Travel Insurance While Waiting for a Medical Test

KonaGirl999

Hi, I am waiting for an MRI for tennis elbow, an innocent enough medical problem, but I am finding it hard to find travel insurance.  The furthest I got was with StaySure but I am going on a boating holiday and they required us to wear life jackets 24 hours a day, even while in bed, which I didn't want to do.  I am also lucky enough to be going to Spain & Italy.
Can anyone make any recommendations for travel insurance, that doesn't cost the earth, whilst waiting for a medical procedure?
TIA

Sea_Shell

Are you wanting them to include cover for your bad elbow, or are you happy for them to exclude it?

Have any insurers given you that option?

KonaGirl999

Happy to exclude the bad elbow.  No insurer will even have the conversation with me about that option.  Online as soon as you say you are waiting for a test the ones I have looked at have said they can't insure me.  One that I have managed to speak to checked with their underwriter and said it was very black and white and they couldn't insure me. 

With waiting lists being what they are surely there are lots of people in this same situation?

Sea_Shell

How ridiculous...for an elbow.   Which, if diagnosed, is unlikely to stop you travelling or causing an issue whilst away.

Insurers seem to be scared of their own shadow these days, especially in this "computer says no" era.

Rather just decline, than have to actually underwrite the "risk" !!

Are you old enough to try Saga or Age UK?

KonaGirl999

I agree Sea_Shell, and thanks for commenting.  I think I have already tried Saga, but I can't remember because I've been through so many these last few days.  Will have another look.

Annemos

Yes it is definitely a thing with some of them, apparently. When people give a one-star review for this on their Trustpilot site, here is what the Staysure representative replies:  "All-in or all-out".   


There are times when a traveller is awaiting a procedure or test results, no matter how minor, where our underwriters have taken the decision to exclude all pre-existing medical conditions.

This is due to the fact that they are unable to determine how the current medical circumstance with your condition is or will be affecting your other declared pre-existing conditions. It also means they are unable to determine the level of cover that would be required on your travel insurance policy in relation to this condition.

As all of these medical circumstances can affect the cover on your policy, our underwriters take an 'all in' or 'all out' approach in order to ensure that our customers fully understand what is and is not covered on their travel insurance. We do understand it is frustrating, especially if you feel that the procedure/tests you are awaiting is a minor one.


Could InsureandGo help or AllClear?  I don't know if they work on the same rule. 

Sea_Shell

Sorry to digress (a bit) but it is so lazy of insurers to take that approach.   But I suppose it keeps their premiums down.   
Trouble is if they all do that, no one can ever get covered, unless they've never been the to the GP with any problems whatsoever.

Also, you could argue almost any 'test' that is booked, could be excluded (or should be declared).

How many of us have declared to insurers that we have ROUTINE tests booked, which could result in far more major problems than a bad elbow.

Do I have to declare to insurers that I have my next smear test booked at the GP (for example).   Or have had it and I'm awaiting the results!

Sorry, this is pushing all my buttons!!

(I used to work in the industry before all this "computer says no" business, and you could have a sensible discussion directly with underwriters)

Annemos

Ladies....  there is a review on there in July.  I think it is about heavy periods! I imagine she had a coil perhaps. Which was then removed many years later? 

I spent 45 mins trying to get cover for a holiday answering all the medical questions but because I did not know the reason of what caused menorrhagia
( google it) 11 years ago for which I received a very common treatment which lasted 10 years & had removed last year they could not give me a quote. Its a very common complaint for women & even doctors don't know what causes it apart from its probably hormonal changes. To be told I need to go ask my doctor again & come back to you. I don't think so😡

Reply included.....

Our underwriter provides us with specific questions we must ask in order to complete the medical declaration. As you can appreciate, our agents, who are not medically trained, need to ensure that we capture all relevant information for your own protection in the unforeseen event that you need to submit a claim.

Menorrhagia is a symptom of several medical conditions, which is why you were referred back to your GP as we need to screen the condition and not the symptom.

I am sorry for any frustration caused, and I hope you have found alternative insurance.

Sea_Shell

It seems to me that the travel (and life) insurance industry does seem to be inadvertently "rewarding" those that have a "head in the sand" attitude to their health, rather than those who are proactive in seeking help with something that's bothering them, rather than go "oh it's nothing", or "it'll be fine".

You could be the unhealthiest person about, but as long as you've got nothing "on record" you're seen as "no risk"!!  (Within usual age, weight, smoker parameters) 


Maybe ignorance is bliss ? 😡

Annemos

I totally agree. I think it is actively putting people off going to the doctor at all, if they have a trip planned. And it also makes you think twice before you consider an Annual Policy. 

It's a conspiracy.... to get the doctors' waiting lists down! ......


  

prettyandfluffy

When I needed travel insurance whilst awaiting a diagnosis, I contacted https://www.biba.org.uk/find-insurance/. It will involve a telephone conversation but was worth it.