Travel Insurance For Over 70's.

[Pete D.]

Hello folks, I turned 70 during the winter and my current travel insurance provider won't allow over 35 days for a single trip.

This is a problem for my annual approx 45 day trip to France and Spain Can any of you good people please recommend an insurance company

 

[Baggydave]

Essential for basic health cover, but not to be confused with travel insurance, getting you home or other elements such as hospital stays. The GHIC entitles you to the same treatment at state-run hospitals and GPs in the EU that locals are entitled to, at the same cost as locals. In some cases it could be free, but in practice, Europeans pay for most things except emergency care.

I beg to differ on the hospital stay using the EHIC.
my wife spent 10days in a Spanish hospital in Burgos. Excellent treatment & food plus they helped by using as many staff who spoke some English as possible.
in our opinion it was far better than a uk hospital.

no mention of payment for drugs, stay or treatment & just a photocopy of our EHIC taken. thats Our experience.

when we go in November heading to Portugal I’m going to visit a dentist & get my teeth sorted. Trying to find one where I live is impossible. Even when I’ve managed to get an appointment they don’t want to do the work on nhs terms.

 

[Ingwe]

LV do 90 days

Concur. And one of us is over 70 with a medical history.

 

[FrankNicklin]

Nationwide FlexPlus for us. £13 per month, for the 2 of us, gives us annual breakdown cover (UK & EU), health cover, mobile device cover and, for £65, over 70 age extension health cover. We extended our health cover to 90 days for £129 (Worldwide inc USA). £350 for annual breakdown and health cover for 2 people (one of us over 70) I think is excellent! As to MH insurance !!!

I have the same as hopefully picking up an oldie but new to us MH soon. However someone else mentioned that the Nationwide AA cover in the EU does not include repatriation should your MH be unroadworthy or be unable to be repaired. I’ve looked through the policy and cannot find anything about repatriation.

 

[FrankNicklin]

I beg to differ on the hospital stay using the EHIC.
my wife spent 10days in a Spanish hospital in Burgos. Excellent treatment & food plus they helped by using as many staff who spoke some English as possible.
in our opinion it was far better than a uk hospital.

no mention of payment for drugs, stay or treatment & just a photocopy of our EHIC taken. thats Our experience.

when we go in November heading to Portugal I’m going to visit a dentist & get my teeth sorted. Trying to find one where I live is impossible. Even when I’ve managed to get an appointment they don’t want to do the work on nhs terms.

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[LesW]

I have the same as hopefully picking up an oldie but new to us MH soon. However someone else mentioned that the Nationwide AA cover in the EU does not include repatriation should your MH be unroadworthy or be unable to be repaired. I’ve looked through the policy and cannot find anything about repatriation.

From Nationwide's website..

 

[offagen]

We are both past the big 7. I very recently searched for travel insurance cover for our planned 66 days winter holiday in Spain, applying to seven insurance companies plus Money Supermarket. We both declared existing health conditions which are minor inconveniences rather than anything debilitating or life-threatening. The obtained quotes varied hugely ( LV an eye-watering £1,345!) but by far the best deal was with Red Pennant through the C&MH Club for combined travel and breakdown insurance. It was a no-brainier to go with them, particularly as their continental breakdown service has been excellent when we’ve needed assistance in the past.

 

[David and Sally]

Just done a policy with LV. Annual multi trip.
66 days for over 70

 

[Orion]

I have the same as hopefully picking up an oldie but new to us MH soon. However someone else mentioned that the Nationwide AA cover in the EU does not include repatriation should your MH be unroadworthy or be unable to be repaired. I’ve looked through the policy and cannot find anything about repatriation.

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/-/assets/nationwidecouk/documents/current-accounts/insurances/flexplus/p4000-flexplus-breakdown-insurance-policy.pdf?rev=4eff8e00c48649c48fc01f065e6e3922

Page 26. ‘The Territory’ refers to the U.K.

 

[Lavender1]

Just done a policy with LV. Annual multi trip.
66 days for over 70

Yes, but how much?

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[David and Sally]

Yes, but how much?

£240

 

[FrankNicklin]

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/-/assets/nationwidecouk/documents/current-accounts/insurances/flexplus/p4000-flexplus-breakdown-insurance-policy.pdf?rev=4eff8e00c48649c48fc01f065e6e3922

Page 26. ‘The Territory’ refers to the U.K.

View attachment 815431

Odd that I missed that, perhaps saw trailer and didn’t compute.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Do all the people who have a Nationwide Flex account tell the insurer about every time seen doctor or taken any medication in the last 12 months every time they book the ferry/tunnel, i.e. book a trip? As per the T&Cs. Its putting me off a bit.

