[Tia Maria]

I have come across so many people who have had to take unplanned trips back 'home'. Just thought I'd do a quick poll to see how common it is.

I've made it private but multiple choice. Unfortunately you can't make more than one vote on any one type, so you'll just have to let us know if you've had to go back for 5 weddings!

I've put a Misc option for all the ones I can't think of but the important thing is it must only be for unexpected trips, not any planned trips back for weddings, visits, selling houses etc.

I'm hoping it will give people an idea of how likely it is they will need emergency savings for this kind of thing.

Cheers

Tia

[Tia Maria]

I also meant to say, I've put options for if something came up, but for some reason you chose not to go, or couldn't go.

Cheers

Tia

[Tia Maria]

I've just thought I should have put a 'none' option, you'll just have to tell us if nothing has ever come up!

Cheers

Tia

[shakyle2906]

We havent yet, but then we have only been here a year, but its something thats in the back of our minds a lot.

When we moved here, FIL wasnt too good in health and we dreaded every call, especially those ones after 10pm in the night!!!!! (when youre not expecting them that is)

Judging by the prices, i wonder, if and when it did happen/someone else in family, how the heck we would afford it. I guess it would have to mean the main one goes back and the other one stay here with our son. It seems awful but unless our lottery numbers come up, thats the way it would be.

Someone i did speak to early on when we came here said that some airlines do special deals (????) if you have to go back unexpectedly for a death/serious illness in the family and its say parents/sibling (god forbid) ??

Dont know how true that is though ??

Sharon
x

[zardell]

Someone i did speak to early on when we came here said that some airlines do special deals (????) if you have to go back unexpectedly for a death/serious illness in the family and its say parents/sibling (god forbid) ??

Dont know how true that is though ??

Sharon
x




Yes, I believe that airlines do hold (for want of a better word) compassionate seats for certain emergencies, but when we enquired about them last year, they certainly were special prices too - very nearly twice the normal price !!

And how on earth can you supply the airline with a death certificate to prove your need so that you arrive back to your country of origin in time for the funeral?

Julie

xx

[IanW99]

Yes, I believe that airlines do hold (for want of a better word) compassionate seats for certain emergencies, but when we enquired about them last year, they certainly were special prices too - very nearly twice the normal price !!

And how on earth can you supply the airline with a death certificate to prove your need so that you arrive back to your country of origin in time for the funeral?

Julie

xx

Who did you try with?

For Air NZ this link provides some details:- Compassionate Travel (http://www.airnzagent.co.nz/policies/compassionate_travel/what_is_compassionate_travel.htm)

I know someone who used this service and they were well looked after and it wasn't expensive at all - I think you may have to pay the 'full' price and then after getting a copy of the death certificate etc you get a refund for the difference (between the price you paid and the 'compassionate' price).

Ian

[shakyle2906]

Who did you try with?

For Air NZ this link provides some details:- Compassionate Travel (http://www.airnzagent.co.nz/policies/compassionate_travel/what_is_compassionate_travel.htm)

I know someone who used this service and they were well looked after and it wasn't expensive at all - I think you may have to pay the 'full' price and then after getting a copy of the death certificate etc you get a refund for the difference (between the price you paid and the 'compassionate' price).

Ian



Thanks Ian

Thats worth noting!

Sharon

[Smiler]

Yes, I believe that airlines do hold (for want of a better word) compassionate seats for certain emergencies, but when we enquired about them last year, they certainly were special prices too - very nearly twice the normal price !!

And how on earth can you supply the airline with a death certificate to prove your need so that you arrive back to your country of origin in time for the funeral?

Julie

xx


The certificate is issued and the death is usually registered on the same day (or at least a day or two) after the death has taken place. The death needs to be registered for the funeral to take place so you'd probably have more than enough time, especially if the death occurred in Winter, to get back. If the death is referred to the Coroner for any reason, then they'd issue a certificate for you to use with the airline.

