Travel insurance - pre existing conditions

[jclm]

Posting here for traffic...

I am going to Spain in two weeks.

I have a lump on my neck and I am currently waiting for an ultrasound scan. However this has made the process of finding travel insurance impossible, as all of the policies I have looked into will not insure people waiting for scans or without a diagnosis.

Has anyone else been in this situation? Can you recommend a travel insurance policy that would be suitable?

I used all clear insurance when I travelled to the states. It was about £900 for the year but I was in the states for one of the holidays.

I'm about to sign up with them again for a yearly policy as we’re starting going on holidays again now and while expensive it’s worth it.

Can’t recommend a specific company I’m afraid, but when was the trip booked? Are you sure a policy purchased now would still be valid, if the trip was booked weeks/months ago? Apologies if you’ve only now booked the trip in which case it would make sense to look for insurance this late on.

Are you sure a policy purchased now would still be valid, if the trip was booked weeks / months ago

Yes of course it would be (other than for any pre existing conditions or other circumstances that are known at the time of purchasing the insurance). There is no requirement to buy insurance at the same time as booking the trip, although it makes sense to do so if financially committed at that time.

I have travel insurance that excludes pre-existing conditions (none are likely to reoccur or cause issues now). I couldn’t buy online, had to speak to someone on the phone to make sure I understood I was covered unless related to x or y. I went with Churchill but I think it’s the same for most. If you want covered for any issues that the lump could cause then I’m guessing you could speak to them and pay extra for cover.

And I once bought insurance weeks after purchasing a holiday because there was chicken pox going round Nursery and I thought that could scupper our plans. 5 days later a totally different thing happened which meant we had to cancel our holiday and the insurance paid out in full. So always worth buying as soon as possible but doesn’t need to be purchased at the point of booking a holiday.

So always worth buying as soon as possible but doesn’t need to be purchased at the point of booking a holiday.

This^
If something happens between buying the holiday and departure date you will not be covered unless the insurance has already been purchased.

OP you will need to ring round companies and they will ask you lots of questions to get better understanding of the medical issue. They can then go to the underwriters and get a price for you.
Some insurance companies just won't cover this scenario but many will for a price

Also @jclm make sure you take your EHIC/GHIC as this entitles you to medical treatment in Spain under same terms as a local person, should you require it. I'm sure you'll be fine though snd will enjoy your holiday

My husband is a cancer survivor and has a host of medical issues from it so awful to get insurance. So also use all clear.

I wonder if Cedar Tree will help? They’ve always been recommended by Martin Lewis for people who struggle with illness. Might be worth looking into.

Hole you’re ok OP and enjoy Spain! ☀️

Fish Insurance does travel insurance for disabled people and does include pre-existing conditions but you have to declare them. I don't know about waiting for a scan though, you'd have to contact them to see and read the small print. If they do, it will be more expensive.

Hi Op, under new guidance from the FCA anyone offering travel insurance needs to redirect you to a specialist panel if they are not able to cover you. In reality this is just a list of people who may provide cover. However, I would go through the purchase process with a good quality provider (I cannot recommend but look at which? as a starting point), then after full disclosure if the insurer you chose cannot provide cover, go through a couple of the panel members. Always declare, I have handled too many cases where someone has travelled, not declared and found themselves in a life changing condition as a result.

All Clear travel insurance are aimed at people with pre existing conditions and are very good. They also have a helpline to discuss specific medical situations.

www.allcleartravel.co.uk/