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Travel Insurance While Waiting for a Medical Test
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Thanks for your comments and it has been a very frustrating process, but I have found some insurance - firstly I went to www.biba.org.uk and then I managed to get some insurance through JustTravel.com where they just excluded cover for the sore elbow (and other mild conditions for the rest of the family). This seems to me, at least after the pain of the last few days online and on the phone, to make some kind of sense.1
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I remembered this Post and Sea_Shell saying:
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 have been looking at something else this evening and I spotted an Ombudsman case that actually mentioned the dreaded Smear Tests! It seems to be good news for this particular case on the actual Smear Test Issue.
(But the mouth ulcer did turn out to be the crucial issue that denied the claim.)
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Extracts: what this Ombudsman said:
IPA subsequently said Miss G’s claim wasn’t covered because she hadn’t correctly answered the medical questions she’d been asked when she bought the policy. It said, if Miss G had answered the questions correctly, it wouldn’t have sold her the policy
IPA said, as Miss G’s medical records showed consultations for laryngitis, a mouth ulcer, angular cheilitis and cervical smears in the last five years, there was no cover for the claim under her policy. IPA offered to cancel the policy and refund the premium paid to Miss G.
The second question, in referring to medical conditions which have required prescribed medication or treatment in the last 5 years, mirrors the definitions set out in the terms and conditions of Miss G’s policy with IPA.
I think the second question Miss G was asked was clear as a stand-alone question. Miss G needed to take reasonable care to accurately answer both questions.
I’ve considered whether I think Miss G took reasonable care in answering the second question in the way that she did. In doing so, I’ve reviewed Miss G’s medical records and I’ve taken into account what she has told us about her medical history.
I don’t think it’s fair or reasonable for IPA to say Miss G incorrectly answered the second question because she had cervical smear tests. Generally, these are routine check-ups which are carried out at regular intervals and there’s no indication Miss G had an underlying medical condition which meant she underwent cervical smears more regularly than usual.
https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN3422130.pdf
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Interesting, thanks.
So basically any tests that are 'routine' don't need to be declared IF there is no underlying reason for requesting a test outside the normal parameters.
Hopefully that also includes...
Eye tests
Over 50's MOT type tests
Breast screening
etc.
ETA - This jumped out at me from that ruling....
IPA investigated and said Miss G’s policy wasn’t designed for anyone who had any medical history in the previous five years.
Now that is some seriously twitchy underwriting just there. How have they got any customers at all !!!How's it going, AKA, Nutwatch? - 12 month spends to date = 2.56% of current retirement "pot" (as at end January 2025)0 -
I know... as a joke, I can only think it is meant for AI robots, but even they need periodic oiling!?
The thing is, as one of the experts on here has often pointed out.... we have to HONESTLY answer the exact question that was asked of us. Because a transcript will be requested if there is ever a dispute.
My fear is, that given the way the question is sometimes worded when we take out a Policy, if we do declare breast scans and smear tests and eye tests etc etc, then the Agent will come back and say we cannot have a Policy.
And at that stage we cannot really fight it through the Ombudsman.
How much training are the young folks getting when we ring up to buy a policy? And how trained is the AI that is now inherent within the initial accept/deny process. And does anyone take a look at how it is operating?
We are on the outside looking in, so cannot really know.
One more thing... those cases only apply to the person in question and so the Case may give a tendency, but cannot be completely relied upon.0 -
Sea_Shell said:Interesting, thanks.
So basically any tests that are 'routine' don't need to be declared IF there is no underlying reason for requesting a test outside the normal parameters.
Hopefully that also includes...
Eye tests
Over 50's MOT type tests
Breast screening
etc.
ETA - This jumped out at me from that ruling....
IPA investigated and said Miss G’s policy wasn’t designed for anyone who had any medical history in the previous five years.
Now that is some seriously twitchy underwriting just there. How have they got any customers at all !!!
My mammogram was done in a mobile unit unconnected to my GP surgery.
My eye tests are done by an optician , not my GP.1 -
Insure and Go Policy says this. Tell us if.......
• Been a registered in or out-patient at a hospital, clinic or GP surgery in the last two years;
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Just googled and one of the NHS websites says this......
If you are invited to be screened as part of the national screening programme, you will visit one of the our three mobile screening units. These are specialist vehicles equipped with a mammography clinic room, which visit sites in Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset.0
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