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Malcolm W

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Review of the Saga, Travel insurance:

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I developed lower back pain and sciatica after a ver...

I developed lower back pain and sciatica after a very uncomfortable flight. Within 48 hours I had difficulty walking at all. My partner explained this to the local chemist who provided anti-inflammatory medication that did not help. After using it for 48 hours I phoned Saga health insurance. The first person I spoke to seemed helpful making sure I understood I had to approach a state medical facility here in Spain. He emailed me a list of suitable facilities. All of them turned out to be private health facilities. I phoned again and spoke to a very helpful lady who seemed much better informed. But it became very clear that I was expected to use my EHIC card and get clearance from Saga for any treatment that was going to cost money. A number of hoops had to be jumped through including giving permission to get my medical records from my Dr back in the UK just in case I was going to claim for a condition I had not told Saga about. Clearly Saga were looking for any possible loophole to avoid payment. When you are in pain and unable to move more than a few steps, how was I to get to a state hospital? I was told to get a Drs report for anything that might not be covered by the EHIC card. In short I felt that the onus was on me to do everything. What did I expect? I expected a very expensive insurance to smooth the way and sort things out for me when I needed help. In the end I had to pay for a private Dr to visit me at home and give me support. Saga medical insurance had also been quick to tell me that the first amount of £70 had to be paid by me. Would they have paid the rest? Too many reports in the press have shown unsatisfactory performance by travel health insurance providers. I am sorry to conclude that I do not trust Saga Travel Health Insurance to help me when I need help. The forensic attention to paperwork could come later. My needs should have come first, that’s what I paid for, rather than me being expected to arrange everything myself. Reviewed on: 15th March 2024

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