All Policies Include Coronavirus Cover
Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30
Coronavirus FAQs
Questions about cover for coronavirus? Read our FAQs and find out what our policies can do for you. If you would like to contact us, please note we are currently only available 09:00 to 17:30 Monday to Friday due to reduced operational capacity. Thank you.
11 March 2014 08:49
No barrier: Having Alzheimer's need not be an obstacle to getting travel insurance and taking a holiday
A simple blood test could predict whether healthy pensioners are likely to develop Alzheimer's.
The early warning system could tell people if they are likely to get the disease within the next three years. Scientists hope the pioneering test could accelerate the development of new drugs that can delay or prevent the destructive brain disease.
The new work from the Georgetown University in Washington DC may ultimately result in common screening in middle-age people to single out those most in danger and give them greater warning.
Having Alzheimer's need not be a barrier to getting travel insurance and enjoying your holiday, which can be so beneficial to people suffering with forms of dementia. The travel insurance can even cover your family and/or carers.
Around 800,000 Britons suffer from Alzheimer's and other kinds of dementia. An ageing population is expected to double this amount over the next generation.
Unsuccessful medications and pills have been blamed on people being tested too late in the condition. Testing in the initial stages could lead to a better chance of these drugs working, experts claim.
The new study could open up the chance of singling out people who will benefit from them the most.
Scientist Howard Federoff, who took blood samples from hundreds of healthy men and women aged 70-plus, claims the test can give two to three years' warning of Alzheimer's with 90 per cent accuracy.
The reason for how the test works is unclear. But blood changes may be an indicator that brain cells are deteriorating even when people appear healthy.
Dr Simon Ridley, of Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "A blood test to identify people at risk of Alzheimer's would be a real step forward for research."
Dr Doug Brown, of the Alzheimer's Society, said such a test would bring ethical considerations. He said: "If this does develop in the future people must be given a choice about whether they would want to know, and fully understand the implications."
Prime Minister David Cameron has called dementia "the key health challenge of this generation".
Dr. Federoff has written his conclusions in the journal Nature Medicine.
28 February 2020
From tulip-filled trips to rose-tinged rests, these destinations are the perfect way to see in the new season.
[more...]
04 January 2021
Join us on a journey to Ancient Greece to discover more about history's most revered statue.
Head north for a light show like no other. Discover how you can see the Northern Lights for yourself.
Discover more about the magnificent waterfall perched on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
10 December 2020
Don't sleep on the world's most impressive dormant volcano.
A destination that stands head and shoulders above the rest.
19 November 2020
Take a tour of one of South America's most captivating natural landscapes.
Discover the hidden depths of the world's most recognisable desert gorge.
It's the question on everyone's mind right now - unfortunately, there's still no easy answer...
Discover why planes are more hygienic than you might think.
Dive into Queensland's colourful coral.
02 November 2020
With the global travel industry slowly getting back on its feet, it's a great time for holiday bargain hunters. Here are our top tips for 2021.