Pre-existing Travel Insurance Guide Discussion

luci

katejo said:

luci said:

katejo said:

MaggieL said:

Aged 76, I have had travel insurance with Avanti for a few years. I have some pre-existing medical conditions, none of them life-threatening, but including Polymyalgia Rheumatica, which is dormant but could flare up in future. Since informing Avanti, before travelling, that I was now on a waiting list for a shoulder replacement (caused by arthritis), they have removed cover for ALL my pre-existing medical conditions. They would only cover something new or unforeseen. I can understand the suspension of cover for anything associated for shoulder arthritis, but are they unique in refusing to cover me for anything else pre-existing, or is this general for all travel insurers? It seems a draconian rule to me. I would appreciate advice, please. ML

I have heard of this happening even when the client told their insurers that they were having a routine scan such as a mammogram. No symptoms at all but all cover for pre existing conditions was suspended. I don't know which insurer it was. I find it unfair. Why should we pay for an annual policy if it can be suspended in this way? 

I was of the same opinion as you, as my neighbour's policy was cancelled when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I looked into it via the ombudsman's website. The reason insurers can change the goalposts is that the risk has now changed. They can cancel the policy, charge an additional premium or exclude the condition.

Most insurers require you to advise them if there has been a change in health after you've taken out the policy. With LV=, you only need to advise them at renewal. I've been diagnosed with a couple of potentially serious conditions since I took out a policy with them. I've done dummy quotes and almost all insurers won't cover me. I've found a couple that will for Europe only. I am ramming in the holidays before my policy with LV= expires. 

I don't think insurers should be allowed to suspend cover in this way if someone is having a routine scan with no reason for concern. I have heard that LV does it this way and have wondered whether to try them. However is there a catch which I have missed? If I were due a routine scan, I wouldn't tell the insurer if I had a holiday coming up soon. I would book it for after my return. 

I don't think they should be allowed to change the goalposts at all. They took on the risk and based the premium on what was declared at inception. It is always said that insurance is to cover unknown events. I guess they'd argue that a new condition is now a known event.

Funny you should mention a routine scan  I had a routine annual blood test in January 2024 which had to be repeated twice. That led to an MRI brain scan. That didn't find the tumour they were looking for, but it did find a small bleed or cyst which was probably caused by something else that was potentially serious, progressive and only going to get worse. I only knew when it was mentioned in a letter in connection to the tumour they were looking for. I've yet to be told I have it. I almost missed it and wouldn't have known I had something to declare. I spoke to a specialist insurer and they couldn't offer cover. They were able to tell me that is was this potentially serious progressive PEMC, that I didn't know I had, that was the problem. I don't even get medication for it and it isn't being monitored.

I got a another blood test before the MRI scan was repeated. That blood test had to be repeated twice as the levels of something else were well off. This went on till this month, so 19 months. 

I have done dummy quotes and it is going to be very difficult to get any travel insurance, never mind at a reasonable cost, due to all these PEMCs I didn't know I had until a routine blood test. I will be £100s for an annual policy and that's only for Europe.

luci

katejo said:

luci said:

katejo said:

MaggieL said:

Aged 76, I have had travel insurance with Avanti for a few years. I have some pre-existing medical conditions, none of them life-threatening, but including Polymyalgia Rheumatica, which is dormant but could flare up in future. Since informing Avanti, before travelling, that I was now on a waiting list for a shoulder replacement (caused by arthritis), they have removed cover for ALL my pre-existing medical conditions. They would only cover something new or unforeseen. I can understand the suspension of cover for anything associated for shoulder arthritis, but are they unique in refusing to cover me for anything else pre-existing, or is this general for all travel insurers? It seems a draconian rule to me. I would appreciate advice, please. ML

I have heard of this happening even when the client told their insurers that they were having a routine scan such as a mammogram. No symptoms at all but all cover for pre existing conditions was suspended. I don't know which insurer it was. I find it unfair. Why should we pay for an annual policy if it can be suspended in this way? 

