Holiday Insurance.

[RattyPatty]

We come to our house in Paphos twice a year for a less than 90 days each visit. Because of our ages and medical history the premium for the insurance is becoming very pricey.

We have just had the renewal arrive and I realised that we are paying an awful lot for cover of things we don't need.

We don't need cancellation cover, flight cover, lost luggage etc. We don't even need medical cover as we can go to the hospital. All we really need is repatriation costs covered. Did anyone know, or have, a policy that covers just what you need?

I have had a look on the internet but without success.

Thanks, Pat.

[Kili01]

If you aren't thinking about being repatriated while alive, you could try asking Angel Guardians who arrange repatriation to country of origin of the deceased. But if you are thinking in terms of injury or illness, you would probably have to take out an (expensive) travel health insurance policy. Repatriation by air ambulance from Cyprus would be a very expensive proposition.
Even by scheduled flights it may involve the removal of a number of passanger seats, plus the provision of a qualified nurse to accompany the patient on the flight and on arrival. I went into this when my husband was very ill. It was very expensive and there was a set procedure, in the end we gave up the idea.
Sorry not to be more encouraging.
Dee

[RattyPatty]

Thank you Dee. We already have a "very expensive" travel insurance policy including repatriation but, while looking at the renewal cost, it occurred to me that we don't need a lot of the stuff that is included but was wondering if there was a policy out there that would cover repatriation if needed. There must be a lot of people, including other EU countries, in the same position. Ageing, medical history, with a house abroad that we visit for a couple of months twice a year. Just need to insure against having to be flown home. Alive!

Thanks, Pat

[smudger]

You say you don't need medical cover as you can just go to the hospital. But surely you would have to pay for that if it's not covered by insurance?

[RattyPatty]

There is no charge at the General hospital if you are pensioner and have your EHIC card. My husband was in there for 3 nights in December and apart from a few Euros for blood tests and admittance to A & E there was no charge.

At 77 and 70 this year's premium is now over £400. It is a good policy as we can spend up to 90 days on any trip. This, of course, is what pushes up the price. But, as I said, we are holidaying in our own home cancellation cover is one of the things not needed.

I just wondered what other people did and if anyone knew of a cheaper option.

Pat

[markwoods39]

I always use insure and Go very cheap you could try them

[bigfathen]

Speak to your broker, tell them what cover you want and ask them to get a quote from the Underwriter.

[RattyPatty]

Thank you Mark. I have used Insure and Go in the past but the problem with the cheap companies is they are only good for run of the mill, low risk customers. They don't want to know once you get older and want more than a bog standard 2 week holiday, Pat

[RattyPatty]

Thank you Bigfathen. I will try a few brokers but I was hoping to cut out the middleman ☺ and keep the cost down. I was hoping that there were lots of other people in the same situation who could advise. We can't be the only 70 year olds who come out twice a year for 2 to 3 months, Pat

[bigfathen]

Understand what you say and you are right of course but at least it will give you a figure to compare with any quotes directly from insurance companies. If you trust your current company, might be worth paying a bit more for peace of mind.

[geoffreys]

There is no charge at the General hospital if you are pensioner and have your EHIC card. My husband was in there for 3 nights in December and apart from a few Euros for blood tests and admittance to A & E there was no charge.

At 77 and 70 this year's premium is now over £400. It is a good policy as we can spend up to 90 days on any trip. This, of course, is what pushes up the price. But, as I said, we are holidaying in our own home cancellation cover is one of the things not needed.

I just wondered what other people did and if anyone knew of a cheaper option.

Pat

Using the EHIC card is nothing to do with being or not being a pensioner.
Geoff.

[keving]

We come to our house in Paphos twice a year for a less than 90 days each visit. Because of our ages and medical history the premium for the insurance is becoming very pricey.

We have just had the renewal arrive and I realised that we are paying an awful lot for cover of things we don't need.

