Travellers over 60 are trekking up Kilimanjaro, scuba diving in the Red Sea, and wine-tasting in Bordeaux, and while some have secured cost-effective travel insurance, others will find they’ve paid almost double the price for the same cover.
Inflated travel insurance premiums can sometimes be caused by statins – cholesterol controlling medication. While it’s a common prescription for over 60s, with more than 7 million people in the UK receiving the treatment to control strokes and heart attacks, the spike in travel cover costs has become a trend for travellers. But, it’s not a situation you should surrender to.
Shop around to avoid paying more
Taking statins shouldn’t increase your travel insurance premium, but if you find it does and you’re caught in negotiations over price, take a step back to compare your options.
Price comparison website PayingTooMuch.com, which specialises in providing travel cover to those with pre-existing medical conditions, found that its panel of insurers provided identical policies and prices for holidaymakers older than 60, both with and without cholesterol controlling medication.
Beth Macer, travel insurance expert at PayingTooMuch.com said: “Recently some insurers have been found to be charging customers double the premium for having high cholesterol, but you shouldn’t need to pay more if you suffer from this condition.
“We compared travel policies for a 60 year old visiting Spain and taking cholesterol medication with that of a policy for someone who has no pre-existing medical conditions at all and found that the cost was £16.73 through our panel of insurers on both policies. If you find your premium rises when you declare your regularly prescribed medication, it’s time to find an insurer who looks out for your interests, not their margin.”
How can you tell if your provider is the right one for you?
Medical screening
When you’re setting up a travel insurance policy, declaring any pre-existing medical condition or regular medications is a must. Expect to be asked:
- “Have you ever taken medication for high cholesterol?”
- “Have blood tests ever shown that you have high cholesterol”
Answer truthfully to ensure that if the worst should happen, you receive the correct treatment and that your insurance claim will be valid.
Read the small print on your travel insurance policy
When booking a holiday, make sure you find peace of mind travel insurance cover that doesn’t take advantage of your health. Read the small print and if you’re in two minds about whether the policy is reflective of your health requirements, call the provider or click ‘contact us above’ to find trustworthy and comprehensive cover for your holiday.
