Travel insurance when on a waiting list

poohdelapuss

I am currently on a waiting list for an appointment with an opthalmologist after my optician referred me for an anomoly on one of the tests in a routine check up (possibly early sign of glaucoma). This is making it impossible to find travel insurance for a short trip to Switzerland. I’ve tried multiple insurers but as soon as you mention a waiting list they turn you down flat….no ‘call us to discuss’, no questions about what you are waiting for. This isn’t anything life threatening or life limiting, it’s not something that will compromise my health in any way…has anyone else faced this problem? Are there any insurers ot there that will consider the reason for being on a waiting list. I’m faced with having to go abroad with no cover at all at the moment.

elsien

will they cover you with an exclusion for the eye -condition?
and are you doing this online because if you are, then try phoning them instead

Marmaduke123

Total Travel Protection and several others will cover you when you are on a waiting list, for an extra premium of course. If your trip is really short you might think the extra is too much to pay, but worth checking.

sheramber

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6668171/travel-insurance-when-on-a-waiting-list

The problem may be that you get an appointment for during your holiday and want to claim for cancellation.

maman

I have glaucoma and, while I declare it, I don't think it adversely affects my travel insurance premium.

I'd try phoning a company and telling them you're awaiting a further appointment to confirm your optician's diagnosis and that (assuming you are of course) you'd postpone any appointment until after your trip.

When you do get an appointment with the opthalmologist, the likely outcome is that you'll be prescribed eye drops so no reason not to travel.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81997392#Comment_81997392

Its not an insured peril so you wouldnt be covered and so thats not an issue.

The issue is that there is no diagnosis and secondly glaucoma is not a singular condition, neovascular glaucoma for example points to a significant underlying condition like poorly managed diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Similarly if the diagnosis was from something other than the puff test it could also be a brain tumour.

Not trying to make the OP worried but insurers are naturally dont like the unknown and so they can't price based on what it may be because it may be something much more serious which they won't insure at all and so until the certainty comes many will simply decline to quote.

sheramber

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81997931#Comment_81997931

T here are companies prepared to cover undiagnosed conditions.

My husband was covered when his appointment to investigate blood in his urine was after our holiday.

He was fully covered for an extra £50.

It cost more for me because my GP changed one of my meds due to it causing ingestion.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81998065#Comment_81998065

There may some that will, there are more that will consider covering under related conditions, there are some that will provide cover but exclude all medical cover and there are those that always exclude existing conditions so dont even ask about them.

Different insurers have different approaches, most common is that they won't provide cover

sheramber

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81998125#Comment_81998125

Thankfully, American Express/Axa were willing to cover.

poohdelapuss

Thanks everyone for the responses. Unfortunately MyRealNameToo has hit the nail on the head - being on a waiting list is ok; being on a waiting list for an undiagnosed condition is not. Fair enough I suppose - they won’t cover you for the unknown and can’t exclude it if they don’t know what they’re excluding🙄. I’ve spoken to the hospital and they’ve put me on the cancellation list so there’s a slim chance I’ll get seen, and hopefully diagnosed, before I go. If not, I’ll just have to be extra careful not to step under a bus till I get back home🤣.