Insurance for those with pre existing conditions (1 Viewer)

[Carol]

This was touched on another thread, but not the OP original question, but was asked, Myself and Eddie both have pre existing conditions that are not covered unless you pay many hundreds of pounds, but we do our best to get cover.

Question is which is the best for this, my main concern is accidents and would be happy for that cover, and let our European card take care of the rest.

ANy options .

 

[schojac]

This is becoming an issue and even if you have had tests that have come back negative you are liable for increased premiums. If a claim is made these insurance companies have the right to make enquiries regarding your medical history and so there is no easy way around it should someone wish not to declare any issues.

Its a tricky choice and much depends on personal medical conditions. Mine (in my opinion) was quite minor and therefore made the decision not to declare. approx £20.00 saving per trip!

 

[Snowbird]

A very difficult one Carol. Because of existing medical conditions I too cannot get any travel or even life insurance. I have relied on the EHIC card and ADAC plus. Its a problem that happens to many as we become older am afraid. Either we stop travelling or carry on in the blind hope we will get some form of treatment if we need it.

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[Landy lover]

My wife has a pre existing condition which is automatically excluded from any insurance policy and in my opinion is very unfair - provided she takes the necessary medication and had a blood test every 6 months there has been no problem for over 30 years now. However I would guess that if anything happened any that condition could be involved or attributed to it the insurance would try and wriggle. I suffer occasionally with gout, because of the speed it hits me I always carry the prescribed medicine which will get it under control very quickly. Sometimes I can suffer 2 or 3 time a year - sometimes I can go a year without trouble - should I declare that as a condition. In real terms it is not a lot different than having to declare you get a headache a dozen times a year but it appears to me that every insurance is doing its best to avoid paying out.

 

[Bailey58]

We've only bothered in the past when we've booked trips with a travel firm who insist on insurance, a couple of cruises, Rocky Mountain trip to Canada etc. and we've paid around £80 for annual multi trip but, like Snowbird, on our motorhome/caravan travels we've only had breakdown cover for the vehicle, similarly for trips "home" to the Faroes.

We've been persuaded to go on a cruise in the new year and a trip to Turkey in March so have joined the hunt for an annual policy to cover both trips and since having treatment for an illness last year that policy has rocketed to around £220 or so. That figure will not include pre-existing conditions despite the fact that a couple of minor ailments were ignored in the past.

Our companions use Essential Travel who routed me through to a specialist when I did an online quote.

We haven't sorted it yet as they don't do annual multi trip more than 30 days in advance so I shall wait a bit before looking again. Though having said that I haven't priced for single trips which may be worth a look. :Sad:

 

[Snowbird]

I did have cause to use the ADAC plus medical cover a couple of years ago when herself was admitted to hospital with pneumonia in Spain. They excepted the ADAC card because she had forgotten to renew her E111. She was in hospital for 10 days and no charge. ADAC liaised with me and the hospital and were very good.

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[Carol]

When we have taken out insurance we always give our pre existing conditions and to be honest it leaves most things uncovered , so makes me wonder if it is possible to get just accident cover if possible.

 

[capinpugwash]

Carol, I have just organised insurance for my trips (an annual policy) via LV Frizzell who got very good reviews through Moneysavingexpert.com.

It is possible to do what you want to do, by just not declaring pre existing conditions. Thus pre existings are excluded, but they say they will take a view if a claim is made.

This enables one to be insured for accidents and unknowns, and brings the premium right down.

Household policies normally cover possessions away from the home anyway, so that brings the price down as well.

Stuart

 

[Geejay]

I would be a bit careful of not declaring pre-existing conditions, because if your accident or other mishap is in any way due to the condition then you wont be insured. Also, you wont be covered for repatriation. If you are thinking of doing this it might be best to discuss it with them or with a broker.

There's an article from Which? on some insurers who might be worth trying Link Removed

Also found EHICPlusExpand Link Removed (available from MoneySuperMarket as well) which is similar to EHICPlus but without Doctor Call Out cover and slightly higher Excesses, but £10 cheaper.

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[Organplayer]

organplayer

As Snowbird, we have ADACplus, and in addition a policy from AXA PP Healthcare. This AXA policy gives us up to 95 days per trip off this island of ours. There is NO requirement with the AXA policy to specify any previous medical conditions, the only two stipulations are (1) must not travel when advised not to by doctor or other medical advice (2) must not travel when you know you are unfit to travel. Total number of days covered to travel in one year is 183 days. This is a rather pricey policy but as the old saying goes, you get (hopefully) what you pay for.

 

[sedge]

I would not advise anyone, to NOT declare medical conditions.

The reason for this is, Insurers can actually refuse to indemnify you for anything (stolen luggage or someone suing you for poking them in the eye with a blunt stick) if you haven't told the truth on ANY part of the cover.

I know that sounds potty but the English insurance contract is based on the principle of Uberrima Fides - utmost good faith. And it extends to the WHOLE contract because it's only one contract for the entire policy.

 

[7735]

The most important cover you require is repatriation, most medical treatment is covered in Europe but if you are treated for an illness that is related in any way to an existing condition and you have not declared it you will not be covered or repatriated if you need it. Repatriation can cost several thousand pounds even from Europe We used The Caravan Club about £250 for us both including existing conditions for an annual policy up to 63 days on any 1 trip.

spongy

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[g8ysn]

g8ysn

wife is insured through our bank 365 days cover,all disabilities and ailments on forms,
used it once in count picafore,ann was treated in palma hospital,receptionist sorted it out no problem as we had documents with us,£149.00 lloyds:thumb:

 

[capinpugwash]

With my previous post I did state that I had taken advice from the insurers. The proposal form allows one to not declare (or be covered) for pre existing conditions but be covered for new ones.

