Travel Insurance. Do not leave home without it!

I organised and tailor-made trip for clients Caroline and Mike to the USA. A three-week trip visiting New York, Connecticut, Washington DC and Florida. Including a family wedding in Connecticut.

Three weeks before they were due to leave the UK.
Caroline messaged me to say Mike was ill in hospital with an irregular heartbeat.
We discussed what might have to happen, i.e. not being able to fly and the implications of this.
It was a full cancellation being so close to travel.

Caroline and Mike had taken insurance at the time of booking.
His illness was not a pre-existing condition.
Their insurance would pay 100 per cent of the holiday if they couldn’t go.
Caroline spoke to the insurance company to make them aware of the situation.
We kept in touch every day.
Mike had a procedure fixing his heart rate.
He was given the go-ahead by the Doctors that he was fit to fly.

This was communicated to the insurance.
Mike and Caroline flew to New York and sent me a photo of them having a glass of champagne in the lounge at Manchester Airport. I was ecstatic for them. I just wanted them to have the best time.

Four days into the holiday Caroline messaged me.
Mike was in hospital in Connecticut, heart racing.
The hospital was amazing, they knew he had insurance and ‘fixed’ the issue.
Relief for all of us. We kept in contact.
Caroline and Mike enjoyed the wedding and travelled on to Washington.

They had four amazing days sightseeing, Caroline sent me updates, so I knew all was ok!

Florida awaited – the last leg of their holiday and some chill-out time on the beach.
They arrived at Ronald Regan Airport in Washington; Mike’s heart started to race again.
They found help and he was taken by ambulance to Arlington Hospital.

Caroline and Mike spent the next three weeks in and out of hospital.
We kept in regular contact, Caroline had a battle with the insurance company so we spoke or messaged most days. Caroline stayed in a motel near the hospital.
Mike had a further procedure, and his heart settled into a normal rhythm.

Caroline and I worked together to get them home, but the insurance company took over.

Mike and Caroline were repatriated with a Doctor from Guy's Hospital who flew over from London and accompanied them home.

… “ get the best insurance you can afford, check and double check the details and take it out as soon as you have booked! If you have insurance through your bank account, make sure it’s updated with any new details”
“ …I contacted our insurance company to report our new claim in America, I did this immediately. Whilst our situation at the time was very stressful, I knew I had to report the claim as soon as possible, especially in a country like America where medical costs are extremely high….”

“…In spite of our hospital and insurance experience, we did still enjoy the first half of our holiday in Brooklyn/New York, Connecticut and Washington DC! I know you can’t fly directly to Washington DC from Manchester, but I’d recommend a visit. We stayed 4 nights and there was so much to do and to see…”

1 Buy insurance as soon as you book.
Just for your holiday dates. BUT you are then covered form the day you book it if anything happens before your holiday and of course until you get home.

2 Declare pre-existing conditions.
You must do this – or the insurance will be invalid.

3 Consider an annual policy – I have mine with my bank – it updates each year and is great value.

4 Make sure mobile phones are covered and registered. We can’t live without them so don’t risk losing and not being covered.

5 If in any doubt – ASK ME – its what I am here for.
I do not sell insurance, but I never leave home without it.
I can point you in the right direction.