I was of the same opinion as you, as my neighbour's policy was cancelled when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I looked into it via the ombudsman's website. The reason insurers can change the goalposts is that the risk has now changed. They can cancel the policy, charge an additional premium or exclude the condition.

Most insurers require you to advise them if there has been a change in health after you've taken out the policy. With LV=, you only need to advise them at renewal. I've been diagnosed with a couple of potentially serious conditions since I took out a policy with them. I've done dummy quotes and almost all insurers won't cover me. I've found a couple that will for Europe only. I am ramming in the holidays before my policy with LV= expires. 

I don't think insurers should be allowed to suspend cover in this way if someone is having a routine scan with no reason for concern. I have heard that LV does it this way and have wondered whether to try them. However is there a catch which I have missed? If I were due a routine scan, I wouldn't tell the insurer if I had a holiday coming up soon. I would book it for after my return. 

Sorry, I forgot your question about LV= after typing out my tale of woe.

I was hospitalised in Tenerife for 2 weeks in January, the day before we were due to go on a cruise after a hotel stay. The OH contacted LV= straight away. Their communication was lacking for the first 6 days until I spat the dummy and asked to speak to a supervisor. They had been working away in the background, but I had no clue. I cannot fault the service after that. I was only allowed home with a medical escort and oxygen, so they flew a medic out from the UK and everything was covered and settled promptly.

I would have had no hesitation in staying with LV. However, I have done a dummy booking and they won't even cover me for a single trip to Europe.

luci

Doc_N said:

luci said:

katejo said:

MaggieL said:

Aged 76, I have had travel insurance with Avanti for a few years. I have some pre-existing medical conditions, none of them life-threatening, but including Polymyalgia Rheumatica, which is dormant but could flare up in future. Since informing Avanti, before travelling, that I was now on a waiting list for a shoulder replacement (caused by arthritis), they have removed cover for ALL my pre-existing medical conditions. They would only cover something new or unforeseen. I can understand the suspension of cover for anything associated for shoulder arthritis, but are they unique in refusing to cover me for anything else pre-existing, or is this general for all travel insurers? It seems a draconian rule to me. I would appreciate advice, please. ML

I have heard of this happening even when the client told their insurers that they were having a routine scan such as a mammogram. No symptoms at all but all cover for pre existing conditions was suspended. I don't know which insurer it was. I find it unfair. Why should we pay for an annual policy if it can be suspended in this way? 

I was of the same opinion as you, as my neighbour's policy was cancelled when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I looked into it via the ombudsman's website. The reason insurers can change the goalposts is that the risk has now changed. They can cancel the policy, charge an additional premium or exclude the condition.

Most insurers require you to advise them if there has been a change in health after you've taken out the policy. With LV=, you only need to advise them at renewal. I've been diagnosed with a couple of potentially serious conditions since I took out a policy with them. I've done dummy quotes and almost all insurers won't cover me. I've found a couple that will for Europe only. I am ramming in the holidays before my policy with LV= expires. 

Arguably, though, the risk has not changed. Because the risks as they presented themselves when the policy was initiated were known and priced accordingly. That’s the way these policies were always dealt with until somebody cleverly spotted an opportunity to increase profits.

This scam - and it is that, legal though it might be - is the equivalent of taking out an annual home policy covering fire and finding that the insurance company is able to stop the cover if a nearby grass fire is threatening to spread to houses half way through the cover period.

