MIA travel insurance for existing illness

MIA (Medical Information Anywhere) have joined forces with Master Travel Insurance Consultants to produce an effective travel insurance for people with existing illnesses that won’t break the bank. This Insurance will be available from 1st December 2006.

MIA have been very concerned with the difficulties that their members have been having in trying to obtain travel insurance if they have any sort of medical history. They are either quoted astronomical premiums (£2,500 for 4 nights in New York according to one member) or they are refused cover all together. Even if they obtain a high but affordable premium, they are often hit with a huge excess (£5,000 for Europe & £10,000 for the USA is standard).

The cause of the high premiums is understandable given the high cost of claims that companies have experienced together with the reluctance of people to declare their medical history in full, if at all, for fear of being penalised.

The situation is however becoming impossible with many complaints from Health Charities calling for something to be done.

Given their background within the Travel Insurance Industry, Directors of MIA have got together with Underwriters to come up with a product that will allow people with medical histories to travel at a reasonable cost with standard excesses, whilst at the same time finding a way to ensure that the claims history for the scheme does not outweigh the premium collected.

It is an honest product where both sides have to show their cards and behave honourably. With each policy, a MIA membership will be provided. A full medical history together with medication must be given, which will be placed on their membership.

The policy will apply for travel to all those European countries that subscribe to the EHIC (formally E1.11) agreement. This can include Switzerland as well as French Guyana, Guadeloupe and Martinique (the latter three at a slightly extra cost to reflect the additional cost of repatriation).

Only those people, who are travelling against medical advice, have received a terminal prognosis or who are awaiting surgery etc. would be excluded. Some waiting list conditions, such as orthopaedic surgery, may however be accepted. In fact, only those people who should not really be travelling in any event are likely to be refused cover.

This means that your average parent/grandparent with controlled angina, blood pressure and arthritis will be able to go on holiday with the family and enjoy themselves safe in the knowledge that they are covered for any unforeseen eventuality for a very reasonable premium.

An added bonus to this policy is that all the medical information and emergency contact information captured on their membership can be accessed by them at any time from anywhere in the world. In the event of an emergency, this information can be released to the Assistance company or medical treating facility by the MIA 24/7 concierge service.

As an added bonus, if travelling companions also take out a MIA travel insurance then where necessary, not only will the insurance company cover the cost of travel & accommodation to allow them to stay with you in the event of you becoming ill, their policy will also be extended to cover beyond their intended return date so they don’t have to worry about their own health or mishaps whilst helping you recover.

Full guidance is given by the MIA team as to the appropriateness of treatment available at the chosen destination. They can even provide details of the local state facility that can be shown to a taxi driver etc. to ensure no language difficulties or breach of policy conditions. In some instances, where there is a linguistic concern, a letter in the language of the country can be provided to introduce the patient and provide instructions concerning how they can obtain further information.

Prices start from as little as £44.50 for 17 days whether you have one illness or six, take two medications or ten. In addition, there is no horrendous excess as the excess for medical expenses is only £150.00