Clarification from Holiday Extras on their insurance policy

[Bin man]

Just renewed my yearly holiday insurance with Avanti they use great lakes as underwriter .I had to declare ulcerated colitis this year to be covered and payed £250 .I quoted aviva for £200 but they wouldn't cover colitis and they use the same underwriter seems strange when it's the same underwriter anybody had this before 

[Megabear2]

9 hours ago, Bin man said:

Just renewed my yearly holiday insurance with Avanti they use great lakes as underwriter .I had to declare ulcerated colitis this year to be covered and payed £250 .I quoted aviva for £200 but they wouldn't cover colitis and they use the same underwriter seems strange when it's the same underwriter anybody had this before 

It's normal for the underwriters to have different terms for different companies. There can even be a difference between companies in the same group, ie Lloyds Allianz policy is different to Halifax Allianz policy.  At the end of the day the headed paper carries the company name not the underwriter’s and the headline company decides what conditions it wishes to cover.  Medical conditions exempted are frequently different from one to the next.

 

The underwriter accepts the risk they are instructed to and has no control over exclusions and inclusions.  You can also have two policies with the same underwriters using different claims companies - these are the ones to look out for because at the end of the day they authorise settlements.  People research the insurer's rather than the claims company records and this is why they often confuse who is responsible.

[Windsurfboy]

think there was a song that describes best approach by any cruiser regarding covid contacts , symptoms.......

 

Silence is golden

[Bin man]

Thanks for that Megabear2 I now understand .At least I got £25  off after ringing them to see if there were any chance of a discount . 

[jones721]

I have looked up details of my policy with Barclays (Aviva) and their Covid terms and conditions. It looks like we are only covered if we test positivebut hte negative partner not covered. Getting home doesn't seem to be an issue if only one test positive but getting on board does.

 

Interestingly, they state that: 'If your holiday provider cancels your package holiday, they legally have to give you a full refund.' So, does anyone else interpret that as meaning if P&O choose to not let me board if a partner is positive, then they legally have to refund? This is specifically under the Covid section.

 

 

 

Edited October 5, 2022 by jones721

[Kentman]

Can someone please advise what to do with insurance because it is driving me mad. We (3 adults) have a number of cruises booked for the next 12 months, so I am looking to take out a multi trip policy. The one causing me grief is the 35 night to the Caribbean, which the Insurance company, Staysure, are saying is 36 days and above their limit of 35 days. They said that I would need to take out a single trip policy for this cruise, which is considerably dearer than a multi trip. I have looked at other insurers and the days they cover range from 31 - 35 days. So does anyone know of an insurer who covers more than 35 days for a multi trip policy, if so it would be much appreciated. Teo of us have medical problems, I had two stents three years ago and my son has Ulcerative Colitis.

[Amelia Noylam]

On 9/30/2022 at 5:25 PM, Megabear2 said:

I have an Allianz policy through Halifax.  I carried out an online chat a week or so ago and was told I'd need a PCR.  I have queried this and await a reply.

 

I've been a very busy bee for my family who unfortunately all use different insurers. This news from HE is the most positive but the first paragraph is worrying in cases such a the lady who told the truth about her cough.

I thank you very much for this, as I have an Allianz policy through the Halifax, and they told me the same last week.

[Yorky67]

1 hour ago, Kentman said:

Can someone please advise what to do with insurance because it is driving me mad. We (3 adults) have a number of cruises booked for the next 12 months, so I am looking to take out a multi trip policy. The one causing me grief is the 35 night to the Caribbean, which the Insurance company, Staysure, are saying is 36 days and above their limit of 35 days. They said that I would need to take out a single trip policy for this cruise, which is considerably dearer than a multi trip. I have looked at other insurers and the days they cover range from 31 - 35 days. So does anyone know of an insurer who covers more than 35 days for a multi trip policy, if so it would be much appreciated. Teo of us have medical problems, I had two stents three years ago and my son has Ulcerative Colitis.

Kentman

May not be of much help as you need  a Nationwide Bank Account … but something to think about. Last spring Nationwide were happy to extend our 31 day cover for a small amount as part of an annual policy. We also have age extension,  a medical condition specified and took Cruise Cover extension. As we both got mild covid and were offloaded from QM2 for 2 weeks in Miami (with many others) we needed all the help we could get! 

[Megabear2]

1 hour ago, Kentman said:

Can someone please advise what to do with insurance because it is driving me mad. We (3 adults) have a number of cruises booked for the next 12 months, so I am looking to take out a multi trip policy. The one causing me grief is the 35 night to the Caribbean, which the Insurance company, Staysure, are saying is 36 days and above their limit of 35 days. They said that I would need to take out a single trip policy for this cruise, which is considerably dearer than a multi trip. I have looked at other insurers and the days they cover range from 31 - 35 days. So does anyone know of an insurer who covers more than 35 days for a multi trip policy, if so it would be much appreciated. Teo of us have medical problems, I had two stents three years ago and my son has Ulcerative Colitis.

Hi. On insurance issues for longer cruise suggest you try Avanti if you are happy with Staysure, however it only helps if you are under 70.  They are the more specialised sister company of Staysure.  Their policy is as follows:

 

Quote

 

How long can I travel for with an annual travel insurance policy?

