Travel Insurance and PBC

[swinstan]

I've been looking annual travel insurance for a couple (aged 65 and 72) and the questions about PBC seem very extreme for my situation. I have been very fortunate with the discovery of the anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) about 15 years ago and still no symptoms. LFTs showed a bit of an increase a few years ago so I started on Urso and luckily was a responder. LFTs settled down again and I just have an annual blood test. At one point the consultant said that I don't actually have PBC but I am at risk of it developing at some stage. The formal staging of the diagnosis bears no relation to my situation. The question really, is whether I do actually have the disorder and have to declare it - or am I merely taking preventative action against a future diagnosis. I did check with one company and got a numpty who just said to put everything down regardless. When I do, I am often refused insurance or the rates increases by about £700-800. We expected high insurance anyway because the main holiday is a cruise and it's for 6 weeks, both of which hike up the costs but of course, we'd like to only pay for what we need. As many have pointed out before, progression is slow and risk of emergencies in the early stages is minimal. Has anyone any advice please. Many Thanks. Sue

[Oidra]

When we cruised my husband was the problem when getting insurance but he had to be covered for everything. For me we gave all the details of PBC but I didn`t get covered for it. I may be wrong but I didn`t think any problems that would have been caused by me having PBC would come on quickly and if I was ill for any reason beforehand we would have cancelled. All I can advise with insurance is to get every single thing down in black and white. We had to leave the cruise ship in Barbados as my husband had a subdural haematoma and was operated on in Barbados. Every detail of his policy was checked in England before they would agree to pay. It cost over £40,000.00 so you can understand why!

[swinstan in reply to Oidra]

Thanks Oidra. So sorry to hear about your husband. I do hope he's better now.

It looks like excluding it might be the sensible thing then.

[Yellow_fish in reply to Oidra]

I'm also following this thread as am in a similar position re travel insurance. Goodness Oidra - that must have been a scary time for you! Hope all is ok with your husband now. Which insurance company did you use? I'm asking as it's not very often that you need to call them in ... but when you do, it's good to know they do cover the costs! A lot of the reviews I read online about various companies rate them on ease of taking out the policy, cost, etc and not on how easy/successful it is to make a claim! Thanks.

[Oidra in reply to Yellow_fish]

For that cruise we used Avanti and Global Claims paid out. I did have to pay myself for everything apart from the operation and flight home 3 weeks later so my son put money (a lot) on my credit card. I was in contact with an agent in Canada and did everything by email so I had it in writing. I thought the final settlement was very fair.

My husband recovered and we carried on cruising. Insurance is very high over 80 and some countries make the premium even higher. Last year he had a stroke and we had to cancel everything. Staysure were brilliant and immediately refunded. Holiday extras ( recommended by Cunard) took months and many phone calls, than only refunded half the over £800 insurance ( 15 day Christmas cruise) even though I cancelled 6 months in advance.

[AmandaSlater]

Hi, I too am symptom free ( still) with PBC at 60 but still declare it on travel insurance as we like to visit USA and would hate an insurance claim over there ! I use World First travel insurance and it has never charged an extra premium for PBC . Enjoy your cruise 🚢 x

[58goose in reply to AmandaSlater]

That's who I use too and gave no problems with them

[MissusTee]

I used JD travel consultants who are very good. I have PBC, scleroderma, sjogrens, hypothyroidism , osteoarthritis and depression.

[mrspeffer2]

Morning....We are truly blessed to be somewhat symptom free and able to actually plan and go on wonderful holidays. I use GeoBlue travel insurance. Never a problem. Since PBC is really not something I would be treated for in a hospital, I have never included it for coverage. You can always get back home if you get so bad that you need immediate attention. Plan your trip and enjoy! Also, I believe Cigma offers a travel plan, but they are quite expensive. Be well

[swinstan]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'll take a look at some of those companies. I'd be happy to leave it off the list since any problems are most unlikely and wouldn't be severe anyway but I hear that the companies won't pay out on any other health problem if you haven't disclosed, which takes me back to the original question - do I actually have the diagnosis, or am I a case in waiting? I did think about contacting the consultant but the NHS is so stretched I'm reluctant to call over something so petty by comparison. However, all is not lost. I'll try some of your options. Thank you

[ENuk in reply to swinstan]

You could try writing to the consultant and they should respond when they have an opportunity. I have been surprised responsive a consultant has been on email.

[emerich]

All clear are pretty good and not ridiculously expensive. You really need to tell them about pbc or there's no point having any insurance. If you even had to claim for a minor thing, like a broken wrist or something, as soon as they see your medical records,( which they will check on any claim) they will see your pbc and dismiss your claim as you haven't disclosed your full medical history. The claim does not need to have any connection to pbc.

[mrspeffer2 in reply to emerich]

There is a section on the travel insurance where you can chose pre-existing conditions or not. Of course, pre-existing is at a higher rate. So, in the example you stated, the broken arm is not part of the preexisting PBC, then finding it in the medical records shouldn't be a problem. Best bet is to speak to the individual insurance companies and ask specific questions

[emerich in reply to mrspeffer2]

That's useful. I was talking about where someone had said they had no existing conditions, rather than choosing not to be covered for something. I know somebody that had that happen to her. Got nothing. Its all in the wording I suppose, and as you say always better to discuss first with the insurance company.

[7443jec]

I’m looking for travel insurance for the first time since diagnosis. I also have other health issues but the questions for PBC are really alarming. I’ve found a reasonable quote from ‘ insurewith’ , which I’m probably going to go with.

Good luck to you. It’s a dilemma whether to mention everything just for ten days!!! X

[MissusTee]

I use JD travel consultants for insurance and they are great.

[marshie]

I used Holidaysafe this year and was very impressed with their depth of questions with regard to pbc and their quote.

[swinstan]

Thanks for all your responses. In case it helps anyone, I went with Saga in the end. £690 for a couple - annual, worldwide insurance, including cruising, with extra payment for trip over 30 days. (Another one ticked off the bucket list!). However, this did NOT include PBC at all. At my stage, problems aren't expected and this seemed to be the best option for us.

Enjoy your travels everyone.