I replied to katejo saying exactly this before I saw your post. Unfortunately, the ombudsman sides with the insurer on this issue. I still don't agree with it.

katejo

luci said:

katejo said:

luci said:

katejo said:

MaggieL said:

Aged 76, I have had travel insurance with Avanti for a few years. I have some pre-existing medical conditions, none of them life-threatening, but including Polymyalgia Rheumatica, which is dormant but could flare up in future. Since informing Avanti, before travelling, that I was now on a waiting list for a shoulder replacement (caused by arthritis), they have removed cover for ALL my pre-existing medical conditions. They would only cover something new or unforeseen. I can understand the suspension of cover for anything associated for shoulder arthritis, but are they unique in refusing to cover me for anything else pre-existing, or is this general for all travel insurers? It seems a draconian rule to me. I would appreciate advice, please. ML

I have heard of this happening even when the client told their insurers that they were having a routine scan such as a mammogram. No symptoms at all but all cover for pre existing conditions was suspended. I don't know which insurer it was. I find it unfair. Why should we pay for an annual policy if it can be suspended in this way? 

I was of the same opinion as you, as my neighbour's policy was cancelled when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I looked into it via the ombudsman's website. The reason insurers can change the goalposts is that the risk has now changed. They can cancel the policy, charge an additional premium or exclude the condition.

Most insurers require you to advise them if there has been a change in health after you've taken out the policy. With LV=, you only need to advise them at renewal. I've been diagnosed with a couple of potentially serious conditions since I took out a policy with them. I've done dummy quotes and almost all insurers won't cover me. I've found a couple that will for Europe only. I am ramming in the holidays before my policy with LV= expires. 

I don't think insurers should be allowed to suspend cover in this way if someone is having a routine scan with no reason for concern. I have heard that LV does it this way and have wondered whether to try them. However is there a catch which I have missed? If I were due a routine scan, I wouldn't tell the insurer if I had a holiday coming up soon. I would book it for after my return. 

Sorry, I forgot your question about LV= after typing out my tale of woe.

I was hospitalised in Tenerife for 2 weeks in January, the day before we were due to go on a cruise after a hotel stay. The OH contacted LV= straight away. Their communication was lacking for the first 6 days until I spat the dummy and asked to speak to a supervisor. They had been working away in the background, but I had no clue. I cannot fault the service after that. I was only allowed home with a medical escort and oxygen, so they flew a medic out from the UK and everything was covered and settled promptly.

I would have had no hesitation in staying with LV. However, I have done a dummy booking and they won't even cover me for a single trip to Europe.

Really sorry to hear that. The issue which concerns me about the LV approach of not needing to declare new conditions or investigations until renewal is due concerns bookings after renewal date. If you book a trip several months or more ahead and LV refuses to renew, you could be stuck. 

luci

katejo said:

luci said:

katejo said:

luci said:

katejo said:

MaggieL said:

Aged 76, I have had travel insurance with Avanti for a few years. I have some pre-existing medical conditions, none of them life-threatening, but including Polymyalgia Rheumatica, which is dormant but could flare up in future. Since informing Avanti, before travelling, that I was now on a waiting list for a shoulder replacement (caused by arthritis), they have removed cover for ALL my pre-existing medical conditions. They would only cover something new or unforeseen. I can understand the suspension of cover for anything associated for shoulder arthritis, but are they unique in refusing to cover me for anything else pre-existing, or is this general for all travel insurers? It seems a draconian rule to me. I would appreciate advice, please. ML

I have heard of this happening even when the client told their insurers that they were having a routine scan such as a mammogram. No symptoms at all but all cover for pre existing conditions was suspended. I don't know which insurer it was. I find it unfair. Why should we pay for an annual policy if it can be suspended in this way? 

I was of the same opinion as you, as my neighbour's policy was cancelled when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I looked into it via the ombudsman's website. The reason insurers can change the goalposts is that the risk has now changed. They can cancel the policy, charge an additional premium or exclude the condition.

Most insurers require you to advise them if there has been a change in health after you've taken out the policy. With LV=, you only need to advise them at renewal. I've been diagnosed with a couple of potentially serious conditions since I took out a policy with them. I've done dummy quotes and almost all insurers won't cover me. I've found a couple that will for Europe only. I am ramming in the holidays before my policy with LV= expires. 

