Travel Insurance Survey

[benjamingig]

Hello guys, :lol:

Im working on a project looking at the experiences of people with pre-existing medical conditions and the insurance industry. Travel insurance, traditionally has been a headache for many people even more so if your condition doesnt meet the requirements set on a computer screen.... so we are looking to record feedback so we can demonstrate to the industry that there is a real problem with obtaining insurance and work to get the system changed.

please follow the below link to complete the survey - It will only take a maximum of 5mins to complete but will help to make a big difference

http://tinyurl.com/genetics-insurance

If you have any problems/ questions about this please get back to me

[email protected]

 

[benjamingig]

http://tinyurl.com/genetics-insurance

 

[Dennis]

Hi benjamingig,

I presume you must some connection with the insurance industry to be conducting a survey such as this, in which case you must surely know that there are a number of insurers who specialise in providing travel insurance for people with pre-existing conditions?

 

[tubolard]

I believe this is a questionnaire on the behalf of the Genetic Interest Group, which is

a national alliance of patient organisations with a membership of over 130 charities which support children, families and individuals affected by genetic disorders.

Who's primary goals are

• To promote awareness and understanding of genetic disorders so that high quality services for people affected by genetic conditions are developed and made available to all who need them.
• GIG seeks to educate and raise awareness amongst opinion formers, people of influence and the public about human genetics & genetic disorders.
• GIG provides a common platform from which effective programmes can be launched to raise awareness, inform the media and influence government, industry and the NHS.
• GIG focuses on issues of policy and practice keeping an active watch on developments within the UK and Europe that will influence the effective transfer of knowledge and understanding into products and services for families that are supported by our member groups.

According to the website, the questionnaire was launched back in October.

A list of member organisations can be found here.

Regards, Tubs.

 

[benjamingig]

thanks for posting that info tub, indeed it was launched back in October and I’m just trying to get some more replies to it to add weight to the research we are conducting.

As Tubs mentioned we are not affiliated with any insurance companies, we are very much a patient led organisation and the reason we are conducting this research is on behalf of some of our members who have raised concerns at problems in obtaining insurance.

We know there are specialist insurance companies out there dealing with specifically with Diabetes, and we are also aware that this specialist cover can sometimes be in proportionately expensive. Many insurers seem to think that Diabetes is of no problem and can be underwritten normally, which often is the case but if this is so then why do so many people still experience problems? If the insurance companies don’t think there is a problem then it wont get fixed.

We are also keen to look at the way in which insurance companies are communicating with consumers with pre-existing medical conditions, are they ensuring that everything “that needs to be disclosed” is disclosed and why is there still so much confusion in regards to the cover granted by the EHIC card.

The travel insurance industry is also only JUST started to be regulated (although by the FSA) so we are keen to see if this will make any difference too. We are just after the thoughts of patient support groups and individuals.

 

[candy1567]

hi

had a quick look at your questionaire and they do not have an age bracket for myself lol am 41 but it jumps past this so rather than putting myself as older, have decided to be 1 yr younger would this make a difference

Am smiling already

juliexx

 

[Dennis]

Hi Benjamingig,
I am not trying to denigrate your organisation and its no doubt worthy aims. I do agree with some of your points, but not necessarily over price. Until last year I had travel insurance with one of the cheapest on the market, Norwich Union. Then they decided that they would no longer cover pre-existing conditions, even for a higher premium. This seems to be mirrored by most of the mainstream insurers. I got quotes from several diabetes specialist insurers and finally settled for one that gave me full cover for all pre-existing conditions (which they all offered) plus double the limits on medical expenses, plus free winter sports, and for less than NU wanted for the renewal of their inferior policy. Like most people I had simply assumed that the bigger insurers will always offer the better terms and rates, if for no other reason than that they have the advantage of economies of scale. (Should really have known better having worked in Financial Services for the last 20+ years!)

The travel insurance industry is also only JUST started to be regulated (although by the FSA) so we are keen to see if this will make any difference too.

I wouldn't hold out too much hope. Having had many years experience of the FSA I would liken it to a dog with no teeth that is in a permanent state of coma!

 

[benjamingig]

haha, agreed Dennis, I am a bit confused as to why the powers that be chose the FSA to regulate a rather large insurance sector given their urm dubious track record with pretty much everything else, but I suppose trying to apply logic to these things is a fruitless task. I realise that some of the smaller more specialist guys can be great value for money especially given that they are often able to create a tailored product, although we've only spoken to some people that find them slightly on the expensive side so its great to hear from someone who has found a good deal…

as you say NU certainly aren’t the only ones to not accept people because of the much quoted 'change in underwriting' excuse, many others have done the same, refusing to accept people one minute then welcoming them back the next, must be the most bi-polar industry in existence! :lol: :lol:

 

[benjamingig]

p.s We did think it a bit rude to ask ladies their age and so missed out a key demograpic urm on purpose :roll: But thanks for pointing the age thing out julie! oops! just missed out a good cross section of ages there, I will get that changed asap but as I always say, if in doubt just round down!

if anyone else has any feedback on the survey please let me know!

Ben