FREEMAN HEART & LUNG TRANSPLANT ASSOCIATION

REGISTERED CHARITY 700730

 

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Insurance Feedback

We have been having a few queries / enquiries about insurance and having received permission from the people concerned, will publish their question / my answer / feedback.   I hope you find this helpful in your search for insurance.

bulletSeptember 2009

Hi Graham,

I have Cystic Fibrosis and had a double lung transplant three years ago, and since having my transplant I have been enjoying as many holidays as I can. Finding a good insurer has proved difficult and sometimes very expensive over the years. However, I have just been in touch with Manor Insurance who have been excellent, hence me writing to you so that you can share this on the FHLTA website for others to see.

I have been given annual worldwide cover including winter sports cover for £110 for me and my husband, which I thought was pretty good. The staff were very friendly and were well informed about the added complications for patients such as myself who are trying to get travel insurance.

Hope this helps! Happy holidaying everyone!!

Ellie Irwin

 
They're great aren't they?
I use them too and am off to the USA in 3 weeks.
Enjoy your holiday.
 
Regards,
Graham

 
bulletApril 2009

Hi Graham,

I have had a simultaneous kidney/pancreas transplant and was given the ok to go on holiday. Already had a few insurance company numbers but checked your site. Sad to say but most would not entertain double transplant.

However City Bond (0845 6180345) and their medical screening dept, healthcheck247.com (0870 2203937) more than helpful, and were able to give me an annual cover with all conditions declared  for a very small price (had used before when I was having  Dialysis and they were great) Would have no hesitation in recommending them, and we will certainly continue to use their services. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
 

Thanks, Maureen Hood.
 
bulletThanks Maureen,
 
That's really helpful information and good news.
I am having trouble getting annual multi trip cover and will give them a try too.
 
Good to hear you are fit enough to go on holiday.
Stay well.
Regards,
Graham

March 12th 2009 - My travel insurance needed renewing so, having read my new policy carefully,  contacted Endsleigh for clarification.   They now use AXA Insurance UK as underwriters and as a result will not offer cover if....."change in treatment (including medication, dosage, surgery, tests, investigations or diet) in the last 12 months"

I am I now trawling through the other companies we have recommended and will get back with any feedback that is relevant.

Graham Marsh
Heart transplant July 1999.

Medici Travel originally offered me world wide annual multi trip travel cover, including USA and Australia after I gave them a comprehensive and detailed account of my heart transplant in 1999 and subsequent visits to the Freeman, including an annual overnight stay for MOT, angiograms and biopsies etc.

They quoted me £205.92 
which is more than I have been used to but cover nonetheless.   They do offer single trip travel cover which would obviously be a lot cheaper.

When I rang back to take out the cover and asked them to double check everything.     I told them that I visit the Freeman every 6 weeks for a check up and they withdrew the offer.

Tel No:   0845 880168                    Link to website:   Medici Travel

The search goes on.........

Freedom Insurance would not offer me annual multi trip cover.  Still OK for one off holidays when given the specific travel details.

Ace Insurance will offer single trip insurance up to 3 months in advance of your holiday travel and are extremely helpful and courteous on the telephone.

Metropolitan Insurance Brokers in Wallsend were very helpful too.

Travelbility would not offer me annual multi trip cover (March 2009).   They also declined single trip cover to the USA but quoted me £156.67 for two weeks in Spain.  So European holiday cover is certainly available here.

Fortis:   Somehow, armed with a code, I ended up speaking to their health check department and after the initial barrage of questions started to ask questions which were all pre transplant eg, heart attack, high blood pressure, by pass surgery that it became a nonsense.  Needless to say after some 20 minutes or so they declined me cover.

AllClear Travel insurance would give me a quote for single trip holiday cover but not the annual multi trip travel insurance I was seeking.

Remember we are all different with differing medical conditions so you may get the cover you are seeking with a company who would not cover me and vice versa.   Good luck.   If you find an obliging company not mentioned on our Insurance Page please send me the details.

RAC would not offer me any travel insurance at all.

Saga would not offer annual multi trip insurance but would cover me for a two or three week trip to most places except the USA.

Success - April 20th 2009 - After weeks of trying and answering sometimes pointless medical screening questions I was successful in obtaining annual multi trip travel insurance which includes USA, Canada and the Caribbean.

The company who offered me the cover - Manor Insurance.  

Tel:   01424 718790

I told them about my heart transplant and answered the medical questions they put to me.   My annual 'MOT' and overnight stay in hospital is considered as a regular check up and did not breach the all catching phrase, "Are you waiting for an operation, hospital consultation (other than for regular check ups), or other hospital treatment or investigation?"

I double checked the above and after consulting with a colleague the man from Manor insurance assured me that as I already had undergone 8 previous MOT's then it is classed as a regular check up.   QED.

The policy cost me £115.59 with no excess.
With a £35 excess payable the cost is only £99.75

November 2008 - Yet more positive feedback about Endsleigh Insurance.

