Travel Insurance excludes Covid 19

[RayS]

Thanks RayW. for the view that the Club should be acting for me not the underwriters. Since my last posting I have expressed this very clearly to CAMC Insurance section and have requested chapter and verse of the clauses in documents I have received stating the claimed exclusions. Another thread you are contributing to at th moment concerning cover for the caravan indicates that these is considerable confusion over the status of CAMC . I have written to head of insurance CAMC requesting they look at these threads with a view to gettin them to publich the position in language which the average member can understand.
I have an ongoing situation with their underwriters as to how corvid can be act of god/force majure whereas bad weather is apparently not . Didn't know underwriters could choose, but then, clearly with lots of other fold, i don't understand much.
At time of writing 09 June both CAMC and underwrite people are working from home so perhaps I am expecting too much, . The one really good thing is that the Rep Pennant duty team continue to be right there and helpful doing thes best with situations you cans sense they understand are not satisfactory to the member but over which they have no authority.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Good post, but not sure why you brought politics into it and even more surprised that the moderators have allowed it to stay even though the statement is factually correct?

Politics? where? I have not given support or denial to any UK political party.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Thanks RayW. for the view that the Club should be acting for me not the underwriters. Since my last posting I have expressed this very clearly to CAMC Insurance section and have requested chapter and verse of the clauses in documents I have received stating the claimed exclusions. Another thread you are contributing to at th moment concerning cover for the caravan indicates that these is considerable confusion over the status of CAMC . I have written to head of insurance CAMC requesting they look at these threads with a view to gettin them to publich the position in language which the average member can understand.
I have an ongoing situation with their underwriters as to how corvid can be act of god/force majure whereas bad weather is apparently not . Didn't know underwriters could choose, but then, clearly with lots of other fold, i don't understand much.
At time of writing 09 June both CAMC and underwrite people are working from home so perhaps I am expecting too much, . The one really good thing is that the Rep Pennant duty team continue to be right there and helpful doing thes best with situations you cans sense they understand are not satisfactory to the member but over which they have no authority.

An insurance provider cannot change the effect of their T&C's in mid policy unless the law tells them to. However when it comes to exceptional circumstances which had not been specifically managed in the T&C's (e.g. the C19 pandemic) then they may try to invoke the coverall clauses act of god/force majure.

What I can't tell you is what criteria are used to determined events to be classed as acts of god or force majure, and it may be that each insurer may have their own tests, so there might be variations between companies.

 

[Parksy]

Good post, but not sure why you brought politics into it and even more surprised that the moderators have allowed it to stay even though the statement is factually correct?

Politics haven't been brought into the thread by Prof John L or anyone else.
The discussion is about terms and conditions that could apply to insurance policies and utterances by the US President or any other authoritative figure from any government could conceivably affect insurance clauses.
I appreciate your concern, but please leave forum moderating to us and enjoy the forum as an active participant instead.

 

[Guzzilazz]

I have (until now) had an annual travel insurance arranged through the Royal Yachting Association for wife & I which covers the "dangerous sport" of sail cruising. Last year the renewal was £198 which for worldwide is pretty good. The renewal notice came through at £507!!! and COvid/Sars illnesses are not covered along with a bunch of other caveats concerning repatriation... Went to Compare the Market and they no longer quote on travel...

 

[Beachball]

I have a specialist policy with (Staysure insurance) for my travel insurance it to cover all pre existing Medical Conditions stardard policy might not cover
i have go through it all and then they will come back to me with a price
When we go aboard i have to ask for extra legroom because i am very tall last time i sat where the Flight attendant sits and i have assistance at airports With Ferries they park me next to a lift They need a Doctor letter with my medical conditions but i can still get cover even with Covid -19 affecting travel . That way you will be ready to travel when it safe again.

 

[Buckman]

I have a specialist policy with (Staysure insurance) for my travel insurance it to cover all pre existing Medical Conditions stardard policy might not cover
i have go through it all and then they will come back to me with a price
When we go aboard i have to ask for extra legroom because i am very tall last time i sat where the Flight attendant sits and i have assistance at airports With Ferries they park me next to a lift They need a Doctor letter with my medical conditions but i can still get cover even with Covid -19 affecting travel . That way you will be ready to travel when it safe again.

Outgoing we found Heathrow absolutely brilliant. Coming back was terrible and we were abandoned in the luggage area and the guy disappeared. My wife really struggled with me and the luggage to get us to the bus stop. It is a long way from the luggage area to the bus stop. We were flying BA.

