Travel Insurance - Recommendations/Bad experiences!

[PolkaDotRachel]

Can anyone recommend a good travel insurance provider?

We have basic travel insurance with our bank for free but the charge to "upgrade" it to more comprehensive cover is equivilant to buying a whole new policy with somebody else -so we thought we best look around.

Likewise, if you have had a nightmare with an insurance provider, let me know so we can steer clear!

Thank you

I bought an annual policy from Columbus Direct, then we tried to claim for delays linked to cancelled flights in the US. I gave up in the end. The amount of crap info they needed was unbelievable.

I was most annoyed as I get basic cover through work, and took out the extra policy to cover such eventualities. Ended up about 1000 dollars out of pocket.

Thanks PortoPandemico! Colombus Direct are OUT!

We use the one that comes with DH's bank and upgrade it when we have a holiday planned.

Hi
I had to claim twice due to deaths in family, once we were in Kenya and had to get home urgently. Had insurance with Barclays and they were brilliant both times. No hassel just helpful and underdtanding.

We are also going to Kenya Gmakes3 - thank you for the advice. I will look into Barclays this afternoon.

We went to Kenya on our honeymoon. Whereabouts are you going? Beach or safari?

[nosey emoticon]

We are going to the beach (Malindi) - my DH is Kenyan and so lots of family also meeting us there.

We used to live in Nairobi so have done the safari thing to death both in Kenya and all over East and Southern Africa!

Maybe we will do it once DS is older as my DH worked for a safari company in the Mara so he'd love to catch up with old friends!

Where abouts did you go PestoSunshineMonster ? Did you enjoy? We went to The Seychelles for our hmoon - was fantastic and only about 4 hours flight as we were living in Kenya at the time.

[reminiscing about hmoon emoticon]!

We used direct line and needed to claim lost baggage and medical bills when DD was unwell in USA (same trip), they had low excess, and sorted it out quickly for us, we started the claim over there and just sent in copies of things we needed when we got back.

My friend has just returned from USA after a serious skiing accident while pg. Her travel insurance were amazing, sorted everything she needed with little hassle or fuss, Her final bill including first class return to UK and chauffeur home from airport was around $90k and they paid without question, I will find out who it was she used.

We went to the

Indian Ocean Beach Club on Diani Beach, just south of Mombasa.

T'was fab. Had a break in Shimba Hills lodge half way through, to get that safari experience too.

I bet the Seychelles were gorgeous too, I have always wanted to visit them, but they are always out of our budget...

Pesto - looks lovely - esp the pool!!! We have been to Diani many a time and usually stay at Leopard Beach Resort but accoring to friends this has gone down hill recently.

We are going to "Dream of Africa" this time -

www.slh.com/kenya/malindi/maldre.html

which is quite small so hopefully friendly as we have 1yr old son!

Some of our Kenyan relatives are also booked in and some are looking into hiring a villa.

Yes, Seychelles was fab and would highly recommend but we have heard from friends that Maritius is very similar and much cheaper!! I think even a coke was about £10! !

Pavlov - God I do hope your friend is ok! Sounds awful! I would be very interested to know who she was with if you find out.

Direct line is also a good bet as we have car and home insurance with them so they might give us a good deal!

Although I realise saving money is not the issue here as it is often a false economy to scrimp on insurance!!!!!!

PolkaDot - she is a bit screwed, broken femur, put back together with a steel rod, plus she ripped a pile of tendons/cartilage on her other leg. Luckily, she and baby are fine, she just can't walk! Well she can with a brace and crutches, as long as stairs are not involved !

She had the best care though in US, as they were in a ski resort so the surgeons were v experienced.

The insurance co had wanted her to fly back for the major op on tendons, Drs in USA recommended she stay there for it as they could give her more chance of near complete recover unlike in UK and insurance co listened and let her stay. They could have insisted she return, but did not. I texted her for name of co. will let you know.