Quote
Medical conditions
You need to tell the insurer about any medical conditions you have when you open your account (if you already have a trip booked) or when you book a trip. If you don't tell the insurer about any medical conditions you have, you may not be covered.
What medical conditions do I need to tell the insurer about?
If an insured person would answer 'yes' to one or more of the following questions, you need to tell the insurer.
In the last 12 months, have you suffered from, received treatment, or are currently receiving treatment or advice for:

• a heart or cardiovascular problem (such as heart disease, stroke or angina)?
• diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol?
• any form of cancer?
• any breathing condition (such as asthma or COPD)?
• any gastrointestinal condition (such as Crohn’s Disease or IBS)?

In the last 12 months, have you had or been recommended to have:

• treatment or medication prescribed by a doctor, including repeat prescriptions, whether taking it or not? You do not need to tell us about hormone replacement therapy or contraception.
• inpatient treatment or been aware of the need for inpatient treatment?
• investigation of a medical condition or awaiting a diagnosis?

The insurer will discuss the condition(s) and advise whether they can cover them for free, if an additional premium is required or if they can’t cover the conditions.

 

[FrankNicklin]

I have a Nationwide Flex account. When I opened the account I had to go through some clearing questions on the health insurance policy. Both my wife and I suffer from mild Asthma but do take medication. We don't have any of the other conditions so we met the criteria for travel as long as the medical conditions do not change.

To be honest if your health changed to include any of the above then you should definitely be notifying the insurer as this is critical to the policy as the policy was given based on passing clearing with your current health. I would have thought that would be typical of any travel insurance policy.

 

[Riverbankannie]

I have a Nationwide Flex account. When I opened the account I had to go through some clearing questions on the health insurance policy. Both my wife and I suffer from mild Asthma but do take medication. We don't have any of the other conditions so we met the criteria for travel as long as the medical conditions do not change.

To be honest if your health changed to include any of the above then you should definitely be notifying the insurer as this is critical to the policy as the policy was given based on passing clearing with your current health. I would have thought that would be typical of any travel insurance policy.

It just says you have to inform of repeat medications which both of us take so would have to get through/ring up every time.

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[FrankNicklin]

It just says you have to inform of repeat medications which both of us take so would have to get through/ring up every time.

I think that would be new repeat medication prescribed in the last 12 months not existing repeat prescriptions already declared. That would be pointless as they are already aware.

 

[kev54]

Do all the people who have a Nationwide Flex account tell the insurer about every time seen doctor or taken any medication in the last 12 months every time they book the ferry/tunnel, i.e. book a trip? As per the T&Cs. Its putting me off a bit.

Quote
Medical conditions
You need to tell the insurer about any medical conditions you have when you open your account (if you already have a trip booked) or when you book a trip. If you don't tell the insurer about any medical conditions you have, you may not be covered.
What medical conditions do I need to tell the insurer about?
If an insured person would answer 'yes' to one or more of the following questions, you need to tell the insurer.
In the last 12 months, have you suffered from, received treatment, or are currently receiving treatment or advice for:

• a heart or cardiovascular problem (such as heart disease, stroke or angina)?
• diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol?
• any form of cancer?
• any breathing condition (such as asthma or COPD)?
• any gastrointestinal condition (such as Crohn’s Disease or IBS)?

In the last 12 months, have you had or been recommended to have:

• treatment or medication prescribed by a doctor, including repeat prescriptions, whether taking it or not? You do not need to tell us about hormone replacement therapy or contraception.
• inpatient treatment or been aware of the need for inpatient treatment?
• investigation of a medical condition or awaiting a diagnosis?

The insurer will discuss the condition(s) and advise whether they can cover them for free, if an additional premium is required or if they can’t cover the conditions.

Yes. Discussed every year on renewal - some agreed to not be covered (eg IBS is chronic and not a reason to cancel a trip or be re-patriated). Not every doctor visit - unless for the conditions mentioned. They decide if they will cover you - you decide if you agree and it’s all done. It’s the best cover we have found - but it all depends on your particular circumstances

 

[Speve]

Hello folks, I turned 70 during the winter and my current travel insurance provider won't allow over 35 days for a single trip.

This is a problem for my annual approx 45 day trip to France and Spain Can any of you good people please recommend an insurance company

This is LV= allowance on premium policy.

 

[Lumpy]

We are both over 70 and the wife has high blood pressure, LV covered us for 90 day trips at a reasonable price.

 

[Puddleduck]

Try Post Office Travel. My wife and I are well north of 70.We got 12 months, multi-trip, worldwide (inc. USA) for a couple at a very reasonable price.

When I was a lot younger I had Post Office Travel insurance and had to make a claim (nothing serious - broken specs) and they were excellent. Paid out in full within a week.

Nationwide FlexPlus for us. £13 per month, for the 2 of us, gives us annual breakdown cover (UK & EU), health cover, mobile device cover and, for £65, over 70 age extension health cover. We extended our health cover to 90 days for £129 (Worldwide inc USA). £350 for annual breakdown and health cover for 2 people (one of us over 70) I think is excellent! As to MH insurance !!!