Graham, feedback for the website.
I rang the Newcastle Endsleigh number but it directs to another Endsleigh
office.
The guy there told me that the Newcastle office has been closed, hence the
diverts.
However, they are just as brilliant as everyone suggests, and within 10
minutes I had my worldwide 12 month travel insurance sorted out for £106.21.
Includes the USA, and the Far East.
The guy recommends that we change the Newcastle number to their Endsleigh
Travel direct number 0800 328 5366.
We got there in the end.
regards and thanks
David Lyth
 

Thanks David, the number has been changed.
 

June 2008 - More excellent feedback concerning Endsleigh Insurance and Jonathan in the Newcastle office:-

Dear Graham

A quick line to say I was very impressed with the service I received from Jonathan at Endsleigh Insurance (0191 2304021). 

I advised him of my son’s transplant and other relevant medical details.  I asked for a quote for an annual insurance policy as my son is travelling abroad twice this year. 

He gave a quote of £42.34 for an annual policy, which includes Europe and Egypt.  He gave me my policy number over the phone and advised the details will be sent to me today.

 The service I received was excellent.

 Thanks

 Linda Holden

 

bulletI received the following feedback from Brian Wood re Travelbility.   Has anyone else tried and failed / been successful?
 
bullet
1330 hrs Wednesday 14/11/2007
I have just contacted Travelbility travel insurance, 6 years since my heart transplant with no problems and was refused cover.
Brian Wood

bullet

Received this Email from our chairman, Barrie Braidford on 27th June 2007:
 

bullet

Hi Graham,
         
In the clinic this morning someone asked about holiday insurance, and a young man said he gets cover with TESCO. This reminded me
that I had not arranged any insurance for my trip to Holland tomorrow.

I phoned Holiday Services, but they are out until late
afternoon, so I phoned Tesco, and yes they have covered
me for my transplant and Diabetes, at a cost of £89
for the weekend.    Expensive, but at least I am covered.
Can you add this to the insurance list on the website please

 

bullet

Thanks Mr Chairman,
This is very helpful and another insurance company to add to our ever growing list.   I wonder how an insurance company can be 'out of the office' until late afternoon though.

If you had tried some of the other insurers listed who were 'open for business' I reckon you would have found a much better deal than that offered  by Tesco, which by any reasonable standard is very expensive.

Graham

bullet

April 2007:
Another 10/10 for ACE INSURANCE.  
Read the information below from Alison:
 

bullet
Hi Graham
 
I too was covered by Norwich Union after a lung transplant in Jan 2000.   I have just rang to renew it but have been refused now - not because of the transplant but the condition which caused me to have it.   Also my husband had back surgery last September so they wont cover him as it's less than 12 months but it does state that on the policy .
 
So back to drawing board -will let you know
 
Alison Leslie

 

bullet
Hi Graham
 
Just to let you know,  I got annual cover for both of us for £63.  
 Transplant fully covered with ACE INSURANCE.  
No luck with the others I tried.
 
Alison Leslie

Thanks Alison, this is extremely helpful information and backs up what others are telling us.   It seems that at certain times one or two companies  appear to be much more sympathetic to our case than the rest.   It could be that even though a company declines cover this time they might offer it in future, so never rule them out completely.

I would also suggest trying your local High Street broker who will trawl the system on your behalf.   Metropolitan in Wallsend are very good.

bullet

I had to renew my annual worldwide multi trip travel insurance before 5th march 2007 and had cause to change my insurer.   I am 52 years old and had my heart transplant in 1999.       This is what happened:-
 

bullet

Fortis Insurance would not continue my policy when it came up for renewal in February 2007.

I had cause to ring them from my broker's office and had to go through their health screening process because they denied any previous knowledge of my heart transplant.   I found this pretty alarming as you can imagine because they have been happily taking my premium for the past 6 years.

Some of the the questions they asked me were quite ridiculous and of no relevance.   In particular the fact that I had had bypass surgery pre transplant is as relevant as a man with no arms being asked if his fingers were numb.

They declined to offer me cover and I became a guinea pig of my own advice on the 'insurance page'.
 

bullet

Endsleigh Insurance were fantastic and it took no more than 10 minutes on the phone and I was fixed up with fully comprehensive, unlimited medical cover, annual multi trip cover, including the USA, for £93.26
They had a cheaper rate with slightly less cover at £77.41.

I cannot speak too highly of the service from David Goodman in the Newcastle office of this nationwide insurance company.  
Try him on 0191 2304021.
 

bullet

I had tried Holiday Services Ltd first but the numbers given could not offer me the cover I required.   In fact two of them would not insure me at all.  It could be that on another day it may well be different.  

I can only tell you what happened when I was trying to renew my insurance.   Let me know what happened when you tried.

Regards,
Graham

bulletJust received this Email from Carolyn Whaymand, solicitor.

