Travel insurance for pre existing conditions

robfosters · 15 Jan 2012 at 23:33

I need Europe travel insurance to cover my congenital heart defect. However, it's coming out at over £150.

It seems quite a lot to me. Does anyone have any experience of this and recommend any good companies please?

Rotty · 15 Jan 2012 at 23:47

if its in the EU and you feel generally ok then just get the EHIC card and forget the insurance

Nitefly · 15 Jan 2012 at 23:50

Rotty said:
if its in the EU and you feel generally ok then just get the EHIC card and forget the insurance

For health problems yes, but don't forget the EHIC won't cover delayed flights

robfosters · 15 Jan 2012 at 23:53

Blimey! That card looks great.

I only want to go to Spain. Do you know if the emergency state healthcare in Spain up to UK standards?

Good point nitefly. And baggage. Could I get standard insurance with my holiday and carry the EHIC as well for medical purposes?

DcD · 16 Jan 2012 at 01:14

robfosters said:
Blimey! That card looks great.

I only want to go to Spain. Do you know if the emergency state healthcare in Spain up to UK standards?

Good point nitefly. And baggage. Could I get standard insurance with my holiday and carry the EHIC as well for medical purposes?

Who are you flying with? I flew to Italy last month and paid about £15 for standard travel insurance, then took an EHIC card for good measure.

Spanish healthcare is EU standard, it's no NHS I don't think but it's not Somalia.

robfosters · 16 Jan 2012 at 01:20

DcD said:
Who are you flying with? I flew to Italy last month and paid about £15 for standard travel insurance, then took an EHIC card for good measure.

Spanish healthcare is EU standard, it's no NHS I don't think but it's not Somalia.

Dont know yet, waiting for a good late deal to come up as I can go at the drop of a hat.

DcD · 16 Jan 2012 at 01:28

robfosters said:
Dont know yet, waiting for a good late deal to come up as I can go at the drop of a hat.

Well either way, I'd suggest talking to insurers directly on what's best. Or if you're really that concerned give the embassy a call for advice.

I'd personally prefer not to give too much advice on what you're covered by just incase the worst happens!

Rotty · 16 Jan 2012 at 10:31

Nitefly said:
For health problems yes, but don't forget the EHIC won't cover delayed flights

the cover for delays is generally not worth bothering about anyway

sbi5ar · 16 Jan 2012 at 10:34

Rotty said:
the cover for delays is generally not worth bothering about anyway

This...

I'm sure most companies find a way to worm out of paying costs for delayed flights!

Nitefly · 16 Jan 2012 at 10:35

Rotty said:
the cover for delays is generally not worth bothering about anyway

I meant for all non-health related reasons he will want to get travel insurance anyway, delayed flights was just the first thing that came to mind

Rotty · 16 Jan 2012 at 10:41

Nitefly said:
I meant for all non-health related reasons he will want to get travel insurance anyway, delayed flights was just the first thing that came to mind

Understand but if uou look at the other stuff

delay insurance is something like £25 per 12 hours so a waste of time

any cancellations / delay costs are responsibility of airline/tour company

possessions cover is generally rubbish with excess stuff, exclusions and generally ways to avoid paying and your stuff is probably covered by home contents

only biy that may be worth it really is repatriation

Nitefly · 16 Jan 2012 at 10:47

Possessions cover is generally rubbish but there's always things such as liability insurance / indemnity that may be worth considering - depends how risk adverse you are! House insurance is usually far better than travel insurance for personal items.

I did quite well out of my insurance recently, was struggling to claim from an airline regarding delayed luggage and managed to get £110 from virgin insurance hassle free (they will obviously be subrogating the claim).

OP if you are getting travel insurance, annual insurance is generally far cheaper and can be more inclusive than for a single trip.