The British Heart Foundation strongly recommends that you consult with your GP before purchasing health insurance over the phone or via the internet. 

The health declarations are in extreme detail and require information of conditions and medications going back years. These details will all be checked if you later try to make a claim. Any omissions or mistakes you make can be used as grounds to refuse your claim.  This is equally true for conditions other than heart disease.

The following list of insurance companies has been compiled from the feedback received from heart patients. You may find that the type and cost of the cover offered will vary depending on your individual condition and where you will be travelling to. When you contact the companies, you may be asked to call a medical screening number who will then give you a reference to quote back to the insurance company. It is always important to read any small print on any policy you are offered.

The British Heart Foundation does not endorse or work with any of the companies on this list. There is no guarantee that the companies on the list will be able to offer insurance to every individual. Please note that companies may change their underwriters and this may affect the cover they are able to offer.

Send us your feedback
As companies frequently change their policies, we are always grateful for any feedback. Feedback can be sent via email to hearthelponline@bhf.org.uk or to the British Heart Foundation, Heart Help Line, Greater London House, 180 Hampstead Road, London NW1 7AW.

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The contact details for the insurance companies are below. However you may also need to consider information on the European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) (E111) and E112.

Important changes to E111

From 1 September 2005, European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) were issued instead of the E111. Although the EHIC application form and booklet is available from the Post Office it cannot be validated on the spot at the Post Office. The EHIC is issued by a central agency and posted to you. The EHIC booklet explains how to apply for an EHIC and will give advice on the changes to entitlement and the claims process. You can also apply for an EHIC online at www.dh.gov.uk/travellers

While an EHIC is not a substitute for insurance, it is important to have one.  A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles UK citizens to free or reduced-cost, sometimes free, medical treatment that becomes necessary while you’re in a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland.

The EEA consists of the European Union (EU) countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Switzerland applies the EHIC arrangements through an agreement with the EU. The EHIC is valid in:

Austria, Belgium, Cyprus (but not Northern Cyprus), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia,  Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom   Because it reduces medical costs, your insurer may require you to have one. 

The EHIC is normally valid for three to five years and covers any medical treatment that becomes necessary during your trip, because of either illness or an accident. The card gives access to state-provided medical treatment only. This might not cover all the things you'd expect to get free of charge from the NHS in the UK. You may have to make a contribution to the cost of your care. 

The EHIC also covers any treatment you need for a chronic disease or pre-existing illness. You need to make arrangements in advance for kidney dialysis and oxygen therapy. To arrange for kidney dialysis while you're away, contact your NHS renal unit in the UK before you travel. For limited information on oxygen supply services in the EEA countries and Switzerland, call the Department of Health's Customer Service Centre on 020 7210 4850.

The EHIC won't cover you if getting medical treatment is the main purpose of your trip. You are advised to take out comprehensive private insurance for visits to all countries, regardless of whether you are covered by your EHIC.

For further information contact the Department of Health, Customer Service Centre on 020 7210 4850 Email: dhmail@dh.gsi.gov.uk or www.dh.gov.uk

E112

An E112 may give you the option of undergoing medical or surgical treatment in other EU countries.   On page 36 of the booklet “Health Advice for Travellers” you will find information about how to apply for funding.  Your consultant should write a letter explaining your condition and your need for treatment.   The trust or health authority must confirm its agreement to fund the treatment.  You will also need to have a completed a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Able2Travel
Tel: 0870 750 6711
http://www.able2travel.com/

AllClear Travel Insurance
Tel 08712 088 579

Bradford & BingleyBuildingSociety
Tel 0800 169 4078

Age limit 80 yrs
Medical screening

Brunsdon Insurance
Tel 01452 623623
8.30am-5.30pm Mon- Fri only

Age limit 80 yrs
Do not cover patients on waiting lists

Bupa Travel Cover
Tel 0800 0010 22

Age limit 79 yrs
Medical screening
Will only accept proposals within 3 months of travel date

Direct Travel
Tel 0190 381 2345

Single policies up to 75yrs
Annual policies up to 65 yrs

Flexicover Direct
Tel 0870 990 9292
www.flexicover.com

Age limit 80 yrs
Medical screening

Free Spirit Travel Insurance
Tel 0845 230 5000
9am-5pm, Mon-Fri
www.free-spirit.com
Free Spirit Travel have changed their underwriters so the cover they offer may now be different.

Age limit up to 85 yrs. Excess depends on condition & destination. Annual policies (in some cases). Do not cover for unstable conditions.
No medical certificates are required

Freedom Insurance Services Limited
Tel 0870 774 3760

Offers a personal lines insurance program often designed for people with pre-existing medical conditions. Age limit 85 years. Medical screening with most of the companies they work with.
Will only accept proposals within 6 months of travel date.

GetmY.com
www.getmy.com/travel
Tel 0845 0262441

Global Travel Insurance
Tel 01903 203933

Single policies up to 85 yrs of age
Annual policies up to 79 yrs of age

Specialist policy that covers pre-existing medical conditions. Single policies up to 90 yrs of age.
Multiple policies up to 75 yrs of age

Go Travel Insurance
Tel 0870 1126442
Go Travel changed their underwriters in 2005. The cover they offer may now be different.

