features - issue 79
travel insurance
the bottom line
positive nation

Following on from last month's article on travel

(Holidays Can be Fun, PN 78), this month we compare four companies offering travel insurance policies specifically for people living with HIV and Aids.

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Company
Cover for: Rothwell & Towler (World First) Carvosso & Co Easy Travel Insurance (Positive Discounts) PJ Haymans
No - depends on combination of CD4 count and destination No - depends on a number of factors that can only be assessed by the medical service provider at screening Yes; no extra excess and no extra premium No, but cover provided for all counts of 200 and above
All CD4 counts
Someone with Aids diagnosis Yes, but depends on CD4 count, destination, illness(es) in last 12 months, etc Yes, but level of cover depends on a number of factors that can only be assessed by the medical service provider at screening Yes, but not if they have had an Aids-defining illness in past 12 months, for which they had to be hospitalised Europe only (ie not world-wide or USA)
Yes, but you would not be covered if you came down with a condition you had been hospitalised for in the previous 12 months Yes, but conditions as per Aids cover Depends on reason for hospitalisation (see above) Yes, specific details upon request
Someone hospitalised in previous 12 months
Someone going to the USA Yes - CD4 must be at least 250 Yes, but special visa required (from US embassy). Yes; no extra excess and no extra premium No
Countries excluded See list at www.travelfirst.
co.uk		 None None USA
Sporting activities excluded See list at www.travelfirst.
co.uk		 None None, but some activities require extra premium None, but if in doubt, ask
Example 1 (see below) £42.00 per adult; £21.00 per child £40.00 per adult; £20.00 per child £59.00 per adult; £29.50 per child Not applicable
Example 2 (see below) £38.00 per adult; £19.00 per child (phone for conditions) £35.00 per adult; £17.50 per child (phone for conditions) £59.00 per adult; £29.50 per child (phone for conditions) Not applicable
Standard excess for a claim Price on application Approx. £50.00 Baggage etc: £50.00; Medical: £75.00
£50.00
Extra premium for low CD4 counts/Aids diagnosis None None None
Not applicable
Excess for low CD4 counts/Aids diagnosis, etc None Yes None Not applicable
Annual policy available Yes. £120.00 per year, including US & Canada None Yes, for EU & world-wide. Price on application No (max policy duration is 92 days)
The National Aids Trust (NAT) is due to introduce its own travel insurance scheme, Freedom Travel Insurance, within the next few weeks, but full details were unavailable as Positive Nation went to press. For details ring NAT on 020 7814 6767 or log on to: www.nat.org.uk
Example 1: Someone travelling to the US for two weeks with a CD4 count of 500
Example 2: Someone travelling to Thailand for two weeks with a previous Aids diagnosis and a CD4 count of 200
Our advice is not to make a decision based on price alone. To help you make the best choice, we have compiled a series of questions to ask your insurance provider:
  • Who's the insurer (the underwriter behind the policy)? In other words, will you feel safer if it's Whyde, Boy & Partners of High Street, Peckham or Axa, or Norwich Union?
  • Is the underwriter a member of the British Insurers' Association? This is vital, since if they go bankrupt while you're away, the BIA will bail you out.
  • Who provides the medical care and screening? Will the medical screening be sensitive, discreet and confidential?
  • What will happen to your data once the policy has expired?
  • What is the integrity of the policy, ie compare the summary of cover against the price and see if you're getting value for money
Rothwell & Towler: 01404 124 1234, www.travelfirst.co.uk
Carvosso & Co.: 0800 096 9012 or 020 7928 2812
Easy Travel Insurance: 0870 345 3451
P.J. Haymans: 020 8424 7777 or 023 9241 9010
Research: Allan Morris