What to declare for Travel Insurance

[flat]

In Jan 2020 I had a successful aortic value replacement and haven't had any issues with my heart since. Do I still have to declare that I have had this op etc on my next travel insurance?

[Heather1957]

Yes, you will have to declare EVERYTHING just to ensure you are covered. If in doubt declare it.

[gilreid1]

It is really up to you but consider if you don’t declare a health issue and something goes wrong on holiday your insurance will be null and void. So would urge you be honest at all times. Remember insurance companies are businesses and will look for any excuse to not pay.

I use staysure and cost is reasonable for my needs

[Hidden]

Dear flat

Please please promise me that you will declare everything, just the slightest thing not declared and your insurance is null in void.

I pray that you don’t have to use it all, but if you did I want you to get the full benefit that you need and have paid for from it.

Its great that you are strong enough to be thinking of going on holiday. I really hope you have a brilliant time without the worry of ‘what if’ hanging over your head

Take care,

[flat in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for all of your responses. I will definitely declare that I have had the op.

[Heather1957 in reply to flat]

I go by the understanding that insurance companies first answer is no (sorry to be so cynical) so don't give them a reason to say that. You can't put a price on peace of mind.

[Cliff_G]

Yes, I'd agree with others, declare everything. If it doesn't worry them then no harm done. If it is of concern then you should definitely have declared it. I declared my enlarged aorta, under monitoring by my doctors. Then I dissected by surprise whilst away, the insurers were good as gold and confirmed to my wife straight away, not to worry, and that I was covered.

[sturon]

It is always best to ask your GP what they would declare in any insurance medical report. That way you are sure what needs to be declared.

[Hidden]

Knowing insurance companies as I do, they will take any excuse to avoid paying out. So I would always err on the side of caution in what I declare..

[ZM1281]

I have always wondered this, I had 1 stent put in due to suffering a sudden blocked artery while I was out on my daily run, no reason found why this happened by the specialists as my heart was deemed strong and healthy prior to the event. I take the minimal daily meds like aspirin, beta blockers etc. Am I still considered as having an ongoing heart condition that must declared with travel insurers?

[Hidden in reply to ZM1281]

If you’re currently taking medication for something, even if it’s more preventative than treatment, it would be considered ongoing, and both the treatment and underlying event/condition need to be declared to be sure you’re covered. Insurers really will look for any reason not to pay out, so if in doubt, you’re always better to declare something and let them determine if it’s relevant than make the call yourself and end up in a sticky situation.

[ZM1281 in reply to Hidden]

Yep make's perfect sense! It's a shame now a day's my travel insurance will cost like a small holiday #Sigh

[Qualipop in reply to ZM1281]

Definitely. You must declare it.

[Paperlover]

You have to declare anything to do with your heart, no matter how long ago and regardless of whether any further treatment is necessary

[Hidden]

The same as the other replies really, that yes you need to declare it because they’ll look for any reason they possibly can not to pay out, but with a little bit of a caveat. Which is simply to answer the questions as they are worded. If it asks ‘have you ever’, it means exactly that: in your entire lifetime, have you ever had/needed x-y-z. Most of the heart related questions are usually have you evers, but if it asks in the last 5 years or 2 years or whatever, answer that. The other one that trips people up sometimes is what constitutes ‘major surgery’ for insurance purposes, which a lawyer friend of mind clarified for me as any procedure requiring general anaesthetic, or a procedure done whilst awake or under sedation lasting more than 30 minutes.

[CDPO16 in reply to Hidden]

The last part of your reply is interesting Charlie. I'm sure that many of us wouldn't class some of those surgeries as major. Thanks for highlighting it.

[Hidden]

My twin brother always liked trying to save a few quid and told my sister and I that he'd had a quote for travel insurance where he'd declared his heart issues, he said he nearly had another heart attack when he saw the premium.He told us he was either going to travel with no insurance or not be honest re his existing conditions.

We both had a right go at him and I'm pleased to say he promised to be truthful.

He insured with Staysure.

Whilst he was away he was taken seriously ill.

Staysure were absolutely amazing in taking care of him and his wife.

Lord knows what it would have cost for all the hospital treatment, additional accomodation and medically escorted flight home had he not been truthful.

[kkatz]

Oh how I wish there was more help with what or what not to declare.Some you need to declare for ever.Circulatory is one of these. Some things are just silly.If you declare Arthritis you are asked if you have ever had back or neck problems.I have repeatedly asked does physio 25 yrs ago need to be declared as nothing to do with arthritis.The answer is yes as the question is "ever".

[Bry393]

Yes you must declare all material facts it you may invalidate your cover

[Exie8]

Of course you should declare this!

[Leoyz]

You have to declare all medical conditions on your travel insurance, otherwise your insurance will be null and void. Look on money supermarket to get the best quote. Mine was £900 for a year.

[flat]

Thanks again to everyone for their responses.