To cancel this holiday? (Yet another thread)

[BorneBackCeaselesslyIntoThePas]

We have a holiday all booked and paid for that should start in four weeks time. My wife has fibromyalgia, arthritis and we’ve always taken out holiday insurance for these. But now there is a new condition, without TMI an upset stomach. It’s quite low grade and hadn’t stopped us doing most things, but because the doctor has referred this, we won’t be able to get medical insurance for any medical issues.

So should we cancel?

We don’t really know the impact of the new condition (maybe nothing, maybe serious) My wife has a EIHC and we could get basic cover, but I keep seeing us (a) stuck in a hotel room because of illness or (b) stuck in a foreign hospital or (c) coming home early.

Advice please

Your existing policy should continue to cover the conditions already diagnosed but you need to notify of the referral which may not be, or only for an additional premium.

We don’t have an existing policy, but even if we did the new condition would invalidate it (we’ve checked this)

It's an upset tummy. Just don't tell the insurance company and enjoy your holiday.

You booked a holiday abroad with known health conditions but didn't take insurance have you checked about taking a policy now, there are insurers which specialise in ongoing health issues.

I don't really understand- you say you don't have an existing policy, so you will have to take out a new policy. You get asked your medical history, declare the new referral, pay extra ££ and it's all covered?

I'm presuming it's more than just a passing upset tummy; as the holiday is four weeks away?

If she's now uninsurable, and you've looked, this will affect you for much longer than just the next holiday. Is there a treatment she can try? Have you tried one of the companies that insure people with incurable conditions?

Arthritis and Fibro are chronic conditions, surely you just make sure you have enough of your regular meds and crack on? I have ankylosing spondylitis and PA and I've been to NZ and the US this year and will be going to Greece later in the summer. Never had an issue with travel insurance. Regarding the other thing, how bad is it and how urgent is the referral? I wouldn't cancel my holiday unless I strongly suspected something seriously wrong requiring urgent treatment. Also, my DD was recently diagnosed with a condition which could actually require immediate neurosurgery (she has a shunt) and cover cost her an extra £100 for a year for unlimited trips.

We don’t have an existing policy, but even if we did the new condition would invalidate it (we’ve checked this)

She's been referred, so the new condition is currently unconfirmed?

EHIC is only for emergencies. What is the condition? 4 weeks to get over an upset tummy is plenty of time but she needs to be able to fly. Is it a symptom of her new medication? I wouldn't fancy having an upset tummy and being confined to such a crowded and enclosed space.

We don’t have an existing policy, but even if we did the new condition would invalidate it (we’ve checked this)

I'm not sure I understand, if your wife has existing health conditions (not including the new one) why wouldn't you have a policy? No-one travels without travel insurance surely?

What are your cancellation terms if you don't already have insurance? If it's no refunds on most of it you might as well wait and see if she can travel. Whilst you are obviously protecting her privacy with putting "upset stomach" nobody cancels a holiday for that and there's medications to keep most things under control these days. I would check with your gp and get advice on whether she's fit to travel - a relaxing break might be just fine. Most conditions are insurable at a cost and ehic covers emergencies, specific conditions are often easiest insured through specialist brokers

Hi OP

I would say it depends on what the doctors have referred you for or what they suspect it might be

If its something that could potentially worsen and end up with a prolonged hospital stay or operation or youd have trouble flying back then I wouldn't risk it, the costs could be huge

If the worst that could happen is he just goes to the toilet a lot then I'd do

Why. The fuck. Do people STILL pay for a holiday and not get travel/health insurance immediately??

If your wife is under investigation for a new 'tummy' condition then it is likely this will either be expensive to insure against (in addition to her existing medical conditions) or uninsurable. Entirely your call if you want to risk NOT declaring it on a new policy but you WILL be expected to pay in the unfortunate event of making a claim.

Extortionate medical bills vs expensive insurance vs cancelling your holiday (will you even get a refund?)

If your wife expects to be fit enough to travel then I would look for travel insurance with preexisting cover - think we used staysure.

Why. The fuck. Do people STILL pay for a holiday and not get travel/health insurance immediately??

Because if we book the insurance too far in advance then we’d probably have to change the medical notes later. And in this case (a new undiagnosed condition) they would cancel the medical cover which gets classed as ‘imposing special conditions’ which might make getting insurance difficult next time as its one of the questions they ask. But if we leave it until now then it’s normally simpler

Surely you will lose all the money

I don’t think it’s the condition itself it’s the fact that your waiting on a referal which won’t let you get a policy

I know when I was waiting for a referal I couldn’t get any type of holiday insurance
Well I could but only if I wanted to sell my first born
Once I had the referal I was able to get holiday insurance

Most travel insurance will cover you for existing health problem. I’m insured and I have several chronic health problems
But They won’t cover you for a referal
If your already insured you need to tell them and they will normally exclude anything to do with the referal

How far are you travelling and how much money will you lose?

If her current medical condition “hasn’t stopped you doing most things” why would it be any different on holiday? Why would you need to cancel? Sounds like you want to cancel because you think the trip will be miserable with being stuck in a hotel room not able to do anything. It might do her more good. My husband had arthritis and in the last 14 months has had both knees replaced, surgery on his shoulder and now has arthritis in his spine for which he has daily hydrotherapy. We are still going on two holidays this year. It does him good to go somewhere to relax.

Because if we book the insurance too far in advance then we’d probably have to change the medical notes later. And in this case (a new undiagnosed condition) they would cancel the medical cover which gets classed as ‘imposing special conditions’ which might make getting insurance difficult next time as its one of the questions they ask. But if we leave it until now then it’s normally simpler

The minute you book a holiday is the time you buy travel insurance. We have an annual rolling policy and part of the terms is that you inform them of any changes to health eg medical referral/investigation. Unfortunately if you cancel you may lose your money. If you buy insurance now and then cancel they will probably be suspicious and investigate your claim.

I just had to pay for holiday insurance because of a couple of things. Recent heart problem, and diabetic. Annual cover was £230 which was the best I could find, or £150 single trip (Staysure). We are driving to France. I wouldn't dream of going abroad now without adequate cover.

@fraxion

Surely, if you buy the insurance AFTER you pay for the holiday you wouldn't BE covered at all. I took out my insurance, THEN started booking the holiday.

Dh and both have medical conditions. Recently we took out holiday medical insurance 2 weeks before .
Costs tend to vary . But we have found it cheaper using a company that does not not do exclusive medical insurance.
I have both same as your partner as well as other bowel condition. Yes it puts it up a little , but we consider our medical insurance as an essential part of our holiday .
Still time to get it unless told not to travel with condition.

I have several disabilities and use a wheelchair and my husband has heart problems and is diabetic. We pay £170ish for a year with all conditions declared. We use travel insurance 4 medical and they paid out no problem when we had to cancel last year due to my husband having a heart attack and heart operation

Surely, if you buy the insurance AFTER you pay for the holiday you wouldn't BE covered at all. I took out my insurance, THEN started booking the holiday.

No, it's much more usual to get the insurance at a later date. Unless you're a regular travel with an annual policy.