We don't need cancellation cover, flight cover, lost luggage etc. We don't even need medical cover as we can go to the hospital. All we really need is repatriation costs covered. Did anyone know, or have, a policy that covers just what you need?

I have had a look on the internet but without success.

Thanks, Pat.

Maybe this will be useful ...

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/travel ... /over-70s/

[Kili01]

Ratty Patty,
Many holiday health insurance policys don't include repatriation. It is the cost of repatriation if you are seriously ill that is the decider where the cost of the policy is concerned. Also age becomes a factor once you are over 70. As I am also in that catigory I have to pay an additional premium even though I don't have any pre existing health conditions. I am covered for state medical treatment in Cyprus like other expat pensioners who live here. But to qualify for it you need a yellow slip obtainable from Immigration if you satisfy all requirements and are resident here. You then have to register for the hospital and are given a card which has to be shown when registering for treatment at the hospital. Have you got these items?

I am not sure that as visitors you are automatically covered for medical treatment at the expense of the state, even if you were fortunate last time. So health insurance is probably a good idea to be safe.
Dee

Dee

[RattyPatty]

Thank you Kevin. I have been trawling my way through some of the suggestions but basically they seem to offer the same. Once you get over 75 it is almost impossible to get annual insurance for more than 31 days at a time. We do have insurance, with LV, but as the renewal premium has gone up to £425 it got me thinking about how much of the insurance I don't want or need and I wondered what others were paying. Pat

Dee. I do not live in Cyprus so am not an expat and we have the usual travel insurance which does include repatriation.

Re not "being automatically covered for medical treatment at the expense of the state". My insurance policy states "you must get treatment at a medical facility that participates in the reciprocal health agreement with the UK wherever this is available". We do not have the option of going to a private clinic.

Pat

[PhotoLady]

Not sure if this will help?
https://www.allianzworldwidecare.com/en ... insurance/

It's aimed at people who are away from "home" for extended periods rather than the usual holiday insurance.
There is an option to add medical repatriation but I get the impression you can't just buy that part of the policy.... it may be worth seeing if you can get hold of someone to speak to. They may be able to point you in the right direction.
We all know people don't stop travelling when they reach a certain age, all those cruise passengers seem to manage it
These insurance companies seem to keep everything under wraps :-/

[darrow]

you could try staysure online. we use them. reminds me of a cruise we went on. we met a lady there with a heart problem. she said she was uninsurable but couldn't care less. they will have to look after me she said! she also had her name down for short notice trips and had been with all cruise lines at a fraction of the normal price! she just washed and pressed her clothes when she got home and packed her case ready for the next adventure! can't be bad!

[RattyPatty]

Thank you. I will try Allianz this week.

Darrow, the old lady on the cruise will probably be fine if she dies Otherwise she may get repatriated then whoever incurred the cost will be after her for their money! And she will have wished she had died!!!

I have had the house in Paphos for 30 years and during that time had neighbours, who having reached 80 years old, had to sell up because they couldn't afford the insurance. This was before Cyprus joined the EU and I was hoping things had changed.

I can't help feeling that there may be a lot of people, in other countries as well, who don't bother with insurance and think that everything will be ok. (I have been watching Benidorm and a lot of those people in caravans seem to be living on a shoe string). As I said, home owners don't really need most of the benefits of the policy if you only travel to your own home. But what if something happens? I don't want to be stuck abroad away from family if either of us can't get home under our own steam.

I will probably have to bite the bullet and go with the only company offering the insurance. But that is only up to 80 so will probably have to sell up as well. Pat

[rogertcb]

Hi I used this insurance company for my dad when he used to come over to Cyprus so may be worth a try google ehic plus travel insurance they specialise in topping up the EHIC benefits Roger

[RattyPatty]

Thank you Roger. I will call them on Monday, Pat

[Jamboal]

Hi,

Might be worth trying the post office insurance, have heard they're quite competitive.

Allan.