Travel insurance medical history

[heyjoeyitsestelle]

Hi,
Wondering if anyone can help. Due to travel to America in April for 2 weeks. My son spent the whole of January in hospital with a blood infection which the went to his heart. He is still under the cardiologist as an outpatient but at last check up the pericardial effusion had gone and the infective tissue had also gone. So they're happy and he has follow up again in March.
We've just been advised he has ESBL but hoping this is colonised as the urine sample was contaminated so waiting on results of another.

My question is- does any of this have to be disclosed to our travel insurance company? He doesn't have a 'condition' as such, just an unfortunate infection with some complications.

I'm worried that if he does get sick whilst over there and we then mention the history they won't pay out. I'm going to ring them Monday as the website isn't clear really as it just mentions medical conditions.
Thanks

Yes, it definitely has to be disclosed. If you don't tell them it could invalidate your cover.

'He doesn't have a 'condition' as such, just an unfortunate infection with some complications.'

Yes tell them everything thats wrong with your son, otherwise you will not be covered if (hopefully not) you needed medical help. Especially for something that may be connected to the original illness/diagnosis, as your statement above he does have a medical problem and you must declare it, cannot believe you would even think or take the chance to not let them know.

Most insurance company's also ask if you have been in hospital or received any treatment or medication within a certain time, if you lie they can withdraw cover.

You really do not want to have hospital bills in the States, been there done that.

Ok thanks - I was obviously being a bit dense.
Turns out I need a new policy because it was a comparison site and they can't amend to include and medical stuff

You absolutely must disclose every aspect of this. Be prepared that you might not get travel insurance at all as the existing insurance will probably say that anything associated with this won't be covered and it would be very difficult/expensive to get a new policy

OP there are specialist insurers on comparison sites too who will cover pre-existing conditions. We have to buy it for my husband every year.

Please tell them! Usually you will have to give detailed information about hospital admissions, medication etc.

Yes need to disclose and need an insurer that covers whilst under hospital treatment, many won't cover at all. I used InsureandGo, moneysavingexpert has list of others for pre existing medical.

I bought travel insurance recently. The question said have you EVER had any of this conditions - so I phoned, as I had cancer many years ago (been given the all clear some years ago). As I needed to go through the questionnaire, they then wanted to know about ANY GP visits, and hospital visits in the last year (nothing to do with the cancer). I'd been for a scan once (all clear) to check for a cyst.
Ultimately, my insurance quote went up from £9.50 to £10.50. I figure that extra £1 very, very, very well worth paying. If there is any issue whilst on holiday - related to anything declared or not - if it came to light I'd said nothing, then my insurance wouldn't be valid and I could end up with a bill running into hundreds of thousands of ££.

DO NOT lie, or omit information on you application.

OP reading your post it sounds like you have insurance already, is that right?

@Feelingfestivenow
Yes I have an annual family policy- but as I got it through a comparison site they won't let me amend it to add and medical conditions for him.

I've done a compare of another policy with his medical history and it's £120.

£120 is a bargain. I know of someone recently repatriated from Dubai for a minor cardiac event. The whole situation cost £13,000 which was covered by travel insurance.

Ours was £158 for the family with InsureandGo for worldwide excluding US etc including covering pre-existing (except my current tests) annually and I thought that was good value. Having said that not tried to claim. Cancellation cover was poor though but very few insure people undergoing tests and most insurers have some get out clauses for coronavirus.

Medical costs abroad can be astronomical very quickly.

It will cost a lot more - afraid that’s just the reality.

OP you should have a contact number for the insurance company for exactly this kind of change, tell them everything leave nothing out at all.