To think travel insurance is an utter scam?

[ragingruby]

Before taking out annual travel insurance, declared health conditions of menopause and insomnia - both managed by medication. Have had some issues recently with piles. Got anusol from GP to manage.

About to travel later this week. Rang to advise of Insurance company, Staysure, re new condition (as their documentation notes you have to). They said they will continue cover but not for the pre-existing conditions and neither for the recent condition, the latter of which they said don't just emerge suddenly so I must have known about the piles for some time and hadn't told them.

I'm like 'what???'. I've just told you!

They wouldn't budge.

So, despite previously insuring the conditions of insomnia and menopause, both of which are being managed, they've decided now not to. Apparently I'm covered if I die and need repatriation or for medical aid if in a car crash though I suspect they will say if I was driving, I was likely not to have had enough sleep!

Not going to renew my cover with them next year. Renaming Staysure as 'StayAway'. What's the point?

It is very hard to get decent price insurance while waiting for a referral and results. Some will let you exclude it and be more reasonably priced, but obviously that's a risk you would have to take.

If an insurer declines a valid claim - such as Catgirl1976's dad's one based on an unrelated pre-existing condition, appeal the claim and refer it to the Insurance Ombudsman /Regulator if you don't get anywhere with the claims centre.

As well as calculating your risk to their pile of cash, many insurance claims will be declined the moment you put in a claim because many valid claimants who will just go away at that point and not appeal. That saves them a fortune. And even if the policy small print might say that say, eczema is grounds for exclusion, the Ombudsman or Regulator may see it for the swizz it is and overrule them.

Keep your receipts, keep any documentation you got while ill, and get a notebook to write a summary each time of who you spoke to, date, time and the gist of the conversation every time you deal with anyone in relation to the claim.

That way when you do escalate, you have a comprehensive timeline to refer back to. They do, so why shouldn't you?

Come back to add to this after taking insurance out for Dd as I’m not sure I’ve been 100% truthful and she may not be covered. But if I had been truthful she would have no insurance at all.

so she has a few health conditions which I declared. Then the “are you currently waiting for treatment or investigation or diagnosis “. I ticked yes.

it then asked me if waiting for a diagnosis and if so then no insurance will be provided at all for anything. So I said not waiting for diagnosis, just treatment.

which isn’t strictly true.

dd has highly suspected endometriosis. But no sign on scan. So next step is a laparoscopy which is what she’s waiting for. So I suppose she hasn’t 100% been diagnosed as they haven’t seen it yet. But it’s either endometriosis or nothing. It’s not fibroids, it’s not cancer, it’s not a cyst.

i doubt she will collapse due to endometriosis while away for a weekend in Croatia. But she could potentially fall over and break her leg…….so I’ve fudged the insurance and hoping if she has an unrelated accident they don’t check medical records too closely. And if they do I will appeal if it was for something unrelated. Still had to pay £45 for a long weekend to Europe!

Insurance companies will try to get out of paying out for medical issues if they can . I would declare everything to them then there is no come back . It might sound ridiculous to some but best be safe than sorry isn't it

But it is made very clear in the T&C that you must declare everything in your medical records that is in the last 3 years or a current condition. If you don't, it invalidates your policy. Just tell them.

OMG all those get out clauses for the insurers is scary.

I'm in EU and have PMI. My travel insurance is tied to my PMI policy. No questions asked once I have a certain level of cover with my PMI policy for treatment abroad, that's it.

I only travel within GHIC/EHIC countries where emergency treatment is free anyway, but my travel insurance is there for repatriation/medical evacuation and cancellation/other losses etc.

It does cost me €165 pa and I'm >65. When (if) I reach 80, then prior illnesses will be taken into account for the travel insurance premium. I guess I'll hang up my boots then!

Menopause is not an illness but it could lead to someone taking medication. Is that what has to be declared? I don't see how you can declare 'menopause' and get any possible side effects excluded from your cover. Women over 50 might as well not bother with insurance since it often goes with being forgetful and irritable, either of which could arguable lead to accidents.