Please find below a list of contacts where Travel Insurance for people with disabilities may be purchased.
In order to have a relaxed and enjoyable trip it is important to remember some key points before you make further plans for your travel.
It is advisable to book your travel insurance prior to booking the holiday to ensure you don’t pay a deposit for the holiday and then find you cannot acquire suitable insurance. Remember the cheapest quote isn’t always the best. Check the excess costs and exactly what you are covered for before making a decision.
Insurers should be made aware of any disability or pre-existing health condition you may have to ensure you are suitably covered during your trip. Insurers are entitled to differentiate between people with and without a disability and may charge more if they can show that insuring someone with a disability is a greater risk. They may, on some occasions, ask for a doctor to confirm that someone is well enough to travel.
It is advisable for all family members to be covered on the same policy to avoid complications in the event of a claim.
Please note – if you have an annual policy, the insurer should be informed if there is a change to your condition during the period you are covered.
Some companies will cover pre-existing conditions. Some can arrange annual policy cover, which is useful if you are likely to make several trips in a year.
Carry a doctor’s note for all items of medication to avoid delay at customs. Take spare medication in case of delay or lost luggage, but keep this separately.
If you have hydrocephalus it is important to drink plenty of fluids whilst flying to avoid dehydration. You may wish to take a CD-Rom of your latest scan; your neurosurgery unit may be able to provide this for you.
For more information about travelling click here.
Many non-specialist insurance companies will offer travel insurance for people with health conditions, especially if your condition is stable. If you cannot find one to provide the correct cover for your needs, here are some suggestions of specialist companies:
(Please note that Shine does not accept any liability for the quality of service provided by the organisations listed here.)
Age UK: 0800 389 4852
Colombus Direct: 0800 068 0060 or 0203 056 7994
Enroute Insurance: 0800 783 7245
Freedom Insurance: 01223 446914
Headway: Policy Direct: 01603 626 904
JD Travel Insurance: 0844 2474749
Makesure: 0203 873 6718
Leisure Care: 01702 427166
Insure for All: 0800 082 1265
MIA Ltd: 0800 999 3333
Portwood (brokers): 01207 509446
SAGA (for over 50s): 0800 015 8055
Travelbility: 0845 338 1638
Unique Insurance: 0330 2020206
The following travel insurance companies have been suggested by Shine members or staff but people’s circumstances differ so a company one person suggests can be very expensive for another, as well as having different criteria. Recent surgeries or waiting for test results may impact insurance premiums and in some cases you may be refused. There is no guarantee that all or any of these will be able to offer you cover, but we hope these suggestions help:
Able2Travel: 01892 839501
AllClear: 0845 250 3200
Fish: 0333 331 3761
Free Spirit: 02392 419 070
World First Travel: 0345 9080161
The British Mountaineering Council - You will need to become a member to use their services.
A handy comparison website: www.payingtoomuch.com 01243 784000