'Free' Travel insurance through bank and medical issues.

[RedHotPokers]

I have paid a small amount to upgrade my bank account-related travel insurance, which comes free with my account, to include the DCs. This is in readiness for the summer holiday we have booked.

I have since found out that the travel insurance is INCREDIBLY inflexible when it comes to medical issues. I have a bit of a bad shoulder (nothing serious, just a bit stiff and achy now and again), and have been referred for physio (deemed non-urgent so will probably be on the NHS waiting list for ages). After a conversation with a friend who had had problems with travel insurance paying out in relation to a pre-existing medical condition, I was persuaded to let the insurance know about the referral.

The insurance have since made a big deal about it as I am not able to give them a confirmed diagnosis. Its just a bad shoulder, old age , maybe arthritis who knows!?! Even if i do get to see the physio before my hols, I can't imagine they will give me a 100% diagnosis. Unless I can confirm the diagnosis, insurance won't cover me for any problems related to my shoulder! It just seems ridiculous.

Anyway, I was wondering whether this was the case with all travel insurance companies, or are the 'free' ones more inflexible.

I used to work for a bank and sell tgese accounts so know a little. I don't believe tgat is any different to any other insurance you could have purchased. With all ibsurence you have to check tgat tge small pribt covers you, from the amount it covers your belongs through to are you covered for multi centre hols.

If you had not disclosed it and there was a problem they won't have paid out once they knew.

I have this type insurance and both DD and I have pre-existing conditions that could flare. The bank gave me the underwriters number and I contacted them direct after discussions we are covered at no extra cost confirmed in writing.

The problem I have is because I don't have a diagnosed condition, just a gp referral, I am apparently an 'unknown quantity'. [Hmm]

We have the same though HSBC, and it clearly stated that "pre-exisiting conditions" must be declared and an additional sum may be payable.

I can see how that would annoy you in terms of your shoulder, but I can't imagine anyone covering a "potential" problem with your shoulder while the actual diagnosis isn't confirmed.

It's annoying, but fairly standard among companies that I've used in the past.