Hello All, I am trying to organise travel insurance to cover PAF. One of the questions is "Do you have 'leaky heart valve disease?'" I do have a very slight leak in one valve, which has been checked. I have not been told that I have "leaky heart valve disease"! But are they asking do I have a leaky valve? This is with Total Travel.
Thanks.
Most people have some regurgitation from valves. Echocardiograms often note slight or mild mitral regurgitation. Moderate is the next level. What has yours been described as? I would say that this is a condition rather than a disease but with insurance companies it is best to avoid splitting hairs.
As a medical professional with a-fib, I would not declare a valvular insuffiency unless it is documented by echo cardiiogram, stress test or cardiac cath. It sounds like you are applying for travel insurance for a trip. You do have to declare paroxysmal a-fib if it has been diagnosed Travel insurance can have a look back for pre-existing health issues for up to 60-180 days. If you get your coverage within a certain number usually 10-20 days after your quote some companies will waive their right to lookback.Don't volunteer what's not documented. Trish
When taking out travel insurance, there is usually a declaration with the wording something like: ‘have you ever had’ and it will list certain conditions like heart attack, stroke etc.
In the event of a claim, even if you break a leg, they will ask your GP for a full medical history. I don’t know where sweetcarmen gets 60-180 days from. Many claims have been thrown out because of an unrelated condition that occurred 30 years before. The fact that the you know that you have a slight leak indicates to me that it has been seen on a medical test and will be on your records.
I had a claim on a cruise for AF which was a declared condition, but still insurers wanted a full medical history. My claim was paid, but if there was something unrelated, not declared, then the policy would be null and void.
I also have a leaky mitral valve and it makes very little difference to the premium. Best to declare rather than risk non payment of a claim.
Enjoy your trip.
Hi, I work on the basis that insurance companies want to make as big a profit as poss, this means not paying as many claims as poss, so any excuse will do for them to cancel your claim and their staff will do the best they can to find an excuse to cancel. Basically not telling them will be held agst you if you claim.
You don't have a diseased valve, or you would have been told. Mild regurgitation can occur in many scenarios, not least from the tachycardia induced by frequent AF or flutter, and also as we age, I gather. There's an excellent above, I see - aren't we lucky to have such expertise on this forum?
Steve
76 years old with A F
apixaban and hematuria 
shortness of breath
3% Afib burden and proposed medication
