Travel Insurance - When do they pay out?

macbee48 · 19th February 2008, 13:42

A fellow dialysis patient of my wife's named Sam is an elderly chap with a few medical issues as well as his kidneys.

He has just come back from Tenerife having spent 2 weeks in Hospiten Sur due to an unforseen medical problem.

His insurance did cover the costs but he had to shell out the money first. Luckily he had recently sold a large house and was pretty flush.

My question is this. Do all travel insurance companies operate this method? To me the logical thing would be for them to settle the bill direct with the hospital.

PeterRayner · 19th February 2008, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by macbee48

A fellow dialysis patient of my wife's named Sam is an elderly chap with a few medical issues as well as his kidneys.

He has just come back from Tenerife having spent 2 weeks in Hospiten Sur due to an unforseen medical problem.

His insurance did cover the costs but he had to shell out the money first. Luckily he had recently sold a large house and was pretty flush.

My question is this. Do all travel insurance companies operate this method? To me the logical thing would be for them to settle the bill direct with the hospital.

No Mac I think thats the more common procedure certainly for smaller claims anyway.

You shell out and then they reimburse you.

Just had a small claim £300 settled took about a month. They wanted a report from the GP to confirm thing first.

macbee48 · 19th February 2008, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterRayner

No Mac I think thats the more common procedure certainly for smaller claims anyway.

You shell out and then they reimburse you.

Just had a small claim £300 settled took about a month. They wanted a report from the GP to confirm thing first.

So if you have a major claim you could be royally screwed?

ollyvee · 19th February 2008, 14:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by macbee48

So if you have a major claim you could be royally screwed?

Yes i would think so,they have you by the short and curlies.I had a small claim for a private doctor in tenerife,I paid and got the money back almost immediatly.What would happen if you were in the US,you would have to leave your body over there for medical science

PeterRayner · 19th February 2008, 14:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by macbee48

So if you have a major claim you could be royally screwed?

No direct experience just some heresay that hospitals insist on seeing your insurance paperwork and contacting the provider to OK any costs before accepting that you are entitled to treatment.

Delderek · 19th February 2008, 14:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterRayner

No direct experience just some heresay that hospitals insist on seeing your insurance paperwork and contacting the provider to OK any costs before accepting that you are entitled to treatment.

That is correct Peter, my wife was in Hospiten Sur a couple of years ago, they do inspect your policy and then make direct contact with the company. The only thing you should have to pay yourself is the Excess (if any) before being discharged.

macbee48 · 19th February 2008, 15:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterRayner

No direct experience just some heresay that hospitals insist on seeing your insurance paperwork and contacting the provider to OK any costs before accepting that you are entitled to treatment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delderek

That is correct Peter, my wife was in Hospiten Sur a couple of years ago, they do inspect your policy and then make direct contact with the company. The only thing you should have to pay yourself is the Excess (if any) before being discharged.

Thanks guys. That is one enormous relief. Anything else might possibly put me off going anywhere.

I'd still be interested in hearing anyone else's experiences so keep em coming folks.

nook · 19th February 2008, 15:24

I hope you're not with INSURE AND GO,i will take every oportunity to **** off this so called insurance company..