0:00:01 > 0:00:06Every year, millions of us splash out on holidays abroad.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10But most of us have to save all year for our precious two
0:00:10 > 0:00:11weeks in the sun.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16So when things go wrong, it can be pretty devastating.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20They just want a four-star holiday. I could have come home after a week.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Flight delays, shabby accommodation
0:00:22 > 0:00:25and poor service can ruin your precious break.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29Not to mention scams, tricks and cons.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31I saw these lads coming towards us,
0:00:31 > 0:00:34and I think we just all suddenly felt unsafe.
0:00:34 > 0:00:38We're here to help you avoid the holiday from hell.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41And make sure you don't get done in the sun.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53On today's travel itinerary, sunseekers given
0:00:53 > 0:00:58the cold shoulder by their insurers when it came to making a claim.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00I was absolutely devastated.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03I phoned my parents and I was in tears on the phone.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06And I'll be hitting the streets to see how easy it is to be
0:01:06 > 0:01:11taken for a ride when it comes to getting around on holiday.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13Has anybody ever tried to take advantage of you
0:01:13 > 0:01:14when you got into a taxi?
0:01:14 > 0:01:17That's the best question I've had all afternoon, that one!
0:01:21 > 0:01:24There are lots of things that can ruin your holiday.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27Illness,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30a natural disaster
0:01:30 > 0:01:31or losing all your possessions.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Any one of these could put your holiday on the rocks.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40That's why we take out travel insurance,
0:01:40 > 0:01:42to make sure we're covered.
0:01:42 > 0:01:43But are we?
0:01:46 > 0:01:51Victoria Wilkinson from Wakefield booked a holiday to Zante in Greece
0:01:51 > 0:01:55in October 2010 for her and her 14-year-old son, Luke,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58for August 2011.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02The holiday cost her £1,224.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06It was the first holiday that we'd ever been on, just myself
0:02:06 > 0:02:09and Luke abroad, so we were really looking forward to it.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12It took her ages to save up for that holiday.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16She used to go into the travel agent when she had some spare money
0:02:16 > 0:02:18and pay it off gradually.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Luke and Victoria were very excited
0:02:21 > 0:02:24and were getting ready to jet off when Victoria's younger brother,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27Andrew, who had a long-term heart condition,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30was told he needed some unexpected heart surgery.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32This was scheduled for the day before Victoria
0:02:32 > 0:02:35and Luke were due to fly.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39I actually said that we wouldn't go away,
0:02:39 > 0:02:42and Andrew was adamant that we should and, you know,
0:02:42 > 0:02:46we hadn't had this holiday for such a long time, a two-week holiday.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49And he said, you know, "Just come and see me when you get back,"
0:02:49 > 0:02:53you know. "It'll be fine." So that's what we decided to do.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00Victoria had an annual insurance policy with Columbus that
0:03:00 > 0:03:04renewed automatically, so she didn't check the finer details,
0:03:04 > 0:03:08and was confident that if she changed her mind, she'd be covered.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12She relaxed and carried on with the holiday preparations.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Most insurers in this country are members of
0:03:14 > 0:03:17the Association of British Insurers.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20But what a policy covers isn't always obvious.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23When would you be insured, if your trip was cancelled,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26due to the health of a close relative?
0:03:26 > 0:03:29You need to check the policy terms and conditions to make sure
0:03:29 > 0:03:32you understand when the cancellation cover kicks in.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36So the policy document will explain very clearly who is
0:03:36 > 0:03:39covered by the policy and in what circumstances.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42Although Victoria was aware her brother had been
0:03:42 > 0:03:46ill in the past, she assumed she was covered if she had to cancel.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48But the day before she was due to fly,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51her brother Andrew's condition became far more serious.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55We'd set an alarm to get up at three o'clock in the morning to get
0:03:55 > 0:03:57ready to go to the airport.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01And I got a phone call from my father saying that things had taken
0:04:01 > 0:04:05a turn for the worst and that Andrew had been given, at that point,
0:04:05 > 0:04:09I think it was a 5% chance of surviving.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12So at that point, my dad said to me, "I don't think you should go."
0:04:12 > 0:04:14As soon as it was late enough to do so,
0:04:14 > 0:04:19I phoned the insurance company and explained the situation to them.
