Please or to access all these features

Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Travel insurance help - COPD diagnosis

2 replies

wanttokickoffbutcant · 17/08/2026 19:28

Looking for some advice from people who may have more knowledge than me. I have had asthma for a long time - probably from early adulthood but in recent years has become more severe. I also have had repeated severe chest infections for several years.

In May, I had an extreme exacerbation of asthma which was life threatening. I was admitted to hospital for 12 days and whilst there a CT showed signs of early stage Emphysema.

I saw the same consultant privately recently and he has given me a diagnosis of COPD. He said this makes it easier for the NHS to treat me and is more understandable?

My prognosis is good - with the changes implemented to my medication my breathing is so much improved and other than some fatigue I feel well and he says life expectancy is normal. I am only 53.

I am on an NHS waiting list that the private consultant referred me to for respiratory rehabilitation which I understand is a 6 week program which leads exercise, breathing techniques etc to promote lung health etc.

Problem is I am wanting to take my daughter on holiday and have run into a wall with travel insurance.

If I say I am not waiting for results am I lying and so could invalidate cover?

Does anyone here have a similar condition and could recommend an insurance company to me?

If I am on the wrong topic apologies, and also sorry for the long post.

OP posts:
Sadcafe · 17/08/2026 19:32

Personally I’d tell them as if you don’t and anything happened, they wouldn’t pay, sadly insurance companies seem to go through your medical history with a fine tooth comb in the event of a claim and will seize upon any possible link to not pay out

wanttokickoffbutcant · 17/08/2026 19:44

That is my thinking - but I am not sure what to say! I have a diagnosis but is the rehab thing tests or not? I have never and will never travel without valid insurance and just want to make sure I am covered. I will call a company tomorrow and see what they say. I don't even mind if they want access to my medical records before providing cover - I was so sick back in May that a lot is jumbled in my mind.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page