Travel insurance?

[Chopin002]

Question regarding health insurance PMR. We are planning a trip out of the province. Purchased travel insurance. We had to answer questions regarding our health. When it came to my PMR I mentioned drugs I am taking . All was well and then the kid asked if I had an autoimmune disease. I said I have PMR which might be. He said no , it is things like aids HIV. Therefore the answer was no. I am afraid the answer is yes although when I read most sites say that PMR is thought to possibly be an auto immune disease ,but not for sure. It is an anti inflammatory condition or illness. Don’t want to purchase insurance and then be denied because of this question. Any views on this?? Thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

PMR/GCA are most likley an autoimmune vasculitis.

Though RA is also autoimmune and would parallel the PMR - ask them what their policy is for that. And ask to speak to someone out of nappies ...

[Manchesterlady in reply to PMRpro]

You really do make me laugh PMRpro . I’ll try to remember that comment xx

[Theziggy in reply to PMRpro]

Unfortunately, the people in nappies turn out to be 30+ ( sigh)

[PMRCanada in reply to PMRpro]

Still giggling......nappies! 👶😭

[Hidden]

Is there an insurance company for over 50s or older there? In the UK age UK and SAGA cover older travelers. They may have more experience of dealing with PMR GCA issues and pred. You said province so I presume Canada. This might not fit your age group but it's a start.

biis.ca/emergency-hospital-...

[Chopin002 in reply to Hidden]

No, not here in Canada. I will check again before I leave. The question is “do you have an autoimmune disease ? “ Is the answer yes or no?

[Hidden in reply to Chopin002]

I would have to answer yes. Autoimmune vasculitis as PMR pro said. They still might cover you but may cost more.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Chopin002]

It may be worthwhile checking on the insurance website to see what they include in their list of autoimmune diseases.

They may be categorising PMR under vascular conditions instead.

I think insurance distinctions have more to do with the type of medications and types of treatments they may be forced to pay for because of your condition , rather than just the bracket an illness comes within.

This might be why the person whom spoke to you offered up HIV as a suggestion.

There are global travel insurance companies that take on people online , and most countries do have insurance companies that are supported by charities that deal with bigger , well known illnesses like Diabetes , Heart Disease etc.

If you have concerns , it might be a good idea to contact one of those groups in Canada and ask for their suggestions .

They have usually done alot of research that is quite time consuming for us to do at home , and have also found companies based on their willingness to insure people with health conditions , price and best coverage.

If you want to use the company you have already found though you could always ring back and ask to speak to someone more Senior for advice and ask for them to check on their system for what coverage you can get from them with PMR. They should be doing the legwork if they want your business.

[HeronNS]

Don't know if this is any help:

travelinsurancereview.ca/ca...

When we last planned to travel out of the country we used a company, connected with Johnson I think, our home insurance, but not sure. It was called RSA Group. rsagroup.ca/

We had difficulty convincing them to refund our premium when our tour was cancelled - they seemed to have a bit of trouble grasping the difference between our cancelling our trip and the trip being cancelled, but in the end we got fully refunded. I'm afraid I can't remember what questions we had to answer, and neither can my husband.

[Hidden in reply to HeronNS]

It's the royal sun alliance I think...same logo in the UK. They insure my motability car. They were great when someone ran into my parked car!!

[HeronNS in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I think you're right.

Which is confusing because this still exists and is the health care insurer through hubby's retirement plan:

sunlife.ca/

[Hidden in reply to HeronNS]

It is confusing as they don't look like they are connected, looking at the history of the company.

[HeronNS in reply to Hidden]

They are related somehow: sunlife.ca/ca/Explore+produ...

[Hidden in reply to HeronNS]

They are indeed. Thank goodness otherwise I would be ringing the wrong one just thinking it's sun something.

[HeronNS]

And a word of caution to everyone who relies on credit card trip cancellation. Don't. Not reading the fine print (or the second, hidden, sentence online) after "complete coverage" which is "up to a maximum of $1000 - or perhaps now $1500" cost us $18,000 in lost fares for a cruise down under the year I broke my leg (and a few months before I appeared to come down with PMR, diagnosed a year later).

[Oxford8]

My health insurance is through my bank account. They use Aviva. I recently went to Minorca and before my trip contacted the insurers. I asked to speak to an insurance agent. I declared my PMR, tawo bulging disks which are pressing on my spinal nerves and osteoarthritis, all of which have been diagnosed after my original cover had been agreed.

I was told that these newly declared conditions would not affect my cover and there would be no extra cost. I asked them to confirm that in writing and I have a letter naming the conditions and confirming that they are covered. I am in the UK.

[S4ndy]

I recently had Travel Insurance. They asked a lot of yes and no questions. When I received my policy schedule there was a list of my declared conditions which included PMR. All of my pre-existing conditions were covered except depression which was a general policy exclusion. I still had to declare the depression even though it wasn't covered.

I think the thing is to read the policy and policy schedule carefully to check everything has been listed. Sometimes they ask you to speak to their medical underwriter and these people are much more experienced in conditions.

Hope you get it sorted x

[Chopin002]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I will check carefully , declare the condition again, and be sure everything is in writing.

I will also ask for someone out of nappies. 😘

[Hidden]

I declared my PMR and GCA to our travel insurance people at Barclays and it was not a problem and no extra cost. Then I only went and got both in Cyprus but used my ehic card and a 10 euro co pay. I'm saving the insurance for cruises. D