But as Ian says you can pay the full fare upfront and then get a refund when you produce the death certifcate.

Edited to say: I've never had to go back under these circumstances or choose an option. All the oldie's have told us not to go back when the time comes, but we would choose to go regardless and be there for our families and say our goodbyes.

[zardell]

- I think you may have to pay the 'full' price and then after getting a copy of the death certificate etc you get a refund for the difference (between the price you paid and the 'compassionate' price).

Ian




Where were you when I needed you?....:laugh

My hubby looked into it Ian and I believe he tried Singapore airlines and a couple more. Plus, we would have been flying to the UK over the Easter school holiday which didn't help either.

I'll pass your comments onto my friend though, who paid over NZ$8,000 for her return flight home for her mothers funeral. That was just for one ticket, so her hubby couldn't go. To the best of my knowledge, she didn't get a refund, but I'll ask her.

Julie

xx

[zardell]

The certificate is issued and the death is usually registered on the same day (or at least a day or two) after the death has taken place. The death needs to be registered for the funeral to take place so you'd probably have more than enough time, especially if the death occurred in Winter, to get back. If the death is referred to the Coroner for any reason, then they'd issue a certificate for you to use with the airline.

But as Ian says you can pay the full fare upfront and then get a refund when you produce the death certifcate.



And where were you when I needed you too.....:laugh

Must tell the truth here and say I forgot about your previous life D...:D

Julie

xx

[Smiler]

And where were you when I needed you too.....:laugh

Must tell the truth here and say I forgot about your previous life D...

Julie

xx

;)


Sorry been out at Field days all day :nice1 with free tickets too yay!

Julie I wonder if the discount only applies to Air NZ, us being in New Zealand? :confused: Maybe Ian will know.................

[IanW99]

;)


Sorry been out at Field days all day :nice1 with free tickets too yay!

Julie I wonder if the discount only applies to Air NZ, us being in New Zealand? :confused: Maybe Ian will know.................

Sorry, that's about as much as I know on the subject.

I am under the belief that this is offered specifically for people who need to get to / from New Zealand, but would certainly ask if anyone else needed this service.

I know that Jen (Urban78) works for Air NZ and said she would be happy to look into organising Compassionate travel if needed, so may be worth a PM to her if you want more details?

Ian

[Smiler]

Sorry, that's about as much as I know on the subject.

I am under the belief that this is offered specifically for people who need to get to / from New Zealand, but would certainly ask if anyone else needed this service.

I know that Jen (Urban78) works for Air NZ and said she would be happy to look into organising Compassionate travel if needed, so may be worth a PM to her if you want more details?

Ian

Thanks Ian :nice1

[nickydwuk]

We intend to take out cover with Kinsure. For about £90 a year they will cover costs for oyu to fly back to UK or a nywhere for a sick relative/funeral to a maximum of £5k a year. Not alot but at least some reassurance. They have said they will also book the flights.

[Milliemoo]

When I spoke to air NZ recently , they couldn't even get us on the flights we wanted let alone offer a special price :(

Milliemoo

[cathgates]

We intend to use kinsure as well. It seems like a really good deal to have peace of mind that you can get back for emergencies without having to find thousands of dollars.

Cath X

[Carey]

Thank you SO much for mentioning Kinsure. I am amazed! Never occurred to me there would be something like this- duh!/? But it seems very cheap doesn't it? Can you only use it once per year, can't find that info. on the website?

[JandM]

Ian, thanks for that link you gave. It doesn't say there what the level of reduction is for a compassionate fare. Do you have any idea?

And Nicky, thanks for the info about Kinsure, too.

[Tia Maria]

Thank you SO much for mentioning Kinsure. I am amazed! Never occurred to me there would be something like this- duh!/? But it seems very cheap doesn't it? Can you only use it once per year, can't find that info. on the website?

