Travel insurance for "pre-existing" conditions...

swindled

Family member is looking for a new provider for annual policy.

Age 37. They were recently hospitalised in Thailand with food poisoning (gastroenteritis), and as a consequence had hospital costs and were unable to take their booked return flight with their partner, also insured on same policy, so both had additional travelling costs.


At first it would seem that the insurance company would pay out as all discussions with them seemed positive, so were expecting a favourable decision on their claim when returning to the UK.


However, this changed when the claim was sent in and apparently because of a minor gardening incident approximately two years ago where a thorn scratch on an index finger became infected and required a visit to GP and a ten day course of antibiotics prescribed to aid the healing, even though long since completely healed, this was considered to be a 'pre-existing condition' and they refused to pay up.


So, any travel insurers who won't take this sort of completely unrelated thing into account in the future?

Birseh_

Out of curiosity what insurance was it?

swindled

I am not sure, he just mentioned to me that he was looking for a new company that wasn't going to mess him about in the event of any other problems abroad.


In addition to the stress from the illness and inconvenience, he was also quite stressed at the loss of money and the unfairness of it all, because a scratched finger does not in any way predispose you to gastroenteritis a couple of years later.


Thought people here would have some recommendations, but it seems nothing yet...

jonesMUFCforever

swindled wrote: »

Family member is looking for a new provider for annual policy.

Age 37. They were recently hospitalised in Thailand with food poisoning (gastroenteritis), and as a consequence had hospital costs and were unable to take their booked return flight with their partner, also insured on same policy, so both had additional travelling costs.


At first it would seem that the insurance company would pay out as all discussions with them seemed positive, so were expecting a favourable decision on their claim when returning to the UK.


However, this changed when the claim was sent in and apparently because of a minor gardening incident approximately two years ago where a thorn scratch on an index finger became infected and required a visit to GP and a ten day course of antibiotics prescribed to aid the healing, even though long since completely healed, this was considered to be a 'pre-existing condition' and they refused to pay up.


So, any travel insurers who won't take this sort of completely unrelated thing into account in the future?

I'm sure all insurers ask the question if you have had medical treatment in last 12/24/36 months or are on some medication.
If they had stated the accident and GP visit I'm sure they would have recorded it and covered him.
On the face of it it appears unfair for the insurance company to have connected the two incidents but then I'm not a medical person.

Not sure if we have heard both sides of the complete story but IMO it would be worth a complaint to the insurer first then a referral to the ombudsman (Unless they provide a good reason for the decline).

lisyloo

I would go down the complaint route as it doesn’t seem fair treatment,
I’m with insure & go who have a good defacto rating and good customer service (I’ve not claimed though).

Beware answering all questions honestly and thoroughly if you don’t want this sort of hassle.
I’m sure it was inadvertent but that’s the deal I’m afraid.
I don’t think they’ve been fair in this case as they almost certainly would have covered but I also think it fair they know about any risks up front (although I agree this was unrelated).

Mark_Bedford

This is way beyond the complaint route. This is just attempted fraud. Can you tell us if was a TIFgroup policy (Alpha, Puffin, Holidaysafe, Insurancewith, World-first, Flexicover.....etc).

If so the FCA would like to hear from you. whistle@fca.org.uk

"Swindled". If you really want to do something that counts I suggest you write a five bullet point note to the FCA. Give your name, the URV policy and the details and the email or letter that is basically trying to defraud you. They have tried it on and to give them a free ride is just what they count on.