Competitively priced policy, paid out when I needed it
Disadvantages:
Excess slightly higher than some .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Compared to other aspects of holiday shopping buying a travel insurance policy does not fare highly on the enjoyment scale. It doesn't seem much fun shelling out money only to receive in return an unexciting piece of paper shrouded in a leaflet crammed with small print details. But it is an essential because there is always the question of what IF the worst happens and unexpected catastrophe befalls us…
Being an all round bargain hunter (read into that penny pinching skinflint if you like) I started my search for a policy on an insurance price comparison site, and also checked out the main known names in travel insurance own websites. The prices quoted varied hugely, from £70.00 + right down to £22.00, for a two week European single trip policy for our family of two adults and one child visiting Majorca. My second step was to Google for some reviews of the insurers, I ruled out the cheapest quote straight away because I didn't feel comforted by a reviewer's account of the company's reluctance to pay up.
The second cheapest quote at £26.81 was from a company my parents have used (but never claimed from) many times - Atlas Direct - I couldn't find any reviews where a claim had been submitted only ones which were about how cheap the policy had been. Well, I already knew that, what I wanted to know is how good or bad the company were about paying up when needed. You see £26.81 seemed so cheap in comparison to the rest I couldn't quite believe it, part of me believed there must be a catch (although the penny pinching skinflint side of me was delighted). However I noted on the Atlas website that they are authorised and regulated by the FSA (the Financial Services Authority), and that was the deciding factor as I felt secure I would have some comeback if there was any dispute.
The Cover: Atlas had the cover and policy limits detailed on the website so was able to compare like with like to other companies. The cost of our holiday was well within the cancellation and curtailment limit of £3,000, as was the amount I carry covered by personal possessions and money of £2,000. Obviously that was my experience but I would certainly advise anyone taking out a policy to check this out carefully as regards their own personal circumstances. The excess (the amount of a claim you have to pay yourself) was £65.00 for most claims, some companies do have lower excesses but I noticed this tends to be passed on with a higher over all policy price.
Buying the Policy: This can be done online or by phone. If you have a medical declaration to make about a pre-existing condition there is a special medical phone line to ring. I had to do this for my husband and son, this is obviously an instance where individual circumstances will vary and they will make a decision and tell you whether or not you will be covered for your condition and then you will be given a code to enter online or quote on the phone. My mum isn't covered for her condition on the standard policy but is given the option to pay an extra premium to extend the cover if she wishes.
I chose to apply by phone because I had a few questions regarding the cover. This was charged at national rate but since then Atlas have introduced a system whereby if you are applying online and have a question you can email your contact details and they will phone you back. My call was dealt with efficiently and I was given the same quoted price of £26.81 as online, however there were two sneaky last minute charges of £1.00 debit card handling fee, and £1.00 postage. I dislike this kind of stealth charge on principal with any company and would prefer they were more upfront about it, but even at £28.81 Atlas were still miles cheaper than the nearest quotes.
I received the policy in the post the next day.
A word about the EHIC: The EHIC (European health insurance card) replaced the E111 it can be applied for through the Post Office it proves you are an EU citizen and entitled to reciprocal free/ reduced heath care where available. It was a requirement of the insurance policy that we each took our EHIC and in the event of requiring medical treatment we were to attempt to obtain reciprocal care before resorting to using private health care. The EHIC cannot be relied upon alone as many EU countries will not have public hospitals in or near all resorts, so travel insurance is still necessary (but more on that below).
The Claim:
Those who have read my hotel review will already know I was quite poorly on holiday with food poisoning; I won't go into the symptoms for fear of getting the Ciao 'Too Much Information' award. Suffice to say that despite two days indoors with starvation diet and lopermide prescribed by the local doctor were not enough. I could not take a sip of water without throwing up and combined with the 30+ºC heat I was very weak and dehydrated, I was advised to get to hospital immediately. Yes, me - the one with no pre existing medical conditions who is always fit as a flea and never visits the doctor.
There is only one public hospital in the whole of Majorca and that is in Palma (over one hours journey from where we were staying), so my EHIC was not going to be much good to me. I got the ambulance to the nearest private hospital, and only just made the 20 minute journey before throwing up again. I then sat in reception while the staff contacted Atlas Direct on my behalf; the insurers had to agree to pay before I was admitted. Within 10 minutes I was ushered forward and taken into the emergency dept and subjected to a range of tests before being confirmed as dehydrated. I was then admitted to the ward and fitted with a drip for rehydration, painkillers and something to stop me vomiting. I stayed for 3 days in total until I was well enough to eat and drink again.
We never even saw the bill (I shudder to think what it must have been), Atlas dealt direct with the hospital and so we didn't even have to make a claim. The £65.00 excess was never even mentioned and can only assume this only applies to smaller claims to discourage people claiming petty amounts.
My Conclusion: After my experience I'll never resent paying out for travel insurance again, it is so easy as a British citizen to take free and subsidised NHS care for granted, and not realise that even within the EU the same facilities are not as readily available. I am very glad we took this policy out and certainly recommend Atlas Direct upon criteria of the policy price and paying up when it really matters.
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