Insurance health costs

[silverweed]

Hi. I haven’t posted in quite a while due to many problems. For those who remember our van was broken into and eventually written off. As this happened at the start of Covid we were paid out at pre Covid prices which were nothing compared to the hike in prices that arrived with the pandemic. Anyway we are now looking for a van again to go to Fance but 3 years ago my husband was diagnosed with bowel cancer and underwent a resection. Luckily he has so far not needed any other treatment but we are still in the 5 year period. He is now undergoing biopsies for prostate cancer. Now for the point of the post, is there anyone out there in a similar position who could tell me roughly what I’d be looking at for insurance costs for a month in France. Previously we always just went with the insurance card but so much has changed I don’t know if that’s allowed anymore

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Sorry to hear all that, it is down to the level of cover you need (or think you might need) we did six week last year and I recall it was about £150 for two of us, I've had 4 stents and have prostate cancer, I'm 75 Liz is 70.

A few people recommended them

Schengen Travel Insurance Benefits: What Warrants Your Attention? - AXA Schengen - AXA Partners

Looking for comprehensive Schengen travel insurance benefits? Discover essential coverage and assistance options with AXA Schengen, ensuring peace of mind on your European journey. Maximize your travel safety today!

www.axa-schengen.com

 

[r4dent]

Given his history my view is that travelling abroad without insurance is a very bad idea.

Worthwhile checking the cost of an annual policy whilst you are getting quotes.
We are both nearer to 80 than 70 and have serious pre existing conditions. our two person annual premium for world wide multi trip is £1500 - £2000 but when we renewed we found that 2 weeks would only be about £400 - £500 less.

 

[silverweed]

Sorry to hear all that, it is down to the level of cover you need (or think you might need) we did six week last year and I recall it was about £150 for two of us, I've had 4 stents and have prostate cancer, I'm 75 Liz is 70.

A few people recommended them

Schengen Travel Insurance Benefits: What Warrants Your Attention? - AXA Schengen - AXA Partners

Looking for comprehensive Schengen travel insurance benefits? Discover essential coverage and assistance options with AXA Schengen, ensuring peace of mind on your European journey. Maximize your travel safety today!

www.axa-schengen.com

View attachment 140243

Sorry to hear all that, it is down to the level of cover you need (or think you might need) we did six week last year and I recall it was about £150 for two of us, I've had 4 stents and have prostate cancer, I'm 75 Liz is 70.

A few people recommended them

Schengen Travel Insurance Benefits: What Warrants Your Attention? - AXA Schengen - AXA Partners

Looking for comprehensive Schengen travel insurance benefits? Discover essential coverage and assistance options with AXA Schengen, ensuring peace of mind on your European journey. Maximize your travel safety today!

www.axa-schengen.com

View attachment 140243

That sounds good, a lot less than I was expecting

 

[marchie]

That sounds good, a lot less than I was expecting

Sorry to deflate your hopes, but I asked AXA in March 2024 about the insurance cover in the event that I had a new, unrelated to earlier episodes, cardiac problem. AXA replied that they would regard it as an existing condition, and would not cover the new event! I exchanged emails pointing out how ridiculous this was, but to no avail.

LV were happy to cover us for unlimited trips, subject to a maximum trip duration of 90 days, based on our respective declared cardiac and high blood pressure histories, and they've just sent the 2025/26 Renewal at some £378

Steve

 

[r4dent]

Sorry to hear all that, it is down to the level of cover you need (or think you might need) we did six week last year and I recall it was about £150 for two of us, I've had 4 stents and have prostate cancer, I'm 75 Liz is 70.

A few people recommended them

That sounds good, a lot less than I was expecting

Just check that you will get what you need.
They quoted around £150 for us, but the bit in red meant it wasn't suitable.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Friggin nightmare.

 

[2cv]

Worth enquiring at All Clear. They gave me cover when no one else would. Insurance is certainly vital when abroad as the GHIC card whilst handy still leaves potentially huge bills possible.

 

[TeamRienza]

Have a look at the NFOP (National federation of occupational pensioners) website.

https://nfoptravelinsurance.org.uk

No requirement to disclose any past or current medical conditions (breathing problems excepted). They operate a co-operative style of policy. Every one pays the same price although the policy is an annual only policy. Can be expensive for those who are young, but beneficial for older persons.

