MR P Smith, (Letters, April 26), asks for insurers to 'give us a break'. Well, I have been trying to get a fair deal for a few years, having attained the age of 80 several years ago.
Once you reach 80, insurance for holidays is either very expensive or, in fact, impossible to obtain.
I have a bank account which offers free insurance, which was taken out some years ago. Each year I have taken holidays, thinking the free policy
still applied.
This year, because of my wife entering hospital, I made an application for a holiday money refund (£640), only to be told that the policy is no longer valid – the age limit is 80.
I realise I should have checked this information before booking and so I have paid the price.
However, one would expect insurers to notify the invalid date. After all, the following inform you when such event expires:
house/contents insurance
car insurance road tax
TV licence renewal
council tax
gas central heating renewal.
Surely banks/insurers could remind senior citizens when they are no longer covered for insurance purposes because of age (60, 65, 70).
I am writing this letter so that other elderly people may be aware of the potential cost which could be incurred in the event of serious accident/illness occuring on holiday abroad or even in the UK.
H L Evans, Leeds 17
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