Travel Insurance- do I need to tell them I may have epilepsy?

linky

Hi,can anyone, who perhaps works in travel insurnace, tell me if I need to tell the insurance co that I might have epilepsy.

I took out the cover about 4 weeks ago to cover a 3 week trip to France beginning on 30th June, however I have been feeling unwell and have been to my Doctor who has suggested that it might be epilepsy and is sending me for tests, as the wheels of the NHS take a while even an urgent brain scan will take weeks to do so I will not have a straight yes or no answer before I go.

Do I have to tell them, will I be covered if I don't?

Thanks and gratefull for any suggestions.

nomoneytoday

Yes you need to tell them in Good Faith. If they find out later your policy could be voided, and a market put against your files

System

the OP "MAY" have epilepsy surely the insurance co needs to be notified only when a diagnosis has been made not in anticipation. it took the nhs 4months to do my DD EEG and then another 3 for her MRI , good luck op hope it turns out well for you.

asea

Chrissy this will fall under the category of a material fact as the knowledge that she MAY have epilepsy affects the insurance and if not disclosed will violate the principles of utmost good faith - even if there hasn't been an official diagnosis it is still relevant to the insurance provided.

Just be honest & tell them that you think you MAY have it and that you have NOT been diagnosed - that way if something DID happen you will have done everything right and you will be covered as per your agreement with them.

If you had a fit (which I hope doesn't ever happen) & your insurers found out that you had witheld information relevant to the claim then your policy would become null & void and potentially you would be liable for any costs incurred which can be very high abroad.

I have a condition which I let my travel company know about and they have now said that if anything happens which is in relation to my condition I am covered (I have had a very slight increase in my premium though)

*MF*

First - I need to say I am anxious about what I am about to say, and I don't want to mislead you in any way - but with past and long working experience in this area - my initial reaction was - no, you do not need to tell them, because your knowledge of any potential illness came to you after the insurance was in force - entirely differnt from you knowing before you took out the insurance. - which is where you have a strict obligation to tell the insurer.

So, I looked at what the Financial Ombudsman had to say on disputes that had arisen in this area, and found this:

‘pre-existing conditions’ and best practice

The single most significant cause of the travel-related disputes referred to us is the insurer’s exclusion of cover for ‘pre-existing conditions’. This is where the insurer excludes from cover any illnesses that arise from conditions that travellers were suffering from when they took out the insurance – or had suffered from previously. Our position on this is well-established. This exclusion is a potentially onerous one. Its impact is potentially far-reaching and may have serious consequences for customers, so it must be drawn very clearly to the attention of anyone buying a policy.

From here:

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/ombudsman-news/29/29-travel.htm

Now for me, that confirms my initial reaction, but as the FOS comments also make clear this is an area where many disputes do arise, so while I am clear in my own mind that you do not have to tell them, I remain wary on advising you not to.

My hope is that a member who is still involved in this area (I no longer am - but the basic principles have not changed) might also respond and add their thoughts.

mrscruffy

I am in a similar situation and trying to get cover in place for a trip this summer.
You'll have to check the policy wordings as one particular policy I was considering stated that it would not pay up for cancellation or medical treatment if you are "awaiting the results of medical investigations".

From your post I think you would fall into that category whether or not you tell them.

*MF*

mrscruffy wrote: »

I am in a similar situation and trying to get cover in place for a trip this summer.
You'll have to check the policy wordings as one particular policy I was considering stated that it would not pay up for cancellation or medical treatment if you are "awaiting the results of medical investigations".

From your post I think you would fall into that category whether or not you tell them.

Very good comment - what does it say on the policy you have?

Before I posted I checked one example - I didn't include it to avoid lengthening my post, but here is the example I used, via the AA:

As in my earlier post the red highlighting is mine (I should have mentioned that)

Applying to Section 1 Medical expenses, Section 2 Cancellation, Section 3
Curtailment, Section 6 Trip Postponement and Section 7 Personal Accident.

1. Unless the condition has been declared to us and we have agreed cover in
writing or by endorsement, you are not covered for:

■ Any claim related directly or indirectly to any medical condition for which
at the time of buying (or renewing) this insurance you:

– Have been prescribed medication.

– Are being referred to, treated by or under the care of a Healthcare
Specialist e.g. General Practitioner, Hospital Specialist/Consultant,
Nurse, Osteopath, Chiropractor, Acupuncturist, Physiotherapist.

– Are waiting for treatment or the results of any tests or investigations
whether diagnosed or not.

■ Any claim related directly or indirectly to you having had cancer in the
previous five years.

From here;

http://www.aatravelinsurance.com/policy-information/policywording.asp

*******************************

The words I have highlighted "at the time of buying" are what led me to say what I said earlier.

Sorry OP if my comments just add to your confusion (far from my true intentions) - and I still hope another member may advise and help clarify for you.

But mrscruffy's comment is worth pursuing - check exactly what the policy you have says.

linky

Thanks to everyone who gave me advice, I called the travel co and they were really nice, they did agree still to cover me but have charged an extra £35, on the tablets now they are making me really sleepy, been for my EEG and waiting for an MRI scan, Hubbie now has to drive 2000 miles to France alone as I have had my licence taken away !!
Thanks again everyone xx