A HOLIDAYMAKER is stranded in a Tenerife hospital with an insurance company refusing to pay for his treatment after he suffered a heart attack.

Building company boss Eddie Ashmore was decorating his dream holiday home when he collapsed suddenly and nearly died.

After hours of surgery to bring Eddie back to life, and five days treatment in intensive care, the 59-year-old, from Brighton, was transferred to a general ward to recover.

But just when Eddie and his family thought the worry was over they were dealt a further blow when Horsham-based insurance company Primary Assistance refused to pay for his treatment.

The company says it will not cover his medical costs because Eddie did not declare he was on blood pressure tablets, which he takes daily, when he took out the annual travel insurance policy.

Eddie's girlfriend, Annie Beal, 52, who owns Valley Hardware shop in Portslade, is now battling with the insurance company in the hope it will reverse its decision and pay for the couple to return home to their house off London Road, Brighton.

Speaking from Tenerife, Annie choked back tears as she described the dream holiday that has turned into a nightmare that could leave them facing a bill of up to £10,000.

She said: "You think you are doing the right thing by taking out an insurance policy, but there are loopholes in all these things.

"They are just playing on my signature on the application form which says we are both fit. Well, we were fit when we came out here, but there's obviously a loophole which they are taking full advantage of."

Annie is now trying to be strong for her partner but is at the end of her tether and is having to take legal advice over the phone as she battles to get back home.

Eddie and Annie left Britain last Monday to work on the holiday home they are in the process of buying. But just three days into the holiday Eddie suffered his first heart attack.

Instead of booking insurance with holiday company Thomson, who they booked the break with, they decided on a yearly policy with Primary Assistance as they would be travelling frequently.

Annie maintains they were not quizzed about their health when they booked the insurance.

Speaking from his hospital bed in Tenerife, Eddie said: "I am very annoyed. People like myself book these flights and holidays over the telephone and are asked to take out insurance, then, all of a sudden, because I haven't declared something they will no longer pay out."

The couple were due to return on Tuesday but as Eddie had not been released from hospital they missed their flight and cannot afford new tickets.

Back home in Brighton, Annie's daughter, Natalie, who is running her mum's shop while she is away, said: "We have no idea when they are coming back and are having to get by until they return."

Natalie, who has two children and is six months pregnant, added: "We are coping but it's difficult trying to run a shop, especially in my condition.

"None of us needs this right now, all for the sake of an insurance company who won't pay up."

Eddie's Brighton-based building company, Edward Construction, is being run by his staff until he returns.

APrimary Assistance spokesman said: "We can confirm that the claim has been denied.

"Primary Assistance Ltd is still monitoring Mr Ashmore's case and will assist in arranging further requirements as necessary, but the costs relating to the claim will remain the responsibility of the insured."

He added: "The policy contains a full complaints and appeals process in respect of the insured being unhappy or dissatisfied with the handling of a claim."

Other companies employ a different approach.

Aspokeswoman for holiday giant Thomas Cook Travel Insurance said their customers would be covered to travel unless advised not to by their doctor. But she stressed that insurance policies did vary from company to company.

Aspokesman for the Association of British Insurers said people should state if they have an existing ailment, but added it is equally important for insurance companies to ask vital medical questions.

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