Holiday Insurance for Pre-Existing Condition

toynlet

Hi there
Wondering if you can help me on my matter.
I've booked and paid for a holiday to Australia for me and my girlfriend for December this year.

I'm 30 and have a pre-existing heart condition, although it's nothing major (I've never had any side effects / symptoms in the last 12 years of any kind or been in hospital apart from out patients check-ups every year) I've been told this week during the annual check-up, I will require an operation to repair a heart valve at some point this year (I've got to go for a pre-assessment on the 20th).

I've not booked any travel insurance as yet (I was going to worry about that later!) and am a bit worried that if I were to stay in hospital longer than originally thought or complications related to the surgery, I may not be able to fly out in December.

I have travel insurance with my bank account but I contacted them to disclose my condition and they have stated that I will not be able to claim for anything relating to my condition.

At this stage, where I am aware surgery will be needed, and the knowledge of my condition, will I still be able to take out additional travel insurance that will provide cancellation cover for both me and my girlfriend? I'm not worried about the cover of my condition while I'm over in Oz as I'm confident it will not affect my trip.

The thought of losing all that money for our trip is stressing me out more than the operation!!

Incapuppy

toynlet wrote: »

I've not booked any travel insurance as yet (I was going to worry about that later!) and am a bit worried that if I were to stay in hospital longer than originally thought or complications related to the surgery, I may not be able to fly out in December.

Here, sadly, is where your problems really start. Insurers will either decline cover or you may find someone willing to provide cover with loading of premiums which could run to hundreds of pounds. You will need to phone around and find the best deal you can.

Your alternative is to leave taking out cover until after the op which may or may not be possible or affordable (or indeed sensible as you will not be covered for cancellation for any other reason in the meantime); your op will count as a pre-existing condition for up to 12 months following with some insurers and will need to be declared regardless.

toynlet

Incapuppy wrote: »

Here, sadly, is where your problems really start. Insurers will either decline cover or you may find someone willing to provide cover with loading of premiums which could run to hundreds of pounds. You will need to phone around and find the best deal you can.

Your alternative is to leave taking out cover until after the op which may or may not be possible or affordable (or indeed sensible as you will not be covered for cancellation for any other reason in the meantime); your op will count as a pre-existing condition for up to 12 months following with some insurers and will need to be declared regardless.

Thanks Incapuppy
I'm just gonna see what happens next week and decide what to do from there.
Thanks for your input.

luci

Try giving ETA a call https://www.eta.co.uk

This is what they say about PEMC's.

Are my pre-existing medical conditions covered under the policy? *
Yes, pre-existing medical conditions are covered provided they haven’t changed in the past twelve months. This means you have not been diagnosed with any new condition, had the need to seek medical advice (routine check ups are not included) or had your medication changed in any way i.e. type, dosage or frequency of the medication.

Now you meet those criteria on the face of it and I can't find anything in their policy about awaiting surgery. You have nothing to lose by calling and asking.

bazster

My OH has a "pre-existing condition" and we've always found these people most helpful:

http://www.worldwideinsure.com/

Obviously there's no guarantee that they will sell you the insurance you want, but they will at least be prepared to discuss it with you.