Free Spirit was featured in the Mail on Sunday on 23rd July 2016 as one of a few specialist travel insurance providers being able to help people of any age with serious health problems get cover to travel.
Peter Hayman, Managing Director of Free Spirit, was quoted in the article:
‘In terms of cost, it makes a difference as to how you answer the [medical screening] questions and where you are travelling to. For example, medical costs are higher in countries such as Spain, the US, Japan and South Africa.’
‘If you have a serious condition, a comparison website is unlikely to be a suitable way to buy cover because the medical questionnaire is not intuitive.’
‘The higher your risk score, the fewer providers will appear, to the point where there are none at all.’
‘The scoring system is broad – someone with cancer that has spread could end up with a risk score of anywhere between 30 and 300. Someone with diabetes and no further complications could score below three.’
‘Most insurers stop offering deals at a score of around six or seven. It’s a blunt tool, but we overlay it with common sense.’
‘People with serious conditions are not well served by the general travel insurance market.’