Travel Insurance and flying for nut allergic children

[cocococo]

I was wondering whether others have declared serious food allergies on travel insurance forms for their kids? It hadn't really occurred to me until my doctor suggested that I inform my travel insurance company that I have a ds with a nut allergy today as we travel to the States at the weekend(I was at the doctors asking for a repeat perscription for wysoy and an epipen to take with us in case of any problems or loss). We have an annual travel policy with Insure & Go and I had to call another number and answer a few questions so that DS could be 'medically screened'we now have a special code on our policy saying that we have declared his nut allergy. Apparantly insurance companies can wheedle out of paying claims if you don't declare them prior to travel.

I called AA about his allergies to see if I could get a special meal for him but they weren't all that helpful. They said that they serve peanuts in upperclass but not coach (cattle!) class. She said "if you are telling me he is seriously allergic I will have to get you to call another number". I mumbled that he wasn't at the top end and she rung off. Any ideas what they do when you call the other number?? I'm assuming he won't get fed so I'll be taking lots of snacks and drinks for him anyway!

I did declare it to the travel insurance co. last year and they refused to cover Ds for any incident related to 'nuts'. I think it is at the discretion of each different company but I was informed that I would find it hard to get cover for him ever!!!! It wasn't too much of a big deal as we were traveling home to my parents in England and God forbid anything happened we were OK under the NHS but I was really worried in Hong Kong becasue of all the sesame oil, nuts oils etc. so much to his deight he ate McDonalds and egg and toast for the 2 days each way we were there!!!! Paranoid I know but I was travelling on my own, tired, emotional and couldn't face being in Hong Kong hospital with huge bill etc...
Cathay Pacific also requested that we changed to a different airline when I declared his nut allergy, which I couldn't do at such a late stage so he had fruit platters for the duration of the flight from NZ-UK but they did let me take my own food on, they offered to heat anything up etc which was really good. i only had to remember to leave any food with them before getting off the plane and going through immigration.
Before I went I was really angry and worried about the whole trip but at the end of the day it was fine, just extra hassle of carrying food and watching what he ate in transit.
I do think however it is time airlines and insurance co.s were lobbied to stop serving nuts completely and insure those with allergies, can't get my head round how to start though. Allergy UK may know of insurers who will cover you.
Sorry this is so rambling...hope it answers your post...

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Thanks for that! Quick update - our insurance is Insure and Go and online agency and they've just told me our premium won't go up when we renew and that actually it will go down as you get a discount if you renew wtih them when your annual policy is up!

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Well we had a fab holiday and despite my phonecalls trying to ensure they didn't serve nuts in coach class, we had packets of Almonds in the first meal and a salad with pinenuts in the second meal! I've emailed American Airlines but had no reply - no surprise there! So just a warning to others not to rely on what you're told by office staff!