Make sure you look at the new 2025 policy as they now offer age banded policies and an option of European or worldwide cover. For example, a couple between 70 - 79 are charged £439 for Europe or £519 worldwide.

We have been with them for several years with worldwide cover for £519 pa. I like the fact that there are no get out clauses, so no worries over what needs to be declared or not. Once joined, there is no upper age limit.

I should point out you need to be members of NFOP at a cost of about £30 pa. The Insurance year starts on 1st March and the premium does not reduce as the year progresses.

Davy

 

[V1nny]

Have a look at the NFOP (National federation of occupational pensioners) website.

https://nfoptravelinsurance.org.uk

No requirement to disclose any past or current medical conditions (breathing problems excepted). They operate a co-operative style of policy. Every one pays the same price although the policy is an annual only policy. Can be expensive for those who are young, but beneficial for older persons.

Make sure you look at the new 2025 policy as they now offer age banded policies and an option of European or worldwide cover. For example, a couple between 70 - 79 are charged £439 for Europe or £519 worldwide.

We have been with them for several years with worldwide cover for £519 pa. I like the fact that there are no get out clauses, so no worries over what needs to be declared or not. Once joined, there is no upper age limit.

I should point out you need to be members of NFOP at a cost of about £30 pa. The Insurance year starts on 1st March and the premium does not reduce as the year progresses.

Davy

That looks a really good deal for pre existing conditions. I’m definitely going to check it out.

Have you ever had to claim on this policy and if you did, how was the service?

Thanks
Vinny

 

[TeamRienza]

I have not had to claim, but as I said, hopefully the fact that medical conditions do not need declaring reduces the likely hood of a claim being disputed. As it is a specialist policy there don’t seem to be trust pilot or defaqto ratings, or indeed general reviews.
My understanding is that it is managed by the civil service insurance scheme (CSIS), so in that respect they get a good rating, although they offer other types of insurance too.
I have not come across any negative comments regarding NFOP, and those are likely to be more prominent than positive reviews.
I think, like all insurance, we pay money and travel in hope that the travel and the insurance will live up to expectations.

Davy

 

[r4dent]

Have a look at the NFOP (National federation of occupational pensioners) website.

https://nfoptravelinsurance.org.uk

No requirement to disclose any past or current medical conditions (breathing problems excepted). They operate a co-operative style of policy. Every one pays the same price although the policy is an annual only policy. Can be expensive for those who are young, but beneficial for older persons.

Make sure you look at the new 2025 policy as they now offer age banded policies and an option of European or worldwide cover. For example, a couple between 70 - 79 are charged £439 for Europe or £519 worldwide.

We have been with them for several years with worldwide cover for £519 pa. I like the fact that there are no get out clauses, so no worries over what needs to be declared or not. Once joined, there is no upper age limit.

I should point out you need to be members of NFOP at a cost of about £30 pa. The Insurance year starts on 1st March and the premium does not reduce as the year progresses.

Davy

That looks a really good deal for pre existing conditions. I’m definitely going to check it out.

Have you ever had to claim on this policy and if you did, how was the service?

Thanks
Vinny

I haven't heard of NFOP and will be checking out in March.
I've had a quick look and the only potential problem I have spotted so far is that "breathing problems" includes "Obstructive Sleep Apnea" and many members use CPAP which may exclude them.

 

[Trotter]

Some times you need to bite the bullet. I’d never get health insurance. Pointless trying. Heart stuff.
The GHIC card is the nearest thing I’m able to get. I’m rarely ill in the UK, so why should it be different abroad? And tbh, the one time I was ill, the Spanish health system couldn’t have been better. Never travel into Europe without a GHIC.
I’ve suggested that if I pop me clogs when travelling, then someone should pretend that I’m a Viking and set fire to the van.
It’s staying cheerful what keeps me going.

 

[marchie]

Some times you need to bite the bullet. I’d never get health insurance. Pointless trying. Heart stuff.
The GHIC card is the nearest thing I’m able to get. I’m rarely ill in the UK, so why should it be different abroad? And tbh, the one time I was ill, the Spanish health system couldn’t have been better. Never travel into Europe without a GHIC.
I’ve suggested that if I pop me clogs when travelling, then someone should pretend that I’m a Viking and set fire to the van.
It’s staying cheerful what keeps me going.

