Holiday insurance

V3cash

So I bought cover for my daughter for travel , an annual policy.
my daughter now has elevated liver function tests results.
she was having a routine medical prior to her job.
she will probably need further investigations for this and we have told GP.
we should go on holiday Tuesday and  
she is well in herself.
if the doctors tell us not to go away we can claim. However,
what happens if they say she’s ok to go, will she be covered or do we have to call insurance and let them know.
surely she should still be covered as we got policy before this happened.

GrubbyGirl_2

I would say yes you do need to tell them if something has changed.  Insurance companies will find any reason not to pay a claim and this would be a perfect one for them even if it's not related to any claim made

soolin

Definitely tell them something has changed. When my OH had an issue I phoned the insurance company to tell them and they said as long as Doctor didn't say not to fly then to go- but be aware we wouldn't be covered for any medical issue arising out of the 'new' condition. We would still be covered for everything else. 

Ayr_Rage

There is no surely with insurers!

You need to read the policy conditions carefully regarding declaring any changes in health, I am certain you will find any and all changes MUST be declared.

The most likely scenarios are as follows.

1. She will be covered for cancellation if advised not to travel by her doctor and she can prove she had no symptoms or knowledge of the liver condition before the routine medical for her new job and the policy was purchased prior to that test.

2. She declares the issue and that she is awaiting further tests and diagnosis, they may offer continued cover but will exclude anything to do with that condition or they will no longer insure her and the policy will be cancelled.

3. She does not declare the condition which will almost certainly go against the Ts and Cs thus voiding the policy completely and if she travels and has a problem of any sort, even if unconnected to her condition, she will find she is uninsured when she tries to claim. Believe me, the insurer will check her medical history.

V3cash

Thanks for the advice, yes i thought it would need to be declared really, just sometimes wonder what you pay for.
As long as she’s ok that’s the main thing really.

Anyway, will wait and see what doctors say before calling so we have all the information.
I know so many people that don’t declare things but I can’t do that, i would just worry all holiday.
im sure they do check medical history with a fine tooth comb, saves them paying out!!

dojuls

My understanding of travel insurance is that you almost certainly do need to inform them about any new medical condition or investigation, even if the doctors say she's okay to go. Policies usually have clauses about changes in health status after booking or buying the policy, and not telling them could invalidate the cover if you later needed to claim for something related.

Better safe than sorry with insurance, unfortunately! Hope it all works out and she gets to enjoy her holiday.

MyRealNameToo

V3cash said:

I know so many people that don’t declare things but I can’t do that, i would just worry all holiday.
im sure they do check medical history with a fine tooth comb, saves them paying out!!

If they dont declare it then they arent covered and just dont know about it. In principle theirs would apply to any claim though in practice an insurer won't ask for medical report if you are claiming for a stolen iPhone 

TELLIT01

Yes you need to inform the insurer.  I'm guessing that the elevated liver function was revealed by a blood test.  One off 'out of normal range' results are very common, and a second test would quite possibly show it to be back to normal.  Quite recently my wife had blood tests which showed one item 'out of normal range'.  Repeat blood test had that item back in range but another 'out of normal range'.  Third test showed everything normal!

Story is really just to try to calm any fears about the results.

Exodi

GrubbyGirl_2 said:

Insurance companies will find any reason not to pay a claim

V3cash said:

sometimes wonder what you pay for.

...
im sure they do check medical history with a fine tooth comb, saves them paying out!!

Is this seated in reality, or our perception being warped by US insurers shenanigans?

As someone who has had two heart surgeries, entirely covered by insurance, I do feel it is unfair when people throw around this stereotype that insurers will do anything to get out of paying. Generally, you see figures suggesting that over 90% of claims are paid out in the UK.

With that said, I think people have unreasonable expectations. The MD at my company, for example, is absolutely spitting feathers because BUPA wouldn't cover the removal of a lump that he says has 'been there for as long as he can remember' or assist his wife with her back that has 'always been bad'.

If you could claim for pre-existing health conditions, there would be no point to holding health insurance - just take it out when you need and immediately claim.

I'd notify the insurer of the current health condition - there is absolutely no reason not to.

MyRealNameToo

Exodi said:
Generally, you see figures suggesting that over 90% of claims are paid out in the UK.

Claims acceptance rates vary significantly between products. Over 99% of Motor claims are accepted whereas for Home its more like 75% but that is broadly due to the complexity of the product and people try claiming for Accidental Damage when they didnt take AD cover or a phone snatched away from the home and they hadn't bought Personal Possessions cover. 

Travel is somewhere between the two with claims being declined most commonly for undeclared medical conditions, stolen property being left unattended, alcohol or risky activities being the cause of injuries or where an airline or card issuer is responsible for providing a refund before the insurer. 

V3cash

Called the insurer who then promptly cancelled all the insurance, no choice to just cover other things.
called specialist company for pre existing conditions. Got cover thank goodness, so we can go on holiday with peace of mind. Knowing we will be covered.