Stroke victim told to f ly home or lose insurance cash despite health risk
A WOMAN who suffered a stroke on holiday was told she would lose her insurance cover unless she flew home – despite doctors warning her not to fly.
Vicki Topen, 51, from Carmyllie, Angus, fell ill last week while in Antalya in Turkey with her husband Liam and sons Rhys and Blair.
She was treated in hospital and a neurologist said she was not fit to fly until May 26 in case she suffered another stroke. However her insurers, Tesco Bank, said its underwriters disagreed and it was safe to fly home.
The company warned her it would be unable to continue to cover her if she chose to stay in Turkey to recover. Mrs Topen said: ‘I had numbness on my left side from my face to my hip. I went in for a CT scan and an MRI, which showed I had a blood clot in my brain.
‘I’ve been given blood thinners I will probably keep taking for the rest of my life.
‘The doctors did not want me in the air before May 26. If I did there may be a high likelihood of it happening again and I may not come out of it.’
Mrs Topen called Tesco Bank, who decided she was safe to fly.
She added: ‘We were told we had to leave or they would declare our insurance invalid.
‘Caused major panic attack’
It caused me to have a major panic attack, which felt even worse than the stroke.’
Her MSP Liam Kerr contacted the firm, which has now agreed to allow her more time to recuperate. Tesco Bank said: ‘Our specialist aviation medical professionals confirmed Mrs Topen is fit to travel but we recognise her reluctance to do so given local medical advice.
‘Her policy will cover the costs of a period of recuperation.’
Tory MSP Mr Kerr said: ‘I’m delighted this is resolved.’