Travel Insurance to cover cancellation if you have to return due to illness/death in the family

[lornaloz]

I want to book a holiday but my father has been diagnosed with cancer and as yet we dont know what treatment he needs. I need travel insurance cover to cover my costs if the trip has to be cancelled or if we need an emergency flight back to the UK. I cant find anyone who covers this type of predictament.

Does anyone know of any companies? I have been told its called third party cover but google doesnt find any results

[boxtops]

I think you'll find that it's normal travel insurance - the small print in most travel insurance policies states that cover is provided in the event of the death of a immediate family member. However, it may not cover pre-existing conditions (now that you know your father's condition, and I'm sorry to hear that).

Try the Post Office - people say their cover is comprehensive, but you do need to read the small print carefully.

Third party cover is about liability in the event of you causing injury to another person or object, I've never heard the term used in respect of travel insurance.

[flip_flop]

I believe the usual pre-existing condition exclusion found in travel policies excludes cancellation cover if a family member not going on the holiday has a pre-existing condition which necessitates cancellation.

Pretty clumsy explanation, but hopefully understandable.

[lornaloz]

They say it is not covered due to it being a pre existing medical condition. Although the fine print wording states they cover it, on speaking to a representative they say no. Not sure 'normal' travel insurance covers it.

[bednobs]

when i last took oput travel insurance one of the questions was "do you, or anyone who the trip relies on have pre-existing medical condition" (or words to that effect)
This covers your situation - you tell them about your relatives illness, and they adjust the premium accordingly

[B00]

As lornaloz has already found out bednobs, most travel insurance companies will not touch insurance for a illness duch as this with a bargepole.

Just had a thought, now forgive my ignorance lornaloz as luckily ive never had to deal with cancer, but does your father have some sort of councilor or nurse or something? Would they know any companies? Surely this situation's arisen before? you can't be the first family this has happened to.

[lornaloz]

Ive spoken to 4 companies today who said they wont cover it due to it being diagnosed last week. I just can't take the risk of booking the holiday if I cannot insure I can return if the worst were to happen...

[lornaloz]

We're seeing the named nurse next Tuesday so its definitely worth an ask. Great suggestion! Thanks

[B00]

As you've said Lorna, please, please don't even think about travelling without cover.

The cost of bringing your father home, if God forbid anything happens, would be astronomical and so not worth taking the risk!

[B00]

oh and forgot, sorry to hear your dreadful news x

[lornaloz]

Surely there is some policy however expensive that covers this type of circumstance. This is the blurb from the Post Office policies and is pretty similar to most companies

Close relatives or business associates whose health may prevent you taking the trip, are affected in a similar way. We will not pay for any claim you, or any insured person, makes that has anything to do with the medical condition of a relative or associate, if at the time of buying the policy (or booking the trip if this was later) he or she:

was receiving treatment at hospital (other than where you go to hospital for check-ups for a stable condition, at regular intervals which have been arranged beforehand)
was waiting for a hospital consultation or treatment (other than where you go to hospital for check-ups for a stable condition, at regular intervals which have been arranged beforehand)
had been given a terminal prognosis, or been told that their condition is likely to get worse in the next 12 months Media URL: http://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel/travel-insurance/single-trip-travel-insurance/pre-existing-health
Description:

[boxtops]

Ah - that's was I was expecting to see, but I have heard from other ABers that the PO is good for covering people themselves who have pre-existing conditions, I'd hoped they would do something for relatives not travelling. Sorry then, red herring.

[boxtops]

See if some of these can help (you have to scroll down to the companies listed) http://www.telegraph....ch-is-ridiculous.html

However most relate to the traveller being ill before travel, not to relatives staying at home - but it's worth a try.

[slaney]

Good idea to ask the nurse next week.
This may be of some help - it's from the Macmillan web site - some of the companies mentioned do deal with cancer patients.
http://www.macmillan....Travel/Companies.aspx

[Dee Sa]

try Help the Aged and Saga - expensive but will cover or point you in the right direction.good luck.

[millerxxx]

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