Example: Matt's $2,400 check-up
Having booked his long-awaited European holiday, Matt was counting down the days until he would depart on his dream getaway. A couple of days before his departure, Matt visited his doctor for a heart check-up after noticing an irregular heartbeat.
The condition was deemed non-life-threatening, and although Matt was still awaiting test results, he headed off overseas without a care in the world. However, after a week in Amsterdam, Matt became hospitalised with hypertension (abnormally high blood pressure).
Although Matt was sure these expenses would be covered by his travel insurance, when he phoned his insurance company, he received a nasty shock. Since he had the check-up before his departure, he was classified as having a pre-existing condition which he did not tell his insurer about. The medical and hospital costs he incurred overseas were excluded from cover, leaving Matt severely out of pocket and completely broke.
Costs Matt faced
- $2,000 in hospital stay expenses
- $400 in medical treatment
Out-of-pocket costs
- $2,400
Cover received from his travel insurance provider
- $0
Reason
Matt did not disclose his heart condition once he found out about it.
* This is a fictional, but realistic, example.
My son is 34 years old and had valve cleaned blood infection MRSA. The doctor from the cardio clinic said he is fine to travel. Do I have to pay more insurance and how much more extra would it be?
Hi Lynn,
Thanks for reaching out to us.
There are some insurers that will cover people with heart conditions. You’re actually on the correct page on where you can compare your options and where you can get a quote.
Insurers offer different methods for you to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions and heart problems you may have. Depending on the insurer, you may have to do one or more of the following:
– Undergo a phone assessment to answer questions about your health.
– Fill out an online questionnaire.
– Fill out and post or email a hard-copy form.
– Undergo a face-to-face medical assessment.
Once you’ve provided all the relevant information concerning your health, your insurer will provide a written notice to let you know whether you will be offered cover. You’ll also be notified of any special conditions or exclusions that may apply to your policy and of any premiums you are required to pay before cover will take effect.
On the table above, you may click on your preferred insurance to see more details then you may click on the green ‘Get Quote’ button to request a quote from them.
Best regards,
Rench
My 78 year old husband has a gallstone diagnosed 1 year ago but not blocking bile duct so would he be covered if taking a cruise to a pacific Islands. Thanks
Hi Rose,
Thank you for your inquiry. I’m sorry to hear about the medical condition of your husband.
Your husband can still get travel insurance when taking the cruise. You just have to disclose the pre-existing condition or medical problems to your chosen insurer prior to purchasing the cover.
If you wish to learn more, we have a guide that talks about travel insurance for gallstones. On that page, you should learn more about how to get travel insurance when you have gallstones or a history of it.
On the same page, you should also be able to see a form that you can fill out. Provide the necessary details and select the “Get my quote” button. You would then be presented with a list of travel insurance brands based on your given details. Compare them based on various details and select the “Go to site” button (if available) to be redirected safely to your chosen insurer’s website. You can then proceed with the purchase of your policy or get in touch with their representative for further enquiries.
Moreover, there might be two providers that you might be interested in:
– InsureandGo do not automatically exclude any conditions and claim to assess all conditions on a case-by-case basis.
– CoverMore may be able to cover you for an additional premium, subject to the outcome of a short medical assessment.
While looking for insurers, please make sure you read the terms and conditions of the policy to learn more and know if it is the right policy for you or not.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Zubair
I have had angioplasty 9 years ago and Covermore will cover this pre existing condition for Europe and Japan but not the USA.
Will any insurer cover this pre existing heart condition for the USA
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for your question.
Whether or not a travel insurance brand will provide cover for a pre-existing condition can vary from person to person. InsureandGo and COver-More are two travel insurance brands that have traditionally been more accepting when it comes to pre-existing conditions. InsureandGo claims to consider all conditions and CoverMore assesses medical conditions prior to issuing travel insurance.
These are just two providers from our panel that may be able to help and there may be other insurers out there that are suitable for your needs.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
I was recently diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy & have an implanted defibrillator – do you offer a policy for this condition?
Hi Dee,
Thanks for your question.
Whether or not you can take out cover will depend on the insurer. However, InsureandGo claim to consider all conditions and also CoverMore may also be able to help as they assess medical conditions prior to issuing travel insurance.
Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features, and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement of the policy before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you. If necessary, speak to the insurance brand to verify any details.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
what if whilst i’m travelling overseas I decide to have a medical procedure done and it’s not an emergency. Would travel insurance cover it?
Thanks.
Hi Jo,
Thanks for your question. Unfortunately, travel insurance does not cover medical procedures that are not emergencies.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard