Travelling with Insurance

[Nip1]

Hi folks, I was diagnosed with Decompensated Cirrhosis 2 years ago and have had regular routine 6 month MRI scans and bloods done which have all shown no features of concern and that my liver has fully recompensated. I mentioned that I was hoping to travel abroad to Spain and asked if I was OK with flying and was told that there should be no problem whatsoever with this. I was just wondering if anyone could help me whether or not I still need to declare my illness for travel insurance or if this is not needed now that I'm recompensated. I just need some information or any advice please.

[Aotea2012]

I would declare everything. It’s so much safer…there is then no question if you have to claim. Insurance companies treat varices as high risk…so if you’ve had a diagnosis of these along with cirrhosis then you will need specialist cover. Avanti is a good firm. Cirrhosis without varices is slightly more expensive than normal cover and available through most travel insurance companies.

[Nip1 in reply to Aotea2012]

Thanks for your reply. There is no mention of varices or any other symptoms with my scans and tests and my consultant has sent me a copy of my consultation letter with the information so I wonder this would help with my Insurance. You mentioned that Cirrhosis without varices is more expensive but I thought it would be a lot cheaper. Is this something I should ask about?

[Aotea2012 in reply to Nip1]

If you have cirrhosis, declare it. If there’s no varices you just say no when they go through the questions. Cirrhosis with varices is the most expensive. Cirrhosis without varices is more expensive than if you didn’t have cirrhosis, but is only marginally more expensive than normal insurance.

[Nip1 in reply to Aotea2012]

Thanks for your replies, I will declare it if I must and have a good look at a few travel Insurance companies for the best deals. Sorry to be a pain but can you recommend any decent companies please. Thanks again for your help.

[Aotea2012 in reply to Nip1]

The British Liver Trust website has a page on insurance which is really comprehensive. I got mine through Avanti who have been really good and competitively priced. Stay Sure, Admiral, Saga and Allianz are also good at covering pre existing medical conditions.

[Nip1 in reply to Aotea2012]

Thanks again Aotea2012. I'll definitely take a look on the website. Avanti seems to be one I have heard a lot mentioned about on the forum but I'll make a note of your other recommendations aswell. All the best to you and

Take care.

[55spenc]

Hi NIP

The Post office was £84 single trip! Told the truth Cirrhosis, liver abscess, there were no issues

[Nip1 in reply to 55spenc]

Thanks 55spenc . That sounds a good deal and I'll have a look at a few more Companies for the aswell.

[Crochetnet]

please declare everything . we used all clear this time yearly worldwide but took off North america and caribbean that saved an awful lot I also have cruise on mine too had a scare this last couple of weeks as needed an iron infusion and something showed up on ultrasound so needed an MRI not had results of that but blood came back ok so consultant says i can go . no extra cost on insurance

[Nip1 in reply to Crochetnet]

Thanks for your reply, I'll have a look

[Lantana100]

We use Staysure. Easy form to fill out on line.

[Nip1 in reply to Lantana100]

Thanks for your reply

[Kristian]

Hi Nip, as others have said, you must always declare everything. If you don't, should you need to make a claim, your insurance company are likely to declare any insurance invalid. Its just not worth that risk.

I tend to just do a search on one of the comparison websites to see which one is offering the best deal at any one particular time.

[Nip1 in reply to Kristian]

Thanks Kristian.I will definitely try that.

[Kristian in reply to Nip1]

You'll probably find it easier to get single trip too. I had more problems trying to get annual or multi trip.

[Moux1]

Hi Nip 1 my husband has compensated cirrhosis, diabetes and arthritis . We went with Staysure and took out a year’s insurance which was £ 236, we have had 3 trips this year so far so was worth it . Good luck and enjoy your hols

[Nip1 in reply to Moux1]

Hi Moux1. Thanks for your reply, I'll also try them and I hope you've enjoyed your hols.

