Travel Insurance that won't pay out - any advice please

[helendj]

We took out travel insurance in March when we travelled to South Africa. This was done through the travel agents. My husband developed DVT - we had to stay 3 weeks later than planned after he was hospitalised because of the thrombosis. The insurance company, based in Turkey, have consistently dragged the repayment out since |March and say that if we don't provide blood tests with specific results (which we don't have, we've sent them every single thing from the doctors/hospital) they will conclude the case. Has anyone had a similar experience? and is there an organisation we can go to to complain a bout this? any advice would we welcome.

[suel5]

Try citizen advice cyprus. http://www.citizensadvicecyprus.com

[Owl Lady]

I may be wrong here, please correct me! I always thought Citizens advice was free, but believe you pay here!

[PapaBravo]

You are invited to make a donation, but I believe it is voluntary. Why not go down and find out if they can help?

[muffin]

Contact the Insurance Obudsman if you bought your insurance through a company based in the UK. But be warned it is a long rigmarole. You can get the contact online

[muffin]

Sorry just noticed you said you used a Turkish company. In any event rest assured they will want every document you can possibly produce and in the end it is unlikely that they will pay out. I had to cancel flights this year due to being diagnosed with cancer but the UK insurance company would not pay out. Shall not bother with insurance in future

[helendj]

thank you for all replies - all looks a bit doomy gloomy, but to be honest it doesn't really surprise me (but does annoy for obvious reasons). Muffin I wish you all the very best, I really do

[woodspeckie]

I had to cacel two flights and a package holiday last year one because I fractured my wrist so couldn't have a planned operation on my knee, the operation was delayed until October so had to cancel a flight and a flight I had booked for early December had to be rebooked for later, I had refunds for all the three from Nationwide insurance, no problems whatsoever.

[sophie]

The difference being woodspeckie is that you used a legit worldwide company, I somehow doubt that helendj did, with the best will in the world.

[woodspeckie]

The thing is when taking out travel insurance you must declare all illness or hospital and follow up appointments during the past 12 months and medication you take because they check everything with your GP if you make a claim. 3 years ago I had 3 days in hospital in Turkey, they contacted my insurers to ask if they would pay for my treatment, they phoned back next day to approve the payment all ok. My GP told me the insurers had contacted him for all my details and because my statement to the insurers was the same as his the payment was approved. If they find anything you have not declared the insurance is invalid.

[Hector]

May I suggest naming and shaming the insurance company so others can avoid buying their insurance?

[muffin]

I used an accredited UK company whom i had used previously - Staysure Insurance. Was advised that as I had purchased budget price option I was not covered although it did state in the T&C as I read it, that medical conditions were included. Insurance is a minefield of small print and the consumer rarely wins.

[Hector]

If it was a UK policy then you can complain to the UK Insurance Ombudsman I would have thought.
http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/c ... laints.htm

[woodspeckie]

To be included the medical conditions have to be declared by ringing the medical line, when I get my travel insurance policy it states the specific medical conditions they have covered, the ones I have declared.