Holiday Insurance

11 replies

Mariets · 12/12/2025 19:12

I bought insurance for a trip I'm planning on next year. A few weeks ago I was diagnosed with kidney failure, so I rang to update my insurance. They asked me how often I was being monitored and I said my next appointment was in two months and would know then

They said I needed to find out straightaway, but I said it wasn't possible as I'm now on a strict kidney friendly diet and will to be checked again in two months.Time and time again i told them it couldn't be done any quicker but they insisted they need the information sooner and were terminating the call as I wasn't giving all them the correct facts. What do Ido?

OP posts:

Coffeeishot · 12/12/2025 19:16

Have you booked your trip yet? You really need to get intouch with your renal. Dr's or their secretary for the information. They can't insure you if they don't know your health status unfortunately.

CharlotteCChapel · 12/12/2025 19:17

Travel insurance with medical conditions is a nightmare. I also have kidney failure this year but I'm only having occasional blood tests to keep an eye on it, mine was acute kidney failure though. Perhaps if you'd worded it slightly differently to its currently being monitored at two monthly intervals.

cestlavielife · 12/12/2025 19:21

An annual insurance might be better than oneoff
Staysure insure medical conditions
Or check money supermarket
Travel Insurance with Medical Conditions https://share.google/sovltaBAV1sFN7sxb

SunMoonandChocolate · 12/12/2025 19:24

Are you likely to be well enough for your planned trip OP, or are you expecting to claim on the insurance, as you presumably weren't aware of this problem when you took it out?

Lennonjingles · 12/12/2025 19:28

Do you have any reports on your NHS app that says what’s currently happening that you can forward onto the insurer. It may be that if they see this, it will be enough.

DustlandFairytaleBeginning · 12/12/2025 19:30

Submit a complaint. Insurance complaints teams are really responsive and will usually work to try and assist you in resolving, particularly as you are vulnerable with your health conditions.

Telemicus · 12/12/2025 19:35

Have you purchased insurance and also booked the trip? If so then I would have thought that you don't need to update anything, this is what insurance is for?

If you have got insurance but not booked the trip yet, check the T&C's, you also might not need to pay extra.

Try calling again, and rather than asking to update the insurance, start by asking if it is still valid given that this medical condition first emerged after you took out the policy. And ask for a follow up in writing to confirm.

Redbrook · 12/12/2025 19:38

My DH has had kidney failure and I’ve done loads of travel insurance quotes. Most companies use the same screening tool and the questions around kidney failure ask how frequently you are being monitored. One of the answers is More than once a year. (I’m assuming you will be monitored more than once a year for kidney failure- my DH was seen every 2 months). You should be able to amend your policy online to add kidney failure and answer the screening questions. The cost will increase significantly. Or try InsuranceWith - their screening is different and they are a specialist medical insurer. I’ve always found them to be very competitive.

Original poster

Mariets · 12/12/2025 19:41

I said more than once a year to be on the safe side, but they wanted to know how often, and I can't say yet.

OP posts:

SunMoonandChocolate · 12/12/2025 21:10

Have you actually booked the trip yet OP? If so, are you likely to have to cancel it? If yes, then the insurance that you've already paid for, should cover it. The insurance when you purchased it, was based on your health as it was at the time. If at the time you knew about your kidneys, and didn't tell them, then they wouldn't have to pay out. Also if there were any signs of the problem which could have predicted the problem they would probably be able to get out of paying, but the big question is, have you booked the trip yet?

GreenGiant167 · 12/12/2025 22:20

They’re bloody awful for people with pre-existing health conditions. Mine was over £500 for my annual health policy (joint with DH) It actually went up from last year because I realised I answered one of the questions incorrectly! It turns out that their definition of ‘unconscious’ (when it comes to seizures) differs to mine. I actually came over in a cold sweat when I realised that I technically went to America uninsured 😢 I’ve now clarified it and have answered correctly but it’s bloody expensive 😤

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