Can any one help with medical travel insurance

[QM2 fan]

My friend travelled to the US to see a specialist for her (terminal) breast cancer. I think Macmillan put her in touch with an insurer that agreed to cover her for everything bar her cancer (which was stable at the time) ?? Sadly,she is no longer with us so I can't ask who it was, but getting in touch with MacMillan might help?

[maz48]

For those still looking with medical conditions I also recommend All Clear. I get turned down by most companies but can get cover from them with not too much extra to pay. We get Annual Insurance. Well we can do till my husband reaches 70(3+ years) then we must re-think the length of our holidays. All Clear believe everyone should be able to travel though I am sure there must be some they turn down.

[BillieB]

Many many thanks for all your replies, but the bottom line was a resounding 'no' from everyone we tried. So we have transferred the trip onto a European cruise. The TA were most concerned, but at least we can still go on a cruise. We will keep trying again next year for the US, or until we either wear the insurance companies down or my OH has been clear of Cancer for 5 years. Happy cruising x

[SailingBy123]

Many many thanks for all your replies, but the bottom line was a resounding 'no' from everyone we tried. So we have transferred the trip onto a European cruise. The TA were most concerned, but at least we can still go on a cruise. We will keep trying again next year for the US, or until we either wear the insurance companies down or my OH has been clear of Cancer for 5 years. Happy cruising x

 

Hi BillieB, I just spotted this post and thought I would reply. My Mum has some serious medical conditions, she struggled to find Cruise cover, and then she was referred to a company called Insurancewith. They provide specialist medical and cruise cover for a really good price, so their trip was saved! Just thought I would let you know, they are worth a try - http://www.insurancewith.com/travel-insurance/cruisetravelinsurance.html

[MummyBear72]

I will give all these insurance companies you mentioned, a go tomorrow.

I am going round in circles here in New Zealand trying to get insurance for a 35-day cruise up to and around Hawaii, and back to Sydney Australia! Hubby has AF, and had a stroke 18 months ago, but keeps good health with his medication.

 

Having done a world cruise for 104 days on Sea princess, and noted that the average age of the passengers HAD to be 75 plus, and with all the assorted conditions associated with advancing age, there HAS to be some company who will cover his pre-existing conditions, without breaking the bank!

[pepperrn]

I will give all these insurance companies you mentioned, a go tomorrow. I am going round in circles here in New Zealand trying to get insurance for a 35-day cruise up to and around Hawaii, and back to Sydney Australia! Hubby has AF, and had a stroke 18 months ago, but keeps good health with his medication. Having done a world cruise for 104 days on Sea princess, and noted that the average age of the passengers HAD to be 75 plus, and with all the assorted conditions associated with advancing age, there HAS to be some company who will cover his pre-existing conditions, without breaking the bank!

My father (in his 80s, couple of heart attacks in the last 15 years, triple bypass, asthma, prostate issues, hearing and sight problems) has had to give up any idea of getting insurance for a further lengthy cruise (after two on QM2; one short cruise, one TA crossing and flight back, both taken just before he turned 80).

The last time we enquired (and spent a l-o-n-g time searching) the cheapest insurance we could find was far more expensive than the ticket price!

:(

 

The very best of luck, hope you get this sorted.

Edited July 16, 2015 by pepperrn

[fantasy51]

I have just had a friend over here from Australia who needed to claim on insurance. Because she had recently been diagnosed with diabetes, her cover was $AU1,000. Well, she got all that back and more.

 

First she had vomiting and diarrhoea on her cruise, and 2 nights in their hospital. That was close to $US2,000.

 

Next, in London she had a week in hospital after another bout of vomiting and diarrhoea - but no cost to the insurance company because of the reciprocal agreement between UK and Australia.

 

Following that, she came to me for what should have been a week but ended up close to 2 weeks because she was not well enough to travel. During that time I had to call an ambulance and send her to hospital overnight when she would not wake. A few days later I took her to my own doctor who referred her to our local hospital to the Emergency Multidisciplinary Team. The doctor there fought hard on her behalf and three days ago she was repatriated back to Australia with a nurse escort, courtesy of the travel insurance company.

 

Prior to that doctor's intervention, they had been giving her other friends and I the run-around. We knew she needed help getting back, but they told us the underwriter had not yet approved it because they were not sure if it was a pre-existing condition. They told us all of this for about a week before they asked for her doctor's details and started the process of finding out. My conclusion is that companies will delay and delay in such cases and you need to be very pro-active. The problem is that we, as friends, did not know what information was on file so missed a bit there. Anyway, all worked out in the end.

 

The company was Sure Save World Assistance. Ironically their email heading was 'we assist'.

[Host Hattie]

That sounds like a terrible ordeal for all of you.

I hope your friend is better now.

 

Good luck with finding some suitable insurance MummyBear

Edited July 16, 2015 by Host Hattie

[maitai999]

For UK cruisers, On the Ask Cunard section they have a link to Holiday Extras which has cover for pre-existing medical conditions "Latitude", we have used them several times and the cover and quotes are very realistic.