With an annual policy, how long you can travel for will depend on your age and where you’re going on holiday.

If you’re under 70, you can travel for up to 50 days per trip, and up to 183 days in total for the year.

Aged 71 and over? You can travel for up to 35 days per trip, and up to 183 days across the year.

Are you planning a holiday longer than 50 days? If you’re aged 70 and under, you can opt for our one trip extension, which can cover you for up to 90 days for an additional premium.

Looking to travel for longer than 3 months? Take a look at our long stay travel insurance.

 

Unquote

 

I can confirm they cover most health conditions at a cost as my husband is insured with them and he has a myocardial Bridge, fibromyalgia and ME amongst others.

 

Hope that helps.  However please be aware along with all the other insurers they only pay refused boarding on a positive test.

 

Edited October 7, 2022 by Megabear2

[Kentman]

Two of us are over 70 thus we fall into this 35 day area, and as said before 35 nights is 36 days. Thanks for your advice.

[Megabear2]

As I am currently only monitoring this thread on insurance issues,  I have an update for anyone interested.  I have received a reply from P&O's Executive Office to my email of 3rd October on the situation with refused boarding as either a contact or on completion of the health questionnaire and we are now in direct communication and discussions "at the highest level".  If and when these discussions are completed I will post here the answers and result.  

 

[Megabear2]

14 minutes ago, Kentman said:

Two of us are over 70 thus we fall into this 35 day area, and as said before 35 nights is 36 days. Thanks for your advice.

I think in that case you will find it extremely difficult as over 70 is normally restricted to 31 or 35 days.  Have you looked at the policies from M&S? You can extend their policies to 45 days and more but their premiums reflect it.  They are however covered by one of the very best insurers/claims companies.  I know they cover heart conditions including stents as I have a friend insured with them. They I believe insure to 80 as well.

[wowzz]

Just wanted to say - "welcome back Megabear " !

[Bill Y]

14 hours ago, Kentman said:

Can someone please advise what to do with insurance because it is driving me mad. We (3 adults) have a number of cruises booked for the next 12 months, so I am looking to take out a multi trip policy. The one causing me grief is the 35 night to the Caribbean, which the Insurance company, Staysure, are saying is 36 days and above their limit of 35 days. They said that I would need to take out a single trip policy for this cruise, which is considerably dearer than a multi trip. I have looked at other insurers and the days they cover range from 31 - 35 days. So does anyone know of an insurer who covers more than 35 days for a multi trip policy, if so it would be much appreciated. Teo of us have medical problems, I had two stents three years ago and my son has Ulcerative Colitis.

Did not realise that it was such a problem,

 

We used to be insured via a Nationwide bank account, they used UK Insurance, and provided cover up to 75 then reduced it to 70 but it was just a mater of paying a premium to increase the age limit. A few years ago we booked a 46 night cruise and I phoned UK Insurance and they extended the limit at cost to cover that, I think it was extended for twelve months as they asked would I need the cancellation cover increased but that would only be for that cruise.

 

Direct line use or are part of UK Insurance so might be worth ringing them,

 

At an onboard sales presentation it was asked why in recent years P&O had reduced the world cruises to 99 days, the answer was because to enable people to get insurance cover. Would the recommended insurer Holiday Extra be able to cover or would they too just sell you single trip cover?

[Megabear2]

19 minutes ago, Bill Y said:

Did not realise that it was such a problem,

 

We used to be insured via a Nationwide bank account, they used UK Insurance, and provided cover up to 75 then reduced it to 70 but it was just a mater of paying a premium to increase the age limit. A few years ago we booked a 46 night cruise and I phoned UK Insurance and they extended the limit at cost to cover that, I think it was extended for twelve months as they asked would I need the cancellation cover increased but that would only be for that cruise.

 

Direct line use or are part of UK Insurance so might be worth ringing them,

 

At an onboard sales presentation it was asked why in recent years P&O had reduced the world cruises to 99 days, the answer was because to enable people to get insurance cover. Would the recommended insurer Holiday Extra be able to cover or would they too just sell you single trip 

Direct Line

ANNUAL MULTI-TRIP

Perfect for the frequent traveller, and families too. Plus, 20% off when you buy online.

Introductory offer only. Each trip up to a maximum of 42 days. All travellers must be under 75. Quotes valid for 90 days.

 

Word of caution here.  Direct Line had a very poor reputation on covid cover initially.  Suggest you thoroughly investigate their current stance on major points of refused boarding, quarantine both onboard and shore (it's a long cruise so offloading is not I'm afraid an impossibility) and also close contact boarding refusal etc.  

 

Basically if you have a large sum at stake per person call them and ask every possible question regarding covid testing proof etc. This policy covers £5000 maximum which is fairly standard.

 

 

 

[howmuch!]

On 10/7/2022 at 8:57 PM, Kentman said:

Two of us are over 70 thus we fall into this 35 day area, and as said before 35 nights is 36 days. Thanks for your advice.

Give LV a try. Premier annual multi trip policy is trips up to 90 days and cruise cover is standard, and it covers people up to 80

Edited October 9, 2022 by howmuch!

[Windsurfboy]

4 hours ago, howmuch! said:

Give LV a try. Premier annual multi trip policy is trips up to 90 days and cruise cover is standard, and it covers people up to 80

 

Thanks good to know