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Original poster

Travel insurance impossible because I've seen my GP?

110 replies

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 08/09/2023 00:08

I had no idea it would be this strict. I thought I'd have to tick the usual 'no heart attacks/strokes/diabetes etc' things off for them and that'd be it, but they're all crying about me having seen the GP within the last 2 years! Is that really that unusual? Where can I find normal reasonably priced insurance company that's happy to take a risk on me?

OP posts:
avemariiiaa · 08/09/2023 00:09

What is the question about the GP? What did you see the GP for?

cherryassam · 08/09/2023 00:12

I see my GP regularly and also have reasonably priced travel insurance - are they asking about a specific condition?

There are some insures better than others if you have pre existing conditions - StaySure, AllClear, Avanti

saraclara · 08/09/2023 00:13

Are you awaiting a diagnosis? They won't cover you if they don't have the information to assess your risk level.

That was my problem. I was on a waiting list for an ECG, so without knowing whether there was anything wrong with me or not, they wouldn't cover me. I had to get it done privately in order to get insurance for my big trip.

Soontobe60 · 08/09/2023 00:13

I’ve seen my GP a lot over the past few years. Had skin cancer (BCC), knee surgery and am now on meds for high blood pressure and also on statins. It hasn’t affected my travel insurance at all.

Original poster
SnuggleBuggleBoo · 08/09/2023 00:15

avemariiiaa · 08/09/2023 00:09

What is the question about the GP? What did you see the GP for?

Just 'Have you seen your GP or been prescribed medication within the last 2 years'. I saw my GP once in that time, that I can remember, about 3/4 months ago, because I'd been having a few dizzy spells. She told me it was vertigo. I haven't had them since! And I think I had a repeat prescription for an old medication about 18 months ago, but haven't taken it at all this year. That was for leg cramps.

OP posts:
saraclara · 08/09/2023 00:16

Soontobe60 · 08/09/2023 00:13

I’ve seen my GP a lot over the past few years. Had skin cancer (BCC), knee surgery and am now on meds for high blood pressure and also on statins. It hasn’t affected my travel insurance at all.

Again, you had those diagnoses. So they could assess your risk and cover you. Waiting for a test? Nope. Even the companies that will cover for the most serious conditions wouldn't cover me without a diagnosis.

Original poster
SnuggleBuggleBoo · 08/09/2023 00:16

Who do you guys get it with?

OP posts:
saraclara · 08/09/2023 00:18

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 08/09/2023 00:15

Just 'Have you seen your GP or been prescribed medication within the last 2 years'. I saw my GP once in that time, that I can remember, about 3/4 months ago, because I'd been having a few dizzy spells. She told me it was vertigo. I haven't had them since! And I think I had a repeat prescription for an old medication about 18 months ago, but haven't taken it at all this year. That was for leg cramps.

Show quote history

Have they not said that you just have to call their assessors? That's the message you usually get if you're trying to get an online quote. They won't quote you until you've spoken to their health team and they've clarified your present situation.

I've had to do that several times, and once they spoke to me it was fine.

Kay286 · 08/09/2023 00:20

Most only get twitchy and decline if you answer yes to awaiting results , diagnosis or investigations as that’s an unknown risk … so seems
odd you’ve been declined ?

sezzer87 · 08/09/2023 00:21

I insured the 4 of us including my disabled child for £24 for the week. That was with Asda they didn't ask even me if we'd seen the gp.

saraclara · 08/09/2023 00:26

Seriously, if you call them I'm sure it will be sorted. They're refusing to give you a quote, rather than refusing to cover you, I think.

Bearpawk · 08/09/2023 00:29

What do you mean they're 'all crying about you' seeing a GP? What exactly is happening ?
I have cancer and I can get insurance so I can't help feeling you're either doing something wrong or exaggerating.

Silkiebunny · 08/09/2023 00:49

There are a few insurers who cover people awaiting tests, think one is Staysure. I found them on Moneysavingexpert article I think. But very limited if awaiting tests, more limited than when you have cancer bizarrely.

BarbaraofSeville · 08/09/2023 05:45

With waiting lists as they are, half the country would probably have to say yes to a question that would trip them up with online quotes.

