Travel insurance and WMD

[maritravel]

Is it necessary to inform one's travel insurer if one has been diagnosed with WMD? My insurance is already pretty high what with age, angina and hypertension, that I'm reluctant to add more to it.

[Hidden]

Hi Mari, I would say yes.

Firstly because if you have a rapid worsening of your condition and need a new inj it would potentially delay your departure or cost you if you are already abroad.

Secondly. Insurers are notorious for refusing payouts and might use a nondisclosure against you even if you were claiming for something else.

I was insured with Benenden and had a hols booked when I got my diagnosis and they charged me less than a tenner to add my condition brvo for which I was having inj. I also have other conditions they cover and they were cheaper than anyone else but cover v good. So much that i double checked and they said they base premiums on the likelihood of problems arising in the time away not just the fact you have a condition.

[Shirleyscutbush in reply to Hidden]

Hi Mari,

I told my insurers (saga), it didn't cost any extra. Like most travel insurers they seen not to distinguish between wet and dry. I did explain about the injections and asked that it be documented.

Shirley

[Macular_1]

Hello Mari,

I agree with eyesright that you should declare your condition.

That said, you may find that they will exclude your macular condition as it is a 'pre-existing medical condition'.

From past experience, they will not cover any treatment for macular degeneration whilst you are abroad.

I would give them a ring to check.

Of course there are many providers of travel insurance and it may be worth visiting an insurance broker and let them do some leg work for you.

The Macular Society have a short list of insurance providers which members have recommended themselves over the years. These are not our recommendations, but if you would list the list either email our helpline on [e-mail] or telephone our Helpline 0300 30 30 111 (9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday).

Best wishes

Macular Society

[Ayayay80]

Hi Mari

I agree with the other replies. It is better to be safe than sorry. Having said that, I chose not to add my eye condition to the standard Nat Hols insurance. My wet AMD having been hailed as stable at the time and having no other health problems other than (as you say) high age I opted to take the (in my case) minor risk for a 9 day holiday in Italy. We all have to weigh up the risk for ourselves and decide what we feel comfortable with.

Enjoy your holiday and all the best.

[maritravel]

A big thank you to everyone who's given me the above answers, all of which are helpful. I've got an Annual Insurance from StaySure which was much more reasonable than any others on offer when I took it out but I know insurers like to pile it on when they can. Many years experience doesn't give me much faith in them. I will check out Benenden as recommended by Eyesright and see what they offer when my renewal is up in April next year. Thanks again.

[yotboy]

if by unlucky chance a condition related to your WMD occurred which affected your travel in any way, your insurer could refuse payment because of an undeclared pre-existing condition.

In other words, you really knew the answer before you asked the question!

[maritravel]

Gosh, that was a long time ago! I added the condition to my insurance and it only cost me an extra £10.