Travel Insurance Dilemma

[joolz1910]

I found good cover with Nationwide and changed my bank account so I would be eligible. I phoned to upgrade the policy to Worldwide and was asked about pre-existing medical conditions. I declared my DD's arthritis (there was no additional charge) and my underactive thyroid (still no charge) and then I was asked if there was any other medication that anyone took. I have been taking a mild anti-depressant since my Dad died and my mum was diagnosed with a terminal illness. I told her this and it increased the policy cost from £50 to £120.

She said I could either cover both of my 'medical conditions' or neither. I could not declare one without the other. So that is my dilemma. My thyroid disorder has not caused hospitalisation / need for treatment in the 27 years I have been taking the tablets. The only problem I could imagine would be if I lost/forgot my thyroxine. I would take packets in hand luggage and suitcases, just in case!

I wish I hadn't mentioned the anti-depressants. If I don't get covered for either 'medical condition' I would still be covered but not for any treatement arising from / related to these conditions.

I'm really unsure as to what to do. I thought I'd found good, inexpensive cover.

 

[Ciorsdah]

How has your health been on previous trips? I usually use that as a basis for my insurance cover. I know you cannot account for illness, however with a thyroid condition assuming you have your medications you *should* be fine and the anti depressants are just another tablet in reality.

It really bugs me how insurance companys can bump up the price of a travel insurance policy just because someone is on antidepressants. My old policy stung me for an additional £42 when I declared that I was taking an oral birth control tablet yet my sister who was travelling with me and has various allergies and medical problems pertaining to these has cheaper insurance because she wasnt on Marvelon!

Insurance companies should wear balacalvas like bank robbers!

 

[joolz1910]

How has your health been on previous trips? I usually use that as a basis for my insurance cover. I know you cannot account for illness, however with a thyroid condition assuming you have your medications you *should* be fine and the anti depressants are just another tablet in reality.

It really bugs me how insurance companys can bump up the price of a travel insurance policy just because someone is on antidepressants. My old policy stung me for an additional £42 when I declared that I was taking an oral birth control tablet yet my sister who was travelling with me and has various allergies and medical problems pertaining to these has cheaper insurance because she wasnt on Marvelon!

Insurance companies should wear balacalvas like bank robbers!

Lol, I know what you mean.

I am thinking that my thyroid condition would be highly unlikely to result in a claim. The anti-depressants are a mild dose. I am tempted to risk it and save myself £70. I would, of course, be covered for everything else. I would have to make sure that I stockpiled tablets and had thyroxine in every piece of luggage I own.

 

[queendisney]

there is also one other thing about your insurance that you may want to check out... (ex insurance person talking here and I have my insurance head on) you say your mum has a terminal illness, well often if you need to come home early for any reason due to her illness the insurance may not cover you its often in the small print..

 

[Rachandgarry]

I think that price hike could cause you to need anti-depressants...

My only concern would be - if you had to make a claim (nothing to do with thyroid or anti-depressants) and they looked in to your file before paying out, got a medical record could they say "well you didn't disclose all conditions, i'm sorry your policy isn't valid and we won't pay". I have no idea if that could happen, but I seem to remember hearing stories about it.

I wonder if you could call the insurance ombudsman or whatever and ask their advice?

Good luck!

Rachel

 

[joolz1910]

there is also one other thing about your insurance that you may want to check out... (ex insurance person talking here and I have my insurance head on) you say your mum has a terminal illness, well often if you need to come home early for any reason due to her illness the insurance may not cover you its often in the small print..

I know. I asked about this and as it is a pre-existing condition, they would not pay out

I think that price hike could cause you to need anti-depressants...

My only concern would be - if you had to make a claim (nothing to do with thyroid or anti-depressants) and they looked in to your file before paying out, got a medical record could they say "well you didn't disclose all conditions, i'm sorry your policy isn't valid and we won't pay". I have no idea if that could happen, but I seem to remember hearing stories about it.

I wonder if you could call the insurance ombudsman or whatever and ask their advice?

Good luck!

Rachel

I was told that everything would be covered apart from any claim arising from my thyroid / anti-depressants. She said the company allows you to insure against all conditions or none - but not one.

 

[dixonsontour]

Personally I would pay it and be fully covered.

My experience of insurance companies is they will try to wriggle out of paying if at all possible.

eg if you did need treatment they would try to argue it was related to your pre existing condition and try to avoid paying out.

I personally found the insurance ombudsman to be very pro insurance company.

We pay alot for our cover as DD has a disability, I have a medical condition and DH takes regular medication. I look on it as part of the cost of the holiday.

 

[Red-Snapper]

I dont think you have been given the right advice.

You HAVE to declare all pre-existing conditions - as someone else pointed out they may void ANY claim if they are not shown on file but come to light after a medical emergancy.

Make sure they have noted them - even if you dont pay the extra and they exclude the two specifics from cover.

Many companies these days have inexperienced staff on the phones - but that is not the case when it comes to checking if a claim is payable.

As to what the issue is with anti-depressants. Like it or not they will be regarded by most Insurers as pointing to extra risk and so will result in extra premium.

 

[joolz1910]

I dont think you have been given the right advice.

You HAVE to declare all pre-existing conditions - as someone else pointed out they may void ANY claim if they are not shown on file but come to light after a medical emergancy.

Make sure they have noted them - even if you dont pay the extra and they exclude the two specifics from cover.

Many companies these days have inexperienced staff on the phones - but that is not the case when it comes to checking if a claim is payable.

As to what the issue is with anti-depressants. Like it or not they will be regarded by most Insurers as pointing to extra risk and so will result in extra premium.

Sorry, I think it was my lack of clarity - I was told to declare the pre-existing conditions but then choose whether to insure against them. I understand why anti-depressants could be seen as a potential insurance risk but so many people take them, it surprised me that it was taken quite so seriously.

I'm still unsure what to do. I priced up a couple more policies (declaring my pre-existing conditions) and M&S quoted me £338 It made Nationwide look pretty cheap!

 

[dixonsontour]

Some companies don't like certain risks so do shop around.

The fun starts when there are a few of you with widely different health conditions.

We went with an annual family policy then paid a top up for me.

£120 for a family policy that covers all your medical conditions seems reasonable to me - think we paid similar.

 

[mackay_j]

I would not even consider not insuring esp agaisnt the thyroid conditions. Almost any condition that could arise that involves hormone, mineral or blood problems can be atributed in some way to thyriod problems. This includes heart, stroke and clotting problems, thus it would be a no brainer for me. If can the insures will wrangle out. Didn't think about the oral pill being an issue, bet a lot of woman haven't covered for that one. My insurance for our family has gone up to £562 a year worldwide cover because we have a lot of medical conditions -but none are in any way that serious and likely to cause much issue (expt diabetic DD) - tried shopping around but most other places including medical insurance comps turned us down completely - so its a cost we just have to factor in to the holiday- but the main thing is we are fully covered

 

[joolz1910]

Thanks everyone. Although I hate spending additional money, I am a born worrier and I think getting fully covered would give me peace of mind. I am 99% sure that my thryroid will not cause any problems on the trip but I too can imagine an insurance company trying to make a link if I had to make any medical claim. I would hate to be hit with a medical bill in the USA.

Think I will just take it on the chin and get everything covered. I will grumble and mutter about the £70 to myself for a while longer though.