INSURERS have defended the high premiums the charge elderly people booking cruises.
Last week, Spicer Travel Bureau managing director John Spicer wrote to Travel Weekly, claiming he was unable to secure cover for a 76-year-old male angina-sufferer needing £12,500 cancellation coverage on a cruise.
He accused insurers of discriminating against the elderly and claimed more cruise companies are ditching insurance schemes.
This week, insurers hit back claiming the elderly are a bigger risk who force the price of insurance up for younger customers.
Anthony Kaye, managing director of insurance broker Campbell Irvine said: “Elderly customers tend to book months in advance and are more likely to fall ill when they’re on board or beforehand.”
He added, although the over-65s account for 20% of all premiums, they make about 80% of the claims.
This, along with the likelihood of increased convalescence times in foreign hospitals and the high cost of the booking drives up premiums.
Kaye suggested the 76-year-old customer should see if the cruise operator runs its own insurance scheme. If not, the customer should book with another cruiseline.
Preferential business development manager Adam Finch agreed the elderly can prove expensive to insure.
“The price of the holiday, the medical condition of this customer and his age suggests to me he is uninsurable.”
Complete Cruise Solution head of sales Giles Hawke said the operator used to run its own insurance scheme but ditched it in June due to a lack of bookings. He said agents prefer to use their own insurance supplier.