To ask what I actually need to declare to my travel insurance?

[iwasboredinbed]

My pre-existing conditions cover is up in a week and I need to renew it. But I don’t know what I actually need to declare and what I don’t? These are things I’ve seen the doctor for over the last few years, I don’t know what counts and what doesn’t?

• chronic sinus infections. I had surgery last year for it and I am now discharged from ENT and sinus infection free. I did have some bleeding about six weeks to two months after the surgery, but that was down to flying. I was prescribed some antibiotic ointment and it went away
• fatigue. Had a blood test and everything was fine, likely just seasonal mood issues. I wasn’t diagnosed with anything and don’t have any tests outstanding.
• knee pain. Private imaging and physio done. Just a wear and tear injury that should improve with strengthening gym work. Open ended follow up for steroid injections if needed. I’ve seen the doctor a few times for pain medications that have all been related to this.
• a skin rash. Diagnosed with likely psoriasis or a fungal infection. Prescribed some cream and told to keep moisturising it. Open ended follow up if needed if it doesn’t clear.
• I am obese and on WLI. Never seen a doctor for it, but i’m prescribed it by an online pharmacy.

In my head I’d not need to declare anything bar the obesity, as the rest aren’t conditions and aren’t going to impact me while abroad, but I can’t get a straight answer from my insurance provider’s website. I don’t want to call them up and ask because I don’t want them to take my cover away! Any ideas?

From memory, they ask you to declare current conditions and medications and for the past x years.

I had a list... but for some of them, the follow up question was 'has this been resolved?' and I was able to tick Yes.

So, dont overthink it. Just answer the questions they ask.

Work for a travel insurance company. You need to check your policy wording and look at what they class as a pre existing medical condition.

I’m guessing this means everything but the WLI, as these are two years old at this point? Or does it include those because I’ve changed?

Declare everything that you have a diagnosis of.

The thing is I don’t really have any diagnoses? It’s just wear and tear on my knee, the skin is just irritation, I don’t really get sinus infections anymore. So it’s hard to tell what I do need to say and what I don’t!

Yes and include the WLI as it’s a medication ? But when you call medical screening they’ll go through it anyway. You won’t be covered for the fatigue if you have no diagnosis

I’m just going to do it via the online portal.

For the fatigue there was nothing wrong, it was just seasonal mood issues, my doctor did bloods to be cautious and they were all perfect.

Absolutely literally everything.. even if you get migraines.... l look on my NHS app see what medication im taking. See what l have seen the GP / Specialist for.. even put Gallbladder removal.. ( three years ago) never know if l might get some stones in my bike duct. Even if you think you don't need to put it down.. put it on.. or it will become void.. if you need to claim.. if you left anything off. ( my list is a mile long).

Declare EVERYTHING.

Also sorted, they’re not interested in the fatigue because it’s not a diagnosed problem, and everything else is covered for free

Everything

Everything. Including the verruca you had when you were 12.

They’re only interested in the last 12 months! So by the time I go it wouldn’t include the sinus issues I don’t think? But I’ve put it on anyway

This is a good point. I have rarely been offered a diagnosis following a GP appt.
Could it mean what the GP has described the problem as, on the NHS record (visible on my NHS app I believe)

That’s what I’ve done it as.

In my experience it’s a computer generated questionnaire they go through with you on the phone - and the follow up questions are all auto generated so it’s not arbitary.

eg Knee Issue -

• can you walk 100 metres unaided - yes or no
• are you on prescribed medication for this - yes or no
• Have you had any joint replacement - yes or no
• are you awaiting a hospital appointment or surgery - yes or no

Mounjaro - they want to know if you are below a certain weight vs your height - and then likely just say to you that it’s “included” - but it is declared.

HRT - no questions - just included on the policy, but importantly, it’s been declared and written on the policy.

eg Dry Eyes - “no questions, included on policy”

I advise listing everything you have above, let them ask the relevant questions - and just reply yes or no.

Better by far to have everything listed and declared in black and white on your policy.

my friend has been waiting to see the hospital re gallstones. She has been waiting months, what happens in those circumstances.

You’re not covered 😕

@iwasboredinbeddoes that mean she can’t go on holiday? I know loads of people waiting months for hospital appointments.

Just follow the health screening questionnaire. They might for example ask you to list anything you’ve seen a healthcare practitioner about (Dr, consultant, nurse etc) in the past 1, 2 or 5 years about or any procedures you’re n a waiting list for.
Regardless of if anything disclosed asks any further questions or adds anything to the premium, it’s still important to include it.

If she’s already taken out travel insurance she should contact the company. If she is yet to take out travel insurance for an upcoming holiday, they might or might not cover it and might need to shop around.

You can always contact your insurance company but I’ve been told by mine it’s a no. I was also told that by two specialist companies. You can exclude the issue though. I did, because it was sinusitis and I could get antibiotics, but for something like gallstones it might not be ideal.

Health screening is from the date you purchased the policy. If the sinus issues including subsequent bleeding and prescription happened within the requested time period this should be declared. Also best to declare even if slightly outside the time requested.

Not according to this

Contact the company directly and go through everything you’ve written here with them on the phone. They will make a note of it all and issue you with an updated insurance document.