The smallest print I can find is here:

www.kinsure.co.uk/downloads/kinsureTC.pdf

There are quite a few exclusions - pre-existing medical conditions, age over 75, death/injury resulting from alcohol/pregnancy/dangerous sports etc, claims made in the first 3 months etc. So there could be a fair few reasons you are not covered.

Also you have 28 days to provide all necessary documentation.

I think it sounds like quite good value if you don't fall under one of the exclusions. So I guess it all depends how good they are to use, whether they are friendly and efficient, or deliberately make it difficult for you to claim like some insurance companies?

Anyone got first hand experience of them?

Cheers

Tia

[Milliemoo]

We have friends that are insured through them but have never had to use them.

We were seriously thinking about it. Aparently they sort out all the flights for you, so you don't have to phone round for the best deal or stress about that side of things. You can also add friends to be covered, for an extra fee.

We started talking about it because we were having that conversation that goes 'how do you decide what friends/family you'd go back for if the were seriously ill or passed away'. It scared me to be in a postion where I have to make a decision like that.

Milliemoo

[kanatakiwi]

In my limited experience (not with air NZ) compassionate fares aren't much help. You have to pay "full fare" price which is quite a lot than more than most of the deals you can get with airlines these days and when you get your discount, you might find it would have been cheaper to go with one of the advertised specials. Also it only applies to a relative that has passed away (so you could go for a funeral) but not for a dying relative. I flew home one week before my dad died, and he passed away while I was there but I was not entitled to any compassionate discount because I flew before he passed away.

[Tia Maria]

I see no one has gone back for a wedding yet!

We've had a couple of wedding invites, from friends in the UK, since we've been here, its been sad to say 'no', especially as they have not forgotten us all the way out here. Seeing the photos isn't the same. :(

I was speaking to some Kiwi friends who say they have this problem a lot, but with relatives and friends in Oz. Although it doesn't seem that far, apparently paying for the flights does add up.

Cheers

Tia

[nickydwuk]

The smallest print I can find is here:

www.kinsure.co.uk/downloads/kinsureTC.pdf

There are quite a few exclusions - pre-existing medical conditions, age over 75, death/injury resulting from alcohol/pregnancy/dangerous sports etc, claims made in the first 3 months etc. So there could be a fair few reasons you are not covered.

Also you have 28 days to provide all necessary documentation.

I think it sounds like quite good value if you don't fall under one of the exclusions. So I guess it all depends how good they are to use, whether they are friendly and efficient, or deliberately make it difficult for you to claim like some insurance companies?

Anyone got first hand experience of them?

Cheers

Tia

I actually called them and they said that it covers family you for family up to age 75. You are covered if they become ill/injured and require a hospital stay of at least 3 days. All they require is the details of the hospital -they then confirm it and you are on your way. It also covers death - ie funerals. I asked about family dying at home - I am a nurse and see a lot of terminal patients who want to die at home. I asked Kinsure if they would cover the cost of flights if we wanted to come back to see them before they passed away? As they would not be in hospital how would this work? All they said they would need is some confirmation from their doctor that they would have been admitted to hospital for x number of days but had chosen not to. So if the worst happens and you want to spend the last few days with a loved one they should cover your flights. They also said it covers any number of flights per year up to a maximum cost of £5k a year. So for us - a family of 4 could make the trip once but an individual could probably manage 4 times - although hopefully this wouldn't happen in a year.

[Milliemoo]

I see no one has gone back for a wedding yet!


Tia

That's what we're going back in August for. Do I still vote even though I haven't been yet :o

I couldn't go back for my best pals wedding last year though :wah

We've got another two next year that we won't be able to go back for either.

Milliemoo

[Tia Maria]

That's what we're going back in August for. Do I still vote even though I haven't been yet :o

I couldn't go back for my best pals wedding last year though :wah

We've got another two next year that we won't be able to go back for either.

