Travel insurance help

[VWW]

Hi all

My wife and I both had travel insurance with the Barclays Travel Pack. Last year my wife developed epilepsy and Barclays wouldn't cover her for this condition, so we bought her a separate policy declaring this. We're going away in a couple of weeks, so just wanted to confirm with Barclays that I'm fully covered. It turns out I'm not. If my wife was to have a seizure and for whatever reason we couldn't travel, this would fall under the 'known events' clause and I would get no payout. Therefore, my question is...

How am I meant to get a travel insurance policy that covers me for someone else's condition? I know you can declare your own pre-existing conditions, but I've never seen it where you can declare someone else's to give you coverage.


Thanks

[interstellar]

If she is the one with pre existing condition then she needs to be the lead passenger I would imagine.

[MitchT]

Surely the company that covers your wife must have encountered a situation where they're covering someone with a condition and that person's partner needs cover that includes events arising from that condition? That would be my first port of call.

[snuffy]

Surely this is a standard travel/holiday policy ?

i.e. if something happens to one of the parties covered on the policy, such that the holiday cannot go ahead, the policy pays out for the cost of said holiday.

That assumes that both people are on the same policy of course.

[littleredrooster]

snuffy said:

That assumes that both people are on the same policy of course.

This is the crux of it. Both parties need to be on the same policy.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

I think you're all misunderstanding the OP's question.

He and his wife have cover with Barclays. Except they don't cover her epilepsy. So OP will buy another policy, just for his wife, that covers her epilepsy.

His question is, if she has a fit the day before their holiday, her policy will cover her, cancellation cover. But the Barclays cover won't cover him, because he can't go because of his wife's epilepsy, and they exclude that.

I don't have the answer.

Or maybe I've completely misunderstood his question !!

Edited by TwigtheWonderkid on Saturday 8th March 15:35

[Rushjob]

Can the OP put himself on the other policy so that it covers him as part of the travel party?

[littleredrooster]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

I think you're all misunderstanding the OP's question.

Edited by TwigtheWonderkid on Saturday 8th March 15:35

I'm sure I'm not misunderstanding - your explanation is exactly as I see it, which is why I said they need to be on the same policy and therefore completely ignore the Barclays cover.

[snuffy]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

I think you're all misunderstanding the OP's question.

He and his wife have cover with Barclays. Except they don't cover her epilepsy. So OP will buy another policy, just for his wife, that covers her epilepsy.

His question is, if she has a fit the day before their holiday, her policy will cover her, cancellation cover. But the Barclays cover won't cover him, because he can't go because of his wife's epilepsy, and they exclude that.

I don't have the answer.

Or maybe I've completely misunderstood his question !!

I think that is indeed his question.

Now, I've often read that travel insurance provided as part of a bank account is often useless and not worth bothering about because they have so many restrictions that they will hardly ever pay out.

And from what the OP is describing, it certainly seems the Barclay's policy is useless.

I'd forget about it and just buy a normal travel policy that covers both people, with all pre-existing conditions declared. Then, if his wife is unable to travel because of a seizure, the entire cost of the holiday is covered.

I will add I'm speaking from experience.

[Sheepshanks]

littleredrooster said:

TwigtheWonderkid said:

I think you're all misunderstanding the OP's question.

Edited by TwigtheWonderkid on Saturday 8th March 15:35

I'm sure I'm not misunderstanding - your explanation is exactly as I see it, which is why I said they need to be on the same policy and therefore completely ignore the Barclays cover.

Yes, Barclays won’t pay out if he claims.

I tried to get cover for a US trip when my Dad was ill and I was concerned I might have to cancel, or go and have to fly back.

Insurer said “thanks for telling us - anything related thst happens to your dad is excluded”.

[mike_e]

The simplest answer is take out a new policy with a company that specialises in pre-existing conditions for you both. You can be the policy holder and list pre-existing conditions for your wife. It then covers you both in the event of a claim. Having been involved in a large claim (£250k+) for my wife while abroad, I can say from experience the bank provided insurance wouldn't have covered us, there are too many exclusions and get out clauses. For what is a relatively low cost, it's not worth skimping on travel insurance.

[Old Merc]

mike_e said:

The simplest answer is take out a new policy with a company that specialises in pre-existing conditions for you both. You can be the policy holder and list pre-existing conditions for your wife. It then covers you both in the event of a claim. Having been involved in a large claim (£250k+) for my wife while abroad, I can say from experience the bank provided insurance wouldn't have covered us, there are too many exclusions and get out clauses. For what is a relatively low cost, it's not worth skimping on travel insurance.

My wife and I are both late 70`s with a list of health issues, we use Staysure they are very good. Be prepared for a long and thorough phone conversation with them, make sure you cross all the "T`s" etc. It won't be cheap, but as said above its not worth skimping on travel insurance.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

pearson_n said:

Some insurers offer "travel companion" or "close relative" coverage, which can protect you if your trip is disrupted due to another person’s medical condition

All insurers give this under their cancellation coverage. The issue is, Barclays are pulling the cover for issues arising out of OP's wife's epilepsy.

[Glosphil]

I have recently been trying to obtain travel insurance for myself & my wife.

I have a notifiable heart condition. TIA in 2010 & found to have Arterial Fibulation & blood pressure around 165/90. Put on medication and no heart problem requiring treatment since with BP now around 120/75.

We have travel insurance with Aviva via our Nationeidbank account. Extra cost to give me medical and cancellation cover is just under £300.

Quotes from other companies vary from £850 to near £1,200.