Blasted travel insurance!

elsien

Trying to get some online quotes with cashback.
I had an accident just over 12 months ago and twisted my knee. MRI scan in October showed no cartilage or ligament injury, just general age related stuff triggered by the fall for which I am now having physio.
So far, so straightforward.

If I put knee injury in the online forms, none of the options (cartilege or ligament injury etc) applies. If I put joint pain, it asks me about arthritis which I don't have. Phoned one insurer up who suggested I use soft tissue injury, which I don't know if that is entirely correct either.
I just want to make sure I'm covered if I do something daft and fall over again. Am I going to have to phone round till I find someone sensible and forego the cashback, do you think?

agrinnall

Coud you ask your physio how they would describe it?

ThinkingOutLoud_2

Agreed with agrinnal.

These things are tough to diagnose sometimes.

But, if you truly know it is not arthritis - sounds like you have been diagnosed. It has a name.

If you are not having a flare ups / no medication or treatment alongside the physiotherapy; then the increased premium is likely to be modest.

Not sure what kind of cashback deal you are hoping for - but to be honest I would focus on the actual cost for the right cover.

Getting 10% back is pointless if the cover is not suitable or actually costs same anyway.

csgohan4

wear and tear can be interpreted as osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is the more serious type

elsien

ThinkingOutLoud wrote: »

Agreed with agrinnal.

These things are tough to diagnose sometimes.

But, if you truly know it is not arthritis - sounds like you have been diagnosed. It has a name.

If you are not having a flare ups / no medication or treatment alongside the physiology; then the increased premium is likely to be modest.

Not sure what kind of cashback deal you are hoping for - but to be honest I would focus on the actual cost for the right cover.

Getting 10% back is pointless if the cover is not suitable or actually costs same anyway.

I completely agree, but my attempt to get clarification on the phone didn't get very far, leaving me with little faith that I'd be covered if they tell me to enter the wrong thing.

agrinnall

elsien wrote: »

I completely agree, but my attempt to get clarification on the phone didn't get very far, leaving me with little faith that I'd be covered if they tell me to enter the wrong thing.

But we're suggesting that the clarification should come from your physio, who will be able to tell you the correct medical term for your injury. You would then be able to look for an insurer who allows that term to be entered.

rs65

I'd suggest that clarification comes from your GP. If a claim occurs it would likely be your GP records they would ask for.

ThinkingOutLoud_2

elsien wrote: »

I completely agree, but my attempt to get clarification on the phone didn't get very far, leaving me with little faith that I'd be covered if they tell me to enter the wrong thing.

Understood.

So, I guess the question is whether as it sounds possible - you have a form of arthritis (e.g. osteo - as suggested) or another form or something else if you know it is not that.

If it were Arthritis - selecting that in online screening usually allows you to select "don't know as the type" if it is truly not specifically diagnosed yet and then answer a series of questions about your need for walking aids or hospital admissions that may be easier to answer. It may not add too much cost either, if that is the condition for your knees alone.

The challenge is to reply per your diagnosis / medical records, as noted above.

The issue is often how the question and responses options / insurers or their words lack clarity for you. Of course, you are wise not to make any false declaration....or trust any purely verbal affirmation, unless the call is recorded and explicit and ideally affirmed in writing.

agrinnall

rs65 wrote: »

I'd suggest that clarification comes from your GP. If a claim occurs it would likely be your GP records they would ask for.

It may be different where you live but both here and the last area that I lived in expect you to self refer for NHS physiotherapy, so there may well be nothing in GP records about the injury. I can't see any reason why you would not be able to tell the insurer that they need to check with the physio provider for confirmation if necessary.

rs65

agrinnall wrote: »

It may be different where you live but both here and the last area that I lived in expect you to self refer for NHS physiotherapy, so there may well be nothing in GP records about the injury. I can't see any reason why you would not be able to tell the insurer that they need to check with the physio provider for confirmation if necessary.

I would think that even self referrals to NHS physio would be reported back to your GP.

Anyway, the OP has had a MRI so I suspect they have been to their GP.

The point I was making that, in the event of a claim, insurers would ask to see your GP records. I've never known one to ask for your physio records.

elsien

Yep, GP referral to physio. I do feel it's a bit of a waste of everyone's time to make a GP appt just to ask about a more precise diagnosis though. Is it something they'd discuss on the phone?
GP never mentioned the word arthritis which is why I was presuming it wasn't that, no other reason.