Can anyone recommend travel insurance , as the two I've tried are so expensive (because of the pbc)

[Kieraferret]

[June9961]

Hi, i go to the Post office. Okay they dont cover you for PBC but you are not likely to fall that ill that quickly with it. However, them knowing and noting it is all that is reqd. Ive had pbc for over 15 years and travel quite extensively. Hope this helps.

[judyt in reply to June9961]

I have had the same experience. I have Scleroderma, Sjogrens and PBC and have travelled quite extensively since diagnosis. The thing is to declare whatever it is you have been diagnosed with and accept that if you have a serious flare that puts you in hospital you won't be covered. However, if you are rarely in hospital or very sick while you are at home then the odds are you will be OK when you travel. You will however, be covered for all the other eventualities such as accidents and loss, etc.

[kittysue]

I used tesco last year , ,declared I had pbc and wasn't to bad a price x

[silver112]

I have High BP, Raynard's and PBC and last year used Columbus online. Off the top of my head it was about £34 for two weeks. Guess it may be possible to get it cheaper but lots of quotes online were coming up very high due to the PBC. Worth a try at least.

[GrittyReads]

Hi,

It depends what stage your PBC is at, where you are going for your holiday, how long for, what other conditions you have ... AND the intelligence and reputability [?!] of the TI company - 2 years ago, one company's 'health expert' was consulted by the telephone person, who reported back to me that she had been told, that: "I could not possibly test +ve for AMAs and not have other liver damage"**.

[NB I don't really have PBC, I test +ve for AMAs, but have done so for 22 years, with no symptoms and all tests, examinations, bloods/lfts etc still consistently clear. However because, 6 years ago, a new [to me] consultant diagnosed/labelled me as 'pre-symptomatic for PBC' I have to tell TI companies about it, and then go through all their questions. Before, I would just have told them about the annual blood tests and they wouldn't be too worried, but - as was explained by my most recent (detailed, intelligent, courteous and comprehensive) TI company* - because PBC is named in the diagnosis, they have to take all the details.

Last year I went with 'World First'* [aka Rothwell and Towler] and it was about £50.00 for 3 weeks in Crete [so: long flight and no quick access to help in some parts of the island] plus I have 3 other conditions. The previous year I paid about £300.00 for a year's cover in Europe with Staysure, but we only had one trip before a mixture of my partner's bad health and other commitments meant that we didn't go away again, so I'm sticking to single trip for now. With all companies, make sure you tell them everything, and read all their bumpf, and read the Policy details when you get it . I'd read it all on line, first, if I were you: I noticed after one trip that I wasn't covered for being ill on a plane if it needed to divert or land - okay, it's not going to happen, but if you can get that cover with someone else, then search for it; meanwhile, a friend wanted disaster cover and discovered between reading the policy online and getting her policy in the post that the company no longer provided that cover. Also, some companies just won't let you opt out of being covered for a condition: you either have to be insured for everything, or go with someone else. Also, you need to tell a company about a condition, even if they will allow you to opt out of being covered for it.

Further, check out online trip advice forums on TI Companies, to see what their payout reputation is like.

It's hard work doing all the searching, but worth it if you find someone good. I am a bit paranoid about it, as I had a nasty shock after my 'labelling' 6 years ago, when I found that the company I'd been with for years did not cover PBC at all. Why not also check with the PBC Foundation, as they keep lists of companies that members recommend, although they won't pass judgement themselves. Finally, I would consider recording your conversation - they record us, after al. I really wish I'd made a copy of the so-called medical expert's comment ** above ... so that I could complain.

Good luck, sorry for the long ramble, and do let us all know how you get on!

PS There is a company called JD Consultants, I believe they take all your details and then search all companies to try to find someone to fit your needs. I have not tried them, and would love to have feedback.

PPS I believe the ombudsman tightened up on TI companies last year, because they were getting so many claims from people who felt they had been unfairly denied payments for cover by their TI Co. So ... companies are supposed to be much more transparent in their dealings, eg they should have clear definitions of 'pre-existing conditions', but over Summer I found than many Companies still had huge discrepancies between their 'headline claims' and the small print.

[Hidden]

Hello Kieraferret.

Check out Liver North's latest newsletter online. (On home page go to Publications and scroll down to Winter 2013.) They list each newletter insurers who people with liver conditions have had success with but they can't fully guarantee as things do change.

My son works for Endsleigh (Zurich) and they did insure travellers. If you've been stable for 12mths with no meds change then they will.

I am sorry I can't be of more help as I have yet to travel out of the UK, never having done so and personally I'm not that bothered anyway.

If you are still stuck and want additional info, email the British Liver Trust, they once emailed me a list of insurance companies who insure people with medical conditions. (I was going to go to go overseas but never got round to booking anything.)