0:04:19 > 0:04:20Umm...
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Told them that we were going to be unable to go and why,
0:04:23 > 0:04:25and they actually said to me, at that point over the phone,
0:04:25 > 0:04:29"Don't worry. We'll send you a claim form. You'll get your money back."
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Victoria made the right decision not to go on holiday
0:04:32 > 0:04:36because ten days later, Andrew's health deteriorated again.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39We had no indication whatsoever that there would be any
0:04:39 > 0:04:42problem with the surgery that Andrew would have.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44But, you know, there were complications,
0:04:44 > 0:04:45at the end of the day.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47And that, tragically, led to Andrew's death.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54Victoria was heartbroken,
0:04:54 > 0:04:58but was glad she'd been able to be with her family at this time.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00She sent the claim form to the insurance company,
0:05:00 > 0:05:04and several weeks later, they wrote back.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06There was a clause in the policy that stated that
0:05:06 > 0:05:10if a member of your family had a pre-existing medical condition
0:05:10 > 0:05:14that you knew about, you weren't covered. I was absolutely devastated.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16I phoned my parents and I was in tears on the phone,
0:05:16 > 0:05:20and I was saying, "I can't believe this is happening."
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Things were already stressful
0:05:22 > 0:05:25because it was only a couple of months after Andrew had passed away.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30So even if Victoria had declared Andrew's medical history,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Columbus Direct wouldn't have paid out
0:05:33 > 0:05:35because of an exclusion in the policy.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38But if these exclusions are buried in the terms and conditions
0:05:38 > 0:05:43of most insurance policies, is it even possible to get cover?
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Fiona Macrae works in the insurance industry
0:05:45 > 0:05:49and specialises in these sorts of cases.
0:05:49 > 0:05:50If you have a sick relative,
0:05:50 > 0:05:55where should you be going for insurance, do you think?
0:05:55 > 0:05:57The first thing you should do, it depends on the circumstances.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01So for instance, if you have an annual policy
0:06:01 > 0:06:04and your holiday's all booked
0:06:04 > 0:06:06and then something comes up with a relative,
0:06:06 > 0:06:10they become ill and you don't want to go away or they've got
0:06:10 > 0:06:14an operation coming up, the first thing you should do is speak
0:06:14 > 0:06:18to your travel insurer and discuss with them what has happened.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21They might say to you, "Well,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24"you need to cancel your holiday and we'll give you a refund.
0:06:24 > 0:06:25"That's fine."
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Or they might cover that extra risk of your relative being unwell,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31and should you need to cut short your holiday and come home or
0:06:31 > 0:06:34cancel it completely, they will cover you for that.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36But you need to declare it to your travel insurer
0:06:36 > 0:06:39and they've got to have agreed it in writing with you.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45But in Victoria's case, her insurer said her policy did not include
0:06:45 > 0:06:49cover for any family member with a pre-existing medical condition.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53And this is a common clause in many travel insurance policies.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57But Victoria is not alone in being surprised by this exclusion.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59Tell me a little bit about yourself.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- How long have you been a travel writer?- Oh, it's about 14 years now.
0:07:02 > 0:07:07So you've been all over the world, you're a real seasoned traveller.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10I've been extremely lucky. I've visited all five continents.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14Tell me a bit, then, about your travel insurance story.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16Well, it's quite a similar story to Victoria's, really.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18I was going to go to New Zealand.
0:07:18 > 0:07:23My dad had unfortunately had cancer two years ago
0:07:23 > 0:07:26but he was in remission. He had chemotherapy.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28We thought there were no problems, and then about two weeks
0:07:28 > 0:07:32before I was due to leave, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36He was going to have a seven-hour operation and he's 75 years old.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38And that operation was going to be two days after
0:07:38 > 0:07:40I was due to arrive in Auckland.
0:07:40 > 0:07:45So I cancelled and they said, "Well, you can't make a claim
0:07:45 > 0:07:48"because it's a pre-existing condition for your father."
0:07:48 > 0:07:51How clued up were you about the small print of your policy,
0:07:51 > 0:07:54what it covered and what it didn't?
