Sunseeker John Edwards was feeling as fit as a fiddle until he started gathering travel insurance quotes ahead of a visit to Mexico that he and his wife Barbara were planning. The costs – even for a single trip – were several hundred pounds and “so astronomical they took my breath away” John complained to Crusader. “I’m 73,” he explained, “play golf three times a week and had a heart bypass and hip replacement 16 years ago. Barbara goes to the gym 12 times a month and had a stent inserted in 2020. Neither of us have had any other problems. These prices seem a rip-off.”
++ If you’ve been affected by this issue or feel you’ve been a victim of injustice, please contact consumer champion Maisha Frost on maisha.frost@express.co.uk ++; Crusader asked insurance expert Ernesto Suarez, chief executive of personalised travel insurer specialist Gigasure what travellers need to be aware of before sifting through all the options so they secured cover that’s fairly priced and properly protects them. Travel insurance “prices vary significantly based on how and where cover is bought, product benefits, excesses, destination, the proposition provider and how well claims are managed by their appointed claims handlers and assistance companies,” says Suarez, adding: “Check small print, reviews and be wary of ‘bargains’.” Age, destination (Mexico is notably pricey) and medical conditions all affect costs, “Medical questions vary by insurance provider so be vigilant,” he warns.
If your travel insurance provider doesn’t specifically ask whether you have any pre-existing medical conditions, you need to check carefully whether they exclude all pre-existing conditions or have a list of those that are covered and then require you to declare any that are not. Some illnesses in isolation such as asthma or diabetes Type 2 may not add anything to your premium. But how any conditions are being managed, including with medication, must be declared. Based on John and Barbara’s details, Gigasure would ask them whether, in the last two years, any person to be insured has been prescribed medication, or received treatment or advice from a medical professional. If they say “no” they would not need to disclose their conditions mentioned as they are beyond the two-year time limit specified.
Even if the answer is “yes” the price may not go up. John and Barbara need to look for a travel insurance provider that will not ask them to declare a medical condition that was done at least four years ago. If they are looking to reduce costs further, Suarez suggests they could explore lowering the excess and finding a flexible provider that allows them to tailor their policy including holiday cancellation terms, often an expensive part of a policy. Travellers must always check if there is a change to their medical conditions after purchase and declare anything new. Remember GPs may be consulted in the event of a claim. Gigasure
Gigasure’s price guide to help travellers navigate the quotes maze
To help John and Barbara get a general idea of policy costs, Suarez put together a brief price example guide covering a trip to Spain, one of the most popular destinations for UK visitors. For a 70-year-old living in London, buying cover online with no pre-existing medical conditions:
For a 14-night single trip based on current prices among 93 quotations the results are: A price comparison site lowest is £29.77, Gigasure Essential is £48.43, Gigasure Supreme £112.60, most expensive policy offered by insurers £362.14. Among major direct providers prices range from: £62.92 to £128.86
For an Annual Multi Trip: Europe only (including Spain) with cover currently offered among 75 quotations obtained: Price comparison website lowest is priced at £39.26, Gigasure Essential at £60.20, Gigasure Supreme at £123.90, highest price overall is £264.16. Major direct providers’ prices range from: £87.24 to £160.60.