Medical travel insurance for 2 weeks in France, Belgium and Holland.

[berg944]

First European trip in new motor home.

Quote went from £22 to £70 when I declared PBC.

Anybody found a cheaper alternative?

[sooo]

Hi. I have had the same experience, we were also going to France in our motor home, I tried several insurance company's , in the end I opted not to be covered for PBC. If you think about it what can really happen? As long as we take the medication with us and my GP gave me a prescription for antibiotics to take with me as I am prone to infections, I didn't get to use it. Good luck and enjoy x

[Megamum]

Hello

I'm covered with Rothwell and Towler 01392287450 Melanie is the very nice lady. I pay £109 for an annual policy covering £5 million for PBC, hypertension, osteopenia, migraine, and superficial leg injury. I'm sure they would do a single trip too - if not and if not too much it does cover you for trips around the UK for the year. Good luck and have a great holiday. Xx

[GrittyReads in reply to Megamum]

Hello Magamum,

Thanks for the information on the Travel Insurance that you obtained with Rothwell and Towler. Can you tell me, are they an actual Travel Insurance company, or are they TI brokers? Also, can you tell me something about their understanding of PBC, and the sort of detail that they want?

I ask because I get incredibly anxious about TI. My late husband was killed on a climbing holiday, and although dealing with his insurers was straightforward, I found it incredibly traumatic ... Plus, I have had very upsetting experiences with insurers since I was re-told that that I test +ve for AMA, 5 years ago, when the consultant 'diagnosed' me as 'pre-symptomatic for PBC'.

[I was first told about +ve AMAs over 20 years ago, and was told to have annual LFTs, although PBC was never mentioned. After 12 years I was told to stop the LFT tests on the grounds that they were consistently clear, and that PBC would not develop. However, 5 years ago, a new GP was alarmed at mention of the old AMA result, and referred me to the Liver Consultant who gave me my current diagnosis.]

I find that most companies won't differentiate between full PBC and my diagnosis, even though all I have is annual LFT tests, which have been consistently clear for over 20 years now, and I have no symptoms.

As I have a couple of other conditions, my annual TI last year for Europe was over £300, so I'm looking for something more reasonable. I've had a look at the Rothwell and Towler website and they don't seem to offer the option of reading a Policy Document, and I do like to know beforehand exactly what a company's definition of 'pre-existing medical condition' is, and how long back they want details of medical conditions. Some of my past problems are no longer an issue, and have not been for years, but companies seem to vary enormously in what they want to know. eg my current company counted my Christmas bout of norovirus as a 'condition' but I'm sure most people won't be telling their TI companies about such things.

Sorry to go on. I know it's silly, but the whole process reduces me to jelly - ridiculous. All help before I contact R&T gratefully received, and if anyone else has other advice, please chip in.

[Hidden]

Hi, I rook out a single trip insurance with Rothwell and Towler, they charged £51 for me and my husband, I was covered for my PBC.

[berg944 in reply to Hidden]

I purchased single trip using Rothwell and Trowler. Thanks for the replies. £32 but will not cover PBC due to an outstanding appointment for a bone density scan.

[June9961]

If your read my post heading malaria Tablets and there are a few more about travel insurance. Having PBC for over 15 years and travelling overseas a lot I have always declared PBC which they will not cover, but still cover me for everything else. I do not mind because the chances of suffering sudden severe effects that quickly overseas is negligible. We take out motorhome overseas to Europe in the summer every year. You will have a great time. Just enjoy

[berg944]

Just paid for a single 10 day trip. Again I used Rothwell and Towler, cost £32 and PCB is covered (£75 excess) this year as I do not have any outstanding appointments and LFT is normal.

[GrittyReads in reply to berg944]

So was the abnormal lft the reason they would not include PBC for you last summer? Sorry for being nosy, but I went with them late summer of 2013, after reading your post. And yes, they were a dream to talk to compared to almost every company I've ever dealt with, and my lfts have never yet been abnormal. However, they told me I didn't have the option of excluding PBC - and the policy they sent didn't cover me if a flight had to land or be diverted if I was taken ill on a flight. I know it's not likely, and I went along as I spotted it so late, but I'd rather have that included, especially if I'm ever going to the States - assuming I'd ever get cover.