0:07:54 > 0:07:56Well, as it turns out, not very clued up at all.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00I fully would have expected that I would have had to disclose
0:08:00 > 0:08:03a pre-existing medical condition,
0:08:03 > 0:08:07but I wouldn't have assumed that that was the case for family.
0:08:07 > 0:08:08As it turns out, I was wrong.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12So the medical exclusion within the policy wasn't even clear to
0:08:12 > 0:08:14an accomplished globetrotter.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17Surely, exclusions like these involving loved ones should be
0:08:17 > 0:08:21clearer, especially as they appear in most mainstream travel
0:08:21 > 0:08:23insurance policies.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26If you've got a relative with a serious health issue, there is
0:08:26 > 0:08:30always the possibility that you're going to find cover harder to obtain.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32But I think in most circumstances,
0:08:32 > 0:08:35there are specialist providers out there, there are intermediaries
0:08:35 > 0:08:40out there that can arrange cover in just about any situation.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43But if you have an annual policy, are you meant to
0:08:43 > 0:08:47tell your insurance company every time something changes?
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Every time an insurance company automatically renews your policy,
0:08:50 > 0:08:53they should be highlighting to you the essential terms
0:08:53 > 0:08:55and conditions, things that, for example, may have
0:08:55 > 0:08:58changed during the year that you should be telling them about.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02And I think the golden rule here is actually don't second-guess, don't
0:09:02 > 0:09:06take a chance, particularly where medical conditions are concerned.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08It's a situation that both Victoria
0:09:08 > 0:09:11and Will Hide feel they were helpless in.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14What needs to change, then, do you think?
0:09:14 > 0:09:20I think the insurance companies need to make the small print less small.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23A year and a half after the tragic death of her brother, Andrew,
0:09:23 > 0:09:26Victoria's travel insurer still won't pay out
0:09:26 > 0:09:28for her cancelled holiday.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31We put Victoria's case to Columbus Direct
0:09:31 > 0:09:33and they've sent a statement in response.
0:09:35 > 0:09:36They explain that...
0:09:55 > 0:10:00I think that they're not taking into account the complex
0:10:00 > 0:10:02nature of this, really.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06But if they do review their policies and something does change,
0:10:06 > 0:10:08then something good will come out of it.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12But that's not the only problem with the insurance industry.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16Later, we discover how declaring an illness can lead to some
0:10:16 > 0:10:18shocking price rises.
0:10:18 > 0:10:24I pressed submit and I was just totally stunned that the cheapest one
0:10:24 > 0:10:27was £1,560.
0:10:27 > 0:10:28I was totally stunned.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36When your plane hits the tarmac, how do you feel?
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Relieved to be on your holidays, or dreading the next
0:10:39 > 0:10:42leg of the journey - getting to the hotel?
0:10:45 > 0:10:46Into town, please.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49We paid... I think it was 70 euros for a taxi,
0:10:49 > 0:10:51and then on the way back, they charged us 40 euros.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53So that's, like, a 30...
0:10:53 > 0:10:56Well, probably about a 25 quid difference, which is ridiculous.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59One of the most common complaints of Brits abroad is the taxi meter
0:10:59 > 0:11:03ticking on and on whilst you feel like you've been driven here,
0:11:03 > 0:11:06there and everywhere. Are we nearly there yet?
0:11:06 > 0:11:08To avoid going the long way round,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11there are a couple of simple things you could do before you leave.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23Now, once you've left the airport behind,
0:11:23 > 0:11:25getting around should be straightforward.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28But getting into the wrong kind of taxi could be
0:11:28 > 0:11:30dangerous for your health and your wealth.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34I personally paid 35 euros for a seven-minute journey
0:11:34 > 0:11:38- from Mont Blanc to Chamonix once... - That was a lot.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40..which I thought was expensive.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44However, his excuse was winter tyres cost more.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49The AA report that in 22 European cities tested,
0:11:49 > 0:11:52when it comes to taxis, the standard of driving
0:11:52 > 0:11:56and customer care has often been described as appalling.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59And in a recent YouGov survey, 15% of us
0:11:59 > 0:12:03named local taxi fares as one of our top ten holiday rip-offs.
0:12:08 > 0:12:13Meet whistleblower Jeremy Mills, a local driver here in Tenerife.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16He's going to give us the low-down on how unscrupulous taxi
0:12:16 > 0:12:20drivers can be in a bid to get your money.