I don't think insurers should be allowed to suspend cover in this way if someone is having a routine scan with no reason for concern. I have heard that LV does it this way and have wondered whether to try them. However is there a catch which I have missed? If I were due a routine scan, I wouldn't tell the insurer if I had a holiday coming up soon. I would book it for after my return. 

Sorry, I forgot your question about LV= after typing out my tale of woe.

I was hospitalised in Tenerife for 2 weeks in January, the day before we were due to go on a cruise after a hotel stay. The OH contacted LV= straight away. Their communication was lacking for the first 6 days until I spat the dummy and asked to speak to a supervisor. They had been working away in the background, but I had no clue. I cannot fault the service after that. I was only allowed home with a medical escort and oxygen, so they flew a medic out from the UK and everything was covered and settled promptly.

I would have had no hesitation in staying with LV. However, I have done a dummy booking and they won't even cover me for a single trip to Europe.

Really sorry to hear that. The issue which concerns me about the LV approach of not needing to declare new conditions or investigations until renewal is due concerns bookings after renewal date. If you book a trip several months or more ahead and LV refuses to renew, you could be stuck. 

Funny you should say that, as it's the exact circumstances I am in at the moment. 

I have two cruises booked, in August and September, before my current policy expires in October. I have another one booked for May next year. If I can't get insurance, worst case scenario is, we'll lose the deposit.

 I have spent hours researching and doing dummy quotes ready for October, only to hit a brick wall every time. A medical insurance comparison site returned quotes ranging from, wait for it ....... £2600 to £12500 (yes that is £12 thousand)! And that was for a SINGLE trip on a cruise from Malaga to the Caribbean.

Through a medical specialist website, I eventually found two insurers who will cover me, but for Europe only. By that time, the cost was suddenly not as important as just getting cover.

Back to what you mentioned. As is the same with any annual policy, you don't know what your health or circumstances will be by the time renewal comes round. You mention that you could be stuck if LV refused to renew. That could happen with any insurer. Fortunately, there are plenty of other insurers you could go to. Personally, I would go with LV every time. That way you know you're good to go for 12 months. Another provider could cancel your policy 3 months in if your were diagnosed with a new condition.

katejo

luci said:

katejo said:

luci said:

katejo said:

luci said:

katejo said:

MaggieL said:

Aged 76, I have had travel insurance with Avanti for a few years. I have some pre-existing medical conditions, none of them life-threatening, but including Polymyalgia Rheumatica, which is dormant but could flare up in future. Since informing Avanti, before travelling, that I was now on a waiting list for a shoulder replacement (caused by arthritis), they have removed cover for ALL my pre-existing medical conditions. They would only cover something new or unforeseen. I can understand the suspension of cover for anything associated for shoulder arthritis, but are they unique in refusing to cover me for anything else pre-existing, or is this general for all travel insurers? It seems a draconian rule to me. I would appreciate advice, please. ML

I have heard of this happening even when the client told their insurers that they were having a routine scan such as a mammogram. No symptoms at all but all cover for pre existing conditions was suspended. I don't know which insurer it was. I find it unfair. Why should we pay for an annual policy if it can be suspended in this way? 

I was of the same opinion as you, as my neighbour's policy was cancelled when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I looked into it via the ombudsman's website. The reason insurers can change the goalposts is that the risk has now changed. They can cancel the policy, charge an additional premium or exclude the condition.

Most insurers require you to advise them if there has been a change in health after you've taken out the policy. With LV=, you only need to advise them at renewal. I've been diagnosed with a couple of potentially serious conditions since I took out a policy with them. I've done dummy quotes and almost all insurers won't cover me. I've found a couple that will for Europe only. I am ramming in the holidays before my policy with LV= expires. 

