Citybond Suretravel – Summary of Changes 2008/2009

The following document confirms the changes for the 2008/09 Citybond Suretravel policy wordings, effective from 1st April 2008.

Please read the relevant sections of the policy to familiarise yourself with the new text. Where applicable, these also apply to the Young Traveller / Gap Year policy (section numbers may vary).

For the most part, the terms and conditions of the policy wording will remain the same as 2007/08.

  • There have been NO changes to policy limits.
  • The overall wording format has been improved and some sections have had the degree of cover clarified.

Key Changes:
  • Telephone Numbers: All Citybond contact numbers listed in the policy wording have been replaced with 0845 telephones numbers which have a lower call cost. Europ Assistance have changed many of their phone numbers to 0844 which also have a lower cost.
  • Winter Sports Cover: The Year Round policy no longer provides 17 days winter sports cover as part of the standard premium. The 31 day optional upgrade is now no longer available. However, all clients aged 65 or under can include winter sports cover by purchasing an optional 17 day extension, subject to payment of an additional premium. There is no additional charge for winter sports for children if travelling with an Insured adult.
  • Excess Waiver: Customers will no longer be able to purchase the excess waiver upgrade.
  • Medical Health Declaration: The definition of a pre-existing medical condition has been updated to include Aneurysm as part of the clarification for cardiovascular or circulatory conditions.
  • Long Stay: Premiums have been reduced for 2008-9.

Other Clarifications & Additions:
  • Scheme Codes: All new policy wordings have been updated to show the appropriate scheme code applicable to the policy purchased. This code must be quoted by the insured when communicating with Europ Assistance. For clarification purposes, the new codes are:
    • Citybond Trip Travel – 08CST
    • Citybond Year Round – 08CSA
    • Citybond Long Stay – 08CSL
    • Citybond Young Traveller – 08CYT
  • Important Notes - Emergency Medical Expenses: A new note has been added to provide clarification that the policy is NOT a private medical insurance policy and will not cover procedures that can be carried out in the home country.
  • Important Notes - Health: This section has been updated to confirm that conditions declared and accepted must be by “Us” and not just the Insurers.
  • Reciprocal Health Agreements - Australia (Medicare Scheme): Updated text added to the wording requesting that all insured persons who receive treatment should enroll at the Medicare Offices. In addition to this, a new section of text has been added to request that all insured persons who do not enroll at the Medicare Offices but who received treatment must do so by way of a retrospective application in order for any costs to be recovered.
  • Meaning of Words – Insurers or Underwriters: This section has been amended to remove reference to Underwriters for 2008-9.
  • Meaning of Words - Issuing Agent: The definition has been changed this year to “The Insurers’ authorised agent that issued Your certificate and to whom You paid the appropriate premium”.
  • Meaning of Words - Manual Work: Text relating to voluntary manual work has been updated to confirm that it must be for a charity registered under the Charity Commission in England and Wales, the Scottish Charity regulator or the Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland.
  • Meaning of Words - Manual Work: Text added to confirm that Insurers will not cover any persons interacting with wild animals of any kind.
  • Meaning of Words - Material Facts: Text amended to read that acceptance or assessment of the risk is by the Insurers, where previously it stated Underwriters.
  • Meaning of Words - Valuables: Mobile Phones have been removed, and hearing aids inserted.
  • Section 2 - Medical Emergency & Repatriation: Text added to the first bullet point to reiterate that reasonable medical expenses must be for the need of an unforeseen medical emergency.
  • Section 2 - Medical Emergency & Repatriation: What is not covered, paragraph (m) – Additional clarification added to confirm that air sea rescue and transfer costs are excluded unless medically necessary and pre-authorised by Europ Assistance.
  • Section 6 - Cancellation, Curtailment and Trip Interruption: What is not covered – New exclusion added under paragraph (k) to confirm that costs relating to airport taxes or air passenger duty are specifically excluded.
  • Section 10 - Personal Baggage: What is not covered, paragraphs (c) & (d) – text inserted to add “Business Goods and/or Equipment” to the previous wording.
  • Section 10 - Personal Baggage: What is not covered, paragraph (h), are mobile phones and unused mobile telephone rental charges or pre-payments have been added to the current exclusions. Stamps, typewriters, hearing aids and coupons have all been removed from the list of excluded valuables.
  • Section 13 - Personal Liability: What is not covered paragraph (e), in addition to the present wording, ownership or use of sail powered boats has been added.
  • Winter Sports Cover, page 21: Text in bold under the heading relating to qualifying age has been amended to read “up to and including 65 years of age”
  • General Conditions - Paragraph 17: The existing clause has been replaced by a new format which confirms that Insurers will no longer automatically offer a pro-rata refund if they choose to issue 7 days notice of cancellation.
  • Customer Satisfaction: We now request persons who wish to register a complaint to write to The Customer Care Team and provide new e-mail addresses of quality@citybond.co.uk.
  • Cancellation Provisions - Cancellation by the Insured Person: Text has been updated to remove reference to no refund being offered outside of the cooling off period.