With some insurers though they ask for conditions to be declared, then ask if you want cover or not, and if not the policy will exclude them.

This approach also keeps the premium down, without compromising the cover you want.

 

[Teasy2007]

I have just spent half an hour completing the Staysure online. We can insure both of us for 5 months for £231.67 which I think is reasonable. We declared all our medical conditions and chose to exclude them from the cover, the cost would have been £672 with them.

For the last 2 years we have not had insurance and have relied on using the E111 card, very successfully. Before this we used EHIC 111+. But they don't cover for long enough.

I'm going to contact CC&C on Monday and compare their quote.

I must say that although the E111 card worked for us when I had to go into hospital in Spain it was always at the back of our minds that we needed more cover.

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[s20hymer]

pre existing med cond

Hya Carol, I just got a long stay for us with pre existing with Camping & Caravan Club, cost £101 + £10 to cover his exist med for MIke it covers everything and is for 182 days.

 

[Geejay]

Is that per person? I've just tried the C&CC website for 6 months and it comes out at £204 for a couple.

 

[trophychap]

Jenny again .....

I had this conversation with my GP years and years ago, when (being diabetic already) I discovered ALL prescriptions were free. Why I said? - what has my female hormonal problem got to do with my diabetes?

He said, Can you prove that it hasn't got anything to do with your diabetes, or that it isn't exacerbated by diabetes? I had to admit that I couldn't - and he said Neither can 'we'. That's why.

Think about this. You already have emphysema let's say which you have chosen to exclude. You get a cut which needs stitching. That's fine, it's covered NP you say. Then you have a coughing fit and burst your stitches .... So are you covered for things leading from the coughing fit, or not?

Carol and Eddie, just like us, want to be covered for it all then we can stop worrying and enjoy our holidays!

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[Welsh girl]

We had 7 months from staysure with pre existing condition for tez declared for £221, only booked one way and realised after 3 weeks upon reading terms and conditions ( I know should have read them before) that a return needed to be booked otherwise insurance invalid.
I emailed staysure and told them of the problem and they said as long as I booked a return ticket in 14 days were were covered, I then asked for another month and was charged £40 extra.
I think this was very fair of them and we are very happy with their customer service, haven't had to claim yet though thank goodness.
Sandra, a customer service representative even phoned me in France to set up and confirm arrangements.
We wanted repatriation more than anything after watching Benidorm ER!!!
Will certainly use them again.

 

[s20hymer]

C & C club travel insurance

Is that per person? I've just tried the C&CC website for 6 months and it comes out at £204 for a couple.

Yes that would work out at that for a couple for longstay, + an extra premium for any pre existing conditions.

 

[s20hymer]

travel insurance

I think the cost of this type of insurance is all down to how old you are, we used to use Staysure, but once Mike got to 73 they became more expensive that other insurance companies, when I was comparing I found the C & C Club to come out the cheapest for us, also the length of stay abroad was very attractive, using their long stay option.

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[Teasy2007]

I have just finished talking to CC&C about insurance.

For the 2 of us, without existing conditions it is £204. This will only cover for any accidental medical incident and for cancellation (as long as the reason for cancellation does not relate to any of the medical conditions). Repatriation linked to the existing medical conditions will not be covered.

Michael's COPD will cost an additional £840 and my conditions an extra £650. As usual with any insurance policy it seems that the exclusion extends to nearly all the internal organs by the time they have finished.

So, my question remains, it is worth it??

We have the EHIC card, which has served us well in the past, do we take the risk? or do we pay the cost of the insurance and then wait for them to say we are not covered anyway? Sorry for being so cynical.

 

[buttons]

Not as important in Europe but for US or world and maybe North Africa then the only safe way to be confident in your cover is to get a signed copy of your medical records from your GP declare all known pre-existing and get your insurers to record and acknowledge this before you leave. Then sit back and enjoy without any worries.

Personally I think that not declaring is fool hardy, it could all end in tears.

 

[Geejay]

I think the greatest expense may be repatriation which the EHIC doesn't cover. So are you able to dispense with insurance and pay for repatriation if required - maybe £20K. Of course if the insurance wont include repatriation for your conditions then it's questionable whether it's worth taking.

Which? have listed some insurers who cover for pre-existing conditions so it might be worth trying them: Here

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[Teasy2007]

I think the greatest expense may be repatriation which the EHIC doesn't cover. So are you able to dispense with insurance and pay for repatriation if required - maybe £20K. Of course if the insurance wont include repatriation for your conditions then it's questionable whether it's worth taking.

Which? have listed some insurers who cover for pre-existing conditions so it might be worth trying them: Here

Just looked at EHIC+ and they won't insure for more than 122 days.

 

[Geejay]

Have you tried some of the ones on the Which link? Eg Holidaysafe which links you through to Insurancewith.com? Or try a broker.

 

[Carol]

Decision made we have gone with CCC £102 each, we have declared any medical conditions we have, and opted out of them but we are covered for any accidents or unrelated things, I feel quite happy with this.

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