It is quite possible that there is a cut down, bare bones policy available through the comparison sites with different policy wording and T&C's. Unfortunately policies bought on price alone are likely to have more clauses and much higher excesses than more expensive policies.

luci

it's also possible that the claim may have fallen into two sections - the hospital bill and any extra expenses (was the return home delayed?). They usually charge the excess per section not per total claim - £100 per section would soon add up.

I've found the policy that shamus is referring to on compare the market. It does have a £200 excess.

There flight home was not delayed. He went into hospital the day after they arrived and spent 2 nights there.

I switched my annual travel insurance from Tesco to the AA at the beginning of December 2007 after using a comparison site.

Then on 22nd December 2007 I succeeded in snapping my Achilles tendon the first night on holiday in Kenya.
Two days in Mombasa hospital followed, which the AA paid for.
I've always looked at price comparison sites since then, but, so far, I'm sticking with the AA since I do know that they really pay out in an emergency, and actually (crazy I know) I feel a little guilty in that it's going to take something like 20 years premiums before they come close to breaking even with me!
The annual cost actually hasn't rocketed up like some insurance, and now I pay via using QUIDCO, I can actually get cashback - this week it knocks 25% off the cost.

Hi, we booked our summer holiday through thomson online last weekend.
We paid in full and even sorted our carparking at birmingham.
I have printed off all the documents except for our travel insurance which we also arranged with thomson at the same time of booking, its with AXA.
My question is this...The insurance documents are attached to the confirmation email i received from thomson straight after booking and consist of 90 pages.
Thats alot of paper (and ink) to print off and take with us???
So what do other people do about these documents?

Last year we booked with thomas cook and took their insurance but they sent us a nice booklet.

all you really need to take is the policy number and various phone numbers for different types of problems.

But you need to read all 90 pages now. Assume they are trying to cheat you (not totally true but better than assuming all is well) and go though the various limits, exclusions (general and specific) and also included activities if they show them. The latter is quite cunning, if there is an INCLUDED list and an activity is not on it you have to assume it's excluded. That done think whether it really works for you. If it doesn't you are still in the cooling off period for insurance and can cancel it and look elsewhere.

Don't forget to take your EHIC if going to a member country as that's insurers' first way of getting out of claims.

thanks Steve,
Hope i dont sound too daft but what is EHIC?
chris

EHIC is European Health Insurance Card, and it entitles you reduced cost, or free, state provided healthcare when visiting an EU country.
I have to admit I have never used one. I only got one last year, and I have never had a problem with medical claims from the insurance.

Hi Chris ... you can apply for your free EHIC from the NHS via the link on page 1 of this topic:

EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARD (EHIC)

Avoid any other sites which charge to process your EHIC application !

David

Thankyou all

Hi again,
Ive just been reading through my 90 pages and there is no sign of a policy number anywhere or any phone numbers for different problems.
Think i might call thomson and cancel this policy and get thomas cooks instead as its easier.

If you're cancelling a tour operators policy, don't buy one from another one. They are way overpriced. Better cover and less expensive if you buy direct from the insurance companies. Just shop around a bit.

chris

sounds like that's just the book that every gets - although it ought to have the phone numbers, they aren't going to change by customer! It's possible that if it's Thomsons insurance specifically linked to a holiday then the holiday booking number will double as the policy number. But nothing will work without the phone numbers.

As sundaddict says, tour operator policies are usally poor value but before you ask for a "good" one we can't say. Each set of circumstances needs to be considered and insurers change conditions from season to season so it's hard to keep up with them.

You need to consider

who is to be covered, do they have any ongoing/recent illness etc.
where are you going (some have tightened up their definition of Europe, all want huge amounts for USA)
what needs covering - if you've got enough cover for belongings away from home on your home contents insurance then don't pay for it here.
what are you going to do. Sitting in sunloungers is covered but other activities may not be. Not just bungee jumping or scuba diving- some don't cover a simple bike ride, some don't cover sea swimming and assume none cover motor bikes.

And something came to me later....age. Over 70 and it gets difficult but, over 50 Saga enter the game and it may get cheaper

Just a heads up for anyone with a Direct Travel insurance policy. There have been some major changes which they have outlined in a leaflet sent with their renewal.

Some of the changes are:-

- abandonment is now after 24 hours and not 12 hours;
- the list of close relatives that you would be covered for if anything happened to them has been culled and no longer includes sister/brother in law, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc;
- they no longer cover children travelling on their own. They must now travel with a responsible adult.

However you can now do the medical screening online instead of having to call them, although that wasn't mention in the leaflet.

luci

Has anyone any thoughts/ claimed on the Free annual European travel insurance you get with a Nationwide current account?
(It can be upgraded to Worldwide.)

I've started reading the small print but getting a bit confused with it all.
Thanks

I'm going with it but I don't set myself up for big risks (financial or physical!).

For simple holidays, especially off the shelf packages or if you don't pay for hotels in advance, it's OK but I wouldn't rely on it for anything complicated.

This type of policy tends to be a bit more restrictive than those that are paid for. As well as the winter sports supplement make sure you know what summer activities aren't covered if you were thinking of doing anything energetic.

Another area to watch carefully is if you don't book a proper package, what would happen if the outward flight was cancelled and you'd paid for something else - such as a hotel, dated theme park tickets, car hire or a cruise.

The policy is dependent on a certain amount being paid into the account each month, make sure that happens or you could drop off cover.

If you are thinking of upgrading (ie paying!) to worldwide cover it's worth comparing policies carefully, looking at coverage, claim limits and excess amounts.

If you decide not to use this policy and take out different cover follow their instructions for formally cancelling the inclusive cover even though you won't appear to get anything out of it - having more than one policy in force could complicate a claim as the paid for insurer might want to split costs with them.

Thanks - normally do DIY - so will read again thoroughly.

I have read the Nationwide policy thoroughly and it offers quite good cover for a free policy. However you really need to read the sections relevant to your own needs.

In my case it wouldn't cover parents as Close Relatives are not covered if they have been an in-patient in the past 12 months so I have an additional policy without this restriction. In the event of a claim for another reason, I would leave the two insurers to sort out the split liability.

luci