insurance

[fj2k]

was wondering if any of you guys have ever come across this-

friend of mine is due to fly to orlando in just over a week, his son has been in hospital for last 3 days with asthma (on going condition), he already had his holiday insurance booked and he has since phoned them to tell them about his son being in hospital and they basically told him they were cancelling his insurance!!
He has since been looking round for quotes but the cheapest he has found his £580 (due to son being in hospital so close to departure date), was wondering if you guys knew of any specialist firms that would cover the family (2 adults 2 kids)
any advice appreciated
regards
fj2k

[blott]

I don't know of any insurance companies who would provide cover when one of the insured has been in hospital that close to a departure date unfortunately. Normally it would require a three month gap (or a medical certificate of fitness to fly) before they would cover the son's asthma.

I wouldn't advise anyone to travel without adequate insurance to the US because medical expenses can be astronomical for even the smallest problem but, of course, your friend would have medical grounds to cancel his holiday and get a refund from the insurance company if all else fails. The insurance company are bound to cover any medical problem which causes cancellation in the period when your friend was insured with them and presumably the friend booked the trip whilst the insurance was in force. They could then replan the trip when the son has been recovered for a sufficient amount of time.

[DaveL]

I would guess that your friend did not mention this pre-existing condition when he applied for the insurance and this gives them the right to cancel.

Most companies will accept this type of condition without any penalty if you disclose it it to start with. The real problem now is that he is in hospital having active treatment and this will set red flags for most companies.

This type of problem has been discussed before so I am sure you will get some pointers soon to companies that might consider this case.

Dave

[fj2k]

thanks for the above replies, any advice on who offers services like this would be appreciated
cheers

[mizzy]

this company may help

http://www.free-spirit.com/

i use them for my own insurance as i have epilepsy and it's not fully controlled, i also recently obtained reasonable priced insurance from them for my elderly mother in law who has a barrage of serious health issues

i would suspect a fit to fly letter would still need obtaining from your childs doctor before they will consider offering you cover

Mizzy

[steph_goodrum]

We use www.direct-travel.com for cover , both hubby and daughter have asthma. If when the insurance was taken out your friend disclosed the childs asthma I'm sure they cannot just cancel cover without at least giving you some of te premium back, if they chose not to mention it that's a different story.

If the insurance was in force when the holiday was booked then it may be that cancelling the holiday and claiming on the insurance to enable a rebookng when more time has been allowed to source a new policy, is the preferred option.

[Majik]

They may like to try www.able2travel.com tel no 0870 750 6711 who cover us for a pre exsisting medical condition.