What counts as a pre existing condition

sarahmad

Hi, I have raised cholesterol and blood pressure but am taking low dose tablets for both which control them & get them down to acceptable levels.

Do they count as ‘pre existing’ while I’m taking the tablets? 

maman

When you apply for travel insurance online, you'll be asked various questions about which pre existing conditions you have.

 Raised BP is definitely one of them and they'll ask how many medications you're on. 

Just answer all the questions truthfully and the premium will be set accordingly. 

eskbanker

sarahmad said:

Hi, I have raised cholesterol and blood pressure but am taking low dose tablets for both which control them & get them down to acceptable levels.

Do they count as ‘pre existing’ while I’m taking the tablets? 

Yes, you're taking the tablets because you have the condition(s).

NoodleDoodleMan

Yes, hypertension is a pre-existing condition - I'm on high blood pressure tablets and had to report this to our travel insurer.

That's a common enough condition, the old adage "everybody and their dog" comes to mind - our previous insurer did not apply any additional charge when I disclosed it, our newer one takes £30 per annum to add cover, so it's not a big deal.

I can't comment on high cholesterol, however I suspect it's not a major league consideration if under the control of prescribed drugs.

Any and all prescribed medicines fall into the realm of health issues that your insurer needs to know about - or you risk the possibility of cover being null and void as a result of non disclosure.

If (God Forbid) you fall ill on holiday and need medical assistance your insurance provider will call your GP's surgery to ascertain health conditions.

If in doubt call your policy provider for advice and guidance.

Mr.Generous

They will have minimal impact anyway if the conditions are stable and under control. 

35har1old

sarahmad said:

Hi, I have raised cholesterol and blood pressure but am taking low dose tablets for both which control them & get them down to acceptable levels.

Do they count as ‘pre existing’ while I’m taking the tablets? 

If you where taking out travel insurance via Nationwide (Aviva) they would likely charge £30 additional premium for BP alone
Likely questions would be how long have you been on the tablets, what dose and has the dose changed or  has the medication been changed

If you where covered by Lloyds (Alluanz) BP and cholesterol or on a no screen list which doesn't require you to report the above but if you have a condition not on the list then you have to declare all

It all depends on which insurance policy you choose

35har1old

Mr.Generous said:

They will have minimal impact anyway if the conditions are stable and under control. 

Could cost possibly £30

NoodleDoodleMan

As above, I pay £30 to Aviva for hypertension which I'll have for life according to my practice nurse.

That's on top of the £18 for monthly Nationwide FlexPlus joint Account medical cover.

Still a good deal. 

cantbelieveit23

All good advice from others.  The questions may be phrased "have you ever had raised BP?' etc., with the understanding that you are now taking medication to control it.  My insurance has quite a long list of conditions that don't have to be declared.  Policies with relatively low base cost are generally more likely to charge extra/more to cover relatively common ailments.

NoodleDoodleMan

If on any dose/frequency of prescribed medication for hypertension then blood pressure is obviously needing to be controlled.

As said it is often not a condition that all insurer will require an extra premium to be paid - indeed some don't appear to need it declared.

You really need to talk with your travel insurer - there is no substitute for direct guidance and advice in my experience. 

Assuming "it'll be alright" is courting a potential drama.

SevenOfNine

I've just completed 14 forms relating to obtaining travel insurance with different companies inc Aviva as we're with N/W. Without doubt Aviva are going to ask "have you EVER" question relating to cholesterol level & the follow on from the YES you must give will be relating to blood pressure.

Previous insurer used by Nationwide had no extra charge for a 'yes' to the cholesterol question (& it wasn't phrased "have you EVER" either) for me & my husband, but Aviva are a completely different kettle of fish!

They renewed for us last October, in their first year with N/W, but this year I've had a flat refusal to cover ANY of my medical declarations, none at all, not even pre existing ones they covered last year (at an additional cost of £150).

Same with a friend, accepted last year but a 'no' this year. I think the 'honeymoon' period via N/W annual, worldwide, multi trip insurance is over!

We've dumped N/W, no point in staying.