Milliemoo

You can vote, unless you knew you were going to return for the wedding, before you came to NZ. In other words it has to go something like this,

"Hey OH we've built up some time off and saved a big wad of money under the mattress, fancy a romantic week in Fiji?"

*Ring Ring* 2am phone call from the UK

"Cancel that, I've just found out I'm going to be an Auntie to my brother's set of triplets, so we'll use the money and time off to be there for the birth instead"

Or

"Just found out the tenants in our rental property have trashed the place and I'm going to have to use my credit card and beg the boss for time off, so I can go back to sort it out"

Cheers

Tia

[Milliemoo]

Lord, I can't remember whether I knew about the wedding before we came or not :o Hang on.....no, pretty sure we didn't. Just my mum's 60th. My brother very kindly got married a few weeks before we left for NZ :D


Milliemoo

[Tia Maria]

Then vote away! And don't forget to include the reasons for the ones you didn't attend (money, time off, having to wear bright yellow and green bridesmaid dress).

Cheers

Tia

[Milliemoo]

Doh, after all that, I can't vote again :o

Milliemoo

[Tia Maria]

Doh, after all that, I can't vote again :o

Milliemoo

Ha ha. you'll just have to ask some nice forum member to put a tick in the wedding box. (which, by the way, was nearly a 'returning home for a weeding' box as my typing is atrocious!)

Cheers

Tia

[oldest]

Unfortunately I found it neccessary to make a brief trip back to the UK for a funeral. I must admit, at the time it was just a case of getting any seat available on a flight, rather than worrying about the cost. Although due to savings, first class would not have been an option.

[alan999]

Gone back to the UK for their OWN birth. Nice trick!

[Tia Maria]

Gone back to the UK for their OWN birth. Nice trick!


:laugh :laugh Yeah it was impossible to word, but I went back to the UK so my UK family could meet the baby I had in NZ and I know a few others who had decided to do it once the baby was born, even though they hadn't planned to originally. I even met a lady on the plane (standing at the back with a crying baby like me), who was doing the same thing.

I wondered how long it would be before someone commented on the wording! :p

Cheers

Tia

[alan999]

Very brave.

Alan

[irishliz]

We are discussing this very issue now. My OH's father has just been diagnosed with a very serious cancer and the prognosis isn't hopeful. But we are still waiting to hear how long he might have before OH decides what to do. It is so stressful and has thrown up huge issues for us and we have only been here 5 months. Before we left my husband said he probably wouldn't see his dad again as he had been very ill and refused to go to the doctor. OH is also the very sensible one in the family and could help in so many ways with discussions about his dad's care. As it is the NHS system is treating him appallingly and he is being shifted from pillar to post. OH wants to time the trip appropriately to be of most benefit to everybody, and only he can fly back as we cannot affoard for 6 of us to go. But he is torn about leaving five of us here. We were even talking today about next summer when we want to travel the south island but we don't feel able to look that far ahead. His dad has said he doesn't want OH to travel but that doesn't really enter the equation.

And although my family are all reasonably young and in good health it makes me wonder how I would cope if one of them was ill.

[shakyle2906]

We are discussing this very issue now. My OH's father has just been diagnosed with a very serious cancer and the prognosis isn't hopeful. But we are still waiting to hear how long he might have before OH decides what to do. It is so stressful and has thrown up huge issues for us and we have only been here 5 months. Before we left my husband said he probably wouldn't see his dad again as he had been very ill and refused to go to the doctor. OH is also the very sensible one in the family and could help in so many ways with discussions about his dad's care. As it is the NHS system is treating him appallingly and he is being shifted from pillar to post. OH wants to time the trip appropriately to be of most benefit to everybody, and only he can fly back as we cannot affoard for 6 of us to go. But he is torn about leaving five of us here. We were even talking today about next summer when we want to travel the south island but we don't feel able to look that far ahead. His dad has said he doesn't want OH to travel but that doesn't really enter the equation.

And although my family are all reasonably young and in good health it makes me wonder how I would cope if one of them was ill.



