Travelling with asthma

[MrsCMK]

Hey guys,

I am going on holiday in a few days but am a bit nervous as my asthma as been really unpredictable over the last few weeks. I’ve been in regular contact with my GP throughout and they are now happy for me to travel (as I am coming to the end of my period of attacks) but have advised me to get good insurance.

I am a frequented traveller and have never gotten medical insurance to travel because my condition has always remained controlled (until now) and my annual policy doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions.

Can any of you recommend a good travel medical insurance company please?

Thanks

[Chip_y2kuk]

We did a good comparison online as we are all asthmatics and me and the baby had had hospital visits and ambulances (mum's quite mild so mainly just endures us being ill) it did cost more to get pre existing condition cover but I'd hate to be 1000's miles from home and be ill and then be hit with a bill as well

We got ours from a comparison site they where an online only company but I checked the policy documents over before and after buying it to make sure it was suitable

[MrsCMK in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

Oh fab, thank you. Can you remember the company name by any chance?

I looked on a comparison site and the prices came up really cheap (I'm talking about £6 and I have another condition that requires cover too, which just didn't seem right) which has made me seek out a recommendation. I know that you can't judge something on the price but I'd rather pay more from a recommendation and have peace of mind

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to MrsCMK]

Thars definitely not right... We paid about 60 quid for a 7 day trip to the balleric islands (part of europe) as opposed to about 30-35 had we not got existing condition cover for the 3 of us

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

Did you check the excess? Most insurance policies will lower the premium if you increase the excess... so your 6 pound may have been with a really high excess

[MrsCMK in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

The excess was only £75. I think I'll have a look at the fine print on the policy before totally ruling it out.

It may be that I just found a really good deal, who knows

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I use GetGoing - severe asthma with multiple inhalers and admissions which is what they base it on, plus adrenal insufficiency as a result of steroid use. Spent ages and ages doing comparisons and come back to them as price much better than others - about £85 for the top level policy for a week in the US where others were saying £400 or no cover!! Checked small print carefully too and no nasty surprises as I saw in others.

[MrsCMK in reply to Lysistrata]

Thank you for the recommendation!

Another question- did you complete a questionnaire on your medical conditions? It's giving me an asthma quote without asking any information about my condition

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to MrsCMK]

Yeah I did for all three of us it was a questionnaire online as I was applying for the policy

[MrsCMK in reply to Lysistrata]

Just sorted it and it's only £33.15 for premium cover for all 3 of my medical conditions and has my husband covered too!

Thank you

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to MrsCMK]

Glad you sorted it! Good price too Sorry didn't see earlier question - did you work it out with the questionnaire then? It usually gives the quote then asks for declaration.

[MrsCMK in reply to Lysistrata]

Yeah, all sorted. Really happy with it actually. Thanks again

[Js706]

I ended up having to use one called BoughtByMany for a holiday to Lanzarote - which was over £200!!

But they were the only ones who would cover me 😔 I tried GetGoing and they wouldn’t and then got referred round to 3 or 4 others who also wouldn’t.

Mine was expensive but for anyone who gets stuck in a situation like me where you can’t find cover - they will cover any medical condition without a terminal prognosis (of 6 months or less) so they’re handy to have as a last resort!

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Js706]

Glad you found one, shame re GetGoing they did cover my friend who has been in ITU a lot, because the questionnaire didn't really ask about that! They won't do an annual one for me though. I think it does depend which questions you hit and sometimes I feel like it's not entirely based on reality eg they used to ask how far you can walk which is more COPD really. I think using nebs regularly, if you do, and some other things push their buttons.

[Js706 in reply to Lysistrata]

Yeah, I think it’s because unfortunately I had only been out of hospital for a week or so when I rang to get cover (and unfortunately the questionnaire on the website said I had to ring them!!)

I’ve been so unstable this year that I was expecting to have to pay a lot though! But it meant I could happily go and there aren’t many triggers in Lanzarote for me so I had a lovely week virtually symptom free 😁

[Wheezycat]

This information is useful! I have an annual InsureandGo policy at present, but my assessed (by them) medical needs isn’t half pushing up the price. Also I turn seventy next year, so that, too, will affect it. Thus this looks useful! For then.

[gillbee]

I live in UK Cheapest most comprehensive insurance I found was with Allclear

[Nooch]

Staysure were great for me when I when to Spain paid for a private hospital and cover pre existing conditions I’ve got three health condition and my mum and son who travel with me had health condition to and it only cost 200 if I can remember right for a two week stay so I would it could be a lot cheap