Most will probably lie, hope for the best and get away with it because the odds of a random health concern flaring up so they need medical treatment while away will often be very low.

endofthelinefinally · 08/09/2023 05:56

Surely they just want you to have the medical telephone call where you answer all the questions yes or no and tell them what meds you take? That is perfectly normal for travel insurance.
I never heard of anyone being refused insurance just because they have seen their GP.
If you don't declare medical conditions, your insurance policy is invalid anyway, so it is important to tell them everything.
The first thing they do if you have an accident, for example, is check your gp records. If they find anything you didn't declare, they won't cover you.
(There is another thread on here atm about incorrect gp records that is a whole other can of worms).

PeanutAndBanana · 08/09/2023 06:24

I had this, waiting an ECG result. I called, they insured me. Was no drama.
And to the GP point - previously I got a quote saying "yes" to that and then compared the quote to one where I said "no" on another browser and there was no difference in premiums.

User16328715 · 08/09/2023 06:34

The cheaper ones that are on price comparison websites will not want any slight deviation to the answers they want, I would probably try some of the insurers recommended on this thread.

bellac11 · 08/09/2023 06:34

I was asking about this some time back. If you are awaiting a diagnosis for something or waiting to hear back about tests etc, you cannot get insured

I had various posters tell me that I could, it was easy, lots of insurers would do that etc etc and when asked what companies the posters didnt return

I also think that lots of people dont actually answer the questions honestly, so they are waiting for test results or further investigation but dont say that

If you have been diagnosed but are simply waiting for the treatment/intervention that is also ok, so knee surgery above etc skin cancer, the insurance is fine once you've been diagnosed but if you can only say on your application that you've been to the doctor and waiting for tests/diagnosis they wouldnt have been able to get cover at all.

I now have annual insurance, but have realised that throughout the year, Im now in a position where the GP is investigating something else that Ive asked for, so Im not sure if that makes my insurance invalid.

So it depends on the way the questions are laid out and what its asking

Im with staysure

bellac11 · 08/09/2023 06:36

PeanutAndBanana · 08/09/2023 06:24

I had this, waiting an ECG result. I called, they insured me. Was no drama.
And to the GP point - previously I got a quote saying "yes" to that and then compared the quote to one where I said "no" on another browser and there was no difference in premiums.

Who was the provider
What was the ECG investigating
Did they insure you for for the thing that you were having investigated?

MenopauseSucks · 08/09/2023 06:37

I have a plethora of medical problems & phone around various insurers getting quotes.
I always confess to waiting for a test.
I declare everything - tests never make a difference on the amount I pay but at least it's on record that I've been honest.
I'm just concerned that if I need insurance for a medical matter, they can't turn round & say 'oh you didn't tell us about that so your insurance is invalid'!

bellac11 · 08/09/2023 06:38

MenopauseSucks · 08/09/2023 06:37

I have a plethora of medical problems & phone around various insurers getting quotes.
I always confess to waiting for a test.
I declare everything - tests never make a difference on the amount I pay but at least it's on record that I've been honest.
I'm just concerned that if I need insurance for a medical matter, they can't turn round & say 'oh you didn't tell us about that so your insurance is invalid'!

What company are you with?

FlyingFlamingo · 08/09/2023 06:40

Are you using a comparison website? I couldn’t get any quotes from Compare the Market, I had the same message. I was with Admiral before so just filled in their form and got a cheaper quote than last year

Silkiebunny · 08/09/2023 06:46

MenopauseSucks This is my concern to. I declare everything I can remember but I had cancer and CT for example flagged 8 different issues so I wonder if I am covered for anything if I forget one thing. Plus the GPs records are awful, no idea what will be in them.

kitchenhelprequired · 08/09/2023 06:47

You just have to call them, most will still cover you anyway, they just don't have the ability to do it online as it might need referring to the underwriters. Staysure are good for pre existing conditions.

Photio · 08/09/2023 06:48

MenopauseSucks · 08/09/2023 06:37

I have a plethora of medical problems & phone around various insurers getting quotes.
I always confess to waiting for a test.
I declare everything - tests never make a difference on the amount I pay but at least it's on record that I've been honest.
I'm just concerned that if I need insurance for a medical matter, they can't turn round & say 'oh you didn't tell us about that so your insurance is invalid'!

Did they provide cover for anything occurring which may be related to the symptoms you had (and their medical advisor will decide if it's related)
When I had this situation they would provide cover but there were exclusions, and that was with the more specialist providers