Any advice for travel insurance with previous Pulmonary Embolisms?

[jib70]

Hello all. After a bad bout of pneumonia/pleurisy 18 months ago had a crisis and diagnosed with non acute pulmonary embolisms.

I haven't really improved and appear to have some heart failure etc since.

Now I wondered if anyone with similar has managed to get health insurance for flying to Spain for 8 days? I am not on oxygen just blood thinners and other meds and freely admit I cannot walk far at all nor do much physically without getting breathless.

This isn't a holiday, but a family situation. I've had an insurance quote for £350 for a week which has shocked me rather. Any advice? Does that seem usual? . Thanks to anyone here for taking the trouble with advice. j

[Bevvy]

I think that the fact you “appear to have some heart failure” doesn’t mean you diagnosed? Are you having tests? PE’s wouldn’t normally increase travel insurance so much. You are on blood thinners so less worry there. You don’t mention age. That definitely can go against you. I haven’t been able to travel since before Covid but am not surprised at the quote. All insurance premiums have gone up this year.

Maybe try some other companies to compare. Remember the important thing is you advise them of ANY medical issues you have ever had. Or you could end up needing the insurance and them refusing to cover.

[jib70 in reply to Bevvy]

Thanks for your response Bevvy. I forgot to mention I am 76 and female. I have been diagnosed with heart failure also plus other lung damage. I only listed the PE to get a general idea for travel insurance quote, having no idea it would cost so much . I see from your reply it is more pricey than I realised.

I do appreciate you taking the time to answer, kind of you and such a help . j

[Kate0307]

Hi, I have similar issues and managed to get insurance for 8 days for £69 with All Clear. They only need to know what conditions you have been diagnosed with in last 2 years and the medication you currently take for those conditions. Also if you’re currently being investigated for any ailments. Worth a phone call? Good luck!

[jib70 in reply to Kate0307]

Goodness Kate thanks for that suggestion. That is such a difference in cost. Haven't travelled since Brexit/covid so had no idea of cost. I'll certainly give them a ring 👍 j

[B0xermad]

Try Rush insurance, they are attached to hays travel agents and are very reasonable

[jib70 in reply to B0xermad]

I will certainly try Rush insurance, thanks for that BOxermad. I didn't consider the costs could possibly vary so much. j

[B0xermad in reply to jib70]

I paid 1.000 with saga for 17 nights cruise in 2015

[Alberta56]

One of the comparison web sites will give you an idea of the cheapest cover available. These very cheap sites seem to be attached to larger and respectable sounding companies, some of which have well known insurance companies in their stable. I haven't tried them because I have not felt up to foreign travel since Covid. I've usually gone with Saga Insurance, but I know they are not cheap.

[Ern007]

I was offered travel insurance and I have Cancer, no good my GP told me not to, so I would have been travelling against Drs advice

[jib70 in reply to Ern007]

Hi Ern007. Appreciate your comment and quite understand your GP's advice. I haven't yet asked my GP about flying but I know I should. My FEV is 35% so not good really, plus all other lists of problems 😉. So great to get all these helpful replies, I really appreciate it. Take care j

[BionicLady]

I went with Staysure recently when I went away for two weeks to Portugal, I didn't think, just shy of £280 for me, husband and two kids was that expensive...

[pussycatwillow]

I would avoid Staysure. I recently had to make a claim and it took 4 months before they paid out.

I had the misfortune to end up in hospital in the Far East for a week. The bill was over £8000. I had to pay this myself using my credit card!

Staysure policies are administered by Ergo Travel Ltd and claims are dealt with by Davies Group. It is impossible to get through by phone. It took many emails and calls to settle this claim,

I reported my case to that Financial Ombudsman and did receive some compensation eventually

Sadly, you never know how good a company is until you have to make a claim. Check out any potential companies on Trustpilot before you buy.