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?

Declare the WLI - if you suddenly had severe pain from undiagnosed gallstones, an obstruction that needed emergency surgery or the incredibly rare pancreatitis, that could be very expensive.

@over50andfab& @iwasboredinbedthanks

Declare every single thing because they will try very hard not to pay out on a claim for something you forgot to
mention. I hate travel insurance companies, it’s the bane of my life. Our latest quote is 1.5k.

it’s all done. WLI declared, but I’ve been on them two years so I don’t think I need to worry about anything like that!

That's great - I know none of those things are guaranteed, but they can happen, which was why it's necessary to declare it just in case.

(The number of times that I closed my eyes and ignored the most likely causes of Dumping Syndrome on claims that were within my signing limit, as that often meant people hadn't declared weight loss surgery or diabetes is neither here nor there. It was a long time ago, though, so that probably wouldn't get past a company these days).

So you have travel insurance that comes as part of a package with having an FlexPlus Account, declaring any pre-existing conditions before opening the account. As this is an ongoing policy as opposed to single trip or annual insurance criteria can be different.
Generally, health conditions are disclosed in line with the requested timeframe when taking a policy out with anything new also declared up to the departure.

I just find it a bit bonkers that I need to declare that I’ve got a bit of eczema from the heat!

It might seem bonkers, however it’s not up to us to decide what’s important and what isn’t, and following the instruction should ensure we are covered and the insurance underwriter has all the information needed to set the premium.
I disclose health conditions like topical estrogen that add nothing or little to the premium, however I am then covered including if more medication is needed in the event of being detained abroad for an extended period of time (though I always take some extra).

Wear and tear on the knee is a diagnosis so has to be declared otherwise if you hurt your knee when away you aren’t covered.

I'd be cautious about guessing. Travel insurers usually want you to declare any medical condition you've been diagnosed with, investigated, treated for, or prescribed medication for, even if it's now resolved.
From your list, I'd be inclined to declare the chronic sinus condition and surgery, the knee problem (as you've had imaging, treatment and pain medication), the skin condition if it's still ongoing or under review, and the obesity/weight loss injections. The fatigue may not need declaring if it was never diagnosed and all the investigations were normal, but I'd still check.
It's really important to answer the medical screening questions honestly. If you're unsure whether something counts, it's usually safer to declare it than risk a claim being declined later.