Travel Insurance Discussion Area

TomsMom

UKoap wrote: »

You won't have to sell your home to pay the fare home;)

Seriously though, I tried another 0870 screenline this morning - I might have to sell my home to pay for that :rolleyes:
they refused to cover my 10 year old stroke and the current 130 over 70 well controlled blood pressure. They did say I could take out cover to exclude these conditions though:eek:

No wonder I'm cynical about insurance screen lines and their revenue sharing phone lines, pity we punters don't get our share :mad:

There is a thread on this forum entitled "Travel Insurance Cost Cutting Tips For Older Travellers/Pre-existing Conditions". Many people have suggested companies which have come up with excellent prices for people with pre-existing conditions. I have personally used Columbus Direct who came up with a cracking price - see post 225 on this page -http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=9645597#post9645597 - and it explains why their price was so much better. I'm sure if you look through the pages in this thread you can make a note of the companies suggested and try them.

Don't forget to avoid 0870 numbers - look them up on https://www.saynoto0870.com - a lot of them have 0800 numbers including Columbus which is 0800 083 9503

jnetp

Hi, a friend directed me to this site because I'm going to Lanzarotte next week, at very short notice.

I'm not sure if ordinary travel insurance is OK or not because I've had slightly raised blood pressure and cholesterol.

I'm not on any medication, (except occasional, for migraine) and the blood pressure has come down to normal after following a regular exercise regime. The cholesterol has also come down slightly and again needs no medication.

Would ordinary insurance be enough or would medical insurance be needed, because of a "pre-existing medical condition".

Thanks

TomsMom

jnetp wrote: »

I'm not sure if ordinary travel insurance is OK or not because I've had slightly raised blood pressure and cholesterol.

I'm not on any medication, (except occasional, for migraine) and the blood pressure has come down to normal after following a regular exercise regime. The cholesterol has also come down slightly and again needs no medication.

Would ordinary insurance be enough or would medical insurance be needed, because of a "pre-existing medical condition".

Thanks

Travel insurance includes medical cover. You need to declare anything and everything that your doctor has diagnosed and is on your medical records, even if it's years ago, anything that you have been treated for or are being treated for, any operations, any medication you are on now. As long as everything is declared the insurance company will ask questions and tell you if you are covered. If you do not declare it and something happens on holiday that they can remotely link with something from the past that you didn't declare when taking out the policy then they wont pay out.

e.g. Hubby had an accident years ago which resulted in him having a disc removed, lumbar laminectomy. He also had a couple of episodes of pericarditis (virus affecting sac around the heart). If he did not declare these to the insurance company and had a back problem or heart problem on holiday which he needed to see a doctor for and subsequent treatment whilst away, the insurance company would not pay out. If he did declare them and the insurance company confirmed cover then they would pay out.

Your records show that you have suffered from high blood pressure, high cholesterol and migraine. Err on the side of caution, declare even though you are not suffering currently and on no medication. If one company doesn't accept the conditions without loading then try another. Lots of companies are recommended in this thread. Hubby is not loaded for either of his conditions nor his current, controlled (and no medication) ulcerative colitis but all have to be declared to be covered. We are with Columbus Direct (mentioned above). 0800 083 9503.

UKoap

Columbus direct quoted £600+. Prohibitive for my circumstances, I'm afraid... Soon as you mention any circulatory problem they - the underwriters - get out the JCB to load quoted premiums. The unfortunate part is that folk are buying policies that are no good to them..It should not be allowed.

TomsMom

UKoap wrote: »

Columbus direct quoted £600+. Prohibitive for my circumstances, I'm afraid... Soon as you mention any circulatory problem they - the underwriters - get out the JCB to load quoted premiums. The unfortunate part is that folk are buying policies that are no good to them..It should not be allowed.

That's a shame about Columbus, they have come up with cheaper quotes for loads of people on here. Have you tried any of the other companies mentioned in this and the other thread I mentioned?

UKoap wrote: »

The unfortunate part is that folk are buying policies that are no good to them..It should not be allowed.

I think the onus is on people checking that the policy covers exactly what they require, which isn't hard to do if you ask for a copy of the policy document before parting with your cash. Also they have to be totally honest in declaring ANY medical condition and getting confirmation that it is covered.

UKoap

I think the onus is on people checking that the policy covers exactly what they require, which isn't hard to do if you ask for a copy of the policy document before parting with your cash.

I have yet to see a warning on any website..perhaps there
should be? s

TomsMom

UKoap wrote: »

I have yet to see a warning on any website..perhaps there
should be? s

Would you buy a house without having a survey done? And I don't mean going to a mortgage lender who would insist on a valuation or survey before they lend you the money. If you had cash in your hand and could buy outright.

People have to take some responsibility.

IvanOpinion

UKoap wrote: »

The unfortunate part is that folk are buying policies that are no good to them..It should not be allowed.

But you can't blame the insurance companies for that .. on most websites the T&Cs and policy Sumary are available and you normally have to tick a box saying you have read them (that is your responsibility) ... no matter how you buy you have a grace period during which you can cancel. The problem is not with the insurance companies but with a general public that often can not see further than the price ... to be competitive many policies have been trimmed to the bone offering a very basic cover (as demanded by the public who complained about paying for stuff they did not need) .. anything outside of basic cover is an optional extra and it is the responsibility of each individual to ensure they have all the optional extras they need. Further if they go on holiday and think 'I fancy trying that' then they need to make sure they are insured for it.

But you are right, many people do buy policies that are unsuitable for them but that is their own fault for only looking at the price and gambling with the health of themselves and their families.

Unfortunately though when it comes to pre-existing medical conditions you just know they are going to load them because of a significant jump in risk. You do have a choice though of NOT covering pre-existing conditions ... the gamble is yours.

Ivan

RibAd

UKoap wrote: »

I'm getting more and more cynical about so-called 'Travel Insurance' I'm going to relatives in the USA and rather than pay hundreds of pounds for Medical insurance - that will probably be knocked-back if a claim is made anyway - We are taking a chance and doing without.

it is possible to go without travel insurance, just don't expect any hospital to help you. You can run up the medical debts in the US, and get out of the country, but you may never be able to return to that state again. (So I've read about anyway).

a cost of a broken arm varies throughout Europe in the hundreds, but in the US you'd be talking about a few thousands. If you have relatives in the US, then I suggest you ask them how much their insurance, not just medical but home insurance, costs them.

UKoap

If you have relatives in the US, then I suggest you ask them how much their insurance, not just medical but home insurance, costs them.

Totally horrendous compared to the UK. But we are catching-up fast aren't we? Personally if I did not have relatives in the USA, I would not go there.
Most Americans actually believe the hype that they are
living the dream, good grief, I wouldn't like to see their nightmares. :-(