Saga included insurance

[Ergates The Ant]

What experience have other cruisers had with using the included insurance?

Given that virtually all the passengers are over 50, and many a lot more mature than that, how many restrictions do they impose for pre existing conditions and the like?

I’d be interested to know whether allowances are made for our ‘wear and tear’ or whether a high proportion of passengers are told to take the £22 and sort their insurance out elsewhere.

[shoreham01]

The main reasons for booking our first Saga cruise is the included insurance and the included door to door transfers. My OH had prostate cancer which hopefully has been zapped by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.  He is a very young 80 years old. We phoned the screening department and both gave full details of our medical histories as we do with all travel insurance companies. You could have knocked me down with a feather when they agreed to include the insurance for no extra charge. 

[Ergates The Ant]

That sounds very encouraging. Our medical issues sound very trivial in comparison, but we’ve certainly paid more for travel insurance in the last few years.

Very glad your OH is now well enough to enjoy his travels again, long may that last!

thanks very much for the information.

[cinnamon]

We sat next to a couple who said they cruise on Saga because once over 80 they couldn’t get travel insurance elsewhere. It was no problem on Saga and they didn’t ever have to pay an extra premium. 

[silversurf1]

We have 4 medical conditions between us, one of them quite serious, but not terminal. I also use a wheelchair as I cannot stand or walk for more than a few minutes.

we recently went on a seven night Spirit of Discovery cruise to Norway where our conditions were covered.

If we had booked with another cruise line and paid for a Saga insurance separately it would have cost just under £200.

Quite a saving!

[kentchris]

They appear to be fine with conditions declared when taking out the policy, but my wife had a GP appointment to discuss some scans on the Friday before we sailed. She couldn’t reach Saga that afternoon so on Monday she called to tell them amongst other things that her scans had shown a probably benign condition unrelated to the reason for the scans, and that her GP was going to refer that to a specialist in the unlikely event that it needed a followup.

 

Even though her GP had not advised against travel (and was aware of our cruise), Saga’s insurance cancelled all cover for my wife on the basis of the undiagnosed condition. They were unable to explain this over the phone in any detail, even when escalated to a manager, so we’re expecting to find a written response when we get home. 

 

Fortunately we had alternative cover in place, but we were shocked by Saga’s inability to alter their policy to work around a condition declared after the cover started, eg by excluding any condition related to that particular organ, or by charging extra for cover, either of which are what one would normally expect from a travel policy. 

Edited September 15, 2019 by kentchris

[Ergates The Ant]

Kentchris, how alarming!

I would have expected that if they weren’t prepared to cover your wife any more, that they should have at least offered you the option of cancelling the cruise with a full refund. Not what you would have wanted, I’m sure, but isn’t that one reason for taking out insurance in the first place? If you’re not fit to be insured, you are not fit to travel, and that’s what you paid for cover against!

I’m aware that most companies will not insure you if you are awaiting surgery, or have been referred for further investigations, but it sounds as if you had booked the cruise and taken out the cover before this happened.

 

so glad you had alternative arrangements organised, that was a real last minute headache you didn’t need.

[shoreham01]

17 hours ago, kentchris said:

They appear to be fine with conditions declared when taking out the policy, but my wife had a GP appointment to discuss some scans on the Friday before we sailed. She couldn’t reach Saga that afternoon so on Monday she called to tell them amongst other things that her scans had shown a probably benign condition unrelated to the reason for the scans, and that her GP was going to refer that to a specialist in the unlikely event that it needed a followup.

 

Even though her GP had not advised against travel (and was aware of our cruise), Saga’s insurance cancelled all cover for my wife on the basis of the undiagnosed condition. They were unable to explain this over the phone in any detail, even when escalated to a manager, so we’re expecting to find a written response when we get home. 

 

Fortunately we had alternative cover in place, but we were shocked by Saga’s inability to alter their policy to work around a condition declared after the cover started, eg by excluding any condition related to that particular organ, or by charging extra for cover, either of which are what one would normally expect from a travel policy. 

My goodness, this is just dreadful to read.  Now I am really worried as our cruise is so far ahead and anything could come up between now and April.  This news really renders the insurance good for nothing.  Never heard anything liike it before.

[shoreham01]

I phoned 0800 373 034 to add a medical condition today.  Tried first Friday afternoon but recorded message saying 'due to unforseen circumstances we are unable to take your call, please try again later' or similar wording.  Tried again later in afternoon but still same message.  Tried Saturday, recorded message to say that they are closed until Monday.  This morning after hanging on for a very long time I got through.  Was told that they are only open for incoming calls between 09.00 and 13.00.  The afternoons are just for administration and outgoing calls.  When I stated that I thought this was extraordinary and no other company I have ever dealt with only accepted calls in the morning I was informed that they needed the afternoons for admin and outgoing calls.  

Having amended our details I then asked about the cancellation we have read about on this thread.  It would seem that we are completely covered for cancellation but if we phone to add a condition that they don't like then the policy can be cancelled at any time.  If we are unable to find alternative insurance then they will pay full cancellation and we would get full refund.  

Thankfully we are still insured with them, but quite honestly it has made me nervous as the policy is black and white and they are unable to amend it in any way so you cannot even pay extra for a condition they don't liike.  

I really do find it unbelievable that in these modern times an insurance company makes it so difficult to get hold of them.  You really do have to be on the ball and make sure you don't forget to phone them at the precise time they will accept your call.  I think they need reminding that it is 2019.  If I have misunderstood then I apologise.

I will add that the guy I spoke to was lovely, after all it is not his fault or any other member of staff, just a ridiculous policy by a very understaffed or old fashioned organisation.