Just about to go on a longish holiday and, obviously, certain newspapers are suddenly full of stories about travel insurance companies who didn't pay out. Does anyone have recommendations for annual travel insurance or stories where they treated you well?

Posted by Tacklestiffener@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 14 comments

We've got annual travel insurance and the only story I know is some friends of my parents who arrived in Florida for a month and the next day the guy had a heart attack. Saga Insurance were absolutely brilliant and paid the (eye-watering) bill without any issues, and they were really good at keeping in contact with the couple too. Any other examples?

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14 Comments

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Kingdomcal@reddit

Just read your policy wording. It tells you exactly what is covered and the steps and claims evidence that is needed for making a claim, and if you're not happy with what it covers there's usually a grace period where you can get a full refund. I work in travel insurance and the people who moan and cry on social media, etc. are always the morons who think insurance covers them for everything, and then when I tell them to read their wording they say 'I'm not reading all that!'.

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Tacklestiffener@reddit (OP)

You're right of course. Today's horror stories is all about a policy that was taken out when they were already travelling so, filling in the bits the article missed out, it sounds like they felt ill and then decided to take out insurance. I know I'm covered, even for pre-existing conditions, but you can't help seeing those horror stories.

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Kingdomcal@reddit

Without a doubt. Plus, every insurer's policy that I deal with stipulates that the policy must be purchased prior to the trip. It's still a human who deals with the claims, so obviously mistakes can happen, but as long as you follow the rules and provide the necessary evidence your claim will go from start to finish incredibly quickly with very little issues.

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Tacklestiffener@reddit (OP)

Out of interest, if I want to change my insurer next February and I'm away in renewal date, is it better to start a new policy just before that holiday. Presumably that'll overcome the "already travelling" trap.

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Kingdomcal@reddit

As long as the purchase date isn't during your trip dates, you'll be fine. I'd double check with the insurer though.

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nomarmite@reddit

British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is great for remote regions. One of my travelling companions became ill in remote Nepal, and they arranged for her to be helicoptered back to Kathmandu within hours.

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CarobComplete1493@reddit

I have a Nationwide policy through my bank account with them. I was ill on holiday and was admitted to a private hospital for a week. There was no problem at all getting it covered, they were brilliant. I have also had to cancel holidays due to illness and they were fantastic. Can't recommend them enough.

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Emergency-Aardvark-6@reddit

As a side note, a neighbour recently got back from holiday, he had 1 beer & cut his arm on a waterslide. Saw the onsite Dr, had to then go to hospital for stitches but they smelt beer on his breath & his insurance company said you have to state you will be drinking & pay extra when you get the policy. They won't pay for his medical bills. I rarely go on holiday but always drink so this is something I'll be checking in future.

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Front_Pepper_360@reddit

I pay for a bank account with RBS. I get free travel insurance and breakdown cover as well as other things. It's cost covers theses to and has always paid out with no problem.

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HeavyHevonen@reddit

Stay well away from E&L and any policies underwritten by equine & livestock

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bishibashi@reddit

Insurers will not pay out unless they have to, that’s their business, it’s on punters to understand the policies they buy. Things like defaqto ratings are a good place to start https://www.defaqto.com/star-ratings/travel-insurance?search=

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EdmundTheInsulter@reddit

Sounds a bit hard to dispute a claim like that.

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Chilton_Squid@reddit

You get what you paid for. I had an annual policy with the AA, and when I crashed on a motorbike in Lietchenstein they paid out for my damaged panniers and bike jacket and trousers on account of them just being my clothes and luggage. Didn't quibble at all, I was pleasantly surprised. For me, travel insurance is such a non-expense in the grand scheme of a holiday that it's just not worth buying cheap from a company I've never heard of.