0:12:20 > 0:12:21- Hi, Jeremy.- Hi, Rani.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- How are you?- Very well, thank you. Thanks for stopping to chat to us.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26So Jeremy, you've been here for ten years.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31How do I know that that taxi meter is not just going on and on and on
0:12:31 > 0:12:35and I'm going to be left penniless before I even get to the beach?
0:12:35 > 0:12:38Well, you don't know. He could be taking you around wherever, wherever.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43You don't necessarily know before you start how much you're going to pay.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45You have to keep your eye on the meter.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48If you're not happy, for whatever the reason,
0:12:48 > 0:12:53then every single taxi has a taxi number, like they do in the UK.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57And it's this taxi number that you can report to the authorities.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00But it's not just the car you need to check, as some drivers may
0:13:00 > 0:13:04not be licensed at all, and this could lead to big problems.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09So say, for example, he's speeding and the police stop.
0:13:09 > 0:13:10You wouldn't get into trouble, then?
0:13:10 > 0:13:12It all depends on whether his paperwork
0:13:12 > 0:13:16and everything else was in order. You'd be slung out of the vehicle.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20I have known the police stop people, even on the motorway,
0:13:20 > 0:13:25and they have been left by the side of the motorway with their suitcases.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Yes, after a long day, it's very tempting to just
0:13:29 > 0:13:33wave your arms in the air, hoping to flag down a taxi.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36If you are getting into a taxi that's doing an illegal run,
0:13:36 > 0:13:39for a lot of people, they just say, "I'm getting a bargain.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41"And touch wood," you know.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43People aren't going to crash, and that's what we kind of rely on.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45Touch wood is right, OK?
0:13:45 > 0:13:48You don't know whether it's even got an MOT, you don't
0:13:48 > 0:13:50know whether it's actually insured.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54If that vehicle then has an accident taking you to the airport
0:13:54 > 0:13:58and you injure yourself or you kill yourself,
0:13:58 > 0:14:02the possibilities are that your holiday insurance won't cover you.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07This is a very real danger,
0:14:07 > 0:14:10so it definitely pays to know how to spot a licensed cabbie.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14In some places like New York, it's very easy, as they're all
0:14:14 > 0:14:15bright yellow.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18Other countries will have slightly different ways of identifying
0:14:18 > 0:14:19registered taxis.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21So make sure you read up on the rules
0:14:21 > 0:14:25and regulations of your destination to save you from getting done.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35Travel insurance is there to give us complete peace of mind
0:14:35 > 0:14:37while we're abroad.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40But finding the right cover at the right price is not
0:14:40 > 0:14:42always as simple as it sounds.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Meet Rita O'Donnell from Lincolnshire, who experienced
0:14:47 > 0:14:49just that.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53In 2007, she was diagnosed with breast and liver cancer,
0:14:53 > 0:14:57but treatment worked well, and two years later, she was cancer-free.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01This meant Rita could start to live her life to the full again,
0:15:01 > 0:15:03and there was one luxury that became essential.
0:15:04 > 0:15:10Knowing that I had a future meant that holidays became,
0:15:10 > 0:15:13and still are, very, very important to me.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17They're a way of nourishing your body and nourishing your soul.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21So after her daughter, Isabel, moved to LA, Rita planned
0:15:21 > 0:15:24a trip to the States to visit her in summer 2012
0:15:24 > 0:15:28and started researching options for travel insurance cover.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31I did what I always do with any kind of insurance,
0:15:31 > 0:15:35whether it's for the car or the home. I go on comparison websites.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39They've always provided good value.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43But after completing the online quotation questionnaire as best she
0:15:43 > 0:15:48could for her pre-existing medical condition, Rita got a nasty shock.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53I pressed submit and I was just totally stunned that the
0:15:53 > 0:15:57cheapest one was £1,560.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01I was totally stunned. Isn't insurance all about risk?