 

[otherclive]

I started this thread as coronavirus was rearing it’s head as I had read some bits from ABI that travel insurance policies would be excluding Covid 19. But shortly after that things accelerated and most companies stopped issuing policies anyway. But once travel begins again it’s highly likely that Covid 19 will be excluded from the cover until the insurers have a good understanding of the risks. SARS,MERS and Avian flu etc aren’t excluded these days. However in the intervening time it could raise some interesting considerations for overseas travel. Until 31 December 2020 UK citizens are still given reciprocal health cover in the EU via the EH1C. However unless there is a negotiated agreement that will cease from 1 January 2021. So travellers to the EU and elsewhere will have to decide whether they will be prepared to travel with an insurance that could exclude Covid 19 cover. The costs of treatment could be extremely high given ICU care could be required. Already Cyprus fearing that the holidaymakers will stay away is offering free Covid 19 care on the island to holidaymakers. Now that could be a sign of the future. Brings a whole new meaning to the term “ health tourism” Ten days on the beach followed by ten days or more on a ventilator. 🙈🤐

 

[Raywood]

Covid 19 will be covered by policies taken out before the pandemic. They cover sickness which is what this is, it is not an act of god but a disease coming from China. Once the insurers saw the extent of the problem they excluded it on new policies as they simply could not quote for this at an affordable figure. The insurer cannot change the terms of the policy mid term unless you change something. Unfortunately this means if you take a later date for your holiday the insurer can exclude Covid.

 

[otherclive]

Covid 19 will be covered by policies taken out before the pandemic. They cover sickness which is what this is, it is not an act of god but a disease coming from China. Once the insurers saw the extent of the problem they excluded it on new policies as they simply could not quote for this at an affordable figure. The insurer cannot change the terms of the policy mid term unless you change something. Unfortunately this means if you take a later date for your holiday the insurer can exclude Covid.

I tried to make it clear in my two posts that Covid 19 was not being excluded retrospectively from travel policies that were extant at the time. Although some areas of the insurance industry have decided to define it as an Act of God for various types of insurance. But my posts specifically related to the future situation when folks want to travel abroad again.

 

[Beachball]

I started this thread as coronavirus was rearing it’s head as I had read some bits from ABI that travel insurance policies would be excluding Covid 19. But shortly after that things accelerated and most companies stopped issuing policies anyway. But once travel begins again it’s highly likely that Covid 19 will be excluded from the cover until the insurers have a good understanding of the risks. SARS,MERS and Avian flu etc aren’t excluded these days. However in the intervening time it could raise some interesting considerations for overseas travel. Until 31 December 2020 UK citizens are still given reciprocal health cover in the EU via the EH1C. However unless there is a negotiated agreement that will cease from 1 January 2021. So travellers to the EU and elsewhere will have to decide whether they will be prepared to travel with an insurance that could exclude Covid 19 cover. The costs of treatment could be extremely high given ICU care could be required. Already Cyprus fearing that the holidaymakers will stay away is offering free Covid 19 care on the island to holidaymakers. Now that could be a sign of the future. Brings a whole new meaning to the term “ health tourism” Ten days on the beach followed by ten days or more on a ventilator. 🙈🤐

We love Cyprus and we have a cousin in Paphos that one of places i will go

 

[Beachball]

Outgoing we found Heathrow absolutely brilliant. Coming back was terrible and we were abandoned in the luggage area and the guy disappeared. My wife really struggled with me and the luggage to get us to the bus stop. It is a long way from the luggage area to the bus stop. We were flying BA.

We flew to Germany from Stanstead Airport normally they have a walker that will push you to the terminal but they were short staff and my wife had to do it Pick up luggage and coming back was same . Take me to the carpark .

 

[otherclive]

I’ve read that some insurers are beginning to offer travel insurance in anticipation of travel resuming at some stage. But so far have excluded any cancellation caused by a Coronavirus being caught in U.K., self isolation as a result of being in contact with an infected person, or participation in vaccine trials. But some are offering cover for coronavirus caught abroad that requires repatriation or hospitalisation. Price...............

 

[Buckman]

I’ve read that some insurers are beginning to offer travel insurance in anticipation of travel resuming at some stage. But so far have excluded any cancellation caused by a Coronavirus being caught in U.K., self isolation as a result of being in contact with an infected person, or participation in vaccine trials. But some are offering cover for coronavirus caught abroad that requires repatriation or hospitalisation. Price...............

