Travel Insurance Frustration

FarleyUK

I'm off to the USA in July to see my sister (hooray!), and am currently trying to sort out travel insurance. I've not got it currently, as I only travel outside the UK for work, which is covered by work policy.

So, I'm completing the questions for travel insurance quotes, and I'm a bit confused about the pre-existing medical section.

Some of you may remember the infamous 'Moviprep' thread I posted about a year ago, relating to bowel issues I had that was being investigated (which thankfully led to them finding no issues at all, I was literally just full of shit). one of the questions on every insurance form asks if you attended an out-patient center in the last 2 years, so i add that I have (had a colonoscopy). It then asks for the illness, and they don't have 'Blockage of poo' as an option, so I select Bowel obstruction.

And my quote then sky-rockets by £100 for a single trip!!!!

is it really necessary to say I have a pre-existing condition when it's been proven there's actually no issue after all?

robwright

I think bowel obstruction would ring alarm bells when in fact it sounds like you had severe constipation (compacted shit?). The issue as I understand it is that you wouldn’t be covered if you had that issue again (which sounds unlikely!). As most insurance underwriting is now done by computer, it will always err on the side of extreme caution! Probably best to talk to a human insurance specialist? 

scrumhalf

Travel insurance including the USA will always be higher since their medical costs are insane.

Try another company. I found Insure&Go to be quite good, I think I paid about £90 for an annual policy a couple of years ago.

StormshadowGuitars

Virgin are usually pretty good on the Meerkat site, they didn't have that question listed on their form either. 
I think it asks for pre-existing conditions but not just on the off chance you've been to see a doctor.

FarleyUK

Cheers guys - spoke to a miserable git at InsureandGo, and he said as it isn't a condition it doesn't need to be stated.

However, they were 3 times the price of others, and the one I've gone with states you must have been DIAGNOSED with an illness for it to need to be on the condition list.

Thanks!

bobblehat

Try "Leisureguard" I pay around £85/year for a worldwide couples policy.

guitars4you

scrumhalf said:

Try another company. I found Insure&Go to be quite good, I think I paid about £90 for an annual policy a couple of years ago.

I've used them for years and likewise an annual pass - appears to be fine but in all honesty not had to make a claim yet - So touch wood

Blaendulais

Dude I would say colonoscopy but normal as normal to have a lot of poo.  Its not a disease technically unless you obstruct - you didnt.

Speak to them

DefaultM

Its just to stop for example someone with diabetes buying a holiday and then taking out insurance so that if they have a flare up they don't lose their money. 

sev112

I was looking at some life insurance policies a month or so back.  One question says : “have you got one of the following specific conditions ...?” Which is fine cos I haven’t.  But Q5 says, “have you been to a doctor in the past 2 years for tiredness / fatigue ..} and some other non specific things.  Seems to me you’re penalised just for going to the doctor which actually makes you healthier, and therefore lower risk!

interestinf I found out today that the Irish Disability Act 2015 explicitly prevents insurance companies from asking or even taking account of genetic test results.