Travel insurance: Not declaring an undiagnosed medical issue?

mlaf · 23 July 2019 at 4:41PM

Hello,

I've taken out a travel insurance policy and I'm unclear as to whether I will be covered for a medical issue that went undeclared since it was "undiagnosed" when I purchased the policy, or whether I should update/buy new policy.

I've noted the timeline of events below to help, but basically after booking a holiday (Canada) I set about booking insurance. I phoned Staysure to enquire about needing to declare a medical concern, but the sales rep said I wouldn't need to declare it since it was undiagnosed (my GP speculated but refered me to a specialist for further investigation). So, I bought the policy with nothing declared.

I've since been diagnosed, received treatment, and am currently recovering with my holiday a week away. Recovery seems fine so I should still be able to go, however if there were to be a complication while in Canada, I will need to be covered for medical.

I've read varying things regarding what you must declare. Does it sound like I'm likely covered since it wasn't diagnosed when I bought the policy? (I can't prove their sales rep told me that was the case.) And on a related note, would the policy require updating based on what's happened since its effective date or at this point is the policy set in stone and I'm covered regardless of what's happened before my trip?

I'm reading through the policy as best I can, but opinions would be greatly appreciated as I'm finding the rules on declaring fairly confusing!

Timeline of events:
1. Booked holiday.
2. Went to GP for opinion regarding symptom. GP speculates but does not diagnose and refers me to a specialist.
3. Took out travel insurance policy (staysure) with nothing declared.
4. Visited specialist, received diagnosis and now received treatment I'm currently recovering from.

csgohan4 · 23 July 2019 at 5:27PM

Declare at all times, Anything not declared gives the basis for the insurer to decline claims even if it 'seems' not to be connected.

We just had our renewal notice form an insurer which mentions to declare everything in the last 24 months or risk claims not being settled.

The only difference is life insurance/income protection, where everything new After the insurance came into play is not their business,

annabanana82 · 23 July 2019 at 5:28PM

I would phone staysure and update them, I think you were wrongly advised, any undiagnosed medical condition or pending investigations usually results in insurers refusing cover. It may result in an increase in premium but better that than your insurance being void.

Quentin · 23 July 2019 at 8:17PM

Read up in your policy about when any new condition needs to be disclosed.

Most travel insurance policies do require notification whenever you develop a new condition.

Manxman_in_exile · 23 July 2019 at 9:50PM

My travel insurance company asks if you've been receiving "medical treatment" for anything in the last twelve months. If you'd already seen your GP (before taking out insurance) and you knew you were going to be referred to a specialist, I would say that counts as medical treatment. Unless Esure T&Cs specifically say that you don't need to declare "undiagnosed" conditions*, I suspect you may have been advised wrongly.

It would be daft not to declare the condition and then find out in Canada that you aren't covered. That would defeat the whole point of buying insurance in the first place. You need to 'phone your insurer, explain the situation and ask for a definitive answer. Either it makes no difference to them in which case it doesn't affect your insurance, or it does make a difference so you have to tell them. It's a win-win situation.

*If your GP's notes say "mlaf displays symptoms which may indicate xxxx. Refer to specialist for confirmation" I would say this might be considered a diagnosis. I wouldn't risk not telling my insurer.

DCFC79 · 23 July 2019 at 10:42PM

As suggested phone them up and ask them if they need to be informed of the news, I suspect the answer will be yes.

Travel insurance: Not declaring an undiagnosed medical issue?

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