Knee injury and travel insurance

Taucher

Hello.

A week Friday I am due to fly to South America for three weeks. 

In September last year I injured my knee. NHS has been slow - I had a knee scan in early January and have an appointment with a consultant on Monday next week (five days before I am due to fly) where I hopefully find out about whats wrong with my knee and any treatment. My knee still doesnt feel great - I can walk on it ok but it doesnt feel it can do more than that. 

When looking online at travel insurance (and getting some quotes) a few insurers asked for preexisting conditions of which a knee injury was included. Others didnt ask. Problem is I dont actually know whats wrong with my knee and how serious it is. Should I go for a provider that doesnt ask? 

Thanks

soolin

No one is going to cover you for a pre existing condition that isn’t declared,  I’d go as far as to say that with an imminent appointment a few days before your holiday for a existing condition you are unlikely to find it easy to get affordable insurance. 

Whenever I look at insurance there are questions about whether I’ve seen a doctor in the past year or am awaiting tests or appointments and a yes response usually means either some additional questions or a request to call the company direct for a quote. Usually a quick call gets it sorted and I have to have to pay a small extra add on to cover the conditions I declare, but I’ve never done it that close to a holiday . 

Whatever you do don’t be tempted to take out basic insurance without disclosing your medical appointment and expect to be covered for anything resulting from that condition. In the hopefully unlikely event you need to claim and they look at your medical records it will be very apparent . 

Taucher

Thanks for the response.

Yes your first point is completely clear - I wont buy insurance without declaring it. 

Normally I book travel insurance at the same time that flights are booked (wife and children's insurance was booked then) but I didnt buy for me because I didnt know what exactly is up with my knee. Also my appointment after the scan was due in early Feb but it was rescheduled by the hospital. So ive been waiting.

I got quotes from the Post Office and Aviva and declared knee ligament damage (most likely issue) and answered 'yes' to the question 'Are you fully mobile, pain free and walk unaided?' which is true apart from three occasions where I had sudden and brief intense pain that passed quickly (30 seconds). The quotes for both of these were about £75 which was not much more than with no health conditions.

I guess the best course of action is to get my diagnoses and then call a company to buy insurance and explain exactly whats up.

Thanks again.

daveyjp

Please don't guess or provide incorrect information.

The true position is you are currently undergoing investigation with no diagnosis or treatment for the problem.

One of the first questions asked on the medical declaration is 'are you undergoing any medical investigation for an undiagnosed condition' and you need to answer yes.

As soon as you do there is a very high chance the main providers will not insure you as you are instantly high risk and you may need to call a specialist insurer.

Taucher

daveyjp said:

Please don't guess or provide incorrect information.

Well no as I said the reason I havent got travel insurance already is because I have been waiting for a diagnoses. And Im not going to until Monday after I speak to the onsultant. 

But even when getting a quote and answering the screening questions in the 'worst' possible way ('Yes I am in pain, yes I have some further procedures planned') it still gives a quote of £75 for the three week trip. 

daveyjp

My point still stands.  You don't know what is wrong, you are assuming its knee ligament damage.

Before medical conditions questions the online quote system will ask a question or provide a statement on undiagnosed conditions.

What was your response to the question below when getting the quote?

"Is anyone to be insured under medical investigation, or waiting for the results of any tests, for anything not yet diagnosed?"

If I click yes this is pops up:

Sorry, we're unable to provide cover for anyone who is:

• currently waiting for any medical investigations or tests for anything which is not yet diagnosed
• waiting for the results of any medical investigations or tests for anything not yet diagnosed

If you're unsure or would like to speak to us, please call

Another site

Also, if you or anyone travelling on this policy: 

• have any undiagnosed symptoms
• are awaiting any tests, test results (including COVID-19), investigations
• have received a terminal prognosis 
• are awaiting surgery, a procedure or are waiting to be discharged from post-operative checks
• are currently on or awaiting dialysis, chemotherapy or radiotherapy

Then you must call our specialist team for free to continue with your quote.

at the moment this is where you are.  If after Monday you have a full diagnosis you should be able to get insurance.  If after Monday you are referred for further investgation you will need to speak to the insurance company.