Is asthma pre-existing medical condition for travel insurance?

misa.blue

Hi,
I'm spending hours researching best travel insurance for out holidays in USA.
My husband have light asthma so I would like to know if asthma is classified as pre-existing medical condition for travel insurance?

I hope not, there are millions of people with some asthma..:(

mickey54

It is classed as a pre-existing illness, but, as long as there are no other underlying problems - it is normally accepted and there are no increases to the premiums.

We have been travelling for years with my other half having asthma - and only using inhalers.

Enjoy your trip!!

space_rider

My daughter has it, never had any hospital admissions from the age of 9. Unfortunately 2 years ago whilst abroad, she had a bad asthma attack and ended up in hospital for almost a week. Thankfully she declared that she did have asthma so the insurance company paid out. Had she not declared it as a pre exisiting illness then she would have been in trouble.

martindow

I think it always needs to be declared. I have found that they then ask whether I have had to go to hospital as a result of asthma in the last few years and whether I am breathless after walking up a flight of stairs. If the answer to both of these is no it has not increased the premium.

lewroll

Up until this year I have always declared my son's asthma (no hospitalisation, very little inhaler use etc) and it has not cost me any extra.
This year when I took my annual insurance policy Columbus wanted to charge me quite a bit extra to include this condition!:(
Check the policies carefully and always declare all medical conditions that is my advice.

Eros

I sometimes have light asthma during the winter months - its never a problem in warmer climes. In recent years travel insurers wanted to charge me extra so I had a clause exempting my asthma. I would advice declaring it otherwise it might be the loophole they require to turn down a payment for some other ailment.

luci

Asthma definitely needs to be declared and different insurers treat it differently. My hubby had it as a child, but has never had it since. However our insurer still needs it declared.

HXDave

You need to look at the policy you have. some policies have a list of 'pre existing conditions' that are automatically covered provided you fit in with the terms they impose - ie that you only have 1 of the conditions on the list, or maybe have a condition that only requires 1 set of medication, or provided that you are a non smoker etc etc etc.

However it will DO NO HARM to pre-screen, and be 100% sure, especially if thinking of going to the USA.

HXDave

icedgemma

Hi, I have mild asthma too, it added about £20 to my policy. Better safe than sorry though!

kazzymac_2

Hi I also have mild asthma and when going to the Dominican at Xmas decided to advise that I had this condition. They addded a premium of £20 which I paid as I thought it was better to be safe than sorry as I did go with a heavy cold but did not need any treatment. So my advise is yes do tell your insurers.

Bronnie

My dd has a policy with M&S. She was asked

• if she had been hospitalised with it in the past year.
• did she take more than 2 inhalers to treat it
• if was she diagnosed over the age of 50

Answered no to all questions; it added £10 to an annual European policy.

Definitely declare it, but shop around!