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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To hate fucking insurance companies

69 replies

ReindeerBollocks · 07/04/2013 21:15

Before I will begin, let me just start by saying I know I'm being Unreasonable.

I'm livid. We were looking to book a holiday to America next year. We want to do the big D (I know, I know) and also travel on the West Coast. Ambitious but much wanted.

All fine, we have some small savings which make this possible. Just about.

Except we didn't take into account insurance for our family. Two people with past and present medical conditions. I understand that this will be difficult but our quote was higher than the price of the holiday.

Fucking Insurance Fuckers.

:(

OP posts:
HollyBerryBush · 07/04/2013 21:20

But you could be a liability, why would your premiums be low?

Try going through your house insurance or union for cheaper. Also, have you tried the post office?

Loislane78 · 07/04/2013 21:20

YANBU my parents have always wanted to go to the States but the insurance costs are crippling. Dad has angina/arthritis and mum has a pace maker but both are absolutely fine and fully fit to travel. Who has nothing wrong with them at nearly 70??!! They do 2-3 other holidays a year but obviously wouldn't risk it to the US.

I think heart uk and other specialist places do it.

Loislane78 · 07/04/2013 21:22

*at more reasonable prices I mean

DoJo · 07/04/2013 21:22

How much?! Unless you are on the brink of a limb falling off, it shouldn't be that much. Have you actually spoken to any to ask if they could exclude some elements which might be less important? Have you read the advice on Money Saving Expert on how to get cheaper travel insurance? Tried specialist providers? Sorry if you have already done all this, but it would be such a shame to miss out over something like this...

Loislane78 · 07/04/2013 21:24

It's cos its the US, if you go typo Canada for example - wayyyyy cheaper insurance for pre existing conditions

Original poster
ReindeerBollocks · 07/04/2013 21:24

Holly I was very clear I was BU and that I would expect some premium but over three grand for travel insurance?!! Shock

I do get it. But this makes the holiday impossible. I can't help but be gutted really.

OP posts:
HotelTangoFoxtrotUniform · 07/04/2013 21:26

How many insurance companies have you tried? Some will give mental quotes as they don't want to deal with your specific issues, which other companies won't be as bothered by. It's worth doing your homework.

TheCraicDealer · 07/04/2013 21:27

There are a few companies who specialise in travel insurance for people with pre-existing conditions, they could give you more favourable rates. I've never sued one myself, but I'm sure another mn'er will be along soon with a recommendation.

My mother took ill last time we were in the states, Sept. 2011. Turned out that she had an ovarian cyst that had twisted, causing a tremendous amount of pain. She spent two days in hospital, with various medications, scans, etc., and then a prescription and updated notes for when we got home. No-one could say a bad word about the care she got, but it did cost something in the region of $20,000. And they didn't do that much! God knows what it would've come to if they'd had to operate.

Anyway- that was a woman in good health, with no other conditions. The increased risk of your two family members requiring medical care in one of the most expensive (and litigious) healthcare systems in the world has to be reflected in your premium. Unfortunately.

Original poster
ReindeerBollocks · 07/04/2013 21:31

I tried a few websites specialising in pre-existing conditions. A couple wouldn't even quote us Hmm.

The irony is because of the conditions both passengers would be in the best condition before we flew because I would get them both checked and monitored beforehand. Making medical intervention unlikely.

OP posts:
QOD · 07/04/2013 21:39

I've worked in travel insurance. What conditions are we talking about?
Mental health? Current cancer?

manticlimactic · 07/04/2013 21:42

What's the big D? (and why is it an 'I know, I know' thing?)

Original poster
ReindeerBollocks · 07/04/2013 21:47

Big D is Disneyland. Sorry, I made a crap assumption that everyone would know and there are some MN'ers who think Disney is the spawn of the devil itself. Still I'd like to take the kids Grin

QOD really? We have a post transplantee and a CF'er. If you know of anywhere it would be cheaper I will personally send you chocolates by the bucketload.

OP posts:
manticlimactic · 07/04/2013 21:52

Ah right! Thanks. Makes sense now. My DD is older now so it didn't even cross my mind Grin I thought it was travelling to different cities that made the shape of a D when you joined them on a map.

jkklpu · 07/04/2013 21:57

This must be so disheartening - I hope QOD can help. Whatever you do, please don't be tempted to go for insurance that would not cover you properly if anyone was ill. In the US, you can very quickly get into medical costs of tens of thousands of dollars, so it's really worth getting an all-singing, all-dancing policy. Best of luck.

PS Isn't there a Disneyland in California? If you want to go to the West Coast anyway, is there a chance it could be cheaper going there?

QOD · 07/04/2013 22:20

Gosh, pretty much the two worst things other than mental health from a Travel ins point of view :(
What sort of transplant?
We use a company called Free Spirit, well I say use, point people towards if we can't do it
... I just tried to get a quote for a 42 yr old male who'd had a heart transplant (guess work, not a stalker!!) and a 12 yr old girl with CF and it wouldn't let me get one.

Make sure you just get bog standard cheap insurance for the healthy ones, don't do a family cover, just the 2 with conditions.

Stupid America and its stupid extortionate medical charges.

QOD · 07/04/2013 22:21

Its poo, but to be honest that length of travel is a big risk for both I suppose :(

Disney land Paris rocks? Not the same :(

NonnoMum · 07/04/2013 22:26

You are not being at all U to feel aggrieved at the additional cost of your holiday, but I would direct my anger at the US Healthcare system rather than the insurance companies...

specialsubject · 07/04/2013 22:27

no point screaming at the travel insurers.

American medical bills can be thousands a day, may possibly have something to do with litigation costs.

there's a Disney outside Paris.

happybubblebrain · 07/04/2013 22:27

YANBU

Do you have to get insurance? I'd probably just chance it. I usually don't get travel insurance, no problems so far.

After the banks, insurance companies are the biggest rip-off merchants out there. Having insurance doesn't guarantee against things going wrong and it certainly doesn't guarantee you will receive any money back if things do go wrong.

QOD · 07/04/2013 22:29

Lunacy to travel outside the EU without insurance. A broken leg in the states? $29 000

Madness

NonnoMum · 07/04/2013 22:30

Please don't listen to happy...

Have you no idea how many thousands and thousands it can cost for a simple medical procedure in the US???

And this family with two major medical needs????

It's not a gaggle of healthy 18 year olds in Ibiza...

Original poster
ReindeerBollocks · 07/04/2013 22:31

Ah fuck :(

Am really, truly gutted. Stupid, I know.

I just wanted to do this for my boy (the one with CF).

:(

OP posts:
jkklpu · 07/04/2013 22:34

happybubblebrain - Of course having insurance doesn't guarantee that things won't go wrong. However, NOT having insurance when things go wrong is a guarantee that you will have financial concerns to add to the angst/pain of any medical issues. Even if you're in the EU, you should get travel insurance as your EHIC card doesn't entitle you to everything. Haven't you heard about the couple in Spain whose baby was born ?13 weeks early, they don't have travel insurance and they can't get home?

Seriously, your priorities are questionable if you don't get insurance, especially if you have kids.

raspberryroop · 07/04/2013 22:34

Love the idea of 'just chancing it ' with no insurance to America !

HomeEcoGnomist · 07/04/2013 22:34

happy - you do realise you've just jinxed yourself massively...

Please don't think about going on holiday without insurance. It's a recipe for being on the front page of Take a Break with your overseas burglary/illness/hospitalisation story.