Pre-existing Travel Insurance Guide Discussion

Mtbman

I have a similar situation as a 67 year old on a single trip travel insurance policy taken out in January for a trip next November where I declared my heart condition. Now I have just been diagnosed with cancer and need an operation which will take place in the next 2 weeks. There is a good chance that I will be fit to travel in November. My policy says that I must inform them of any new medical condition and I will do this. However I am concerned what their response will be. Ideally I would like them to say that if I need to cancel at a later date due to this new condition then I will be able to claim a refund, and that if I am fit to travel they will expect an additional premium payable before I go. However I suspect that this will not be the case and they will either insist on excluding the new condition or want an additional premium immediately. Does anyone have experience of a similar situation and what type of response that they got? My insurance is with Holiday Risk.

MarthaM

When shopping for anything I like to look at online reviews. TrustPilot gives 5 stars to several companies specialising in pre-existing conditions.
Yet when you read the reviews it's clear that they are all about the purchase and never about the claims process. It's very easy to give 5* when you have gone online and got a good price but that tells me nothing about the claims experience should the worst happen.

hamski

Can't see any mention of this any where on forums ,
Have just received a letter asking for £60 to cover pre existing conditions from nationwide flex plus that were previously not charged for(high blood pressure,thyroid,asthma) nothing very serious and under control .
Add to this to annual fee and it becomes not very competitive (for me) looking for a non fee insurer as going to leave nationwide.Anyone have alternative recommendation

misteraei

To all those looking for affordable travel insurance with pre existing medical conditions
I have stage 4 cancer and have been treated with chemotherapy, after my treatment was complete I was desperate to get away for a break so with my consultants consent my wife and I decided to go to Spain for a One week break, we booked the hotel, flights and transfers so now needed to get some travel insurance.
After having asked MacMillan Cancer Support at the hospital if they have any recommendations they just gave me a booklet about travel (waste of time) so I got on the web and tried Cancer research UK witch have a list of special pre existing medical travel insurance companies which I thought would be suitable for me as they are on their web site so I began the laborious task of going through the list trying to get a competitive price for some insurance. ‘’What an absolute joke’’ some of the quotes from the mainstream providers who promote their service in dealing with pre-existing medical conditions where more than the holiday itself ‘’total rip off’’ until I came Across WORLD FIRST at last a sensible travel insurance company with a good range of cover at a great price so our trip was made possible without having to sell the house to pay for it, however I can’t comment on their claims process simply because I didn’t need to use them.
Also in their favour I filled out the application form online but there where a couple of questions which I didn’t fully understand the medical terminology of so not wanting to give an insurance company a get out opportunity should I need to claim I called there phone number and spoke with a very helpful person who went through my application with me to make sure everything was correct and in order what more can I say ‘fantastic’ wouldn’t hesitate to use them again so well done and many thanks to World First for making my trip affordable and possible.
Hope this review helps some of you with your journey good luck.

Pemsbaggie

The previous article referred to an insurer that used a medication led rather than the usual condition led questionnaire. I did not take note at the time of who they were and this info is not in your recent article. Who are they please?

koru

Pemsbaggie wrote: »

The previous article referred to an insurer that used a medication led rather than the usual condition led questionnaire. I did not take note at the time of who they were and this info is not in your recent article. Who are they please?

I think companies like World First, Holiday Safe, Boots all use a medical screening system that starts with asking about medication.

harz99

misteraei wrote: »

To all those looking for affordable travel insurance with pre existing medical conditions.........


..........some of the quotes from the mainstream providers who promote their service in dealing with pre-existing medical conditions where more than the holiday itself ‘’total rip off’’ until I came Across WORLD FIRST at last a sensible travel insurance company

Snipped the original message to keep relevant to my comments.

I have a few pre existing medical conditions, and my annual travel insurance is via a packaged Nationwide Flexplus account plus supplements for extended cover . The impending (November) removal of interest from this account which offset nearly 50% of the standard monthly packaged account fee of £13 has made me look around for an alternative travel insurance provider.

I tried World First whom you mentioned above and they came out at around £250 more than via Nationwide Flex Plus, the likes of MIA and Orbis whom are specialist in pre existing topped World First by another £150 or so and the regular companies via comparison sites were another £175 or more again.

So thanks, but it looks as though i'll be sticking with my Nationwide Flexplus even though it'll effectively cost slightly more from November.

Very best wishes regarding your ongoing health.

HoofeHearted

Have you tried Aviva? For several years now, I have found that they are the cheapest for pre-existing travel insurance.
Now this may be due to my discount for having Travel, Car x2 and House Insurance with them.

hamski

Have had a look around now for alternatives to nationwide and found stay sure to give me the best quote for European cover.
Had not heard about the change of interest from November, even more reason to look elsewhere

MarthaM

Has anyone cancelled travel insurance because of illness? I paid for an upgrade on my flex plus a month ago and have now received a diagnosis which means I won't be travelling for some time. Is it too much to hope for a refund?
I'll be cancelling in November anyway when the stop the interest.