0:16:02 > 0:16:08And I didn't feel I was a risk. I've never felt that my "cancer" needed covering.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11The best quote for her holiday insurance was more than
0:16:11 > 0:16:15the cost of Rita's return flights to LA.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18As I'd been cancer-free for several years,
0:16:18 > 0:16:24I didn't really think it would have a great impact on insurance.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26I'm as shocked as Rita at those quotes.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30Like most of us these days, Rita used an online comparison site
0:16:30 > 0:16:33to get quotes from all the major insurers.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36I want to know if I can get a cheaper quote for travel insurance
0:16:36 > 0:16:40with pre-existing medical conditions from any of them.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44But first, I'm going to check the price with a clean bill of health.
0:16:44 > 0:16:49Single trip. Right, so, let's get quotes then. 81 quotes.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53£14 is the lowest quote I've got here.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56It's a similar story on other comparison websites that
0:16:56 > 0:16:58cover different insurers.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02Now, let's fill in the questionnaire using Rita's details
0:17:02 > 0:17:04with her pre-existing medical condition.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07"Has the disease ever spread beyond the breast?"
0:17:07 > 0:17:11I know it had spread in Rita's case.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15"Have you attended a medical practitioner's surgery
0:17:15 > 0:17:16"in the last two years?"
0:17:16 > 0:17:18Well, I'll put yes,
0:17:18 > 0:17:21but I suppose you could have gone for an ingrown toenail.
0:17:21 > 0:17:27We have found six quotes, from £1228.95.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31That's the cheapest. The most expensive of them...
0:17:31 > 0:17:35is £1770.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39These results are pretty similar on all the sites I tried.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41So there's a problem here.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43Clearly, you can find quotes
0:17:43 > 0:17:48if you have a pre-existing medical condition on comparison websites.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51But they might be sky-high.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54Surely, there have to be better deals on offer.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58So, who are best-placed to go to comparison websites, do you think?
0:17:58 > 0:18:01If you're fit and healthy,
0:18:01 > 0:18:03comparison websites can help you arrange travel
0:18:03 > 0:18:07insurance in a matter of minutes at very competitive prices.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09But if you, for example, have got a pre-existing condition,
0:18:09 > 0:18:13you probably need some more specialist, bespoke advice.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17There wasn't an option at any time for me to say, "My cancer is gone,"
0:18:17 > 0:18:21which was the absolute truth. Or, "I am now cancer-free."
0:18:22 > 0:18:26Time to get an opinion from one of the leading comparison websites.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30Who do you consult when putting together these questionnaires?
0:18:30 > 0:18:34We work very closely with the insurance industry, the ABI,
0:18:34 > 0:18:36and insurers directly.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39The system that we use on the pre-existing travel insurance
0:18:39 > 0:18:43channel is the same set of questions that are used by 80 percent
0:18:43 > 0:18:45of travel insurers.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49MoneySupermarket doesn't do the underwriting or the evaluating of the risk.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53So, most online applications, that's individual companies as well
0:18:53 > 0:18:57as price comparison websites, ask quite general questions.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59And that means they may not be best suited to you
0:18:59 > 0:19:03if your medical history requires more explanation.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07Why do pre-existing medical conditions push-up travel
0:19:07 > 0:19:09insurance premiums?
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Pre-existing medical conditions do not necessarily push up
0:19:12 > 0:19:15the cost of travel insurance, because of course not all travel
0:19:15 > 0:19:18policies will cover pre-existing conditions.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21But those that do cover them need to take into account
0:19:21 > 0:19:24the risk of a claim being made.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27Why do sites stick to such an inflexible,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30one-size-fits-all kind of approach?
0:19:30 > 0:19:33They've got what we call a very strict underwriting criteria.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36In other words, they are writing travel insurance for people
0:19:36 > 0:19:38who are in A-1 medical condition, as a lot of people are.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42But of course, there are many people out there that don't fit that box.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45It seems if you do want to get insurance that differs
0:19:45 > 0:19:48from the normal, it's always best to pick up the phone and discuss
0:19:48 > 0:19:52your needs with the company directly, rather than fill out a form.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55But although this may result in a lower quote in some cases,
0:19:55 > 0:19:58general insurance policies still aren't willing to accept the
0:19:58 > 0:20:02risk of medical conditions without an increased cost.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05Fiona Macrae also had problems getting insurance after
0:20:05 > 0:20:08she was declared free of cancer.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11How surprised were you by the fact you couldn't find any insurance?