I don't think insurers should be allowed to suspend cover in this way if someone is having a routine scan with no reason for concern. I have heard that LV does it this way and have wondered whether to try them. However is there a catch which I have missed? If I were due a routine scan, I wouldn't tell the insurer if I had a holiday coming up soon. I would book it for after my return. 

Sorry, I forgot your question about LV= after typing out my tale of woe.

I was hospitalised in Tenerife for 2 weeks in January, the day before we were due to go on a cruise after a hotel stay. The OH contacted LV= straight away. Their communication was lacking for the first 6 days until I spat the dummy and asked to speak to a supervisor. They had been working away in the background, but I had no clue. I cannot fault the service after that. I was only allowed home with a medical escort and oxygen, so they flew a medic out from the UK and everything was covered and settled promptly.

I would have had no hesitation in staying with LV. However, I have done a dummy booking and they won't even cover me for a single trip to Europe.

Really sorry to hear that. The issue which concerns me about the LV approach of not needing to declare new conditions or investigations until renewal is due concerns bookings after renewal date. If you book a trip several months or more ahead and LV refuses to renew, you could be stuck. 

Funny you should say that, as it's the exact circumstances I am in at the moment. 

I have two cruises booked, in August and September, before my current policy expires in October. I have another one booked for May next year. If I can't get insurance, worst case scenario is, we'll lose the deposit.

 I have spent hours researching and doing dummy quotes ready for October, only to hit a brick wall every time. A medical insurance comparison site returned quotes ranging from, wait for it ....... £2600 to £12500 (yes that is £12 thousand)! And that was for a SINGLE trip on a cruise from Malaga to the Caribbean.

Through a medical specialist website, I eventually found two insurers who will cover me, but for Europe only. By that time, the cost was suddenly not as important as just getting cover.

Back to what you mentioned. As is the same with any annual policy, you don't know what your health or circumstances will be by the time renewal comes round. You mention that you could be stuck if LV refused to renew. That could happen with any insurer. Fortunately, there are plenty of other insurers you could go to. Personally, I would go with LV every time. That way you know you're good to go for 12 months. Another provider could cancel your policy 3 months in if your were diagnosed with a new condition.

I have never yet booked a trip more than a year ahead simply because an annual policy won't cover it and I might develop a new condition. Maybe it's worth just doing a single trip policy if it's that far ahead. Does the LV rule of not needing to declare include single trip policies? Part of the problem with other providers is the refusal to maintain cover while you wait months  for tests (for something which might turn out to be insignificant). I have never actually had cover suspended due to a new diagnosis but undiagnosed conditions are different. 

luci

katejo said:

luci said:

katejo said:

luci said:

katejo said:

luci said:

katejo said:

MaggieL said:

Aged 76, I have had travel insurance with Avanti for a few years. I have some pre-existing medical conditions, none of them life-threatening, but including Polymyalgia Rheumatica, which is dormant but could flare up in future. Since informing Avanti, before travelling, that I was now on a waiting list for a shoulder replacement (caused by arthritis), they have removed cover for ALL my pre-existing medical conditions. They would only cover something new or unforeseen. I can understand the suspension of cover for anything associated for shoulder arthritis, but are they unique in refusing to cover me for anything else pre-existing, or is this general for all travel insurers? It seems a draconian rule to me. I would appreciate advice, please. ML

I have heard of this happening even when the client told their insurers that they were having a routine scan such as a mammogram. No symptoms at all but all cover for pre existing conditions was suspended. I don't know which insurer it was. I find it unfair. Why should we pay for an annual policy if it can be suspended in this way? 

I was of the same opinion as you, as my neighbour's policy was cancelled when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I looked into it via the ombudsman's website. The reason insurers can change the goalposts is that the risk has now changed. They can cancel the policy, charge an additional premium or exclude the condition.