[MistyMoments in reply to Moux1]

I’m stunned I was diagnosed with compensated cirrhosis about 18 months ago, I have type 2 diabetes on insulin, no ascites and 2 very small varices found in oesophagus many years ago being treated for hiatus hernia no bleeds also scan showed portal hypertension re liver NAFLAD I don’t drink. However typing this text from Madrid I have purchased travel insurance from AllClear I was charged just short of £300 for this trip and was told that an annual cover would be high £900 pounds can’t remember exact figure. And was told I needed a consultants letter. I had been with StaySure for my diabetes. But went with AllClear as they were rated top. Everyone else’s insurance here seems much cheaper. Will look into it more thoroughly next time

.

[MistyMoments in reply to MistyMoments]

Reread the varices we’re found years ago when had op for hiatus hernia on scan for liver then found two small ones grade a

[Moux1]

thank you Nip 1 I meant to add that he has got gall stones too which we declared. Yes we went to Krakow, Budapest and Zante which were all fab , enjoy yours

[Robert1220]

I have compensated cirrhosis and I declare it as insurance becomes null and void if you don't declare all health issues.

[Nip1 in reply to Robert1220]

Thanks, I will declare it and my consultant has also said that they will send me a copy of my results and records for proof to help with my application.

[Robert1220 in reply to Nip1]

I used Staysure. They were great.

[Tp807]

I agree. You should declare are they are swines for trying not to pay out. I used staysure as I found most comparison sites wouldn't touch me. İt did cost around 300 quid but I went for a month.

[Roy1955]

Use a comparison site and declare cirrhosis.Just a few extra tick boxes and no medical notes asked for.

It won't be expensive.

Also look at a yearly European policy as sometimes they are cheaper than single trip.

[Bs1524]

We found they were more concerned with my husband's knee replacement and that his other knee also needed replacing. It is interesting the mention of varicose as when he was first diagnosed he had an endoscopy that showed two small ones. They have never checked again four years yet I have read that other people get regular check ups on their varicose. Staysure wouldn't cover him we went with AllClear

[Ewife]

It's worth being sure that you are fully covered. My husband has been stable for a while, and we recently travelled to Spain. He got Food poisoning, was very pooly and caused complications with his medications etc. which could never have really been anticipated really. It was a terrifying experience and made me think twice about how and if we go away again. Don't want to scare monger, but it's always the unexpected isn't it? Just make sure you are fully covered, and have a happy break 😊 Atb

Ewife

[Hexamon]

I have compensated cirrhosis with high BP and Type 2 and declared everything and cannot get insurance anywhere. Even the bank turned me down and wouldn’t even generate an extra premium to be paid. I haven’t tried the special expensive insurers simply because of the compensated status. It’s worrying to be deemed uninsurable though. I thought that was the whole point is risk based insurance.

[Crochetnet]

I would always ring them as call are recorded. so they cant say you didn't tell them. you must mention everything even a cold that you have been to the drs with

[Dexter786]

insurfor.com via a price comparison site was cheap. It was cheaper to get an annual policy than a single trip one! I paid £28 and that’s with declared all my medical issues

[Jo1305]

We used Avanti insurance to travel to America in the summer. We declared my husband had cirrhosis with no varices and no jaundice (they ask you these questions when you declare liver disease). We had to pay £675 for two weeks cover . His consultant gave him a fit to fly and Avanti had the best fully comprehensive cover than any other insurance company. The premium would obviously be a lot lower for travelling to Europe.

[Nip1 in reply to Jo1305]

I've had a look at the Avanti website and they quoted £150 single trip travel to Spain but I'll take a look at a few more Companies. Thanks for your reply.

Take care

[MississaugaLiver]

Not sure if you have a stability clause in the UK, but in North America it’s very specific to any pre-existing conditions. Some companies require only 6 months, others a full year. Even a change in medication will forfeit coverage. I had to ask the questions, as some companies were more than willing to provide insurance, but when it came to specifics, they admitted my husband would not be covered! Thank goodness I checked.