Options for travel insurance for TRNC residents?

[Gavin Simons]

I've been trawling the web looking for a comprehensive multi journey (to Europe) travel insurance. All I can find require 6 months UK residency or travel only from and to UK.....blah ...blah!!

The thought occurred to me that there must be sone recommendations available here on Kibkom!

Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

[elizabeth]

There's an Insurance office just by Savoy Hotel in Girne, I think it's called Mapfree, we got insurance there for a trip to Australia, very helpful people and fair prices.

[harita]

staysure.co.uk

Try this company

[Keithcaley]

I'm told that Esta Insurance are reliable and competitive - they're alongside the Pottery on the RHS heading out of Girne towards Karaoglanoglu - opposite the Ship Hotel.

The 'phone number is probably on the website

[come_on_aylin]

I would also recommend Staysure - they have recently re-confirmed that they will cover residents of TRNC in the same way as the residents of rest of Cyprus. They offer the comprehensive type of travel insurance that you can buy in UK - single trip or annual. We have used them many times - it's always a good idea to email them setting out exactly where you are resident and get written confirmation that they cover you. Useful as a backup - insurance companies are notorious for trying to wriggle out of paying out, I find.

[squashmad]

We use this company, no problems at all.

http://www.bengotravel.co.uk/

[libby]

Yes, please call us 0548 861 9004
or emaıl

info@estainsurance.com

Our office is open Monday - Friday 8 - 6
Saturday 8:30 - 2

We can arrange travel insurance for expats and also all your travel requirements, including help with visas, extra leg room seats, special requests.

Just ask for Fatoş, Libby or Anthony we are all only too happy to help!

Happy travelling

[muffin]

Beware of Staysure. I was diagnosed with cancer just before I was due to travel earlier this year.They refused to pay out on my policy and referred me to the VERY small print in the T&C which said that budget policies did not cover illness. I will not be using them again

[come_on_aylin]

Muffin - sorry to hear about your illness. Your experience highlights the need to understand exactly what a company will and won't cover. The other thing to be aware of is the documentation the company will require should you need to claim - I recall being asked for itineraries, tickets stubs and even the brochure we booked the holiday from when we claimed - all the kind of things you would probably throw away. As I said before, some companies will go to extraordinary lengths to avoid paying out and it can be very difficult to prove your claim. It's worth considering the Insurance Ombudsman if you think they are being unfair.

[laptatony]

Staysure is for emergencies only and for treatment in that country. Not sure what happens if you need to continue treatment when you return to North Cyprus? My wife had an accident on the plane returning home, luckily not serious but what would happen if it had been serious as she would have been back in NC by the time any treatment could be sought? Esta may be able to advise.

[come_on_aylin]

Laptatony,

Here is an excerpt from Staysure T&Cs:

Emergency medical expenses: this policy is NOT a Private Medical Insurance policy, and does not
provide cover for procedures that can be carried out in your country of residence after repatriation or
for any medical expenses incurred in private facilities if a medically suitable State facility is available.

So the answer to both your questions would appear to be - not covered. Does this differ from other companies?

I know when we investigated local companies for travel insurance they only really provided medical cover not lost/delayed baggage, loss of cash, travel delay, curtailment, etc that are the norm in UK policies. I would be very interested to hear if Esta provide this kind of comprehensive cover.

[Panchocat]

We use the same company as Squashad. Always been reliable to date.

[Keithcaley]

We use the same company as Squashad. Always been reliable to date.

When you say 'reliable', what do you mean exactly?

Have you made claims for Medical Emergencies or expenses such as doctors bills, or medical repatriation?

Claims for damaged or missing luggage?

Claims for lost or stolen cameras, jewelry, cash, credit cards?

Did they settle your claims promptly without quibbling?

I really am interested, not just being awkward!

[Gavin Simons]

Thanks everyone, all the tips are much appreciated.

[squashmad]

Keithcaley,

We had a lost case whilst travelling and got in touch with them and they were quick in helping us with what was covered on emergency purchases. As it was, our case turned up within the next 12 hours and we rang them up and told them and said that it wasn't worth claiming for the items purchased so cannot provide you with the full experience!

[Keithcaley]

Keithcaley,

We had a lost case whilst travelling and got in touch with them and they were quick in helping us with what was covered on emergency purchases. As it was, our case turned up within the next 12 hours and we rang them up and told them and said that it wasn't worth claiming for the items purchased so cannot provide you with the full experience!

Sounds encouraging though!

[muffin]

I think the person who posted an answer to my post regarding Staysure refusing to pay out got the wrong end of the stick. I was not claiming medical expenses - simply a refund against the price of my return ticket to/from the UK.

I filled out all the necessary documentation and went to the expense of providing letters from both flight providers as requested. The actual cost involved was relatively small as the flights had been booked 6 months in advance. It was the principal of the refusal that annoyed me so much. Incidentally I do know my way around commercial contracts quite well and am aware of the importance of reading the T&C - I managed a large contract renewal department for a UK company for several years, but still managed to get caught out! Most companies will do all that they can to avoid making payment.

I did consider using the ombudsman and even downloaded all the information, but was feeling so under the weather at the time, was unable to pursue this course of action.

[libby]

Hi there,

I do hope you are doing better after your illness and I was sorry to hear about your problem,

I am really surprised to read the postings about Staysure however as we actually have that product available for purchase here at Esta Insurance (http://www.estainsurance.com) and we had had many claims and many customers paid out on illness. The only thing I can think they would not have paid out for is if you had the basic policy which doesn't include the cancellation option for illness. The comprehensive policy would have most definitely paid out in the event of a new illness and you not being fit for Travel. Staysure is by far the best option for expats living here in North Cyprus and they are a tried and tested company. You get the choice of basic or comprehensive policy from them and basic covers illness once travelling or en route but not prior to travelling. This should have been made clear to you when you were purchasing the product. If anyone wants to know more about this please drop into either Esta office here in North Cyprus, Karaoglanoglu (next door to Design 74 Pottery shop) or our Alsancak Branch near Atakara petrol station. You can call also call us on 0392 444 3782, just ask for Libby or Anthony.