcleartravel.co.uk/long-stay/ - I have only used their standard annual policy for shorter trips but Allclear have an excellent reputation for tailoring a policy to your needs

You can read the policy wording at https://help.allcleartravel.co.uk/hc/en-gb/categories/23163451076241-Policy-Wording

Utterly brilliant! £75 for a single trip or £79 for an annual policy. Their Gold somethingorother policy . Got so excited when told they cover motorcycling, I didn't pay attention to the name of the policy!

I phoned AllClear as I got fed up with trying online as it appears if you want to ride around on a 50cc moped in your flipflops, that's ok, anything else is a no no.

AllClear were excellent (Josh was my call handler), with two conditions declared - mild copd and a recent removal of a basal cell carcinoma.

Sorted .... and a tad relieved.

Thanks Wessie.

 

[Posh Pete]

Bookmark

 

[dicktheleg]

We’ve used Nationwide Flexplus travel insurance for many years now, and very recently had to claim with their new insurers Aviva after my wife did her ACL skiing. First class service and very fast claim process, as in I called the claim in at 9am Monday and the money hit my bank within 24 hours.
I’ve just checked if M/C of any size are excluded and been advised there are no exclusions for our 1200RT for touring use.

I use Nationwide too, nice that they’ve removed the over 70 top up fee ( missus is 71), I paid to have annual medical condition top up, £60 for me + £30 for the missus. I downgraded my Lloyds’s account as the only reason I kept it going was to get the over 70 cover for er indoors.

Nationwide also include full European breakdown and recovery for any vehicle owned or that the account holder is in, including my 3.5t motorhome.

 

[KJB]

Staysure, recommended April 2024 - Apparently good with pre-existing conditions

All Clear, recommended April 2024 - Apparently good for ‘Bucket and spade’ holidays and for ‘health impaired’ customers

Insure & Go, recommended April 2024

Direct Travel, recommended April 2024 - Apparently good with pre-existing medical conditions

Navigator Insurance, recommended April 2024 - Apparently good with low level medical conditions

Puffin, recommended April 2024 - Apparently good with medical history stuff

Tesco, recommended April 2024 - Apparently good with medical history stuff

Allclear, recommended April 2024 - Apparently good with low level medical stuff

I was with Staysure for many years Dec 24 renewal up 35% as with others shopped around and ended up with Insure and Go very good great prices with same cover, however there quotes are only valid for 24 hrs I was not told and waited three weeks went to pay and it went up £150 complained but got nowhere, Lesson learnt for next year

 

[Smithmas]

+1 for Nationwide Flexplus, I used to get the Navigator for bikes above 125cc when travelling but as mentioned this is no longer a policy limitaion. Happy days.

 

[Mr Bean]

I was with Staysure for many years Dec 24 renewal up 35% as with others shopped around and ended up with Insure and Go very good great prices with same cover, however there quotes are only valid for 24 hrs I was not told and waited three weeks went to pay and it went up £150 complained but got nowhere, Lesson learnt for next year

I went with Staysure as they were the only company that would insure the wife and I for the full cost of the holiday - it was expensive, but came with peace of mind.

 

[Wapping]

Co-Op bank…..

I met with a former colleague of mine today, now just turned 70. He has a serious underlying health problem, but told me good things about a Co-Op bank account, which offers pretty comprehensive Travel (including pre-existing conditions, if notified) for £15 a month, up to 80 years of age. A joint account, covers him and his wife, for the same £15 ie. No double charge. The account also apparently provides motor breakdown cover, too.

I haven’t looked into it in any detail (I am not that old) as my free cover via HSBC lasts until I am 70 but it might interest some here? Particularly those with pre-existing conditions. My former colleague, simply opened a joint account, deposited a sum in it and told the Co-Op to deduct the £15 a month from it. Job done, apparently.