We got cover with LV after my 2020 heart attack (3 Stents fitted) and my 2023 mini stroke, and Elaine's high blood pressure. £378 for the pair of us for 2025/26 with unlimited trips, maximum 90 days per trip.

Steve

 

[r4dent]

We got cover with LV after my 2020 heart attack (3 Stents fitted) and my 2023 mini stroke, and Elaine's high blood pressure. £378 for the pair of us for 2025/26 with unlimited trips, maximum 90 days per trip.

Steve

That sounds low.
I just got a LV quote for the two of us worldwide with unlimited trips, maximum 90 days per trip..

It was £1500. It does not cover expenses related to my 2001 heart attack (no stents) or my T2 diabetes (insulin injection).

 

[guerdeval]

Have a look at the NFOP (National federation of occupational pensioners) website.

https://nfoptravelinsurance.org.uk

No requirement to disclose any past or current medical conditions (breathing problems excepted). They operate a co-operative style of policy. Every one pays the same price although the policy is an annual only policy. Can be expensive for those who are young, but beneficial for older persons.

Make sure you look at the new 2025 policy as they now offer age banded policies and an option of European or worldwide cover. For example, a couple between 70 - 79 are charged £439 for Europe or £519 worldwide.

We have been with them for several years with worldwide cover for £519 pa. I like the fact that there are no get out clauses, so no worries over what needs to be declared or not. Once joined, there is no upper age limit.

I should point out you need to be members of NFOP at a cost of about £30 pa. The Insurance year starts on 1st March and the premium does not reduce as the year progresses.

Davy

This should be obvious but being thick can you tell me what ‘occupational pensioners’ are?, I’va had an occupation so would I be eligible or is it just for ex civil servants,

 

[silverweed]

Friggin nightmare.

Too true

 

[silverweed]

I’m pretty good health wise, just had gall bladder remover but husband on top of the cancer has also had a heart attack and a stent fitted 13 years ago. I sort of forgot about that due to thought on the present problems

 

[barryd]

If its just for a month I would wing it with the GHIC if you cant get suitable insurance thats not a fortune. As said they often dont include pre existing conditions anyway or if they do its extremely pricey.

We are both relatively young but since we started travelling in 2008 Ive only relied on the health card. Never bothered with extra insurance although I think we got it free through the bank at one point. France is not that far anyway.

 

[TJBi]

If its just for a month I would wing it with the GHIC if you cant get suitable insurance thats not a fortune. As said they often dont include pre existing conditions anyway or if they do its extremely pricey.

We are both relatively young but since we started travelling in 2008 Ive only relied on the health card. Never bothered with extra insurance although I think we got it free through the bank at one point. France is not that far anyway.

"FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS​

What are the terms and conditions for traveling [sic] to France for British Nationals?
Since January 1, 2021, British nationals are subject to more thorough checks. Travelers from the United Kingdom are advised to bring a passport and to present themselves in advance at the border post to travel to the European Union. At the border post, they must take the "third-country national" line, and no longer the "EU / EEA / CH" line.

1/ British nationals who do not have resident status in a Member State of the European Union and who wish to go to France for a short stay or who are in transit to another Member State or the Schengen area n don't need a visa.

They must:

• present their passport which will be stamped when entering and leaving the Schengen area. The maximum duration of a short stay cannot exceed 90 days for any period of 180 days;
• be able to prove that they have sufficient resources to meet their needs during their stay. Barring exceptions, the minimum amount of resources required in France is 65 euros per day [1];
• have an insurance certificate covering all medical, hospital and death expenses likely to be incurred throughout the duration of their stay in France, including repatriation costs for medical reasons.

The supporting documents used to verify compliance with the entry conditions are listed in Annex I of the Schengen Borders Code, accessible here."

https://******.gouv.fr/sites/******/accueil/vous-etes-britannique-en/modalites-de-voyage-en.html

I've never yet been asked for proof of funds or insurance, but that does not mean that it can't happen.