Travel insurance - check the small print..

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uncle tom
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Travel insurance - check the small print..

Post by uncle tom »

My annual multi-trip travel insurance renewal came through yesterday - with no overt suggestion that anything material had changed in the cover, but I clocked that the premium had gone down on a year ago..

So, poring through the small print I noticed that the maximum trip length had reduced from 90 days to 32 days, which is no good for my winter trip. Speaking to them on the phone (the policy was underwritten by Rock) I established that the maximum this could now be extended to was 60 days - insufficient for my needs.

A single trip policy was possible they said - but their computer was quoting megabucks for the cover, even though there are no complicating factors.

So..

1) If you think you're covered by your travel policy, have a bloody good look at the small print, and don't assume its renewing on the same terms as before.

2) Can anyone recommend an insurer who understands that some us like to spend the winter in warmer climes? - I'm only really interested in the medical cover...
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Big Boy
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Re: Travel insurance - check the small print..

Post by Big Boy »

I've always said, don't read what is included in the policy, read the exceptions - they will tell you if your cover is adequate.

I used to use NatWest's own insurance, but that was 6 years ago, They used to start with a basic 30 days, but were always willing to extend at not too great a cost. Might have changed now though.
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benmo
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Re: Travel insurance - check the small print..

Post by benmo »

The nationwide flex plus account gives trip lengths up to 180days which costs £220 per annum (under 74)which I think represents very good value. It also includes breakdown cover and mobile phone cover. Check it out on their website
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Re: Travel insurance - check the small print..

Post by Big Boy »

Yes, sounds similar to the deal I had with Natwest. We had cause to use NatWest Insurance a couple of times, and they were alway prompt payers. They even paid for me to come to Thailand to help my wife return to the UK - a free, all expenses holiday - can't be bad.
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Gregjam
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Re: Travel insurance - check the small print..

Post by Gregjam »

One of the most important things I feel with travel insurance is the clause that the trip must start in your 'home' country. I work abroad but although technically resident in the UK rarely go there. As I am out of the country six months a year I am considering stopping my health insurance as it is getting very expensive and just getting travel insurance as I can get it for the six months or less a year that I am actually in Hua Hin (when at work my employer has insurance that covers me). As I normally return to HH from Oz or China I need to get a policy from a company like World Nomads as they will allow you to be outside of your home country at the start of the cover. A small but important fact as a lot of these excellent policies from the banks clearly state in their policies you must start in your country of residence and many of us are just on O or O-A visa's which clearly state you are not resident. Worth being aware of.
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Re: Travel insurance - check the small print..

Post by uncle tom »

The Nationwide deal is fine if you have an account with them, but if you don't, you have to go through all the bells and whistles of opening a bank account before you can sign up.

I have just taken out a 'Light Premium' annual travel policy with InsureAndGo which allows trip lengths of up to 90 days.

It only cost £39.49 - which is not 'reassuringly expensive' - but a quick scan through doesn't throw up any catches..

Maybe I'll make the policy document my in-flight reading matter (when I'm trying to get to sleep..)
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Re: Travel insurance - check the small print..

Post by RCer »

One thing people tend to overlook in these policies is the need to have a license for the vehicle you are operating i.e. motorbike.
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Re: Travel insurance - check the small print..

Post by uncle tom »

One thing people tend to overlook in these policies is the need to have a license for the vehicle you are operating i.e. motorbike.
Strangely, I have never felt any desire to get motorised in Thailand, and get around quite happily on foot or by bus..
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Re: Travel insurance - check the small print..

Post by usual suspect »

For 3 years I was well happy with LV's long-stay policy..& they were good at paying-out too...It was only because I needed full cover for mountain biking off-road that I stopped using them..They were the best value cover for my long stay at the time.
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Re: Travel insurance - check the small print..

Post by 404cameljockey »

Gregjam wrote: Wed Dec 13, 2017 5:30 am One of the most important things I feel with travel insurance is the clause that the trip must start in your 'home' country. I work abroad but although technically resident in the UK rarely go there. As I am out of the country six months a year I am considering stopping my health insurance as it is getting very expensive and just getting travel insurance as I can get it for the six months or less a year that I am actually in Hua Hin (when at work my employer has insurance that covers me). As I normally return to HH from Oz or China I need to get a policy from a company like World Nomads as they will allow you to be outside of your home country at the start of the cover. A small but important fact as a lot of these excellent policies from the banks clearly state in their policies you must start in your country of residence and many of us are just on O or O-A visa's which clearly state you are not resident. Worth being aware of.
Where does the visa say you are not resident in Thailand? Mine doesn't.
If you are in Thailand on an OA visa you are most definitely legally a temporary resident of Thailand. The Immigration stamps in my wife's passport even say: 'notice of residence must be given every 90 days'.
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Re: Travel insurance - check the small print..

Post by uncle tom »

Out of interest, on the Thai insurance circuit as opposed to the travellers one, what sort of cost does annual medical cover come in at?
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Re: Travel insurance - check the small print..

Post by Gregjam »

A good point there by 404cameljockey and thank you for raising it. Despite 'living' in Hua Hin for many years I work abroad and rarely spend more than two months at a time there due to work, work related courses and holidays. This has meant that I have only once had a 'Retirement' O-A stamp where residence is mentioned. Most of my visa's are the Non-O from embassies outside Thailand where residence is not mentioned.
My (flawed?) interpretation of being 'resident' is partly based on that of my own 'not normally resident' status in the UK and that when my wife was given UK residency a few years before she gained nationality she was considered resident and the resident stamp in her Thai passport allowed her entry into the UK without a visa.
I was wrong to say 'clearly state you are not resident', looking at it again I would say that on an O visa there is no reference to residency and on the O-A there is a reference to it but not a clear statement that you are considered a resident unlike a PR where you clearly are resident.
In relation to the thread I think that if you are getting travel insurance it is best to thoroughly check the conditions and if a clause relating to the trip starting at your place of residence or home country is included it would be advisable to get confirmation from the insurer that you meet this requirement.
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Re: Travel insurance - check the small print..

Post by Gregjam »

In response to Uncle Tom's post, the cost will vary considerably between the extent of cover, your age and history. If you are interested I would recommend you visit or contact Matt at AA insurance, one of the forums sponsors. As a healthy late fifties person I was quoted over 2,000 euros with one company and around 1500 US Dollars for another but with less total cover. There are many options and best to talk to a broker to get a good idea.
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Re: Travel insurance - check the small print..

Post by RCer »

uncle tom wrote: Fri Dec 29, 2017 6:11 am Out of interest, on the Thai insurance circuit as opposed to the travellers one, what sort of cost does annual medical cover come in at?
That's a difficult question. It depends if you have any existing ailments, especially if they can be associated with your general well being.

Also your tolerance for nagging phone calls after you make initial contact with the agents.
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Re: Travel insurance - check the small print..

Post by oakdale160 »

One of the most important coverages you get with any good travel insurance is REPATRIATION Insurance. To cover the huge expense if you have to be flown home--perhaps on a stretcher with a Dr accompanying you. If you buy coverage in Thailand it may be to fly you back to Thai not to your home country--Check it out.
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