Am Loolah

I just wondered if anyone used these http://www.kinsure.co.uk as insurance for anything happening to a loved one back in the UK? For an annual premium they cover and arrange your flights and accommodation back if needs be. Or do you think an emergency fund of your own is a better plan?

ann m

Did you see This thread

Tan0410

We have a policy with these guys. Figured we were spending so much at the time what the hell..a little more money on an insurance policy wasn't going to make any difference.

I remember at the time, posting a similar question myself but don't recall any particular advice being posted back. We went ahead anyway.

We have luckily not had to try and use this yet so I couldn't say much more about it. I did wonder whether they were even still operating in this climate?

Am Loolah

Thank you Ann - OMG how awful?

I'm still unsure as to whether it's worth it or better off having a "rainy day/crises" fund of our own?

Am Loolah

Well, it seems the website is still up and running and someone on the other thread that ann m linked to uses them so I assume so. Just not sure if it's the best solution?

Tan0410

As it happens I had to contact the company last night....emailed at 6pm and had a response waiting for me when I got up this morning so they are clearly still operating.

My brother-in-law is about to have a major back opeartion so I thought I'd ask whether this was covered if my husband decided to go back. We expected the response we got - that with the info we gave them (which was limited) this kind of organised operation did not class as a major illness.

The email encouraged us to give them a call to discuss further and give them more details. Whilst we were realistic about our request I have asked for further info as to what constitutes a major illness and associated operations just for reference to be honest.

Thinking about the question as to whether you should have your own savings pot or a policy.... for us all our cash was tied up in the UK house equity so we took the policy as a stop gap to building up savings over here. However, I do think I will renew this year. When you consider the cost of flying a family of four back (and all the associated costs) I can't help but think that 175 pound a year is worth it. Especially given that they claim to organise it all for you as well.

Don't forget that once parents pass the age of 75 they cannot be covered by this policy anyway. You may well benefit from stashing money to fly back later. God forbid you have to fly back twice, but the way I see it why spend all your savings when you can pay nothing and keep your savings. For me...with two parents...I worry that I'd spend all my savings going back once and then having nothing to get back with god forbid the other was taken ill too. Sadly, it's a fact that they will both pass on at some point. My concern is one going before 75, spending all our savings, and then the other passing on too...but when it's too late to use such a policy. Maybe I worry tooo much

Once the annual policy is paid you quickly forget about the cost.

Just my opinion as I appreciate that 175 pound is a lot in many respects.

I'm rambling now so I'm off.....

CCGM.IN.NZ

I second what Tan 0410 says. IMO 175 quid is easier to find right now than $10000 - 12000. Its something we have looked into as well. It would take us forever to save enough to send 4 adults back in an emergency. Hubby had to go back in October for his fathers funeral and that cost $3000 just for his flight. The thought of the insurance company doing all the organising too has got to be a comfort, especially when you think that it is probably the last thing on your mind when you need to get back to see a loved one. We will once again seriously look at using this company (hubby wanted to wait till we got PR so we knew we were staying).

Tan0410

Am currently in the process of getting clarity from the company regarding one of their definitions. They have (fairly I believe) stated that an organised back operation is not a major illness or emergency, although it is a little confusing as they also state that a major accident or illness is a hospital stay of 3 days or more. My brother-in-law will be in for five days . Now I do not take issue with their decision in this case as we figured this would be the case before we even emailed to ask....


....what I am confused about now is whether you would have to wait three days (in other situations) before you flew back in order to guarantee that you can meet their definition of a serious illness or accident. This worries me in some respects as given the distance I'd be nervous about sitting around for three days before flying.

The company do however have excellent communication so I will let you know when I get some clarity

Tan0410

Again, excellent communication...this was there response. I personally feel we probably will renew the policy this year.

Matewx

WOW
Excellent Thread!
Anyone else has had to use them?? If so, sorry about that, but could you share your experiences??
Soon to move to Auckland and really thinking about this!
Thanks

Tan0410

I have been trying since mid 2007 to find someone who has had to claim through this, or a similar policy, and have had no joy

...is there anyone out there

Am Loolah

I'd managed to miss the bit about relatives over 75 years not being covered - which probably means it's not worth it for us as both my parents are older than this. I shall go back and have a re-read to make sure.

Tan you could ask in the Oz or USA forums if anyone has actually claimed through them - much higher user numbers.

jo_hedge

I've just taken out this policy. Is recommended by Britsnz. Read their info on www.britsnz.co.nz. You can also get a discount on the premium.

Tan0410

That is the kinsure one that we've got

...so be aware of the age stipulation

BEVS

We budgeted for an emergency fund before we left the UK. Please don't anyone think we just had this money floating around. We didn't. It was factored in as part of our immigration costs if you like.

Of course, as a lot of you know, I have just used up all this emergency fund , so we now have to rebuild it in case of another emergency. If an emergency does arise - husbands 80 yr old Mother - then we will just have to hit the bank or the credit card.

Am Loo. Our surviving parents were both over 75 and it also doesn't cover you for pre-existing conditions, so we figured we were better off to just bite the bullet and make sure we had this money tucked away.

Kinsure