Travel insurance - illness after taking out a policy (but before trip)

JGderbyshire

Travel insurance clearly covers you against costs because of illness during a trip.

But how far does it also cover you against the consequences of getting ill after you have bought the policy, but before you travel?

Say I have an intermittent medical condition, and have truthfully answered that the last episode was more than five years ago. I buy insurance based on that answer.

Then I have another episode before the holiday. My doctor wouldn't advise against travel, but the insurance company would assess me as a more expensive risk.

I gather that I am obliged to tell the insurance company of any change in my medical condition. But what changes does this allow them to make?

Can they cancel the holiday and refund me?

Can they demand an additional premium? If they do, but I consider it too much, can they simply refund me my original premium and leave me uninsured?

I got a quote from one company that said:

"It is important we make you aware that there is an on-going health warranty on your cover. This means that should you become aware of a change in your diagnosis or if you receive a new diagnosis before you travel or make a balance of payment you must contact us to declare the change in health.  When you contact us to declare a change in health we will provide you with a quote for the change in risk, you will only be covered once any additional premium (if due) is paid. Occasionally your change in health will be outside of our risk profile, if this is the case we will offer you a pro-rata refund for your policy."

Is that standard, or is it a limitation that higher-priced offerings wouldn't impose?

NoodleDoodleMan

AFAIK - this would be a situation where you have to seek the doctor's advice to establish if your previously declared medical condition has deteriorated to a degree that the insurance company has to be advised.

In which case I doubt he/she would declare you fit to travel.

sheramber

The insurance company will assess the risk for the  recurrence of the condition. 

That may lead to an increased premium or a refusal to cover you.

If they refuse to continue to cover you for illness they may offer cover for accident only- that is what they offered my husband.

If they no longer are willing to cover, then you could look for another company to cover you if you still wish to travel.

You need to contact your insurance company  and see   what they will decide. 

silvercar

So I have just had similar. My travel insurance is part of my bank account, so an annual policy effectively with a renewal date as have existing conditions that I pay a premium for. 

Holiday booked for October, had an accident resulting in a  broken bone. I have notified the insurance company who have said that as I booked the holiday before the accident, I am still covered. For future holidays I have a choice between excluding the condition and being covered for anything else or paying a premium to include cover for this condition.