Travel insurance for +65, 'medical conditions'

[RooFlyer]

I just went to renew my Southern Cross Annual Multi-trip TI and discovered they won't cover Qatar (or UAE, Oman or Saudi ..), so I'm on the market again.

I've read in various threads about policies people like, but of course I didn't bookmark .

So, I'd be grateful for anyone to nominate an insurer who will cover with an annual multi-trip for:

* Over 65

* Medical conditions (Interestingly, I just priced Covermore, who I used to insure with, until they rejected my medical assessment last year. They passed me this time (no hospital visits in past year!)

* Trips up to 60 days (longest one is 46 days - damn!)

* Cruise cover option

* Travel to Qatar (ie Middle East)

Comments on them welcome, too.

 

[VPS]

Not sure but have you tried COTA?

Travel | COTA Insurance

COTA Travel Insurance - our range of plans means you can choose the level of cover you need to suit the trip you're taking.

www.cota.com.au

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I just went to renew my Southern Cross Annual Multi-trip TI and discovered they won't cover Qatar (or UAE, Oman or Saudi ..), so I'm on the market again.

I've read in various threads about policies people like, but of course I didn't bookmark .

So, I'd be grateful for anyone to nominate an insurer who will cover with an annual multi-trip for:

* Over 65

* Medical conditions (Interestingly, I just priced Covermore, who I used to insure with, until they rejected my medical assessment last year. They passed me this time (no hospital visits in past year!)

* Trips up to 60 days (longest one is 46 days - damn!)

* Cruise cover option

* Travel to Qatar (ie Middle East)

Comments on them welcome, too.

At the risk of being OT ... what's the attraction of Qatar?
I loved the Museum of Islamic Art: for both the building and the collections inside.
I enjoyed the markets although they are anything but authentic.
But after that I ran out of things to do.

 

[RooFlyer]

At the risk of being OT ... what's the attraction of Qatar?

I can answer that a bit later.

Not sure but have you tried COTA?

Ah, thanks. That's one I was trying to remember.

 

[VPS]

I can answer that a bit later.


Ah, thanks. That's one I was trying to remember.

I also just saw on another forum that insure and go were awarded best seniors travel insurance by WeMoney and outstanding value for international and seniors travel insurance by Canstar. Apparently, they also offer discounts if you have a seniors card.

 

[Buzzard]

At the risk of being OT ... what's the attraction of Qatar?
I loved the Museum of Islamic Art: for both the building and the collections inside.
I enjoyed the markets although they are anything but authentic.
But after that I ran out of things to do.

I recall reading that if you are even transiting a middle east country that is on the no insurance list, it's enough of a reason for your cover to be cancelled.
The article I read could be incorrect or it could depend on the insurer.

 

[sanne]

I have just done research on renewing our annual TI. Not all companies insure over 80 for annual. Allianz for instance including any company that uses them as their underwriter.

Zurich is OK for annual over 80s. But not all policies are created equal or priced the same. If anyone is interested, happy to post what I found and who I’m going through. Both of us have pre existing medical, in particular DrSanne and had no problem, just a hefty added cost.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I recall reading that if you are even transiting a middle east country that is on the no insurance list, it's enough of a reason for your cover to be cancelled.
The article I read could be incorrect or it could depend on the insurer.

Two most common scenarios:

(a) the insurance is valid for all travel, save for the time your are in transit - on the ground - in a DNT zone*
(b) you insurance is valid, even in a DNT zone, provided any claim isn’t a direct result of an act of war.

Haven’t come across any insurances that completely cancel cover for transit in a DNT zone.

One thing to consider, too, is that some countries in the ME offer visitor insurance, which is pretty cheap, and may provide cover if your regular policy doesn’t.


* for injuries sustained on board or in the process of embarking, disembarking, or a direct transfer the Montreal Convention may apply. Won’t cover a pre-existing condition for the couple hours you are in transit.

 

[Jacques Vert]

I also just saw on another forum that insure and go were awarded best seniors travel insurance by WeMoney and outstanding value for international and seniors travel insurance by Canstar. Apparently, they also offer discounts if you have a seniors card.

I'm also looking at a new policy.

Having received a couple of quotes, Insure & Go have been the cheapest once I include our pre-existing medical conditions AND entered the 15% discount code courtesy of Executive Traveller. Is there are code to enter for having a senior's card?

I did receive a couple of cheaper initial quotes but found that once I included our pre-existing meds, they either refused to insure us or they became considerably more expensive than Insure & Go. I still have a few other quotes to get and will include Southern Cross and COTA.

 

[Jacques Vert]

I have just done research on renewing our annual TI. Not all companies insure over 80 for annual. Allianz for instance including any company that uses them as their underwriter.

Zurich is OK for annual over 80s. But not all policies are created equal or priced the same. If anyone is interested, happy to post what I found and who I’m going through. Both of us have pre existing medical, in particular DrSanne and had no problem, just a hefty added cost.

Yes, please report what you find.

 

[RooFlyer]

Any others? @Pushka @love_the_life @drron ?

