On my recent trip to Turkey I suffered heart failure, was hospitalized and then provided with medical repatriation. Here are some comments of my experience with my insurers - Staysure (
http://www.staysure.co.uk).
I covered for a trip of 57 days at a cost £420. This took into account the ten existing medical conditions that I had to declare - and which I did meticulously. I chose Staysure having looked at a number of companies. Although price was a relevant factor, my prime concern was confidence that the firm would pay in the event of my having to draw on their services. I looked to the internet for reviews of travel companies and quickly discovered that these were almost completely dominated by two two kinds of review. The first kind praise companies for the ease of using their websites, the efficiency of billing and paperwork, and the price of their insurance. The second kind condemn companies for their full or partial failure to pay claims or their tardiness in doing so. It is very difficult to find comments on claims that companies actually paid out satisfactorily - though I assume these are in the majority. My experience with Staysure was very good.
I was admitted to a private hospital in Marmaris. Being in a major tourist area the hospital was well provided with services for foreign patients especially in the form of a specialist International Liaison Unit. We handed over our insurance papers to this unit and they immediately contacted the insurers to establish connection and faxed details of my medical diagnosis to speed decision malikg. Hilary had to phone the company to register for a Case Number. After two false starts with staff who appeared uninterested or clueless she got through to the medical assessment department, got the Case No and a contact name and telephone number, and from then on the processwaent very smoothly.
The first task for the medical department was to contact for my GP and get a copy of my medical records. This led to nervous 48 hours whilst I worried that Staysure would find some sneaky way using some technical detail or fine print to refuse my claim. However, when the medical department got in touch with us again we were told that the case had been stamped "Validated" - and my health jumped several points for the better in the next couple of minutes. The administrative arrangements were then handed over to EuropAssistance as their local agent (but medical direction maintained by Staysure). Although my Cardiologist in the hospital would have been willing to discharge me to continue my holiday, Staysure were quite insistent that I return home. I got the impression that if I wished to stay in Turkey they would withdraw insurance cover - but I didn't press the point. To be fair I would see the insurers point of view if they felt I was no longer a reasonable risk.
The outcome was that a doctor was flown out from the UK, examined me as fit to travel, and arranged for accompanied door-to-door ambulance, plane, plane, ambulance travel to my home along with Hilary (who was covered by my insurance; she had her own). Travel was business class (for me) and we rested in the airports' VIP areas. All in all, the journey home was very pleasant (with the exception of Heathrow Airport which I have discussed elsewhere). Total cost to me of hospital stay and journey was £65 excess which was stated at the outset of my claim (and was on the insurance confirmation). Cost to insurers? I didn't find out - but it must have been a few thousand pounds.
I have yet to claim for the proportion of rent for cancelled stay in Turkey (six weeks). However, the major expenses have been covered directly by Staysure. I was very satisfied with the service I received from the company and am pleased to be able to recommend them.
