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?

That is not how insurance works.

Tell that every woman thinking they're "peri" at 38 and being incensed that they're being denied meds for what they think is life threatening

I wouldn't have declared any of that to the insurers

Dont be so rude. No need. Some of us are just taking the piss out of the system.

I always take insurance, always declare everything, with a very exhaustive list. However, many years after a hernia operation, my GP happened to mention my endometriosis and adhesions. First I'd heard of it. Apparently it was seen when they did my hernia repairs. So it has been on my gp record for years. I never declared it, ever, so presume if I'd needed to claim on my travel insurance back then, it would have been turned down. Things like that concern me. You don't know (and don't declare) what you don't know.

@LuckysDadsHat

I made that comment in response to ops posts at 04.33 and 04.39 where she seemed to express annoyance that the insurer won't cover death or injury costs in relation her piles.

@daisypond

Really? You don't say. If you read op's posts you'll see she was annoyed that her insurer won't cover death or injury costs in relation to her piles.

Gosh, you’ve been unlucky! I’m in my 60s and have never made an insurance claim.

I used to work in insurance. There was one man who kept getting his expensive briefcase stolen from his legs while he was using a phone box at the airport. Of course it had a rolex etc in it each time. You would think he would learn to be less careless. They stopped paying his claims and his name got shared and couldnt get cover

Basically, yes. I think the moral of the story is that, if you are worried about a dodgy looking mole, don’t go to the doctor until after your holiday, or it can invalidate your travel insurance (even if it turns out to be totally harmless).

I think refusing the cover for the existing stuff when declaring the new one is a bit unfair. I’ve been T1 diabetic since v early childhood. I’ve always declared it on travel insurance and it’s been a few extra quid to cover it. I don’t currently have any further complications. I broke an arm a couple of years ago, in an impact sporting injury where I was genuinely surprised that that was the only non-superficial injury or injury that warranted treatment (aka absolutely in no way related to being diabetic). I declared this to my insurer when getting that years policy even though I’d recovered and been discharged best part of a year prior and it was fine, there wasn’t a further premium increase. I’d have been fuming if they said, well we won’t cover your T1 on your trip anymore because you’d had an unrelated injury. That’s what makes it feel a bit like the Wild West. There’s no logic in it whatsoever.

It’s interesting that they seem to take a lot of interest in your diagnosed medical conditions (if they are diagnosed and being treated then surely you have more awareness than the person with high blood pressure who has no idea), but not in any of the other reasons why you might cancel a holiday last minute. How many have elderly parents in care homes potentially on their last legs (meant politely!), or young kids in primary school where bugs and chickenpox (that should stop you flying) are rife. I’ve got one adult brother in their mid 30s, no parents or grandparents and no kids, so I’m a lower risk there but no reduction for that!

Basically, yes. I think the moral of the story is that, if you are worried about a dodgy looking mole, don’t go to the doctor until after your holiday, or it can invalidate your travel insurance (even if it turns out to be totally harmless).

The moral of the story is that a week on the Med is more important than a cancer diagnosis and seeking swift treatment?

Your priorities seem a bit off.

@wutheringkites ok, perhaps a dodgy mole was a poor example but I was replying to Bilbonne, w who mentioned basal cell carcinoma, but you get the gist.

Perhaps I should have said, If you have a non-urgent concern, that doesn’t need looking at straight away, then wait until after your med cruise.

My annual travel insurance which automatically covers me and my family comes with my premium bank account. I don't recall filling in a form 🤔

we have that as well with natwest but we have to declare pre existing conditions so dont bother using it.

Pre-existing medical conditions

• Pre-existing medical conditions won't be covered. You may have to pay extra for this cover or you may find that your condition cannot be covered.
• If Allianz Assistance are unable to offer you an upgrade to extend the level of cover you need, or your upgrade insurance premium is higher than you expected because you have medical conditions, help could still be available.
• You may be able to obtain alternative travel insurance cover for pre-existing medical conditions by contacting one of the providers featured in the MoneyHelper Directory of specialist travel insurance providers for people with serious medical conditions. Do take time to study and compare the terms and conditions to ensure you have the cover you need. Telephone: 0800 138 7777 | Relay UK: 18001 0800 138 7777 | Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm | Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays, closed.

Thanks, @bruffin .

I went to check the fine print on my HSBC annual travel insurance. It does require me to declare existing medical conditions - who knew?

It does have a list of about 30 Accepted Conditions that do not need to be declared, including piles 😂

I never insure with names like Staysure, Avanti, Insurancewith. They all charge extra if you call up with a newly diagnosed condition. I once had insurancewith tell me that a newly diagnosed condition, once I told them about it, became a pre existing condition the next time I phoned. Which wasn’t covered as I hadn’t declared it when taking the policy out. No shit Sherlock, of course I didn’t declare it when I took the policy out. Because I didn’t have the condition.at that time.

i challenged them, got a manager who said i was correct and more staff training would be given. Funny that.

I go for better quality insurance policies that cover newly diagnosed conditions with no problem, up until renewal when you need to declare. Try Abta or LV.

Pre-existing medical conditions, yes. Lots of companies won’t cover you for them.

My dad was hospitalised abroad and had to be medically repatriated

His insurance refused to pay out because he hadn’t declared his eczema. What he was hospitalised for had absolutely nothing to with eczema or skin conditions of any kind but he hadn’t declared it so his insurance was null and void. Horrendous.

It eczema requires doctors treatment. Different to over the counter meds.

And stuff like this is why travel insurance gets a bad name. Seems like they look for any excuse.

20 years ago I got repatriated (admittedly only from Switzerland and on a standard flight but I needed a private ambulance to the airport and extra seats on the plane. At no point did the insurance company ask for my medical records. They just accepted I’d broken my leg and paid out.

It does seem to be a bit of a racket nowadays, I used to get eczema about 30 or 40 years ago and had to get hydrocortisone cream from the GP as you couldn't buy it over the counter years ago, I didn't realise I had to declare that on some of these insurances, I haven't had it for years.

Maybe it's best to go with an insurer who has a drop down list of conditions like piles and eczema so they can be safely ignored. Thanks for this thread OP, it's an eyeopener, I know to avoid Staysure.

You know now I’m thinking about it I’ve just realised it was staysure that were the nightmare with my dad. One to avoid I think

Well thanks for this thread everyone - I went and read the fine print again if my own travel insurance and it says you have to declare everything from a medical professional from the past 2 years, so I just had to go and add the running injury I went to see the physio about last year. Ouch! Better than having an accident and my travel insurance being voided though...

I've just read the fine print on my policy and it's any consultation in last 12 months (except for heart and cancer). So I needn't have declared my slipped disc but forgot a nurse appointment for eczema. Also covid as I had to contact the NHS for anti virals.
I'll have to ring them before I book a trip but I'm waiting for some test results first.

Just found out that my osteoporosis has got worst, so referral to rheumatology. Really can’t be bothered to ring around now, answering the same flippin’ questions, and being rejected for insurance, or getting sky high quotes. Holiday in the UK it is, then.