Travel/health insurance post PMR diagnosis going UK to Canada

[writered]

My first post, treated for PMR since Jan.2019, preds currently at 12 mg a day. Am about to travel from the UK to my native Canada to attend to my elderly parents. Have just checked out travel/health insurance and provided new diagnosis of PMR and premiums sky rocketed. Anybody have experience of travel/health insurance post PMR diagnosis?

[SnazzyD]

Hello. In the absence of other factors that may have bumped the cost (new age bracket, previous claims?) it may be time to look elsewhere. I added GCA and 18mg of Pred on for no extra cost to my annual policy and it wasn’t excluded either, with Aviva. Mind you it was for Europe only; I know that US/Canada increases the premium. It’s worth giving them a call to see what it was exactly that made you a poor risk. Not all underwriters insure all types of risk happily so you may have to do some homework. In the meantime sit tight to hear from others who have been in your position.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I think most find it doesn’t increase the premium that much. Perhaps you should get quotes from other companies online and if lower than existing - either swop or challenge your existing provider and see if you can get a better quote.

Mine was with LV when I had GCA - and they seemed more interested in my arthritis. They don’t come up on comparison sites, but easy enough to get a quote online.

[Hidden]

Hi, we had Health Insurance with our Bank & l only had to pay an extra Premium of £10 per year.

I don’t pay it now as once l had breast cancer, they wouldn’t insure me for either condition, which was absolutely ridiculous but they would cover me for everything else.

Next year, please god, l’ll be five years clear of BC so they may then review it. Meanwhile, l’m not going to the States or anywhere Worldwide.

Good Luck & let us know where you get your Insurance from.

Kind Regards

MrsN

[Mary63]

My insurance did not change after PMR diagnosis.

[Highlandtiger]

I have annual travel insurance with my bank. When I informed them of my diagnosis the premium went up by a modest amount if I wanted cover for any cancellation caused by PMR as a pre-existing condition. If I didn’t want that cover there would be no increase. I decided it was worth paying the few extra pounds for peace of mind in the event of having to cancel for some reason and having to argue whether it was because of PMR (probably unlikely) or some other new condition that caused it. The same would have applied if it had been another condition. Adding North America to any policy always causes a big increase in premium. Age is also a factor. If you can’t find suitable insurance online I’d suggest going to an insurance broker (there are still some) and I’m sure they’ll be able to find something for you.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Was that an existing travel insurance? Developing a condition during the period of insurance shouldn't change.

Otherwise, time to shop around as it certainly shouldn't cause a premium to skyrocket. Even in rip-off Britain ...

[writered]

I go every year for a couple of weeks and buy for that period. Last year paid under £90 and now being quoted over £300-500! Yesterday I went on a waiting list to see a rheumatologist--seeing a specialist is one of the questions on the long questionnaire. I know that it's not worth my while fudging the initial form.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to writered]

That is a blanket question - because waiting for potential treatment could impact on cancellation by making it more likely.

I'd try a few others and see what you find.

[Fishponds50]

I use stay clear insurance and the polymyalgia diagnosis didn’t appear to increase my premium on annual worldwide (including USA and Canada) travel.

[S4ndy]

I used Avanti for my european travel insurance in May. I shopped about and had quotes from £68.00 to £2000! Crazy! Avanti was online and easy to use. My husband got his through a different company as he is diabetic and he also got wildly varying quotes!

Money Saving Expert (Martin Lewis) website has good info about getting travel insurance with pre-existing conditions with links to suitable companies for quotes. Hope you get sorted.