Travel Insurance for the over 75s

[Digger F]

It appears to me that most Ins.Cos. seem to think that once one reaches 75 you are not a fit person and likely to cost a fortune abroad. Has any member found a company that will cover you for more than 91 days ? (I am hoping to spend the winter in the Canaries and Gib.)

 

[PlanB]

Try Saga.

 

[lindsay]

Presumably you have the european health card which is a good fallback - ok in the canaries and gib?

 

[alant]

It appears to me that most Ins.Cos. seem to think that once one reaches 75 you are not a fit person and likely to cost a fortune abroad. Has any member found a company that will cover you for more than 91 days ? (I am hoping to spend the winter in the Canaries and Gib.)

The rot starts, when you get to that dangerous & 'ripe old age' of 64 years 11months & 30 days.
One minute, you can get world wide travel insurance & the next your being charged at least double (that's if you can find anyone to cover you)!

Haven't checked prices on here - http://www.saga.co.uk/insurance/campaigns/travel-insurance/over-70-travel-insurance/

One possible problem you might have, is the 45 day rule (I think) + the fact that your trip isn't an organised holiday.

 

[Tranona]

It appears to me that most Ins.Cos. seem to think that once one reaches 75 you are not a fit person and likely to cost a fortune abroad. Has any member found a company that will cover you for more than 91 days ? (I am hoping to spend the winter in the Canaries and Gib.)

The difficulty is not only age but the time you are away. The clue is in the term "Travel Insurance" - which means it is for people going on holidays away from home and returning there. So spending winters in other countries is not travelling.

What you are looking for is health insurance and that is difficult for 75+ even in UK. As already suggested in Europe the EHIC is adequate for most people - and indeed travel insurers normally require you to use that anyway before they pick up any costs as they are only insuring you for things you are not entitled to, or where you can show that on medical grounds the treatment you require is only available privately or back home.

However, you might try www.goodtogoinsurance.com which I used for a long trip to NZ and covered my acute medical conditions - at a price that was not as outrageous as some other quotes I had. Inevitably I did not need to claim and might well do without next time I go.

 

[Steve C Cronin]

Try www.Staysure.co.uk.

We have used them for three years now. I have health history and we have made one claim. The existing conditions, if declared will attract a slightly higher premium but the claim didn't cause us a problem when renewing the cover - no premium hike for that whatsoever.

www.staysure.co.uk

 

[Digger F]

The rot starts, when you get to that dangerous & 'ripe old age' of 64 years 11months & 30 days.
One minute, you can get world wide travel insurance & the next your being charged at least double (that's if you can find anyone to cover you)!

Haven't checked prices on here - http://www.saga.co.uk/insurance/campaigns/travel-insurance/over-70-travel-insurance/

One possible problem you might have, is the 45 day rule (I think) + the fact that your trip isn't an organised holiday.

Was under the impression that Saga have a restriction for yotties of not being more than 30 miles from land but will check with them ( I know that nowhere in the world is that far... But I think they mean dry land as opposed to the seabed..)

 

[Tranona]

Was under the impression that Saga have a restriction for yotties of not being more than 30 miles from land but will check with them ( I know that nowhere in the world is that far... But I think they mean dry land as opposed to the seabed..)

If you are sailing in that period then you need to speak to specialist brokers such as Pantaenius, Bishop Skinner, Topsail who have policies for sailors. You are right, travel insurers place restrictions that are not suitable for offshore sailors - for the reasons I stated earlier. Their market is holiday makers who go to a resort or country for a short vacation, so are big on things like cancellation charges, theft etc that can ruin a holiday. The health side is relatively low risk for them in Europe as you will see from the much higher premiums if you travel outside Europe.

 

[charles_reed]

It appears to me that most Ins.Cos. seem to think that once one reaches 75 you are not a fit person and likely to cost a fortune abroad. Has any member found a company that will cover you for more than 91 days ? (I am hoping to spend the winter in the Canaries and Gib.)

You're looking for health insurance NOT travel insurance.
Forget trying to obtain the difficult (impossible if you take pills for ANY chronic condition), stay in the European Community, use your EHIC card for acute emergencies and self-insure for other problems.
Both the two places you mention are covered by the EHIC card.

I've done that for the last 14 years, am well in pocket compared to adding to the profits of various underwriters and can vouch for the medical systems in France, Spain, Italy, Finland, Croatia and Greece. At least two are considerably superior to our poor, dysfunctional NHS.

 

[Digger F]

Many thanks Charles, but as no Coy will cover Health only it is called Officially Travel Insurance by HM Gov. Yep I agree the EHIC is a Godsend and have one but the restrictions are open to some confusion when it comes to incidents/accidents happening at sea. Luckily I have quite a bit of practice of patching people up and also self treatment for minor injuries at sea but one cannot beat having a back up. (Saga will cover but only for 90 days and in territorial waters- no specification as to whose Territory they are on about!!!

 

[charles_reed]

Many thanks Charles, but as no Coy will cover Health only it is called Officially Travel Insurance by HM Gov. Yep I agree the EHIC is a Godsend and have one but the restrictions are open to some confusion when it comes to incidents/accidents happening at sea. Luckily I have quite a bit of practice of patching people up and also self treatment for minor injuries at sea but one cannot beat having a back up. (Saga will cover but only for 90 days and in territorial waters- no specification as to whose Territory they are on about!!!

None of the injuries/illnesses I've sustained have been @ sea - Like a boat, mariners are safe as long as they keep away from land. ;-)

 

[tri39]

I admire your principled stand Charles. But what happens if you (or your body!!) need flying home?!
Mind you, a recent trip to Doc has not made my health re-insurance any easier, so I may have to do as you do in EU!

 

[charles_reed]

I admire your principled stand Charles. But what happens if you (or your body!!) need flying home?!
Mind you, a recent trip to Doc has not made my health re-insurance any easier, so I may have to do as you do in EU!

Not so much a stand as acceptance of the inevitable. When the need to fly back came up I booked a flight on BA and was collected at the airport.
If you're sufficiently incapacitated as to need a stretcher and an ambulance plane, you're probably better off being stabilised on site where it happened and then coming back on a commercial flight. Great wheelchair service until you get to LHR - I walked the last 50m (with help from Singh).