Why you should have travel insurance

[Ellmau]

Sorry this link is from the DFail, but it is a salutary tale about what could happen if you either don't have travel insurance, or as in this case, don't declare your pre existing conditions to save a little money in the short term: Family of British grandmother, 52, who was found covered in blood in a luxury Turkish hotel claim she is being 'held hostage by a prison camp private hospital' who won't let her fly home until she pays tens of thousands of pounds in medical bills | Daily Mail Online

(I do feel sorry for the family, and if we could avoid being too judgmental that would be nice, but I hope it might make people think about their own decisions.)

True - but what if they had used the info that she had had taken antibiotics however long ago for an entirely unrelated condition? Or paracetamol for that matter?

Any insurance company could probably find something for most people to avoid paying out, if they really were persistent, however petty. Who can remember every single little thing that they do that could have the remotest impact on their health?

I have little sympathy when she, and her family, clearly knew that she has several serious health conditions.
She took a gamble, possibly not the first time, and lost and now they’re relying on the kindness of others.

AIG - took out the insurance via a local broker.

AIG - took out the insurance via a local broker

Friend of mine had to cancel her holiday, as 3 days prior was admitted to hospital with acute kidney failure (out of the blue). She had travel insurance, but they need health form filled, which can only be done by her GP, which will take 3-4 weeks and cost £240!

Do you mind telling me which company you used?
I have multiple pre-existing conditions which I fully declare and our annual travel insurance is around £500.
It's incredibly difficult to find reviews of companies about claims. Big travel insurance companies are very proactive in seeking reviews from people who have just taken out policies which of course is the easy bit. The nitty gritty of how they treat you when you claim is hard to find.

No that wasnt my issue at all. My issue was that I rang Staysure because I have yearly insurance with them to let them know that I was referred for a scan for gallstones, bog standard, nothing controversial. On hearing this, they decided that they would still cover me, but I needed confirmation from teh GP that the reason for the referral (suspected gallstones) wouldnt render me 'unfit to fly'. So I was to ask a simple question, have it entered into my medical notes that the doctor does not deem me 'unfit to fly'. The GP refused to answer this, so did all the colleagues in the practice. They 'dont do this'.

Staysure almost didnt believe me, they said they had never heard of a GP refusing to answer this question.

However, that is one issue that came up while already insured. When I started taking out travel insurance I did not find ONE company, and I spent a lot of time researching, who will cover you while you're having investigations. If you have a diagnosed condition, that is one thing, but if you dont have a final diagnosis that is another.

I am renewing this weekend with tons of other things now being investigated so will check what results I get. I will also check out Goodtogo as you suggest.

Thank you, Im with Staysure and their information is clear

If you are being investigated AT ALL, they will not cover you for ANYTHING that you are already suffering from. So they will not cover ANY pre existing conditions, let alone the thing that you might be waiting for diagnosis for

https://www.staysure.co.uk/medical-travel-insurance/awaiting-surgery/

It makes it pretty much not worth getting. They talk about covering medical emergencies but not related to your pre existing condition. The likelihood of getting ill is going to be more likely for your pre existing condition and knowing insurance companies they will relate anything to what you already have. I have 13 pre existing conditions, nothing major, the usual stuff once you have lived long enough, migraines, gallstones, high blood pressure, GERD, diverticulitus the list is endless of low level conditions. But if I collapse in the street, they may say, oh its related to her migraine or high blood pressure.

I obviously plan to ring at the weekend to renew and will talk through my various curent referrals

All Clear wont cover a raft of unknown issues, they also state clearly that they wont cover the related symptoms of the thing that is unknown/being investigated, however they also dont say that they wont cover your pre existing conditions, so that is a bit more helpful

https://www.allcleartravel.co.uk/medical-conditions/undiagnosed-conditions/#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20an%20undiagnosed,you%20have%20a%20confirmed%20diagnosis.

Staysure almost didnt believe me, they said they had never heard of a GP refusing to answer this question

Staysure have just refused to believe that my GP can't diagnose the cause of a one-off bout of sickness for which I took anti nausea tablets. "Please contact the GP and ask them for a definite diagnosis" -- how, magic?

Staysure almost didnt believe me, they said they had never heard of a GP refusing to answer this question.

That's nonsense from them. I'm a GP. It is well known that as a GP you should not say that someone is fit to fly (which is the same as not unfit to fly), unless you're trained and insured in aviation medicine. However you could have gone to a private travel clinic for this service @soupfiend if that's useful for the future.

I had an annual policy with staysure last year. I have many pre-existing conditions. A new problem arose last year after I had booked a holiday. They agreed to cover me for everything apart from the new problem as long as my GP wrote in my notes that there was no reason for me not to travel. He was happy to do that ( it was a recurring uti for which I had been referred to hospital).
However they wouldn't cover me for any other travel until it was diagnosed.

Thanks, yes I have no problem with seeking a private medical note although not sure how that would work, where do you get this service?

And my GP certainly wont say whether there is no reason why I shouldnt travel, they wont comment on it at all

You have a sensible GP!

You'd go to any private travel clinic