Refused travel insurance while waiting for ablation

[Jes59]

Just curious if other people have been refused travel insurance while on the waiting list for an ablation. We booked to go on a cruise to Antarctica in 2023 (retirement treat!). Usually book with Saga but they said I would not be covered while awaiting ablation. Now this may be because of the type of holiday (the cruise company insist on a £250000 repatriation cover) but I am a little surprised as it’s not generally considered a high risk illness? what the insurance company have said that if I was not on the waiting list, and this was confirmed in my notes, then they would happily cover me!

As my AF is not as bad as many people have on this forum I have discussed this with my cardiologist and he would be happy for me to come off the waiting list for this trip of a life time and then go back on it when I come back, though obviously at the back of the queue!

Do you think it’s worth contacting other companies or is this the norm? I live in the UK.

[BobD Volunteer]

It is quite normal for insurance to be refused if a person is awaiting diagnosis or treatment I'm sorry to tell you. Some companies may cover you for general health and accident but exclude a particular condition in such circumstances.

[CDreamer in reply to BobD]

But you can get cover Bob - been there done it.

[CDreamer]

Yes, again with Saga when we took their cruise insurance - they cancelled mine 3 days before we were due to leave as I had a sudden procedure booked, so I informed them. They took 2 weeks to decide so I was furious. Shopped around and got full cover about £30 cheaper elsewhere. Go to company that specialises in people with medical conditions & ring them - don’t rely on website assessments.

[Bluetonic]

Yes, had this issue when undergoing investigation for AF and then waiting for ablation. So two years of not being able to get travel insurance

[Singwell]

Definitely you can get insurance if you shop around. Although TBF in my case I wasn't then in the pipeline for ablation but I did have AF and had been to A and E twice within a year before we applied. We were going to Australia- pandemic put paid to that. My insurance was more than double my other half's - I think he found a special company, as CDreamer says, who specialise in cover for health conditions.

[Jajarunner]

Try staysure. They quoted me while waiting for ablation and with eight emergency A&E admissions in the previous ten months. it wasn't stupidly expensive. Well, it was, but not as stupidly as some of the others. 😂

[Jes59]

Thanks for the comments guys, I think I will have a go at other companies for a start, may be worth the hassle! From my own experience it seems if you have AF they will insure you but as soon as you are on the list for something (even a test) things are different!🤓👍

[Chrissy7]

Wow…. So as of yesterday I’m on the list.. what really boggles my mind is why anyone would want to travel with untreated AF?

I simply cannot. The risk of having an episode (terrifying for me) while it a plane or cruise ship is out if the question., I would not even consider it.

In fact wanting to feel free enough to travel again is most of the reason I’m choosing ablation.

And I know it’s not a cure.. but I’m hoping for a few AF free years….and then I’ll do it again if I have to…

[Macmedal in reply to Chrissy7]

Trouble is Chrissy what is untreated AF ? If you have been diagnosed with it you are potentially always going to be at risk from it, even after ablation.

I have had a couple of Cardioversions, the recent being 6 months ago and although I am on Edoxoban, I am not on any other medication. No pill in the pocket and ablation has not been considered.

Not stopping me going on holiday though, managed to get insurance with Stay Sure and I am off to the US next month. Just hope I can avoid the COVID before flying which is more of a stress test, passing the LF test before flying, than the fear of having AF on an aircraft or on holiday.

Not being blasé and certainly not judging you as I know how scary AF can be to experience, but if managed it can be overcome. I have the medical cover if needed. Life goes on and my family and I need a holiday, which judging by the crazy world we live in maybe the first and last in some time.

[Chrissy7 in reply to Macmedal]

I am not sure what’s going on with me but it’s not just AF. And I can’t take enough medication to control it.. since my HR and BP drop too low.

If I knew how to control it .. I would not be afraid.. but at the moment - I am

[LaceyLady in reply to Chrissy7]

Stress and worry can make it worse, the adrenaline will interfere. Best to learn relaxation techniques, breathing exercises.

[Chrissy7 in reply to LaceyLady]

Hm.. I appreciate this.. but I solved my stress and worry problem years ago.. I went through a craniotomy and operate a very large risky business.. I d ok my stead over anything anymore…

[Jes59 in reply to Chrissy7]

As I mentioned my AF is not as bad as many of the people here. I get the odd episode perhaps once or twice a month which last for a few hours and usually go away on their own. I actually have more episodes of ectopics which affect me just the same in that I feel tired and that uncomfortable feeling in my chest. But it is what it is, and I am thankful that it does not impact my life too much. My cardiologist said this is the ideal time to have the ablation, more chance of success. As I have been pretty stable the last few years I am happy to postpone my ablation and start on the list again, for the trip of a lifetime. I also have coronary heart disease which will not get any better So again don’t want to delay while I am still fit enough to do it!🤓👍

[Chrissy7 in reply to Jes59]

Hope you get the help you need.. but first have a wonderful trip!

[Mrsvemb]

In general, insurers will not cover anyone on a waiting list for any procedure or surgery. This is because in the event that your turn comes when you are due to go on your trip, they will not cover the cancellation costs.

If you need an ablation, but are not yet on the waiting list, then most insurers will cover you.

[Anon2023]

Hi. I know your post is a couple of months old but I’m wondering how you got on with your insurance. Im in a similar position. I had atrial flutter in feb which is controlled by meds but they’ve referred me for a consultation about an ablation. Not on any waiting list yet for the actual procedure and not seeing the ablation team until July. Hope you don’t mind me asking.

[Jes59 in reply to Anon2023]

No probs. I have had a quote from another company that will insure me even if still on the waiting list though it is much more expensive. However will probably do it this way rather than removing my name from the waiting list as it is now going to be over a year (at least) rather than six months before the procedure is done! You will have to declare you are waiting for an appointment (insurance companies will do anything to get out of paying).

[Anon2023 in reply to Jes59]

Hi. Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it. Do you mind me asking who the other insurance company was? I was hoping to go with staysure but read that they probably wouldn’t cover me. Thanks again.

[Jes59 in reply to Anon2023]

All Clear was the last we tried which said they would insure me.

[Anon2023]

Thanks. I’ll give them a try.