0:20:11 > 0:20:15I was really surprised, because my background was insurance
0:20:15 > 0:20:19and I understood risk and I couldn't understand where the risk was.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22I'd had my chemotherapy, my oncologist said I was fit
0:20:22 > 0:20:24and was happy for me to travel.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28But the insurers wouldn't cover me.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31So, what would you recommend for people who do have some
0:20:31 > 0:20:35kind of pre-existing health problem?
0:20:35 > 0:20:38I think you should always look for a specialist insurer.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40The charity that supports your condition,
0:20:40 > 0:20:43they will always be able to advise you on who can help you.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45That's a really good start.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47They understand the risks that come with your condition
0:20:47 > 0:20:50and they are going to be able to offer you a better price than
0:20:50 > 0:20:54somebody that doesn't understand your condition fully.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58And after deciding her quotes were just too high, Rita did just that
0:20:58 > 0:21:01and found a specialist insurer to get a quote from.
0:21:01 > 0:21:06I did their screening, which was way less ambiguous, and had
0:21:06 > 0:21:11the all-important "my cancer has now gone", which I was able to tick.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15And got to the end of that, submitted,
0:21:15 > 0:21:19and it came back as £100.31.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22And I got my credit card there and then and paid it.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25I was just absolutely overjoyed.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28At last, a reasonable quote.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31But surely, it shouldn't be that complicated?
0:21:31 > 0:21:35Still to come, I ask a leading price comparison website how they,
0:21:35 > 0:21:37and the industry as a whole,
0:21:37 > 0:21:41can improve the ways they quote for pre-existing medical conditions.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49Even if you decide not to leave your resort for your fortnight
0:21:49 > 0:21:52in the sun, there are two journeys that you're going to have to make.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56That's to and from the airport.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Earlier on, we found out how to avoid getting
0:21:58 > 0:22:00conned by a crooked cabbie.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03But what if you decide to drive yourself around
0:22:03 > 0:22:05while you are on vacation?
0:22:05 > 0:22:07Hiring a car gives you more freedom
0:22:07 > 0:22:10and flexibility than using taxis or public transport.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14But it's wise to take a few precautions before driving
0:22:14 > 0:22:15off into the sunset.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18I went to Lanzarote before and hired a car there,
0:22:18 > 0:22:22and that was pretty bad. We had a bit of a dodgy car.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25They tried to charge us so many thousand euros.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29Yes, from being lumbered with a dodgy old banger to being
0:22:29 > 0:22:33pressured into buying pricey and often unnecessary insurance
0:22:33 > 0:22:37policies, hiring a car abroad can be a minefield.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40So, here are top tips to keep you, and your wallet,
0:22:40 > 0:22:42safe while driving overseas.
0:22:44 > 0:22:461. Be wary of thieves that may target you.
0:22:47 > 0:22:52Hire cars tend to be obvious with the hire car sticker on the back.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55One of the things to watch out for if you're driving through
0:22:55 > 0:22:59the Continent is, particularly, roadside robberies or scams.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03A good Samaritan will flash at your car, point at your back tyre,
0:23:03 > 0:23:05perhaps, and you think, "Hey, we've got a flat".
0:23:05 > 0:23:08You pull over, somebody reaches in and takes
0:23:08 > 0:23:11a handbag from the front seat or a bag from the back seat.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13And watch out when you're parked up, too.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17If you have a hire car, don't leave any belongings on show.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Nothing at all. Not passports, nothing in the hire car.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22And if you have to leave things behind,
0:23:22 > 0:23:27make sure they're locked in the boot and not visible for anyone to see.
0:23:27 > 0:23:322. Read up on driving at your holiday destination before you leave the UK.
0:23:32 > 0:23:37When you drive outside of the UK, the rules are going to be different.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41Different road signs, different etiquette on the road.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44So, always do check with a motoring organisation what the main
0:23:44 > 0:23:46differences are.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50Increasingly, I'm hearing that highway patrols in any country
0:23:50 > 0:23:54in the world are getting a lot more serious about fining tourists.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Very often, there's all kinds of penalties whereby if you
0:23:57 > 0:24:00haven't paid your fine, you might not be allowed out of the country.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03And 3. Always book with a reputable company,
0:24:03 > 0:24:08and give the car a good going-over before driving off.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10So, you get your hire car, then you go, "Ooh,"
0:24:10 > 0:24:12and they go, "This is a perfect hire car,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14"there you go, ladies, off you go."
