Free health checks could invalidate holiday and travel insurance
15 April 2009 07:26
Plans for the Department of Health to offer over 40s with free health checks could result in thousands of people travelling abroad unaware that their holiday and travel insurance is no longer valid, it has been warned.
As many as two million people could be assessed each year under the new scheme to invite everyone aged 40 to 74 for a free health check-up every five years.
But those diagnosed with a medical condition could find that their travel insurance does not cover any medical expenses they face abroad, AllClear has warned.
According to the specialist provider, a large number of providers offer no cover whatsoever to people with health disorder unless they have travel insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions.
Chris Blackman, head of product development at AllClear, warned that insurance companies could find themselves inundated by concerned travellers.
"There is a very real danger that providers may be swamped with calls," he explained. "There will be many worried callers wanting to check if their policies cover any newly discovered medical condition."
Earlier this month, the Scotsman claimed that travel insurance covering trips to North America is more expensive to reflect the increased medical costs in the US and Canada.
-
Airline passengers were left stunned after half of all flights from Heathrow were axed despite dry weather being forecast following...
[more...]
-
Health officials in Mexico have reported that a swine flu epidemic is sweeping the country.
[more...]
-
Hungary's national airline
Malev has ceased flying after 66 years in service, it has been announced.
[more...]
-
A new world record has been set after 145 water-skiers were pulled along by just one boat.
[more...]
-
Heavy fog affected the plans of hundreds of travellers earlier this week when around 35 flights were cancelled from Abu Dhabi's...
[more...]
-
Adding optional extras for flights can now be as easy as choosing the right
travel insurance policy after the
...
[more...]
-
Parents taking asthmatic children on holiday may be interested in research that claims some cases of the condition may be caused...
[more...]
-
At least 22,000 passengers have been affected after an airline went bust, stranding customers at Spanish airports.
[more...]
-
A cross-country ski festival in the US is being moved with a week to spare after snow weakened ice.
[more...]
-
The NHS has issued guidance for people with diabetes about what they eat while they're on holiday.
[more...]
-
A new customer-friendly website has been launched by GolfHolidays.com to ensure that enthusiasts of the sport have the easiest...
[more...]
-
Typhoid cases have risen in parts of Zimbabwean capital Harare amid reports that some residents are no longer shaking hands for...
[more...]