Any advice please on Travel Insurance. I have had mild PBC for 15 years and unable to obtain insurance. Companies will not listen to me .

[ladygolfer]

All insurance companies ask if I am awaiting a liver transplant. When I assure them I do not req one as condition mild the answer is always the same that i cannot be insured

[gamesmaker]

try the Macmillan cancer support web pages - I know it is a different health problem but they do a really useful booklet (available on line) about travel insurance for people with known medical / health problems. The booklet has a list of firms which will cover people for travelling even if they have a health problem

[ladygolfer]

Thank you. I will try them.

[GrittyReads]

I've had some trouble over the years getting TI cover, but largely because I want to be treated as PBC free*. However, I have found companies that cover me if I accept the 'label' of PBC. Last year 'Staysure' were fine, but expensive (I have other conditions) and this year I found 'World First' to be excellent (but read the policy carefully, first, as there are some things that might make some people think twice). The database that their screening people use seemed to be vastly superior to other 'question and answer' scripts I've been put through by TI companies - eg they'd heard of macular pucker, and its other 'names'. Also, their Health Expert - when consulted by my screening person - knew exactly what she was talking about with regard to my ... mislabelling ... (?) with PBC, unlike some of the ignorant comments I've had from some TI companies.

I'm surprised you've had such trouble, as there seem to be quite a few companies around who will provide cover: they are often mentioned in the Readers' Letters in 'Bear Facts', the magazine of the PBC Foundation, even, I think, by people who have more advanced PBC, so have a look there as well. Otherwise, it's just a question of jumping through all the hoops and answering all the questions, and then paying ...

[*I test +ve for AMAs - have done for over 25 years - but have no other symptoms, and my Liver Function Tests (blood tests) and ultrasounds have always been perfect. First time around, my GP never mentioned PBC to me, and I just had lfts every year until I was told to stop on the grounds that I was one of those people who tested +ve for AMAs, but would never develop anything. Then, nearly 6 years ago, a new GP sent me to a consultant and he diagnosed [labelled] me as 'pre-symptomatic for PBC' (I've been told it's not a recognised diagnosis) and then my fun with TI people started. I'm still clear of all symptoms, with lfts still perfect, but I have to pay for TI because of the mention of PBC in the diagnosis.]

[ladygolfer]

Thanks for that info. I will try World First as Stay sure not at all helpful

[Sheana]

Try

OK to travel

JD Travel

It's so easy

Free Spirit

Just Travel

All clear

Good to Go

Avanti

Insurance Choice

Have you tried doing it on the internet first? Can often be less painful than dealing with call centre employees (I once had insurance cancelled 3 days before departure as I discovered the call centre employee had screened me for psoariasis (skin condition) instead of cirrhosis !!.

Sometimes if you apply via the internet and get rejected you can call them and they will cover you as they do a more detailed screening.

Liver association has a list of insurers - do you have that?

[ladygolfer in reply to Sheana]

Thank you. I will try those companies

[Hidden]

Excuse my ignorance but what is PBC? I had hepc and cirrhosis and then had a Transplant

[ladygolfer in reply to Hidden]

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis. An autoimmune condition.

[ancientadolescent]

I have an account with nationwide building society and,following my liver transplant and subsequent agreement to fly abroad from my consultant, I have had no problems obtaining travel insurance from them.