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  • captein 10 posts

    I’ve been pondering getting insurance for an Africa and USA trip this year.

    I currently don’t get any for free or pay for any.

    I’m not worried about gadgets, even cancellations etc, mainly insuring things that would bankrupt me (medical, liability).

    One annoying thing is that I have asthma & (food) allergies so I have to be careful to pick insurance that covers that. My partner also needs insuring.

    My salary is north of 100k, so I am eligible for HSBC Premier for free unless I’m mistaken (they changed their conditions, I couldn’t previously because of my work/not enough money lying around).

    This seems to tick all my boxes:
    – includes my pre-existing conditions
    – includes partner/children
    – includes medical to high amount
    The only thing missing is car (excess) insurance, which is not necessary, but would be a nice to have. Also, one thing I saw excluded and I might do is sports competitions, but I haven’t done it often and normally within the EU/covered by BHIC.

    I’m wondering whether there’s anything bad I’ve missed about this insurance, and what people’s experience is with it, or there’s a better product for me?

    Froggee 1,209 posts

    It’s been fine for me.

    They paid out for replacement flights when BA cancelled on us and refused to pay my rerouting expenses.

    They paid out (sadly only up to policy limit) when Mrs Froggee left some jewellery and AirPods on a plane.

    They were responsive when Kermit got sick on holiday (although we did not claim as I wasn’t dragging him to get a doctor’s note).

    I have a friend who did claim for his daughter when she got massively allergic to something resulting in an unpleasant butt rash and he said he was surprised how simple the process was (he called, they said take her to the nearest hospital and we will pay)

    captein 10 posts

    Thanks Froggee.

    As I’ve already had switch bonus from HSBC, and I normally bank with First Direct with how they structure switch incentives I am unlikely to get another anytime soon, so I will probably go ahead and open it.

    BP 67 posts

    My experience has been excellent also. My last small claim was automatically approved and send for payment. All I had to do with submit the online form.

    For a bigger claim with MRI scans and multiple hospital visits it was also no problem and they even phoned asking could they upgrade my wife to business class to help on the return journey (we were already flying business).

    DK 24 posts

    I know that Rob might disagree but my experience with two recent claims is that HSBC premier insurance is 100x better than American express. I tried claiming from both for two recent incidents. With Amex it was next to impossible to even speak to a person who understands basic English. With HSBC, I had absolutely zero hassle claiming. In one occasion they didn’t even ask me for any documentation, no forms, no hassle, just believed me and paid the claim within same hour!

    I don’t know if something has changed recently with HSBC but they have been incredibly good.

    Lady London 2,351 posts

    Who is the HSBC insurance underwriter? I always check who is the underwriter of any insurance, especially travel insurance as that’s who determines if you get paid. Such as when Axa got the Amex business it was fairly clear things would deteriorate.

    JDB 6,230 posts

    Who is the HSBC insurance underwriter? I always check who is the underwriter of any insurance, especially travel insurance as that’s who determines if you get paid. Such as when Axa got the Amex business it was fairly clear things would deteriorate.

    HSBC Premier travel insurance is underwritten by Aviva.

    Axa was not the underwriter, only the administrator of the Amex Plat policy and has now replaced as administrator by Europ Assistance. The policy continues to be underwritten by Chubb and Inter Partner.

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