Travel insurance query

[cagiva]

Has anyone else replied 'yes' to the 'Are you short of breath as a result of your condition'.... only to find that you are listed as 'impaired contractility'...

i am post op (February) mitral valve repair so still have moments where i am short of breath. I am getting fitter everyday ! but to be truthful to the question the algorithms do not allow for post successful op breathlessness.

I was unable to explain and get an intelligent response from 3 recommended insurance companies. All 3 gave me differences of £100 to £295 for a yes or no response.

cardio nurse, cardio rehab, anesthetist & GP all say 'no' but insurance person says 'yes'

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Are you getting quotes online? Often it is better to speak to a person but sadly sometimes they just click the same online form instead of engaging in a proper conversation.

Hopefully, somebody with the same issues will be along later.

[cagiva in reply to MichaelJH]

unfortunately i attempted an actual conversation but to no avail.

they will not allow themselves to pass on the written script!!

online i get two differing quotes...

heaven forbid i actually lie to an insurance company but think i have no choice

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to cagiva]

It seems unfortunate that when computers should make life easier they make it more complicated with convoluted algorithms. In recent months I have had to have multiple conversations with both credit card and mobile phone companies! ☹️

[Inamoment]

I had my licence removed after an operation for a brain abcess, i rang a broker, swintons. It wasn't on their list, he said I'm not putting brain other, you'll never get insured. He rang some companies and there was no problem.

If your problem doesn't fit the list it's better to find a good broker. For most people the list will be fine

[Lezzers in reply to Inamoment]

I totally agree with this, I used to work for a broker & they are normally able to negotiate. Might pay a little bit more but any problems the broker should sort it out for you.

[cagiva in reply to Lezzers]

thanks... all makes sense... however it seems odd that the BHF would recommend an insurer who does not appear to understand what pre-op / post-op and heart failure all mean... hey ho

[Lezzers in reply to cagiva]

That would be the phone operative either not being trained very well or just not interested. Which company was it?

[cagiva in reply to Lezzers]

ha... i do not want to be unfair to them as i am in process of having a chat.... let me get back to you if and when i see the outcome as either favorable or not ... then i will have some good advice for you all ... think that is fair.

[FeetheBookworm]

Well the insurer who covered me last year forEurope refused this year because we are doing a trip to the Caribbean. Fortunately another one has covered me! Both are on BHF list.....

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to FeetheBookworm]

The Caribbean is off the coast of the USA, medical costs there are through the roof which is why travel insurance for the region is high or impossible. It is also why we do not want them getting their claws into the NHS!

[FeetheBookworm]

Totally agree Michael. I have suggested somewhat strongly that next time we do a long haul jaunt we look at Malaysia or India. I lived in the then Malaya for the first 2 yrs of my life and would like to visit sometime. All I’ve seen are photos and cine films from my father’s posting there.

[benjijen]

I've just taken out insurance for next February and all the sites I used asked about medication and increases. I've had 2 of my meds reduced but there was nowhere to state that either! As it's only for a few days away I'm not bothering to try elsewhere as it was only £43, but if I go anywhere for longer I'll definitely go through a broker.

[COYW]

I’d give them a ring and explain. There are so many reasons why someone might be a bit breathless. I used insureandgo and they were pretty good but I’m not breathless.