Most insurers require you to advise them if there has been a change in health after you've taken out the policy. With LV=, you only need to advise them at renewal. I've been diagnosed with a couple of potentially serious conditions since I took out a policy with them. I've done dummy quotes and almost all insurers won't cover me. I've found a couple that will for Europe only. I am ramming in the holidays before my policy with LV= expires. 

I don't think insurers should be allowed to suspend cover in this way if someone is having a routine scan with no reason for concern. I have heard that LV does it this way and have wondered whether to try them. However is there a catch which I have missed? If I were due a routine scan, I wouldn't tell the insurer if I had a holiday coming up soon. I would book it for after my return. 

Sorry, I forgot your question about LV= after typing out my tale of woe.

I was hospitalised in Tenerife for 2 weeks in January, the day before we were due to go on a cruise after a hotel stay. The OH contacted LV= straight away. Their communication was lacking for the first 6 days until I spat the dummy and asked to speak to a supervisor. They had been working away in the background, but I had no clue. I cannot fault the service after that. I was only allowed home with a medical escort and oxygen, so they flew a medic out from the UK and everything was covered and settled promptly.

I would have had no hesitation in staying with LV. However, I have done a dummy booking and they won't even cover me for a single trip to Europe.

Really sorry to hear that. The issue which concerns me about the LV approach of not needing to declare new conditions or investigations until renewal is due concerns bookings after renewal date. If you book a trip several months or more ahead and LV refuses to renew, you could be stuck. 

Funny you should say that, as it's the exact circumstances I am in at the moment. 

I have two cruises booked, in August and September, before my current policy expires in October. I have another one booked for May next year. If I can't get insurance, worst case scenario is, we'll lose the deposit.

 I have spent hours researching and doing dummy quotes ready for October, only to hit a brick wall every time. A medical insurance comparison site returned quotes ranging from, wait for it ....... £2600 to £12500 (yes that is £12 thousand)! And that was for a SINGLE trip on a cruise from Malaga to the Caribbean.

Through a medical specialist website, I eventually found two insurers who will cover me, but for Europe only. By that time, the cost was suddenly not as important as just getting cover.

Back to what you mentioned. As is the same with any annual policy, you don't know what your health or circumstances will be by the time renewal comes round. You mention that you could be stuck if LV refused to renew. That could happen with any insurer. Fortunately, there are plenty of other insurers you could go to. Personally, I would go with LV every time. That way you know you're good to go for 12 months. Another provider could cancel your policy 3 months in if your were diagnosed with a new condition.

I have never yet booked a trip more than a year ahead simply because an annual policy won't cover it and I might develop a new condition. Maybe it's worth just doing a single trip policy if it's that far ahead. Does the LV rule of not needing to declare include single trip policies? Part of the problem with other providers is the refusal to maintain cover while you wait months  for tests (for something which might turn out to be insignificant). I have never actually had cover suspended due to a new diagnosis but undiagnosed conditions are different. 

I have never booked more than a year in advance either. If I did, I would get a single trip policy for that.

I didn't ask them about single trip policies, but I would expect their terms to be across all their policies. It may be worth calling them to check, as I found them very helpful. I even phoned twice, as I didn't believe the first advisor.

No insurer will cover an undiagnosed condition, which is understandable. I was in that situation last year. We wanted to book the New Year cruise, but I was still under investigation. In July, I decided to bite the bullet and book the cruise, with the understanding that, if I still didn't have a diagnosis by the time the balance was due to be paid, I could cancel and only lose the deposit.

I chased the consultant for a diagnosis just before the balance was due. He said I didn't need to tell my insurance, but I knew that wouldn't be accepted by the insurer. He did give me a name for the condition they were investigating, so I took out the policy and declared that.

luci

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/dads-greek-holiday-nightmare-as-family-make-desperate-plea/ar-AA1JEUZb

Here is yet another tourist who has fallen foul of travel insurance. His provider, Allianz, has refused cover as he didn't declare a benign tumour that was diagnosed last year. They didn't declare it as they, "Didn't think it was relevant".