Travel Insurance Query

geminilady

I am going to the usa at the end of the month and very short of cash so want to get the cheapest travel insurance however my doctors reckons I have COPD even though I have no simptoms the policy says if I have any heart or circulatory condition; or
• any respiratory condition; or
• any cancerous condition.
I am not covered does this mean I will not be covered for a heart attack or accident?

Racheldevon

You won't be covered full stop. Even if you've seen a GP for symptoms and haven't had a formal diagnosis you'd struggle if you needed to claim back. There's a company called stay sure which offer travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions you can list everything on the site, and there's something like 220 conditions included free of charge then a small amount extra have.

victor2

Often, such exclusions mean you are not covered for anything related to the condition you have declared (i.e. COPD), but read the proposal carefully and/or contact the provider to clarify.
I have travel insurance with BUPA, and it states that I have cover provided for declared medical conditions, but that may be because the condition is unlikely to recur. Not the cheapest of policies but not outrageous either.

Don't skimp on the insurance though, especially if going to the USA. Should you need medical attention there, the bills can be horrendous.

geminilady

Racheldevon wrote: »

You won't be covered full stop. Even if you've seen a GP for symptoms and haven't had a formal diagnosis you'd struggle if you needed to claim back. There's a company called stay sure which offer travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions you can list everything on the site, and there's something like 220 conditions included free of charge then a small amount extra have.

just checked and they want £250!! no way can I afford it

jacques_chirac

geminilady wrote: »

just checked and they want £250!! no way can I afford it

Is COPD your only condition, and do you take any medication for it? Staysure tend to be very reasonable, is that for their lowest policy?

Do a search on travel insurance for pre existing conditions - you might find some suggestions for other insurers.

geminilady

Yes nothing wrong with me don't take any medication

victor2

geminilady wrote: »

just checked and they want £250!! no way can I afford it

Our annual worldwide cover with BUPA for two people, with declared conditions, is less than that. It's free to give them a call and get a quote.

Do get it sorted ASAP. Should anything cause you to cancel before departing, you will only be covered if you have a policy in place.

geminilady

Found one for £108 on money supermarket still more than I wanted to pay thought I could just get a basic policy seems unfair.

jacques_chirac

geminilady wrote: »

Found one for £108 on money supermarket still more than I wanted to pay thought I could just get a basic policy seems unfair.

Have you gone through screening on the Money Supermarket one, and does it give you sufficient coverage? I am assuming the reason why the Staysure one is so high is because you are a smoker - that seems to add £100 to the premium

I've just realised you can exclude the COPD on Staysure, which takes the cover below £40. However this will exclude you from any other breathing difficulties, so be sure you will not need this if you take the reduced rate.

geminilady

jacques_chirac wrote: »

Have you gone through screening on the Money Supermarket one, and does it give you sufficient coverage? I am assuming the reason why the Staysure one is so high is because you are a smoker - that seems to add £100 to the premium

I've just realised you can exclude the COPD on Staysure, which takes the cover below £40. However this will exclude you from any other breathing difficulties, so be sure you will not need this if you take the reduced rate.

have emailed the original site to ask them to clarify their conditions,how do I exclude the COPD on staysure? below £40 is great as I have no breathing problems cannot see my getting any by the end of the month

jacques_chirac

geminilady wrote: »

have emailed the original site to ask them to clarify their conditions,how do I exclude the COPD on staysure? below £40 is great as I have no breathing problems cannot see my getting any by the end of the month

When you get the quote, there is a line that says 'Medical screening premium' (something along those lines) and the premium added £1xx.xx - next to this there is a little button that says 'Exclude', click on that and it will remove it.