Hi

I can imagine what youre going through!
We have had this discussion many a time, a few weeks before we flew, FIL was seriously ill, the Drs had called the family in, no hope, etc and we didnt think we would get here.
Luckily, he made a great recovery and proved them wrong, but he isnt really a well man, and when we first got here, we dreaded the phone going, as we left on a bad note with them and felt that our move would tip him over the edge!
Its a things that is constantly on our minds and like you, it would be hubby that would have to go back and me and our son stay here, which makes me feel terrible.
Hope things work out for you, thinking of you all.
If i can help in anyway, please feel free to PM me.

Best wishes

Sharon
xx

[nippa&pippa]

No matter what news I get, no funds will be main reasons for not going back to uk as there is five of us.

However, late last night I received a news that my youngest sister been rushed to hospital with suspected meningitis (currently waiting for test results now) had hit me and my another sister who live in AKL, that we unable to be with her even we really want to.
We have discussed before we come out that we must accept that we can't always to go to uk every times there is an emergency because it will be too expensive.

[shakyle2906]

No matter what news I get, no funds will be main reasons for not going back to uk as there is five of us.

However, late last night I received a news that my youngest sister been rushed to hospital with suspected meningitis (currently waiting for test results now) had hit me and my another sister who live in AKL, that we unable to be with her even we really want to.
We have discussed before we come out that we must accept that we can't always to go to uk every times there is an emergency because it will be too expensive.



Sophia

Hope your sister is well soon, thinking of you at this tough time!

Sharon
x

[nippa&pippa]

Sophia

Hope your sister is well soon, thinking of you at this tough time!

Sharon
x

Thanks, just received update text news from her OH, it is viral meningitis and she is improving, right we now can send candy flowers if we can find good one!

[Smiler]

Thanks, just received update text news from her OH, it is viral meningitis and she is improving, right we now can send candy flowers if we can find good one!

I hope she is 100% again soon Sophia. It's awful when this happens, you feel soo far away. :(

Ask Helen about sending flowers, she's got the details of a very good UK florist we use all the time now (and this forum gets a discount but I can't remember the code sorry. . it gets filled in automatically on my pc)

[shakyle2906]

Thanks, just received update text news from her OH, it is viral meningitis and she is improving, right we now can send candy flowers if we can find good one!

Keep us posted, my thoughts are with you.
Take care!

Sharon
xx

[jonSE]

We are discussing this very issue now. My OH's father has just been diagnosed with a very serious cancer and the prognosis isn't hopeful. But we are still waiting to hear how long he might have before OH decides what to do. It is so stressful and has thrown up huge issues for us and we have only been here 5 months. Before we left my husband said he probably wouldn't see his dad again as he had been very ill and refused to go to the doctor. OH is also the very sensible one in the family and could help in so many ways with discussions about his dad's care. As it is the NHS system is treating him appallingly and he is being shifted from pillar to post. OH wants to time the trip appropriately to be of most benefit to everybody, and only he can fly back as we cannot affoard for 6 of us to go. But he is torn about leaving five of us here. We were even talking today about next summer when we want to travel the south island but we don't feel able to look that far ahead. His dad has said he doesn't want OH to travel but that doesn't really enter the equation.

And although my family are all reasonably young and in good health it makes me wonder how I would cope if one of them was ill.


Irishliz

You and your OH have my sympathies. My father is in a similar situation to your OH's father, he is (fingers X'ed) hopefully about to go to Christies in Manchester for chemo, If they deem it worthwhile.

It is a very difficult situation for your OH to be in. How to balance the competing demands on his time and resources with what he perhaps feels he ought to do or would like to do.

Does he spend the time and resources now and go and visit his father and have perhaps the last quality time with him while it is still available.

Does he acknowledge his fathers request that he doesn't travel and saves the time and resource to travel in the future perhaps to look after mum in the future?