0:24:14 > 0:24:16And d'you go, "Thank you very much," or d'you have a look at it?
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- Yeah, we have a look at it. - A good look?- Yeah.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21Check everything.
0:24:21 > 0:24:26When you hire something abroad it's absolutely, 100 percent vital
0:24:26 > 0:24:30that you go round the car and inspect it for scratches.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32You must do that.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35And if there's anything on there that is not on the form,
0:24:35 > 0:24:38then go back and report it because if you bring it back
0:24:38 > 0:24:41and there's extra scratches on there, it's your word
0:24:41 > 0:24:45against theirs and quite frankly, they're not going to believe you.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49So, that's the low-down on hiring a car abroad to ensure you don't
0:24:49 > 0:24:51get done in the sun.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00Travel insurance is something you really shouldn't have to
0:25:00 > 0:25:03worry about when you're relaxing in the sun.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07But the devil is in the detail of your policy,
0:25:07 > 0:25:10so here's your essential travel insurance advice.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14Don't rely on an online application,
0:25:14 > 0:25:17as you may not be able to provide all of the detail you need to.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20For example, with pre-existing medical conditions,
0:25:20 > 0:25:24call up the insurer and explain things for more tailored advice.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27But be prepared, as not all insurance companies will cover you.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31You might also need to look for specialist cover
0:25:31 > 0:25:35if you're taking part in an extreme sport, going on a cruise,
0:25:35 > 0:25:38or travelling to a country deemed to be dangerous.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41And many policies also won't pay out
0:25:41 > 0:25:43if your holiday's affected by a natural disaster.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49A European Health Insurance Card isn't an alternative to
0:25:49 > 0:25:52private travel insurance, but it does let you get state
0:25:52 > 0:25:56healthcare at a reduced cost, only within Europe.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00Some insurers will waive the excess on your policy if you have one.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08So it seems most general insurers on price comparison websites
0:26:08 > 0:26:11can't offer a competitive quote to people like Rita,
0:26:11 > 0:26:13who have been cleared of cancer.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16So why don't they enable people to give more detail?
0:26:17 > 0:26:21There was no opportunity for Rita anywhere on the questionnaire
0:26:21 > 0:26:24to say that she was cancer-free.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26Why is that?
0:26:26 > 0:26:28Well, it's a term that we haven't been able to find anywhere.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30I'm not a medical expert,
0:26:30 > 0:26:33so I don't know if it is an official term that people use.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36I mean, I've heard the phrase of being in remission
0:26:36 > 0:26:38- when it comes to cancer. - And is that on the questionnaire?
0:26:38 > 0:26:40No, it's not on the questionnaire.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44The questions we ask are the questions that are recognised by the industry.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47If your questionnaire reflects the industry standard,
0:26:47 > 0:26:52and one in three of us is expected to get cancer, for example,
0:26:52 > 0:26:55then does the industry standard need to change?
0:26:57 > 0:26:59I think it's a very difficult one to answer,
0:26:59 > 0:27:03because as I say, with pre-existing medical conditions,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06it covers a huge array of different illnesses.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09I think one of the things, when it comes with insurance,
0:27:09 > 0:27:12is what we need to try and do is come up with a question set
0:27:12 > 0:27:15that helps the majority of people.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18Tell me what you've been doing since you've been made aware of Rita's case.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Well, we're looking at ways we can incorporate specialist
0:27:21 > 0:27:24insurers into our channel and our product,
0:27:24 > 0:27:29and we're actually in discussions with the company that did insure Rita,
0:27:29 > 0:27:33to see how we can potentially include them on the site.
0:27:33 > 0:27:34In some circumstances,
0:27:34 > 0:27:37perhaps the panel that's on the site at the moment, they can't
0:27:37 > 0:27:42necessarily return a quote as low as maybe a specialist can.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48Great news that this comparison site is looking to change things
0:27:48 > 0:27:51and offer a wider variety of insurance providers.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54But the onus is still on us travellers to make sure
0:27:54 > 0:27:57we get the right policy, not just the cheapest.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00It might help more of us to not get done in the sun.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd