Holiday Insurance.

[maggiesaes]

I used to have an insurance with my bank years ago but OH wasn’t included and it stopped at a certain age,and there were quite a lot of extras to pay for reasons of my health.

[Karen]

I used to have an insurance with my bank years ago but OH wasn’t included and it stopped at a certain age,and there were quite a lot of extras to pay for reasons of my health.

Yes that happens Maggie

[maggiesaes]

We need to stay with our current company as our premium is guaranteed to increase only by the rate of inflation which is a real bonus.
We do always keep them informed of any changes healthwise  though.

[Jules]

Paid for our insurance recently and it's practically the same price as last year so happy with that

[WINKIE]

Ours gone up over a 100 quid, called them, it s because your now 65  .

[swedebasher]

Increases seem to occur mostly every five years from our experience.

[geordieborn]

I'm sure most who are booked for this year will already have insurance, but if not it might be worth a look now as this coronavirus could be a problem as they seem to be now implying it could impact summer - awful!

[Jimbo]

It seems that few if any insurers will pay out for cancellation unless the Foreign Office issues a "Do not travel" notice. Being in the very high risk category and cancelling, even with a doctor's letter, does not seem to be enough. Covid-19 may, possibly, be receding by August, but there doesn't seem any likelihood by May.

I'm sure it must be a worrying time in the village. I haven't seen any reports on package holiday bookings, but flight bookings world-wide are significantly down.

[Richard/Jackie/Nathan]

As you know I'm an insurance broker and this is pretty much the market stance on the situation:


Travel Insurance Update: Coronavirus COVID-19



With the spread of the Coronavirus prompting many calls to the office please find some guidance below for your Travel Insurance customers.
 
Will I be covered if I contract Coronavirus and need to cancel my trip?
Yes, you are covered for unforeseen cancellation of your trip. For a valid claim to be processed you will require a medical certificate from a doctor confirming that you were not well enough to travel.
 
I don’t want to travel due to Coronavirus, can I cancel my holiday and claim on my Travel Insurance?
No, disinclination to travel is not covered as an insured peril.
In the first instance you should contact your tour operator or transport and accommodation provider to request a refund of the costs or to change the dates of your trip.

Some of our insurers will allow us to amend the dates or destination on your policy provided an alternative trip is booked/confirmed (terms may apply).
If your trip has been cancelled due to Coronavirus insurers may offer a part of full refund of the policy.
 
If I contract Coronavirus when I'm on holiday will I be covered on my Travel Insurance for medical treatment?
Yes, unforeseen medical expenses and repatriation cover is included on our policies provided a full and accurate declaration was made at the time of purchase.
 
Can I still choose to travel if the FCO advises against it?
No, none of our policies cover customers under any section if they decide to travel against the advice of the FCO. You can stay up to date with the latest travel advice here.
 
Am I covered if I want to cut my trip short due to Coronavirus fears?
No, in the first instance you should contact your tour operator or transport and accommodation for their advice. If you are in a destination which is impacted by the virus you should follow advice of the local authorities.
 

[maggiesaes]

My GD has had her skiing trip postponed so  that decision was made for her.
One of my neighbours had a cruise booked and being an elderly couple with OH suffering with early Alzheimer’s  she was worried.
The company have agreed for them to cancel and will honour their payment in full if they book again by the end of the year and had a letter from their doctor confirming their vulnerability.

All companies respond in their own way so we need to make our own checks.
Our holiday is booked for early May,no idea yet what the situation will be and I am not going to worry.
We are in the senior age group both with other long standing underlying conditions well documented and known by our insurers.

Thank you for the information RJN- just seen  it.

[Chrissyann]

Thanks for the information . Like many I am in the at high risk group and planning to visit in May, we will just wait and hope for he best, we took out insurance when we booked and will go with the advice of FCO and Doctors .Lets hope for the sake of AS and all other small resorts that depends on tourism it doesn't hit too hard 

[Jimbo]

TUI charge a £200 deposit per person. If you ask to re-book for any reason, you forfeit the deposit: a re-booking counts as a cancellation.  There appear to be no exceptional circumstances.

[maggiesaes]

Thanks for the information . Like many I am in the at high risk group and planning to visit in May, we will just wait and hope for he best, we took out insurance when we booked and will go with the advice of FCO and Doctors .Lets hope for the sake of AS and all other small resorts that depends on tourism it doesn't hit too hard 

I do hope so,they must be very concerned.

[Dupnica]

What may be worrying them are the number of Italian visitors they get in the Summer. What are the choices, do they cancel their bookings or just carry on and hope for the best?

[maggiesaes]

I think Italy are talking about stopping flights which means there will be a lot of empty places in the village.