That age old insurance question

This question must get asked at least 4 times each season in various different guises ;)

Here goes another.

I have some existing medical conditions that tend to put on £20 - £25 on a policy. The typical policy costs me about £50.

I am not prepared to take insurance out and not have the medical cover.

I have been searching this evening and have come across a policy for £41. I got quite happy :)

The company is Direct Travel. I have heard of them before, just wondering if anyone here has any bad/good reviews of them? The policy seems to be like for like of those that are a tenner more expensive. I cant see the difference (in some areas this actually has more to offer than the others)

Before I press "submit", anyone any feedback?

:roll:

Right time for bed .......

That comes with age, as with the ability to wibble the 2nd post :evil:

A saving of £9.
Is it worth getting concerned about?

Used Direct travel for what seems like forever but I can only comment on the front end as I have, yet, to make ant sort of claim.
I have a pre-existing that needs notifying and this is handled simply and easily, bumping up the annual multitrip by about £15/20.
I have always found their phone people helpful and knowledgeable and have had to phone to discuss things and ask for clarification etc several times.
They were very helpful when I had some funny questions on a trip to Africa and got clarification from an underwriter and gave me written confirmation of acceptance of my activities and were very helpful when my son needed a single trip policy while still "in treatment" technically with a hospital.
My view ...
Not the cheapest, but have always given me confidence to continue using them.

The important issue with travel insurance is often not who you buy it from but who underwrites it, in other words the insurer behind it. Direct Travel act almost as a sales arm/broker.

In this case it appears to be Chartis, who are effectively AIG who were the biggest insurer in the world before they went belly up during the recent world financial meltdown, but they now trade as Chartis in Europe but are a large company and well respected.

I would expect when you ring the claims number you will be spoken to by Chartis claims handlers, rather than anyone from Direct Travel, why dont you give them a ring on the claims number and see if you can ask them who handles the claims and what their procedures are if you're concerned, at the end of the day thats what you pay for.

Hi,

I have used Direct Travel for every holiday I have been on for about the last 6 - 7 years. Lucky enough to have never needed to claim off them for a Ski related holiday so can't say how they would handle that specifically - however I was unlucky (daft?) enough to break my foot whilst on holiday in Cyprus (no alcohol involved would you believe!).

In that instance, everything just 'seemed to work' - and by that I mean I turned up at hospital and was asked the usual 'Do you have insurance' question. I showed them my Direct Travel wallet card that they helpfully issue and then got taken off for X-ray. Whilst then waiting to have a cast put on the receptionist came over and asked me to pay the policy excess – so she must have by that time already contacted them and been given the go-ahead to treat me (and informed what excess I needed to pay).

All other visits for the rest of the week, and the 'Fit to fly' report I had to get from one of the doctors (and the pair of crutches they gave me) all just happened with no mention of money ever again.

Based on that experience I have continued to use them.
Hope this helps

Hi Iceman

Remember that you should have hospital and other medical cover under European E111 card. However, this will not cover you for on piste injuries, but, depending on where you are staying opt for the local ski insurance at the resort when purchasing your ski lift. This insurance will cover you for anything on piste including helicopter removal and onward journey to medic centre or hospital whatever is required. This type of cover in France and Italy is usually 1.50euro per day. Hope this may help. Colpam