I don't know the answer - I wish I did, but I would have to say that if you think he would want to return for some time, perhaps the last time, with his Dad, while it would be worthwhile making the trip, and if it is feasible financially and time off work etc. then you should encourage him to go.

Hope this helps a little.

[KerryS]

I am about to fly out to the UK on friday - 3 major things all at once and I really have to go. My Grandad (who's 97!) is fading and I so want to see him again. My Dad is losing his battle with cancer, and my Mum has just been rushed into hospital with pancreatitis. It never rains but it pours!

Anyway, I have just this minute booked a return flight, leaving on Friday and coming back on the 24th April for $2500. Via LAX unfortunately for both legs, but it was by far the best deal I could get at such late notice.

[JandM]

Safe journey, Kerry. And I hope everything goes as well as such things can do. Wishing you strength.

[irishliz]

Kerry - wishing you well. At least you will be there as opposed to being here and wondering. Not sure what else to say except they will all appreciate it so much. And you will be so glad you went.

Jon and everybody - thank you for your support. Jon - are you waiting for further information or do you intend to travel back?

OH booked his flights last night and is going back in 5 weeks ($2,900 Wellington to Manchester return). I think he is relieved to have made the decision as it turns out nothing can be done for his dad except to make him as comfortable as possible with pain-relief and waiting for his time to come. So just a waiting game but the hospital and OH's family felt 5 weeks time was about right given that his dad has yet to accept the news. Hopefully as well as saying goodbye my OH can be of practical help. One of our boys is upset though as grandad is a keen fisherman and they were expecting a visit later this year with a beginner's lesson in fishing. We have been honest with them but so hard that they cannot say their goodbyes in person. I am so upset for the family and we all feel so far away. But such is life. We talked and talked about this before we left but we didn't expect anything like this so soon. I will let you all know how we get on.

[KerryS]

Thanks Liz and J&M. I'm not really a very emotional or family orientated person, but this has really thrown me.
I haven't been back to the UK since 2002 (eek!) so I'm a bit nervous about it. I'm panicking about what to take with me, what clothes I need for this time of year - everything those coming to NZ question I'm trying to remember about the UK and just can't!
Still, one bonus is that my flight out is actually via Tokyo Narita rather than LA. I have a huge hatred of LAX and am glad I don't have to do it more than once on this trip.

[Moorf]

Safe trip Kerry, so sorry to hear your news.

I hope you achieve all you need to on the visit.

Take Care
H
x

[peebles16]

Kerry so sorry about your news and hope you have safe trip back

Take care
Karen

[gil]

Me too Kerry, hope it goes as well as possible.
Thinking of you,

Gil

[willsken]

Hope all goes smoothly for the trip back, Kerry. Best of luck.

[shakyle2906]

I am about to fly out to the UK on friday - 3 major things all at once and I really have to go. My Grandad (who's 97!) is fading and I so want to see him again. My Dad is losing his battle with cancer, and my Mum has just been rushed into hospital with pancreatitis. It never rains but it pours!

Anyway, I have just this minute booked a return flight, leaving on Friday and coming back on the 24th April for $2500. Via LAX unfortunately for both legs, but it was by far the best deal I could get at such late notice.



Kerry

My thoughts are with you and your family at this tough time.
Sending you loads of hugs and best wishes!

Sharon
x

[shakyle2906]

Kerry - wishing you well. At least you will be there as opposed to being here and wondering. Not sure what else to say except they will all appreciate it so much. And you will be so glad you went.

Jon and everybody - thank you for your support. Jon - are you waiting for further information or do you intend to travel back?

OH booked his flights last night and is going back in 5 weeks ($2,900 Wellington to Manchester return). I think he is relieved to have made the decision as it turns out nothing can be done for his dad except to make him as comfortable as possible with pain-relief and waiting for his time to come. So just a waiting game but the hospital and OH's family felt 5 weeks time was about right given that his dad has yet to accept the news. Hopefully as well as saying goodbye my OH can be of practical help. One of our boys is upset though as grandad is a keen fisherman and they were expecting a visit later this year with a beginner's lesson in fishing. We have been honest with them but so hard that they cannot say their goodbyes in person. I am so upset for the family and we all feel so far away. But such is life. We talked and talked about this before we left but we didn't expect anything like this so soon. I will let you all know how we get on.



Best wishes to you too and your family!
I am sure you have both made the best decision and hope your little one is feeling better soon too!

Love and best wishes

Sharon
x

[jonSE]

Jon and everybody - thank you for your support. Jon - are you waiting for further information or do you intend to travel back?


Hi Liz

Waiting further info at the moment. All depends on Chemo - or not.

We will be going back at some point this year - original plan was to go back in August for parents Golden wedding anniversary. We are hoping that we will go back then and not sooner.

Thinking of your OH, and Kerry

[Paul]

Think this is also a reason why my wife would find it hard to commit to the move as she is a lot closer generally to her family than I am to mine.

Those who are curremtly facing dilema's about returning for family illnesses could you not look into this kinsure insurance and take out a policy so that after 3 months you could book a flight if required??

[irishliz]

OH got call yesterday that his father had slipped into a coma suddenly - so after some quick calls Air NZ have come up trumps and he is on a flight tonight to London on their compassionate fare. Absolute nightmare though as original flights booked with Singapore but they couldn't bring them forward as no seats.

He is upset obviously and just hopes there is a slight improvement for when he gets there on Saturday evening but the hospital thinks he might not survive the night. Our boys are very upset though not to be seeing Grandad - unfortunately we cannot all go due to cost. We hate being so far away and feel helpless!

[shakyle2906]

OH got call yesterday that his father had slipped into a coma suddenly - so after some quick calls Air NZ have come up trumps and he is on a flight tonight to London on their compassionate fare. Absolute nightmare though as original flights booked with Singapore but they couldn't bring them forward as no seats.

He is upset obviously and just hopes there is a slight improvement for when he gets there on Saturday evening but the hospital thinks he might not survive the night. Our boys are very upset though not to be seeing Grandad - unfortunately we cannot all go due to cost. We hate being so far away and feel helpless!


Just PM'd you.
Hope all goes as well as can be expected.
Thoughts with you

Sharon
xx

[jonSE]

Irishliz

Our thoughts are with you and your OH.

[Tia Maria]

OH got call yesterday that his father had slipped into a coma suddenly - so after some quick calls Air NZ have come up trumps and he is on a flight tonight to London on their compassionate fare. Absolute nightmare though as original flights booked with Singapore but they couldn't bring them forward as no seats.

He is upset obviously and just hopes there is a slight improvement for when he gets there on Saturday evening but the hospital thinks he might not survive the night. Our boys are very upset though not to be seeing Grandad - unfortunately we cannot all go due to cost. We hate being so far away and feel helpless!

All the best IrishLiz & family.

When I posted this poll, I hadn't really considered all the posts that could follow but I think it highlights more than ever how important it is to have a plan in place for emergencies.

Cheers

Tia

[Pebbles]

My thoughts are with you. Wishing you lots of strength to get through this..

My dad passed away 3 weeks ago. We haven't left for NZ yet but I felt very helpless anyway. One of my sisters tried to reach me on a phone number that I hadn't had for nearly 2 years (!). I was waiting for her to call so phoned her after a while. However, when I finally made it to the hospital I was 15 minutes too late. Luckily I had already pretty much said goodbye to him and he to me, but it would have meant so much to have been there.

Now the thing on our minds is MIL - well into her seveties and widowed.
We will be keeping enough funds ready for a return trip for OH but there are no siblings to rely on at first. Cannot imagine what such a trip back would be like ...

[JandM]

All the best, Irishliz, for strength to come through this tough part of your lives.