Specialist policy that covers pre-existing medical conditions. Single policies up to 75 yrs of age.
Annual policies up to 64 yrs of age.
Put through a health declaration first and may then have to do a medical screening

Holiday Services Limited
Tel 01623 407321
www.holidayservices.org.uk

No upper age limit for single trip cover – will be based on individual circumstances and health.
Annual policies up to 69 yrs
They will consider each individual case of people with pre-existing medical conditions

Insuremore Travel Insurance
Tel 0870 054 0162

Age limit 65 yrs
Excess varying
Patients need to have been stable for about 12 months and do not cover patients on waiting lists.
Medical screening to determine whether they will cover

It's So Easy Travel Insurance
Tel 0845 222 4205
www.itssoeasytravelinsurance.com/

Makesure Insurance Services Ltd
Tel 0870 156 6679

Manor Insurance
Tel 0800 027 6171
www.travelinsured.co.uk

Single trip cover for up to 18 months if 74 years of age or less and up to 90 days if 75 years of age and over
Annual policies up to 79 years of age
Medical screening not always required
Discount for those who already have their baggage covered under their home insurance

Marks and Spencer
Tel 0800 068 3918
M & S changed their underwriters in 2005 and now have medical screening to determine whether will cover patients. 

Marks and Spencer say that although they may offer cover for heart conditions, they tend to be rather expensive for the cover itself, and that they may still decline cover if the conditions are too severe. Please also note that they will only speak to the person requiring the insurance.

Orbis Insurance Services
Tel 01424 220110
Ask to speak to Leane or Lauren

The company advises that they offer travel insurance for people who are regularly declined cover because of their ill-health/disabilities, past and present.  Individually underwritten so that each case can be considered.  Please note that there are some conditions which they state that they cannot quote for.
Single trip unlimited time
Age limit for single trip: 99 yrs
Age limit for annual trip: 75 yrs (Europe only)
Age limit for annual trip: 70 yrs (outside Europe)

Perry Gamble & Co
Tel 01404 830 100

Age limit 75 yrs
Patients are referred to a medical screening line.

Travelbility
Call: 0845 338 1638
Online quoting facility at
www.travelbility.co.uk

Unique
Tel: 01603 828246
Email: unique@heathlambert.com.

This company advises that they offer travel insurance for disabled people and for those with pre-existing medical conditions and their carers. 
Annual policies 69 yrs
Single policies 79 yrs
Excess: £50 subject to medical condition. All quotes subject to medical screening.

No upper age limits on single trip policies
Annual multi-trip policies within the EU are available up to age 69 and worldwide policies up to age 64.
Unique provides a range of insurance products that have been developed for people living with a heart condition.
Although they can’t guarantee to be the cheapest, they promise a sympathetic approach because they say they have an understanding of heart disease and work with insurers to help you get the protection you need.

Life Insurance

Totally Insured Group Limited insurance brokers (life insurance)
4a Abbey Walk
Church Street, Romsey
Hampshire SO51 8JQ
Tel 0800 377 7763 or 0870 2408891
www.theinsurancehelpline.co.uk

‘The Insurance Helpline’ has been launched by Totally Insured Group of Romsey state they are the number one specialist IFA for people with pre-existing medical conditions in the UK. The Totally Insured Group states that it receives enquiries for life insurance, mortgage protection and critical illness which are complex and need more individual consideration than those that have no significant medical history. A recent addition to their product line is a new whole of life policy that asks no medical questions and they state is guaranteed to offer life insurance if you are aged between 50 and 80 at the time of starting the policy and are resident in the UK. The company states there are no medical questions, no forms to fill out and premiums start from £10 to a maximum of £50 per month. The premiums can also be paid by the family and once the premium rate is selected they state that it is guaranteed not to rise.

ZurichAssurance
(was Allied Dunbar)
Zurich Assurance Ltd
UK Life Centre
Station Road
Swindon SN1 1EL
Tel 08705 221311

Orbis Life Assurance
01424 220110
Ask to speak to Leane or Lauren
The company advise that they offer life assurance for people who are regularly declined cover due to ill-health or disabilities, past and present.
Individually underwritten so that each case can be considered. Please note that there are some conditions which they cannot quote for.

Friends Provident
PO Box 1550
Milford
Salisbury  SP1 2TW
Tel 0800 000 080

Life cover only and will not consider an application until six months after heart attack or bypass whichever is later

Motor/Car Insurance

Admiral Insurance
Admiral House
38-42 Newport Road
Cardiff  CF2 1XX
Tel 0800 600 800

Eagle Star
Tel 0800 333 800

Boncaster Ltd
Freepost
Library House, New Road
Brentwood
Essex 
CM14 4GD
Tel 01277 200 121 
www.cox.co.uk

Saga Insurance Services
The Saga Building
Middleburg Square
Folkestone
Kent  CT20 1AZ
Tel 0800 484 184

Chartwell Insurance Co 
Inc Disabled Drivers Insurance Bureau
Travel, motor, home and mobility only – THEY DO NOT DO LIFE INSURANCE
292-294 Hale Lane
Edgware
Middlesex
HA8 8NP
Tel 0800 652 1653

Annuities

Annuities4u Ltd
http://www.annuities4u.com/
0845 676 1010 
Specialise in placing enhanced and impaired life Annuities. They state they have helped many people who have heart conditions to obtain the best Annuity rates available on the open market.  

C H Facilities
A member of the Chapman Hurst Group
Tel 0870 750 6711
Email:insure@chtravelcare.co.uk