Wheelchair user - travel insurance to cover wheelcair in case of damage or theft

lorrainep
lorrainep Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
edited March 2023 in Transport and travel
Hi there

I was wondering if anyone could suggest a good travel insurer.  My daughter is travelling to France via Eurostar. I am currently looking at quotes but thought it would be a good idea to check with the Scope community to see if anyone has any advice or recommendations. She is travelling using a wheelchair that Empulse wheel drive (power wheel hub).  If anyone has any tips or useful information this would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks

Comments

  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    edited March 2023
    Hey @lorrainep. Welcome to Scope's community. It is great to see you have joined us.

    Thanks for finding the courage to reach out to us too. Hopefully, someone with more knowledge/experience in this area can respond to you soon.

    In the meantime, I wanted to respond to your post to greet you and let you know we hear you.

    Please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything else we can do to support you  :)
  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 2,244 Championing
    edited March 2023
    You may find it cheaper to add it to your house insurance as a valuable item 
    Worth looking into 
  • anawilliam850
    anawilliam850 Online Community Member Posts: 29 Connected

    There are several travel insurance providers that may be suitable for your daughter's needs. Here are a few options to consider:

    1. Staysure: This insurer offers specialist travel insurance for wheelchair users and covers pre-existing medical conditions.

    2. AllClear: AllClear provides specialist travel insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions, including those who use wheelchairs.

    3. Aviva: Aviva provides comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical expenses, emergency assistance, and trip cancellations.

    4. Saga: Saga is a provider of travel insurance for people over 50, and their policies cover a wide range of pre-existing medical conditions.

    When comparing policies, it's important to check the specific details of the coverage, such as medical expenses, emergency assistance, trip cancellations, and any exclusions or limitations that may apply. It may also be a good idea to contact the insurance provider directly to discuss your daughter's specific needs and ensure that the policy provides the necessary coverage.

  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 12,470 Championing
    I'm wondering the same as I fancy going to Disney Land Paris and the Eiffel Tower but what we are wondering if it will be better to fly which will take us 52 minutes to get their by car but this will be my first time flying are going abroad without my family and I have always had to hold my mums hand or to take the Eurostar across which will take another 4 hours to get their and I have never been to London by car so we would have to probably get the train from Durham station.

    I know this isn't my thread so it isn't the place for me to get support but I thought the discussion links in with my worries very well. 
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    Hi @durhamjaide2001you could say there's a few different things to think about with travel, one is the cost, and the other is comfort. If you can find an option which balances the two, this usually works best. 

    Oftentimes I go for something which costs more if it means I'll be more comfortable and relaxed while travelling. Would you be travelling on your own? 
  • lorrainep
    lorrainep Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
    Thanks for all comments, I will take the advice and information on board.  This is much appreciated.  Time to do some further research, so I can hopefully get the best and most appropriate cover.  I will also be insuring the wheelchair/power wheels under the household insurance, so see what this entails to. 

    @durhamjaide2001 Travelling as a disabled person isn't straightforward is it.  We have chosen Eurostar on this occasion as we are travelling with others.  Going by Eurostar isn't as straightforward now as we will have to change at Gard Du Nord and travel on the RER to Disneyland Paris (thankfully I found a youtube video of someone travelling this way albeit not disabled). 

    Next time I think we will fly to Paris... but there is then the risk of the wheelchair getting damaged.  Luckily we do have a spare manual chair so would use this.  It just means that my daughter is not free to wheel herself she will have to rely on a friend/carer.  Never straight forward is it.  Hope you continue with your plans. 
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    edited March 2023
    It doesn't sound straightforward @lorrainep :( I hope your daughter can still enjoy her travel though.

    Please do shout if there's anything else we can do to help. Wishing you the best of luck with your further research, here for you if you wish to discuss your findings :)
  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 12,470 Championing
    Hi @durhamjaide2001you could say there's a few different things to think about with travel, one is the cost, and the other is comfort. If you can find an option which balances the two, this usually works best. 

    Oftentimes I go for something which costs more if it means I'll be more comfortable and relaxed while travelling. Would you be travelling on your own? 
    I would be travelling with my support worker 
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    I'm glad we've been able to help @lorrainep I agree it's never easy, I use my manual chair when I have to, but like your daughter it means I can't wheel myself independently. I hope when you do get to go, that you have an amazing time!

    @durhamjaide2001 ah okay, have you had a chat with your support worker about your ideas, and what might work best for you? 
  • durhamjaide2001
    durhamjaide2001 Scope Member Posts: 12,470 Championing
    We are just going round in circles as London is quite far away from where I live in the North East so I don't think i would cope with the car journey so we would have to get a train down to London probably the day before then get the Eurostar which will take 2 hours and 16 minutes to be accurate. So we are thinking we might just fly. 
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    Could you fly from an airport which is closer to where you live @durhamjaide2001? :)