Staysure letter says we have to tell them if we attend GP for a cold!!!

PhotoMan

Hi.

We have annual worldwide travel insurance with Staysure and have each declared several pre-existing conditions.
I was astounded to receive a letter from them today reminding us that we have to inform them if anything has changed. So far so good. But on the back of the letter there is a series of Q+As. one of which is:
Q. I have been to the doctors for a minor cold, do I still need to call you?
A. Yes, if this has been recorded on your notes.

Elsewhere the letter says that "if there are any changes in your medical circumstances these may require an additional premium plus an administration fee to keep them covered".

I am astonished that they are advising informing them about a visit to the doctors for a cold (not that that is something I would do!).


I suspect that this is an attempt to get more money from customers by charging an admin fee for having a cold and/or the company creating a loophole so they can wriggle out of paying for claims.


I am medically trained.


I wonder if anyone has had similar experiences with either Staysure or other insurance companies or has any thoughts or knowledge about such issues?



Thank you.

Westin

No experience of Staysure but thanks for raising it.

I agree it seems ridiculous.

cubegame

People who waste a doctor's time for a cold should be punished somehow.

JGB1955

On the basis that you wouldn't visit a doctor regarding a cold - it's not an issue.....is it?

PhotoMan

JGB1955 wrote: »

On the basis that you wouldn't visit a doctor regarding a cold - it's not an issue.....is it?

It worries me that they are looking for such trivial reasons for refusing to pay out.

jonesMUFCforever

PhotoMan wrote: »

It worries me that they are looking for such trivial reasons for refusing to pay out.

........But if you declare it - they will not have a reason to decline.

Jonathan_Kelvin

PhotoMan wrote: »

It worries me that they are looking for such trivial reasons for refusing to pay out.

It’s a government program, to try to weed out people who will waste the NHS’s resources.

in_my_wellies

It does seem a bit OTT

JamoLew

It might be a bit OTT but at the end of the day, they are providing the insurance cover and are therefore entitled to attach whatever terms and conditions they wish.
No one is forcing you to accept them.

peachyprice

PhotoMan wrote: »

It worries me that they are looking for such trivial reasons for refusing to pay out.

Are they?

Or is there a possibility you may visit the doctor one week for a cold then develop pneumonia as a complication the following week?

If you didn't tell them about the visit for the cold you wouldn't be covered for a cancellation due to the pneumonia.

iwb100

peachyprice wrote: »

Are they?

Or is there a possibility you may visit the doctor one week for a cold then develop pneumonia as a complication the following week?

If you didn't tell them about the visit for the cold you wouldn't be covered for a cancellation due to the pneumonia.

Disagree - they should want to know of any diagnosed conditions - or any situation still awaiting definitive diagnosis. That allows them to calculate risk accordingly.

Requesting people report a doctor's visit for a minor and one-off illness is absolutely not going to allow for risk calculation.

For example 6 weeks before you travel you go to the doctors because you have a dry and irritating patch of skin on your elbow. No diagnosis is offered but a moisturizing cream prescribed. The patch clears up. If you report that to an insurance company it gives them absolutely zero chance of determining risk. It probably gives them a good excuse to raise your premiums unfairly though. That is a nonsense. If you are given a diagnosis for a chronic condition or a serious acute on then sure the insurance company should be informed and that should be expected. But minor ailments that are unlikely to be definitively diagnosed and given no treatment or simple OTC treatment that do not recur - I think any insurer who expects that is one to avoid.

My insurer has a list of questions and they simply state - "If your answer changes to ‘yes’ at any point after the
purchase of this policy you must call to inform us of
this change in health to ensure you are fully covered
for your trip.".

The questions cover serious conditions and whether you or anyone in the party is awaiting any non-routine tests or hospital visits. You answer these questions when taking out the policy and it is a simple - if your answer to any changes before travel you must inform them.