Pre-existing Medical Condition? Everything You Need To Know About Getting Travel Insurance
23/12/2014
Image Source: Sean MacEntree
Travel insurance is a vital component of your holiday checklist. It ensures the costs of any treatments necessary while you are abroad are covered. And it is a huge comfort to those with a history of poor health or pre-existing medical conditions. It is a guarantee that, should you fall ill abroad, you will be able to meet the cost of medical aid.
Treatment abroad is one of the biggest expenses of travel insurance providers, which is why the cost of premiums go up for people who are statistically more likely to need it. Unfortunately, this can push up the cost of your holiday significantly and even precludes some people from travelling at all. But not always! Here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about getting covered so you can get out there, enjoy life and explore the world, regardless of your medical history.
Be Honest
It can be tempting, particularly when you are generating quotes online and playing with the terms of the policy, to omit the truth. With some insurers, leaving information about your medical history off the application form can reduce your premiums. Tempting it may be, a good idea it is not.
Lying to your insurer is a waste of time and money and voids your policy. Should you become ill, you will be in the hospital and in need of treatment before you learn that you are not covered. Or out of pocket and unable to claim anything back.
The trick to reducing premiums when you have a pre-existing condition is not omission, it’s research. Get quotes from insurers who specialise in covering people with a history of poor health. Don’t jump on the first quote you get just because it’s so much better than a mainstream insurers. Compare travel insurance with medicaltravelcompared.co.uk to make sure you get the best policy for you at the best price.
Don’t Be Offended
Applying for a policy from a specialist insurer will often require you to provide them with detailed, personal information about your health to date. Don’t be offended by the requests and make sure that you are prepared for them.
If you have undergone a lot of treatment in recent years, take a moment to think of everything. Make a list of exactly what was carried out, why and when prior to speaking with your insurer. Failure to declare everything, even inadvertently, might result in a rejected claim should you need treatment at a later date. So be honest and detailed when talking to insurers, declare even the smallest of treatments so that you know you are fully covered.
Be Realistic About What You Need
If the provider has a full understanding of your background, they will be able to provide advice about the level of cover that is suitable for you. Be realistic about what you might need. Even if you have been healthy for years, it is best to play it safe and ensure you have all eventualities covered. It may cost more now, but you could end up being very glad of it later.
