LONDON, November 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Buying medically tailored travel insurance just got easier

On 25th July 2011 Direct Travel Insurance launched an online medical screening facility within its web quote & buy process.

Online medical screening provides customers with pre-existing medical conditions the opportunity to purchase their travel insurance online, with cover for their medical conditions included subject to underwriting acceptance criteria.

Direct Travel Insurance had previously allowed customers with a wide range of pre-existing medical conditions to obtain cover for these when purchasing a policy over the telephone but the introduction of this new online facility means that all customers can now purchase their cover via the Direct Travel Insurance website.

The online medical screening process is very quick and easy to navigate through. Customers are offered the ability to screen their conditions if they answer 'yes' to any of the medical questions included in the standard purchase process. Customers simply enter the name of their condition into the screening system and then answer a series of straightforward system generated questions about the condition to determine if cover can be accepted. The screening process is dynamic, with each question generated based upon the answer to the previous question.

Direct Travel Insurance will provide cover for certain medical conditions at no extra cost. If an additional premium does need to be paid to cover the additional risk associated with the condition then the customer has the option of whether to pay this to obtain cover, or whether to continue with the purchase with cover for their medical condition excluded.

A spokesperson for Direct Travel Insurance said "online medical screening provides the opportunity for all customers to purchase a wide range of Direct Travel Insurance products online. We have seen a very positive response from customers to this so far with over 10,000 travellers choosing to screen their conditions online and then go on to purchase their cover with us. Whether customers require a Single Trip, an Annual Multi Trip or a backpacker travel insurance policy they can now purchase all of these online with cover for medical conditions included."

Notes for Editors

Established in late 1992 and commenced trading in 1993, Direct Travel Insurance specialises in travel insurance for individual travellers, couples and families up to the age of 75. Direct Travel Insurance offers a range of cover options and added benefits including cover for over 100 sports and activities enabling customers to tailor their policies for single trip, annual multi trip, backpacking as well as winter sports insurance.

All travel insurance policies are underwritten by Chartis Insurance UK Limited. Direct Travel Insurance is a trading name of UNAT Direct Insurance Management Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA Number 312350). Chartis Insurance UK Limited is also authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA Number 202628).

SOURCE Direct Travel Insurance