(((((Pebbles))))) Life is full of what-ifs. For sure your father knew how you feel for him.

[irishliz]

OH's father passed away yesterday while Oh was on the flight home. Very sad but it happened so quickly and peacefully that OH seems ok. He is there now and glad to be close to his family. Thanks for all the support. Just seems so surreal being so far away. Also difficult as I had to tell the kids but they took it well as kids do - asked the usual questions - is grandad young again? is he in heaven? etc, etc. The only lesson I think from this is that because we are still relatively new here we had enough savings for OH to go back and I will now def have an emergency fund. And I think OH would have gone sooner.

[JandM]

Our deepest sympathy.

[LesleyS]

So sorry.... xx

[holland]

sorry x

[Kerry and David]

So sorry, thinking of you and your familyx

[mossum]

I answered for a sick relative - but in reality I've done it the other way round ... Although English my parents emigrated here in 1973 - I returned to the UK alone in 1989 & subsequently stayed on & eventually met & married my DH .

I flew back to NZ unexpectedly when my Dad was diagnosed with cancer & another trip back when he was sent home to pass away - I also did not make it on time & my Dad died whilst I was somewhere between Singapore & Christchurch (lots & lots of guilt still to this day - one of the last thing he said was to ask when I was arriving as he was finding it hard to hang on for me:( )

We had no spare cash rather an overdraft & thankfully a visa with a decent credit limit - trust me when push comes to shove you will find a way to go ... however financially the pressure was overwhelming - a total of 12 weeks off work (with no £££ but a wonderful boss who was so so compassionate & understanding) & the cost of 2x return trips ,we ended up having to remortgage . To be quite honest it was difficult from a relationship point of view too - I'd never been apart from my husband for more than 1-2 nights before - after 6 weeks I felt I hardly knew him , he seemed to have little appreciation for what I had been through ,& I assumed (wrongly) that he did not really care either . It was a bumpy few weeks each time I returned.

What would I do differently ?

Having just heard about kinsure I think I'd have considered it , Also I'd have preferred to keep a reserve of money for that unexpected trip - enough so we could both go .

Hope my experiences help .

Vic

[shakyle2906]

So very sorry to hear your sad news Irishliz.
My thoughts are with you and your family

Sharon
x

[jonSE]

Irishliz

Our sympathies for you and your OH and the "Grandchildren".

On the positive side at least your OH will be with his Family at what will be a difficult time.

[irishliz]

Thanks to everybody for your support.

Well OH boarded his flight back a few hours ago and we cannot wait to see him and little one. It has been a strange and emotional week. We have managed well on this side but OH said it was awful dealing with it on his own - but he was delighted he took our daughter with him - she is 20 months. Again because the funeral was arranged quickly we had no problems with him bringing his flight forward with Air NZ.

Hopefully that is our lot for a while.

Thanks again.

[JandM]

((((()))))

[Tim G]

The smallest print I can find is here:

www.kinsure.co.uk/downloads/kinsureTC.pdf

There are quite a few exclusions - pre-existing medical conditions, age over 75, death/injury resulting from alcohol/pregnancy/dangerous sports etc, claims made in the first 3 months etc. So there could be a fair few reasons you are not covered.

Also you have 28 days to provide all necessary documentation.

I think it sounds like quite good value if you don't fall under one of the exclusions. So I guess it all depends how good they are to use, whether they are friendly and efficient, or deliberately make it difficult for you to claim like some insurance companies?

Anyone got first hand experience of them?

Cheers

Tia


Having now looked into the Kinsure scheme, which at first I thought was quite a good idea, it does have a lot of NOT covered bits.

I mean quite a lot of our parents are going to be approaching the 75 yrs mark (not covered) and at 75 I would assume a high majority may have some sort of pre existing condition such as raised BP, diabetes, past tumour, dementia etc so again won't be covered.

I suppose it's a personal choice but recommend you scrutinise the small print before making a decision that's right for "your" family.

Tim.