pre-existing medical travel cover

I've copied this from the guardian newspaper for you. Full link
http://money.guardian.co.uk/insurance_/travel/story/0,,2072647,00.html


Pre-existing conditions

If you've had treatment for even minor medical problems, travel insurance gets a whole load more complicated, and a lot more expensive.

What insurers hate - and as a result won't offer cover, or price it at a stratospheric level - is if you've recently been in hospital to treat the same condition. Those trying to get cover for heart problems say that insurers are not interested if you plan to go to the USA - premiums quoted would probably induce another heart attack.

So where should the previously ill take their business? Covermytravels has been repeatedly praised - but only if a condition has been stable for more than 12 months. Others worth trying are 24drtravel.com, freedominsure.co.uk and medicitravel.com.

An unlikely hero is the British Mountaineering Council (thebmc.co.uk). "You have to join, which costs £28.50 but is worth it for the very cheap travel insurance rates," said one user.

Meanwhile, if you have recently been hospitalised one company really stands out - Bradford & Bingley. This week Carmen Barnes, a 65-year old retired teacher from Bath, contacted Money after being quoted a range of crazy prices to cover a trip to America in July.

When she told Direct Travel that she had recently been in hospital, it increased her annual premium from £66 to £800. In the end Bradford & Bingley offered cover at £243.

Those new to the market should note that Saga is generally twice the price of the cheapest alternative - although the level of cover is praised by users. Buyers should always ask about excesses - raising the excess on a policy will often lower the premium.

Lastly, when you get above 80, it may be worth sticking with the same insurer, as some companies will be happy to renew a policy they wouldn't offer to a new customer.

I have multiple medical conditions and have had lots of surgery. The last time I travelled I went with 'Insure and Go'. I explained the history, but all they really wanted to know was 'had I been treated in hospital in the past 12 months' 'had my medication been altered in the past 6 months' 'was I awaiting any tests or investigations' and was I being treated as an outpatient at the hospital, other than routine check-ups'.

The answer to all quasteions was no. So I got full insurance for all pre-existing medical conditions for just £45 (another insurer had quoted me £300!!!!!)

I think it is good that more companies are becoming aware of the need to cover pre-existing companies and forums such as these are a great way to find out of them, people collate information and share such great findings. What I also find truly amazing is that somebody is finally standing up and campaigning about travel insurance for cancer sufferers. Macmillan cancer is thoroughly researching how people are treating people when talking to people looking for quotes. The press have gone crazy about it all recently with article in all the major papers and several online news threads including all this information. The hope is that the industry will take note, re-address the way some people are being treated and hopefully come up with an insurer that can cover cancer without extortionate premiums. Here’s hoping they manage to get somewhere with this campaign.