travel post minor optional operation

katejo

Is there a general rule that travel insurers won't cover you for travel for a specific period after an operation, even a very minor one? I am deciding whether to have a harmless cyst removed for appearance only. I have a current annual policy and no trips booked but need to renew the insurance in February. Do most insurers say that you can't travel for an extended period after an operation even if it is a very minor one with no stay in hospital? Or that I can't book any future trips if I am waiting for the operation? I'd really like to book a trip now but can't risk finding that I can't renew my current policy.

scottishminnie

I’m in a similar position. I’m scheduled to have what the consultants is certain is a benign cyst removed late January (delayed as I’m off on a trip over New Year). I contacted my annual travel policy provider to advise and they have stated that I will absolutely not be covered for any future trips booked between now and them giving me the go ahead. After I get the results they will consider my case so it’s likely to be mid February before they will let me know if I qualify for future cover.

I was considering booking flights in the January sale for travel in June 2020 and was happy to take the risk that I had no cover until I get the pathology results back however my insurer advises that anything booked between now and them lifting the “freeze” will never be insured so if I went ahead and booked I would need to find another insurer once I had the results. I knew I wouldn’t be covered until I’m 100% in the clear but I guess I hadn’t figured on being uninsurable for almost 3 months at the very least:(

katejo

scottishminnie wrote: »

I’m in a similar position. I’m scheduled to have what the consultants is certain is a benign cyst removed late January (delayed as I’m off on a trip over New Year). I contacted my annual travel policy provider to advise and they have stated that I will absolutely not be covered for any future trips booked between now and them giving me the go ahead. After I get the results they will consider my case so it’s likely to be mid February before they will let me know if I qualify for future cover.

I was considering booking flights in the January sale for travel in June 2020 and was happy to take the risk that I had no cover until I get the pathology results back however my insurer advises that anything booked between now and them lifting the “freeze” will never be insured so if I went ahead and booked I would need to find another insurer once I had the results. I knew I wouldn’t be covered until I’m 100% in the clear but I guess I hadn’t figured on being uninsurable for almost 3 months at the very least:(

Isn't it annoying! I don't quite follow why they won't cover you for anything booked now once you know that the pathology tests are clear. I am not going to contact my current insurer until I have the all clear. My current policy is valid until early February anyway and I am not going anywhere in January. My cyst was checked 3 years ago and was clear then so I am not expecting a problem.
I also want to know whether they refuse to cover you for a specified period after a general anaesthetic (however minor the op might be). I may just decide not to have the operation. It was entirely my choice last time ( cosmetic reasons and not against medical advice). If I were told that I had to wait 6 months for the op, it would prevent me from going anywhere at all!

scottishminnie

Hi

They very specifically asked me about whether it was local or general anesthetic. The strong hint was that general may create more “conditions” on future cover. My consultant would prefer to carry out the procedure under general however has agreed to do it under local if that’s my preference (it was regardless of the insurance situation).

I completely appreciate why I need to tell the insurer and why they won’t cover while I await results but to exclude future cover feels wrong. . The example they gave me was that if I book a flight for say June now, get the all clear in February but had to cancel the flight at the last minute because of say a family members death (god forbid) that would not be covered, neither would say an accident on that trip. So now I’ll have to wait much longer to book flights and hope I can still get a decent price.

katejo

scottishminnie wrote: »

Hi

They very specifically asked me about whether it was local or general anesthetic. The strong hint was that general may create more “conditions” on future cover. My consultant would prefer to carry out the procedure under general however has agreed to do it under local if that’s my preference (it was regardless of the insurance situation).

I completely appreciate why I need to tell the insurer and why they won’t cover while I await results but to exclude future cover feels wrong. . The example they gave me was that if I book a flight for say June now, get the all clear in February but had to cancel the flight at the last minute because of say a family members death (god forbid) that would not be covered, neither would say an accident on that trip. So now I’ll have to wait much longer to book flights and hope I can still get a decent price.

I don't see the logic of their reasoning at all if you get an all clear. Are they saying that anyone who buys a policy hours after booking a trip won't be covered for that trip? Do you have an annual now which expires soon (as I do)?

scottishminnie

katejo wrote: »

I don't see the logic of their reasoning at all if you get an all clear. Are they saying that anyone who buys a policy hours after booking a trip won't be covered for that trip? Do you have an annual now which expires soon (as I do)?

Yes, it’s an annual policy and was renewed in November just before the need to remove the cyst came to light. They would happily cover a new policy holder if they purchased insurance after Having booked a trip but as I’m an existing policyholder with a “medical issue “ (their words) hanging over me they will not insure any trips purchased during the duration of the medical issue.


I think my only option if I find cheap flights before the all clear is to book them, take the risk and then once I have the all clear in February buy a stand alone policy (with another insurer) for that particular trip which would cover me for the kind of things I mention above. It would mean paying again for something I should have already had however the cheaper flight prices may well justify that.

It’s a Halifax annual policy in case you are wondering!