[johnvb]

Anyone had any experience of getting holiday insurance for children with special needs? In general, I think if the condition does not affect the likelihood of medical care being required it shouldn't make a difference. However, our son has cystinuria (which increases the chance of him forming kidney stones) and as a result, high blood pressure. Because of the medication he is on he has not formed a kidney stone for over 2 years, and his controlled blood pressure is normal. But the holiday insurance company we've been using the last few years has quoted us £29 for 2 adults and 1 child, plus £120 for our son because of his medical risk! 

Last year the same company charged us £60 for the whole lot and his condition hasn't changed since then. What justifies this huge cost increase?

Would appreciate recommendations of "reasonable" travel insurance companies!

John

[maz]

We had tyo pay a little extra for our son with CP - but only an extra £30. That was with the Post Office. Overall we thought they were good value.

[johnvb]

Hi Maz

I'm curious to know why they feel that CP is an increased risk? In our case the increased charge was because of cystinuria and high blood pressure. Cystinuria increases the chances of passing kidney stones which is incredibly painful and medical attention would be required.

Cheers

John

[Joss]

I work in the aviation industry and have world wide travel insurance for the year for my family that is for aviation workers only and they did not increase my policy when I informed them of my daughters condition. They did ask a lot of questions and it is detailed on my policy with my answers. I think that it is just a way of making more money by charging more got to be worth shopping around

Mr Joss!!!

[jasmines-mum]

this is a little off topic, but i would like to fly to ireland as all o fmy mums side of the family live there. but we would need to bring my daughters oxygen with us. my daughter has epilepsy. most airlines do not allow it! i know easyjet were sponsors of epilepsy nse a couple of years ago so i thought of asking there. does anyone know anything about this??
 

[Joss]

Hi

Have a look at this it should help.
http://www.flying-with-disability.org/oxygen.html

I also suggest phoning the airline at the airport that you will depart from, they will give better info rather than trying the head office or travel agent. Flybe have many flights from Southampton to Ireland and have an office at the airport so you could phone for advice.

Hope it helps

[Speeds]

The Disability Discrimination Act should help in these cases.  Anyone providing a service should be able to demonstrate why, if necessary, there are higher premiums.  We often challenge this from my husband's point of view being spinally injured.  At present, with his health the way it is he is no more likely to be at risk medically than I am.

[Nikki]

Hi
We've been trying to claim from our holiday insurance company since N had a febrile seizure associated with a bad virus at end of December.  We ended up having to cancel our family holiday to Egypt.  The Drs said she doesn't have epilepsy, just a low seizure threshold.  Some 'normal' children under 5 are prone to this type of seizure as well.  It is just a symptom of the virus (and resulting high temp) that she had.  Our insurance co says that because this is a pre existing condition ie she has had it before we are ineligible to claim.  The last time she had a seizure, she was out of hosp in 24hrs(she had to recover from the anti seizure meds so overnight stay was required).  This time she was in for 4 days due to the virus.  This was the reason we were advised not to travel.  To me this is like saying having a runny nose when you get the flu is a pre existing condition because you have had it before.  There was nothing undeclared on the initial policy forms, but still the letters go back and forth.  Meantime, we are £3k down, stressed out and my oldest son thinks it's N's fault we didn't get our annual hol. Also have now booked last minute week in Tenerife during Easter break and insurance co will only give us verbal assurance that we are covered in the event that this happens again.
How frustrating!!!
Just needed to let off some steam.

[Julie]

Hi Nikki

Poor you and your family and how frustrating for you.  Sounds to me like a job for the BBC programme "Don't get done, get Dom".  He likes fighting the big companies on behalf of people like ourselves.  Might be worth a try.  Other than that - have you tried the Citizens Advice Bureau as they are very good with advice.

Good Luck, and hope you enjoy your Easter Break.
Julie

[Nikki]

Thanks Julie,
If we don't get any joy soon, I just may give your suggestion a go.  We're all looking forward to Easter break.
Nikki

[Speeds]

Nikki - good luck in getting your money back from the insurance.  Please contact a solicitor or the CAB.  Many solicitors will take on no win no fee cases and will advise you in a free meeting if they can take the case and if the case has a chance of winning.

It is a nightmare.  We lost out on travel insurance for Dom as he had booked flights and had cover via his policy.  However there was one very contenscious clause that they picked up on.  Now we get everything in writing and check all clauses fully.

Good luck

[Nikki]

Hi Everyone

Happy today as just won battle with holiday insurance company.  Got check in post this morning!(Less excess)  To all those people going on holiday with special needs kids - read the small print and get everything in writing.  Leave nothing undisclosed.

Nikki

[Speeds]

Fantastic - well done you.

[Julie]

Hi Nikki

That's great news, I am really pleased for you.

Well done.

Julie