We have concerns about travel insurance for an overseas trip April next year. We would normally booked in about Sept or Oct but already flights are filling up very fast. We do not want to buy tickets yet due to changing circumstances and not being able to get travel insurance yet and anyway the T&Cs for travel insurance will probably change favourably or unfavourably over the next few months. If we leave off buying flights, we may not be able to get the flights we would like to have which is a direct flight rather than having stop overs. A bit of dilemma when you are over 70 and have underlying health issues.

 

[otherclive]

We have concerns about travel insurance for an overseas trip April next year. We would normally booked in about Sept or Oct but already flights are filling up very fast. We do not want to buy tickets yet due to changing circumstances and not being able to get travel insurance yet and anyway the T&Cs for travel insurance will probably change favourably or unfavourably over the next few months. If we leave off buying flights, we may not be able to get the flights we would like to have which is a direct flight rather than having stop overs. A bit of dilemma when you are over 70 and have underlying health issues.

My wife, daughter and granddaughter have recently had their holiday in the west of Scotland cancelled. So they are now booked for Rhodes in July 2021. The prices were going up by the minute as they trawled various companies. It’s a low deposit booking so they will look at travel insurance later.

 

[Buckman]

My wife, daughter and granddaughter have recently had their holiday in the west of Scotland cancelled. So they are now booked for Rhodes in July 2021. The prices were going up by the minute as they trawled various companies. It’s a low deposit booking so they will look at travel insurance later.

Unfortunately BA want us to pay upfront for the flights so well in excess of £1k for the flights for both of us so not sure whether to take the chance or not. You can change or cancel, but they will not issue a refund, only an eVoucher to be used at some future date.
BTW we have also been informed that will need to wear masks on entering the airport and for the duration of the flight. Eating and drinking could be difficult as it is a long hail flight. On our return we have to self isolate for 14 days.
However this could all change by April next year hopefully for the better.

 

[Beachball]

When we go aboard we cannot buy a late deal because my husband needs a lift in hotels due to his Medical Issues .
We have use this company twice now it called Mercury Holidays we have been to Malta & Cyrus , the other one we like is First Choice Holidays and you can spread the cost with Direct Debit they have Priority Check in (Premium Club upgrade) you get a bigger seat Pitch .. it idea for me . Staysure Insurance i found they have a all round package ..

 

[Raywood]

A bit baffled by Staysure, as if you check out them they were no 1 on Trust Pilot but 49 out of 57 on another. Never used them, so have no experience of them.
The cover for corona virus is just if you catch it abroad, if you have to cancel for any reason connected with it there is no cover. People will need to assess if that is good enough for them.

 

[otherclive]

A bit baffled by Staysure, as if you check out them they were no 1 on Trust Pilot but 49 out of 57 on another. Never used them, so have no experience of them.
The cover for corona virus is just if you catch it abroad, if you have to cancel for any reason connected with it there is no cover. People will need to assess if that is good enough for them.

I stopped our daughter using them after a friend had so much trouble just settling a claim resulting from a fall abroad. Like you I checked and most of the good reviews related to people’s experience in buying the policy not when a claim has to be made.

 

[RogerL]

I stopped our daughter using them after a friend had so much trouble just settling a claim resulting from a fall abroad. Like you I checked and most of the good reviews related to people’s experience in buying the policy not when a claim has to be made.

That is a huge problem with reviews of insurance - most of us are fortunate enough not to make a claim so never get to test that side.

 

[Beachball]

i use Staysure Travel Insurance for my Medical issues
i have a pre existing medical condition is a condition that you have had symptoms surgery investigations or medical appointments for in the past two years i declared through a medical screening process . A Standard insurance will not cover me

 

[otherclive]

i use Staysure Travel Insurance for my Medical issues
i have a pre existing medical condition is a condition that you have had symptoms surgery investigations or medical appointments for in the past two years i declared through a medical screening process . A Standard insurance will not cover me

Have you had to make a claim and if so what was your experience?

 

[Beachball]

So Far with Staysure i haven"t made a Claim

But 38 years a go i fell in a Shower while we were in Benidorm ended up at hospital left leg first time had a rest for 4 days went out on some Hospital Clutches and fell again we paid everything up front and the travel insurance we had at that time paid the money with no trouble at all

 

[otherclive]

So Far with Staysure i haven"t made a Claim

But 38 years a go i fell in a Shower while we were in Benidorm ended up at hospital left leg first time had a rest for 4 days went out on some Hospital Clutches and fell again we paid everything up front and the travel insurance we had at that time paid the money with no trouble at all

Clearly a glass or two too much Sangria 🤭

 

[Beachball]

Clearly a glass or two too much Sangria 🤭

Due to the amount and variety of medication I am taking the doctor advised not to consume alcohol as would agravate the side effects. This will not change sadly.