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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

In thinking my dad is taking a big risk with this?

43 replies

msharrassed · 01/04/2009 19:31

My dad, who's almost 70, has been told he's got angina.

He's a keen traveller and is due to fly abroad on a European holiday soon - but he's not intending to tell the holiday insurance company.

I'm concerned that if something happens while he's abroad, he won't be covered for medical treatment there - and me and the rest of the family will be left trying to sort it out.

The parent of a friend, who also had angina, died mid-air a few years ago, so it's making me more anxious.

I can understand how my dad's looking forward to the holiday and he's probably worried he won't be able to go if he tells the insurance company, but I think he's taking too big a risk.

AIBU and WWYD? I've tried to persuade him to tell the insurers, but he's refusing.

OP posts:
Cadelaide · 01/04/2009 19:33

YANBU, but I don't think there's much you can do (except cross your fingers for good luck).

MagNacarta · 01/04/2009 19:33

Have you tried the post office? We went away with PIL's who've had various serious illnesses and are over 70. Lots of insurers wouldn't cover them, but PO did.

iwontbite · 01/04/2009 19:36

i would try and get him to find an insurer that will cover him,.

not telling them won't make a difference. if anything happened and they discovered it was a pre-existing condition they're unlikely to pay out anyway, so he isn't gaining anything by not telling them

Ivykaty44 · 01/04/2009 19:37

There is no point in him wasting his money on taking out a contract for insurance and not keeping to his side of the contract - the insurance company will find out and then not pay up - so he will lose hi money on the insurance aswell.

it would be counted as fraud, as he purposley with held information.

If he tells the comapny then they will increase his premium to cover the risk of his illness.

Original poster
msharrassed · 01/04/2009 19:39

Thanks, I know all of this, you've confirmed my fears - but I can't get him to see sense and sort out the insurance.

And it'll be me and my brother who'll have to sort it out if there is a problem.

OP posts:
megcleary · 01/04/2009 19:40

If he has a European Health Insurance Card that may cover him in Europe.

morningpaper · 01/04/2009 19:41

Can you take out the insurance for him?

iwontbite · 01/04/2009 19:42

can you find an insurance policy and just take it out in his name?

either that or talk to him and make it very clear that you will NOT be able to afford medical care for him if he needs it while abroad

clumsymum · 01/04/2009 19:44

My friend works for Help The Aged, who offer insurance services and will DEFINATELY offer him appropriate insurance cover given his age and current condition.

If he goes with an ordinary insurance policy and hasn't declared his condition, they probably won't give assistance if he has a heart problem, and may not offer help with any other problem either. Alternatively, they may proffer assistance, but demand re-imbursement of all costs afterwards (which would be VERY expensive).

He also needs to get his European health card (can't remember what it's called, but it's free), which will entitle him to emergency healthcare in europe.

Flibbertyjibbet · 01/04/2009 19:45

If he doesn't tell them something that was not disclosed when he took out the policy, then he will not be covered for it.
He may not be covered for anything else either - in the event of a claim they can ask to see your dads medical records and anything on there not disclosed to him can often invalidate the whole policy.

Original poster
msharrassed · 01/04/2009 19:48

Any thoughts on how to persuade a stubborn and rather selfish pensioner to do this though?

OP posts:
clumsymum · 01/04/2009 19:51

Sorry, It's Age Concern, and the website is here

Don't rain on his parade, he is obviously looking forward to going away, and angina isn't generally a life-threatening condition, but you need to make sure he's properly covered

londonone · 01/04/2009 19:51

Where's he going?

Original poster
msharrassed · 01/04/2009 19:52

It's to Spain

OP posts:
ABetaDad · 01/04/2009 19:55

He could try Saga.

Saga insurance

catinthehat1 · 01/04/2009 19:56

Be blunt. In his dreamworld, heart attack = sudden death = no insurance problems
In the real world heart attack = survival in hospital in pain, a long way from home, for a long time, with no friends or family, with language difficulties with the medical staff = no insurance payout, therefore all to be funded out of a new mortgage on his house in his old age, and no more money for travelling.
And very little sympathy because that's waht his daughter said would happen.

Let hin stick that in his pipe and smoke it. He will not like it. Do not let it rest, and insist he sorts it before he goes off.

londonone · 01/04/2009 19:58

He should be covered under reciprocal EU arrangements.

Original poster
msharrassed · 01/04/2009 19:59

Thanks cat - I'll try it. Even in his dreamworld, I'm thinking, "getting body back from Spain, good thing we have an estate car!"

OP posts:
Surfermum · 01/04/2009 20:00

We had to be blunt with my dad when he decided that he was still able to drive, despite being blind in one eye and a cataract in the other.

We had to lay it on the line and show him documentation from the DVLA that he was breaking the law because a) he hadn't told them and b) he wasn't fit enough to.

It's difficult isn't it? I am so used to my Dad being the one we all turn to for advice and for being knowledgeable and wise, now he's in his 80's it's hard for all of us that the roles are now reversing.

Morningpaper's suggestion is good. Can you take out insurance for someone else?

Surfermum · 01/04/2009 20:01

Snort @ "good job we have an estate car".

SalBySea · 01/04/2009 20:01

megcleary the EHIC does not do what insurance does, it simply gives you ACCESS to health care, but does not cover costs and I dont know about spain but dont think health care is free in many countries other than the UK.

Eg if you travel to Ireland (where people have either health insurance or a medical card), your EHIC will get you admitted to hospital in an emergency, but you will be landed with a massive bill if you dont have insurance.

Insurance is also needed for repatronisation (?? is that the word??) - i.e. flying him back to a UK hospital

OP I think you should find him a suitable policy like the help the aged one mentioned and put in on front of him - he might as well burn money as spend it on a policy that he wont be able to claim on

SalBySea · 01/04/2009 20:06

just to add, the EHIC gives you equal access to healthcare in the country you visit. That only means that you get what residents of that country get, it does not mean that you get what you would get here (i.e. free health care), if the residents of that country pay to see a doctor, so do you!

Thats all the EHIC does, dont expect what you'd get from the NHS with it

Original poster
msharrassed · 01/04/2009 20:06

I think I'll offer to find the insurance policy for him - or phone his existing insurers if he'll give me the details.

You're right surfermum, it is difficult, I think he's being very selfish over this one, although I haven't told him that. I'm going to have to be blunt with him, which he won't like.

OP posts:
SalBySea · 01/04/2009 20:10

she also sent me a family prayer card which is to Jesus and Mary - I take no offence to that one whatsoever

My husband has taken the Gerard one outta my sight - prob for the best!

SalBySea · 01/04/2009 20:10

OMG wrong thread - sorry