Does anyone know what insurer Is good for International travel insurance for pre existing conditons?
I am visiting; Japan, Austria, Czech Republic, UK, France
I have a back problem that has not been clearly diagnosed yet (only had a bone scan yesterday) Already booked the holiday, going to a cousins wedding.
I'm only 33 so i'm hoping that will help but I have been hospitalized in the last 6 months..
Any advice would be great. Flying out next weekend! Nothing like leaving everything to the last minute!!
Travel Insurance for Pre Existing Conditons
chakel on 16/03/2017 - 08:48
Comments
I looked into this a little while back. Recommendations on the interweb suggested CoverMore were good for pre-existing conditions.
I used them when going on a cruise and they accepted my application, though there was a surcharge for the pre-existing condition; but that's not unexpected.
It might be hard to get a insurance quote with some companies for a 'pre existing condition which has yet to be diagnosed'.
Best thing is to call a few up and go through the details and get quotes.
I got travel insurance from Medibank (who I have my private health care with) for my travel insurance with pre-existing condition (I haven't been hospitalised with mine). There was a surcharge for the pre-existing condition (it doubled the premium), but all the insurers I found (just by phoning up or doing online quotes) were similar costs (if they did cover it). Medibank were a few $ less than the next best quote.
They also gave me the option of telling them about the pre-existing condition but not being covered for it and paying the standard travel insurance premium (I always have a concern that insurance companies will squirrel out of payments if I haven't disclosed something, even if it isn't related to the claim for example my medical issues wouldn't be related to e.g. my luggage going missing, so it was nice to know I could do this if I wanted).
Hi,
It may assist you to keep a copy of the (I presume CT Scan) report with you while you travel.
If you can get a letter from your Doctor that says you are OK to fly that would be good to have in the event
that the back problem gets worse or the Airline(s) have any reservations about you traveling. (see what I did there) lolCT, MRI a few weeks ago & Bone Scan yesterday, due to go to Neuro surgeon to give me an Epidural block before I fly.
OP, are you hoping to be covered for the pre-existing condition or trying to indemnify?
You'll just have to declare it and see what they say.
I have a pre-existing condition and most insurers cover me but it costs about double the premium to do so.
I've been succeessful in getting my application approved twice with Bupa for pre existing conditions. 1st time I submitted, I was hospitalized 3 months before but still had it approved.
I assume you don't have a gold or platinum credit card with included travel insurance? if you do, get a quote from the insurance provider for the pre-existing condition.
FYI - When we declared a pre-existing condition for my wife to travel overseas, they assessed our application and advised she would be covered for no additional cost. This surprised me….
Basically if you have a condition that you declare and it's low risk of needing emergency/expensive medical treatment overseas, it should be cheap or no extra cost to insure you. A back "condition" in a 33yo seems fairly low risk to me, even though you have been hospitalised.
In summary, its not rocket science, get a few quotes from the big players like QBE and a few quotes from small players and see whats cheapest.