Recent knee injury not covered even though I had travel insurance

Ruth_Munden

Hi, I took out travel insurance for a trip to Dubai 9 months ago and a couple of days ago had an accident and injured my knee where I needed to go to A and E. My X-ray on my knee was fine and 2 days later my knee appears to be back to normal. My insurance company won't insure my knee when Im abroad as I have the MRI scan booked in when away and can't get an appointment any sooner. How can this be right? Take out travel insurance as soon as you book and still not fully insured. Insurance company says it now becomes a pre existing condition. Anyone else have the same problem?

daveyjp

Removal of cover for medical matters which have yet to be diagnosed is standard as it is an unknown risk. 

By way of some mitigation I'd be tempted to use a high quality knee brace.

Ayr_Rage

Quite normal for any part of the body that is still awaiting tests to be excluded.

You may not think it is right but as Bruce Hornsby sang in 1986 that's "The Way It Is" 

Ruth_Munden

But it was an accident not a pre existing condition. So I take it that anyone who has an accident prior to their travels who are waiting results under the NHS are no longer covered for that injury. Im walking fine now so going anyway. Its the principle, take out travel insurance as soon as you book does not cover all especially where Insurance and Go are concerned.

silvercar

I thought the insurer should agree to cover you or alternatively offer to cover any loss incurred by cancelling.

maman

From the insurance company's point of view your knee injury, as it happened before your holiday, was a pre-existing condition that you needed to tell them about. In your case, they won't cover you because the extent of the injury isn't properly known as you're still awaiting tests. 

daveyjp

It does cover all. If the injury means you can't travel you can cancel and use the insurance for a refund.

Ruth_Munden

Im in good health and mobile, they'll cover me for everything else just not my knee as my knee injury has not been fully diagnosed and am still under the hospital waiting for my MRI. I have contacted the insurance company and claims department and they won't pay out for a cancellation, as I would be deemed fit to travel by a doctor. My knee just won't be covered when I'm away, even though I had full cover when the policy was taken out. Im really highlighting that many people could have a similar problem when taking out travel insurance when booking  their holiday. If you go to the doctors and are referred and awaiting diagnosis, the insurance company will not insure you against that ailment.

maman

Yes @Ruth_Munden, that's becoming an increasing problem. GP's rightly refer people for tests but because of the length of waiting lists there's every chance that you won't get a final diagnosis/be signed off before a booked holiday. ☹️

Ayr_Rage

It's always been this way and if you delve into the Ts and Cs you'll find there is a clause that you need to declare any change in your health after taking out the policy and prior to travel.

heatherw_01

You always have to declare anything you have been treated for at a doctors or hospital.
Even things like UTI's and stuff.

This is a thing that would have needed declaring and as you didn't declare it, your claim is invalid.