At the moment our Nationwide FlexPlus insurance is on hold as I am waiting for scan results. We wanted to go on a Christmas Cruise but that won't happen now.

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[Abacist]

This topic has depressed me no end this week but there are some useful posts above that I will be following up on.

We used to have a joint annual multi trip policy that cost us about £250 per annum. That was up for renewal. Unfortunately earlier this year I had my routine annual blood test as I am 72 next February. I was asked to go for a second test a few weeks later then again a few weeks after that. The Doc said there was something odd that the lab could not put their finger on. Another test got sent to Bristol who diagnosed Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia and the Doc 'phoned me me whilst I was on holiday in Europe to tell me the news and not to be frightened by the big words. Chronic meaning its dormant and may never ever become Acute when it can become a death sentence.

So of course I gaily declared all the old stuff and my new medical diagnosis on the online medical screening and it came up with No Companies Prepared to Quote!

I got a list of more specialised companies and went through the same process again and this time got a phone call back and went through it all again plus some extra bits on the basis that nobody would give me an annual policy any more, just specific trip cover. We were thinking about an all inclusive 2 week trip to Cape Verde in the Spring so he quoted on that. £1350 for the 2 of us!

I will be exploring Shuttle, Nationwide and the one where the Doc writes a letter stating that we are fit to travel! If the worse comes to the worse we will have to confine ourselves to hols in the van in Europe self insuring with the GHIC card with maybe just my wife having proper insurance. I have a couple of mates who are HGV drivers I could pay to drive the van home if things got bad.

The Doc said I am likely to die of something other than my CLL so why has it had such a disastrous affect on my travel insurance? Sounds like an attempt at a rip off to me. I wish the Doc had never found it or if he did then he should not have told me about it!

 

[Lavender1]

Barry had a heart attack last October, completely out of the blue. He looks 10 years younger than his 83 years and appeared to be completely fit! We have had two holidays this year with a Tesco. Have to tell them, each time, every appointment we have both had with our great GPs For the PAST 5 YEARS. Then to get insurance for Barry, we have to have a letter from our GP saying he is fit to travel which, for £18, has not been a problem. However, because he is 83, they will not insure him for more than two weeks. We did think about not bothering with insurance and relying upon EU card but, having had a problem in France in 2019 whereby the Doctor I saw didn’t even recognise the card and I had to pay, certainly would not rely on that.
Apparently, the Shuttle gives insurance through Axa (I have not read good reviews on them) for the duration of your trip and only needs a letter from GP stating you are fit to travel. If we bother to go abroad again, with the cost of taking out two dogs and the hassle with insurance, I would try the Shuttle. UK is seeming more attractive these day and, now, no guarantee of good weather in Europe - floods, heatwaves etc.

 

[Abacist]

In my experience it is normal to be charged and to have to pay a fee to see a doctor in France. I have a recollection of about €30 but that was a few years ago. I imagine that is why there are never full waiting rooms over there!

 

[denisejoe]

I saw a Dr in France last year on a Saturday (our GP doesn’t even open on a Saturda) at a cost of 25 euro. Gave me a prescription for 3 meds which cost less than 10 euro. Think that’s very reasonable.

 

[Abacist]

I saw a Dr in France last year on a Saturday (our GP doesn’t even open on a Saturda) at a cost of 25 euro. Gave me a prescription for 3 meds which cost less than 10 euro. Think that’s very reasonable.

I very much agree! We certainly didn’t bat an eyelid at our cost!

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[Puddleduck]

The Doc said I am likely to die of something other than my CLL so why has it had such a disastrous affect on my travel insurance? Sounds like an attempt at a rip off to me. I wish the Doc had never found it or if he did then he should not have told me about it!

Martin and I are in the same sort of position .... he had a scan for something that turned out to be nothing but as an ancillary finding they found a shadow which has turned out to be a benign tumour but no symptoms, no increase in size or density so could have been there since birth. The insurance companies that will insure him won't insure me and the other way round.

I have a rare type of blood cancer which isn't going to kill me........ a nuisance but as soon as one says the "c" word it's difficult to get insurance. I am still waiting to hear the results of my last scan and hope that no news is good news. Usually if they find something they are on the phone pretty quickly - except we have had two instances where that hasn't happened and the two week referral got lost in the hospital administration system for 3 months.

As I've have scans but no treatment for the last two years I am at the point where I am probably going to ask to be discharged unless there is any reason for that not to happen. Our last cruise I excluded the blood condition from the insurance but have since been informed (Travelsure) that they may consider the blood condition a contributory factor and not pay out

I saw a Dr in France last year on a Saturday (our GP doesn’t even open on a Saturda) at a cost of 25 euro. Gave me a prescription for 3 meds which cost less than 10 euro. Think that’s very reasonable.

I'd be happy to pay twice that to see a GP for a routine appointment during the week! Having said that my GP is brilliant and I can almost always see her the following day or a duty GP the same day. The hospital is a different matter all together and is notorious for the poor outcomes.