Travel Insurance for people with medical conditions

[WaT05]

I haven't posted on here for quite a while but I am planning on going to WDW in Dec 07 and I am hoping to take my sister with me. She has a neurological condition called dystonia (its quite rare, not many people have heard of it). This conditon causes the brain to send wrong messages to the muscles which causes them to go into spasms it can be extremely painful and debilitating.

She has had this condition for 5 years but the last half a year it has kinda gone into remission. She has pills that control it. My concern is whether I will have trouble getting travel insurance for her. I was wondering if anyone here knows of any good insurance companys to try or who knows people with dystonia and what they normal use.

Any advice gratefully received!!
Thanks
Hazel

 

[elaine181000]

About 2 months before we were due to go on holiday, I was diagnosed with a cyst which required surgery just after we were due to come back. There was a chance it would burst when we were away so my insurance company wouldn't give me cover.

I did a bit of research and ended up using a company called medicover. (I would post the link but I haven't posted enough messages to be allowed to LOL). Try this without the spaces (and putting dots in the right places) medicover co uk You can do an online quote or phone them if the condition isn't listed.

Good luck!

 

[alisonbestford]

Try Age Concern

They covered DH's brain tumour, at a reasonable price, this year (£88 as opposed to the £700 some 'specialist firms' were quoting! )

Generally you should try general insurance companies before resorting to the medical specialist companies that, often, charge the earth

Good luck

 

[juliebro]

I woul also suggest Age Concern. Although we haven't used them ourselves, I know people who have.

Julie

 

[gilld]

I did a bit of research and ended up using a company called medicover. (I would post the link but I haven't posted enough messages to be allowed to LOL).
Good luck!

I tried this company for DM who needs insurance for a weekend to Amsterdam and Bruges. She uses an O2 concentrator and the best quote I have had up to then was £250 - this company quoted £1157!!!!!! For a 3 night cruise!!!!

I hope they'll be better for the OP - we certainly won't use them at that price.

 

[alisonbestford]

I tried this company for DM who needs insurance for a weekend to Amsterdam and Bruges. She uses an O2 concentrator and the best quote I have had up to then was £250 - this company quoted £1157!!!!!! For a 3 night cruise!!!!

I hope they'll be better for the OP - we certainly won't use them at that price.

I'm pretty certain it was Medicover who quoted DH £800

It certainly pays to 'shop around' and only go for the specialist quotes if all else fails

 

[mikki.young]

Which recently did a review of Travel insurance and listed several companies as potentially good for pre-existing conditions. These included travelinsurers.com, Bradford and Bingley, simpletravelinsurance.co.uk, the AA, and CIS.co.uk. Some of these may not cover something which is a direct result of the condition but if you had an accident and needed different treatment because of the condition it would be covered because of the duty of care aspect that doctors have to give the appropriate treatment. We have just been through the hoops on this one and found one that works for us.

I was fascinated to see how many insurance companies are now saying that they will not provide any cover at all if people are or ever have been diagnosed with depression or stress. I can just about understand this if it is a current condition (but a dose of Disney could go a long way to fixing that!) but for condition that could have been cured decades ago I can't see the logic.

 

[Red-Snapper]

If going for the cheaper, general companies you need to make sure the person you have spoken to is fully aware and understands what you are disclosing and I would recommend you get their confirmation in writing.

Most of the general Insurers these days employ very young and inexperienced staff who may not grasp the situation if it isnt on their prompt systems. You may think you are covered until a clam occurs and then find you arent & their records dont show you said anything to them. All will have a genreal exclusion relating to pre-existing medical conditions that you knew about.

There is a reason why the specialist companies charge so much - usually because they are giving cover where the general Insurers arent.

I am not saying they wont cover you - just make doubly sure they are !! or better still go to a local broker.

 

[chowells]

The Post office, covered my father for pre-existing conditions. When I had to cancel his holiday following his very sudden death, they paid out in less than a week.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Nat west Travel Insurance have been great for me. As a diabetic, they cover me for the year without any premium increase. they are cheaper than the BDA reccommended companies.

Is there an association for this disease? if so do they have any "pet" insurance companies? if not, try the Association of British insurers to find a comaspny who will cover here.

 

[tony64]

Both DW and DS have differant medical conditions which we reported to our insurance company ( part of our general house insurance) They even sent us a letter stating they are happy to cover so we can take it with us . We also have letters from both their doctors in case we need to get additional meds or have problems while away.

 

[scojos]

tony ive just seen your ticker, have a lovely holiday

 

[Young Pooh]

We have always used M&S in the past but DD has now been diagnosed with an atrial septal defect (hole in the heart). This does not present any medical problems but of course anything to do with the heart and insurance companies panic.

I phoned M&S and they were very helpful. They ask specific questions relating to the condition and then give two quotes - to include or exclude the condition. The difference being less than £20.

This is for a trip to Europe and the guy I spoke to said that when we travel to WDW next year to expect a higher additional premium.

 

[Karrie]

hi everyone, i have crohns diease which has been very unstable over the last 3 or so years. we have been away within europe and to the dominican republic during this time and generally just take the insurance on offer from the ta.
i always declare this condition due to its unpredictablity and we have had to pay extra for me to get insured (generally only 20-30pound cant remember exactly!)
Better than our original life insurance which wouldnt insure me for anything related to my crohns OR any cancers or other life threatening ilness even if they werent related to crohns...ruddy insurance people!!

 

[Duggas]

Hi everyone

I've just taken out annual wordlwide travel insurance with Virgin Travel Insurance and they were great. I declared my high blood pressure and DH's diabetes and it still only came to £125 which was cheaper than other companies quoted us without declaring anything. It was a really simple process, they asked a few related questions on each of our conditions and that was it, all done. It was this thread that prompted me to look into it all, especially having seen some of the quotes but I was very pleased with the outcome.

Just thought I'd share it.

 

[WaT05]

Thanks to everyone who has replied, you have all been very helpful. We have rang the dystonia society and a lady is getting back to us tomorrow about any they normally use.

Thanks
Hazel