@esseeeayeenn the reasons I often stopover in Qatar for a day or two are:

* I take a leisurely approach to travelling to Europe - day flights only and stopping over to gradually adjust to time zones. Award flight to SIN or BKK or CGK (overnight), then cheaper revenue fare to Europe, stopping somewhere additionally along the way. So 2-3 days to get there, else I'm zonked for 3 days on arrival

* My travel agent gets cheaper fares on QR with a corporate deal

* 'Qatar stopover' via QR gets you fantastic cheap deals on hotels in various price brackets- cheaper, up to the top ones (check-in anytime). I do up-market and can usually occupy a full day around the hotel and/or walking around. Last visit, Museum of Islamic Art had a special exhibition on Afghanistan which was worth a re-visit.

But I can equally do Istanbul rather than Doha if I'm on TK. Love Istanbul and am also stopping over there next trip too.

But now, back to insurance company nominations per the OP, please.

 

[tgh]

Sadly our travel has all but dried up, however the best insurance quote in January was with BUPA as we are long term members.
The medical questionnaire was simple and sensible and , for us , required no what if calculations.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Sadly our travel has all but dried up, however the best insurance quote in January was with BUPA as we are long term members.
The medical questionnaire was simple and sensible and , for us , required no what if calculations.

QIC Qatar visitor’s insurance is AUD19 for 30 days. AUD60k cover. That, plus your regular insurance for everywhere else.

 

[Pushka]

Just by coincidence I was talking about insurance with brother and he said he found the best price with SCTI for his trip next year. Sounded familiar and realised that's who we booked our annual travel insurance with, just a couple of weeks earlier. Their prices were excellent. By thousands! Qantas Insurance prices were obscene.

Annual was $3000 ish but we had to do medical screening. Extended stay of 60 days. 3 cruises.

We love Qatar but just don't want the stress of it all right now. TI doesn't like it and so we avoided. Maybe in 2028!

So. @RooFlyer - do the Asian trip. Up to Indonesia on a day flight. Then TK out of Bali. I've even convinced my sons conservative UK P.I.L to do this from the UK.

A350 overnighter to Ist (12 hours departing at 8pm), transit 3 hours, then a four hour hop usually also on a flat bed arriving morning in Europe. For us it was $9000 for two for TK. We spend a few days at each end fighting off jet lag in Bali then daytime flight on JQ to Adelaide.

TK flies into Bali several times a day so missed connection is no drama.

So summary, no help on the TI or we would have done it too.

 

[VPS]

I'm also looking at a new policy.

Having received a couple of quotes, Insure & Go have been the cheapest once I include our pre-existing medical conditions AND entered the 15% discount code courtesy of Executive Traveller. Is there are code to enter for having a senior's card?

I did receive a couple of cheaper initial quotes but found that once I included our pre-existing meds, they either refused to insure us or they became considerably more expensive than Insure & Go. I still have a few other quotes to get and will include Southern Cross and COTA.

Sorry it was just on another forum and didn’t give details. I’ll see if I can find out but it may involve a phone call

 

[Fifa]

A couple of years ago I purchased an annual policy for my husband from Insure4Travel.
Included trips up to 90 days, cruising, skiing and his pre-existing condition. It was under $600 with $200 excess.

Unfortunately when he turned 71 the premium increased and I moved to using a card which covered his pe condition for no extra fee. Next year it’ll be back to square one as the credit card insurance is changing!

 

[drron]

For the last few years we have used SCTI as an annual policy. As you get older they become more competitive. Especially with pre existing conditions. Not sure if we will need an annual policy as probably at most 2 OS trips this year.
About to price our December trip insurance.

 

[sanne]

Just by coincidence I was talking about insurance with brother and he said he found the best price with SCTI for his trip next year. Sounded familiar and realised that's who we booked our annual travel insurance with, just a couple of weeks earlier. Their prices were excellent. By thousands! Qantas Insurance prices were obscene.

Annual was $3000 ish but we had to do medical screening. Extended stay of 60 days. 3 cruises.

We love Qatar but just don't want the stress of it all right now. TI doesn't like it and so we avoided. Maybe in 2028!

So. @RooFlyer - do the Asian trip. Up to Indonesia on a day flight. Then TK out of Bali. I've even convinced my sons conservative UK P.I.L to do this from the UK.

A350 overnighter to Ist (12 hours departing at 8pm), transit 3 hours, then a four hour hop usually also on a flat bed arriving morning in Europe. For us it was $9000 for two for TK. We spend a few days at each end fighting off jet lag in Bali then daytime flight on JQ to Adelaide.

TK flies into Bali several times a day so missed connection is no drama.

So summary, no help on the TI or we would have done it too.

Unfortunately SCTI will not insure you if you’ve had a travel insurance claim refused and unfortunately we have … due to a technicality they refused to refund a cruise cancelled at the last minute due to sickness . Make sure you read the T&C really well and then email the company with questions so you have it all in writing.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Unfortunately SCTI will not insure you if you’ve had a travel insurance claim refused and unfortunately we have … due to a technicality they refused to refund a cruise cancelled at the last minute due to sickness . Make sure you read the T&C really well and then email the company with questions so you have it all in writing.

Oh wow! What happened?

 

[Pushka]

Unfortunately SCTI will not insure you if you’ve had a travel insurance claim refused and unfortunately we have … due to a technicality they refused to refund a cruise cancelled at the last minute due to sickness . Make sure you read the T&C really well and then email the company with questions so you have it all in writing.

That's really unfortunate. But we are ok in that count.