Sept 2006
 
Hello,
 
I have had an annual worldwide travel policy with Fortis for the last few years and their premiums have always been very reasonable.  However, they have now changed their declaration form to include transplant and with therefore not cover transplants or cystic fibrosis.  This is despite the fact that my condition has not changed since the last insurance premium.
 
Carolyn

Thanks Carolyn,

As my insurance with Fortis is not due for renewal just yet I am assuming my cover is the same as when I took it out, which does cover my heart transplant.

If your information is correct then I will be looking for a new insurance company too.   Can anyone else shed any light on this dilemma?

Regards,
Graham

Graham
 

I found your site very useful and was able to obtain insurance from ACE Insurance as mentioned on your site.
 
None of the other health sites were able to help me.  So thank you!
 
Carolyn

bulletIn complete contrast to the experience encountered by Brian Wood (below), have a look at this:

May 2006
Hi Graham,
I am the mum of a 16 year old liver transplant patient, last year we went to the World games in Canada and had no problem getting insurance with Marks and Spencer - not even an extra premium, this year they are charging extra £260.00 for 2 weeks. I tried Fortis through the Post Office, I have used them before but they declined to cover Matthew for anything remotely concerned with his transplant.
 
Jane Dodd
 
Hi Jane,
 
Have you tried some of the other insurance companies that I have listed on the FHLTA website?
Holiday Services / THB Northern & Endsleigh have all been recommended.
There is a letter from a young girl in Ireland who suggests Ace Insurance although she gives no other details.
 
I am surprised about Fortis because that is the company I use.
As you know, if you can answer their health line questions it is normally OK.
 
Sometimes it is a good idea to take out annual insurance cover, if possible, and then simply renew it each year.
 
 
I hope this information proves helpful
Let me know how you get on.
 
Regards,
Graham
 
Graham,
I have managed to get Travel Insurance through the Norwich Union without any problems at all. They said that a fit and well transplant patient was not a problem, no extras to pay, it was good not to have all the questions to answer, they just asked how long ago was he transplanted, did he take anti-rejection drugs and was he generally fit and well. I did query them - because I had been having problems but they said they were in contact with transplant organisations and from experience they were happy to cover people with transplants of over 1 year.
Thanks for your help.
Jane

bullet
Last year I contacted you advising you that insurance was available from Norwich Union Direct, Unfortunately this company has now changed its rules and will no longer cover transplant patients. After much searching I have reinsured with A company called Wiseman's, trading via www.laterlife.co.uk or telephone01784 242138 quoting laterlife who will cover anyone that has not had an over night stay in hospital (mot angio's do not count) and has been stable for 12 months. I have taken a joint annual worldwide policy out for only £91. Hope this helps others having problems
Yours
 Brian Wood
(heart)

Thanks Brian the above is very helpful

bullet
Hi Graham, I'm Mike Smith, heart transplant since 1994. Hope you are well; I'm doing fine. Just a quick question which you may have an answer to. My wife & I will be invited to a wedding in Canada next July  &  I couldn't find insurance. Have you any ideas as to which company I might try? I have visited Australia with Austravel & other than increasing the excess payable( if I had claimed) to £1000, there was no problem. From what I understand the U.S. & Canada are just horrendous premiums. Any help you could give would be much appreciated.
                    Kind regards & thanks,
                                        Mike. 

 

Mike,
 
Nice to hear from you.
I competed in the World Transplant Games this August in Canada and did not have a problem.
I take out an annual insurance with Fortis at a cost of £80 which allows me to travel anywhere in the world and have used them for the past five years.
Contact any insurance broker and they will contact Fortis on your behalf.
 
There are other companies which will insure you and they can be found on the FHLTA website / Info / Insurance.
 
Holiday Services (also listed) are supposed to be very good too.
Quote MS and receive  a £1 discount.
 
If you find a particularly helpful / unhelpful company let me have some feedback please.
 
I hope this is helpful.
Regards,
Graham

 

Graham, Your advice could not have been better! Very many thanks for putting me onto Fortis who accepted me after info. on my med. details with no loading. I opted for "couple" insurance with my wife & got worldwide cover for £138 for the two of us!
  Thanks also for the FHLTA website tip. I'm a bit new to this.
               Best wishes,& keep up the good work,
                                   Mike.

bullet

I am just e mailing you to let you know I got insurance for America for when I am hopefully going for a month in Feb.   I just wanted to let you know because I know how hard people find getting insurance and especially to the States.   The company are called Ace Insurance and they do both Ireland and the UK.   It only cost me 39 pound sterling and they know everything. There are a few terms like if you have been in hospital as a patient recently etc but they are pretty straight forward.

Hope its of some use to someone,

Talk to you soon,

Laura x

It is worth pointing out that the FHLTA has no connection with any of the insurance companies listed above.   We are not endorsing any company or their products .   We simply give the information so that it may help you find the insurance cover for your needs.

We look forward to hearing of other companies.
 


 

 

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