I’m sure you experienced people will be able to give some advice here. My husband and I are thinking of possibly venturing to Italy this summer and I am wondering how prohibitive travel insurance might be, and if there are any companies which are particularly recommended for people with our condition. I’m exactly a year on from my PMR diagnosis. I’m currently reducing to 7.5 mg and managing to maintain a fair range of activity. My understanding is that when steroids are mentioned, the premiums shoot up.
Any help or recommendations with this would be much appreciated.
I read the postings on this site every day and although I rarely take part, I’ve found the information and advice invaluable in helping me to manage this illness.
Thanks, Laineydee
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Laineydee
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Shouldn’t be too expensive -even with my GCA back in the day the company were more concerned about my osteoarthritis.
Not sure where you got the info about steroids raising the price..
Comes up regularly so try looking at related posts for suggestions.
Just make sure you have list of meds or copy of prescription in hand luggage as well as meds in original boxes… plenty of resting built into your days -but most of all enjoy
It didn't make much difference for travel to the USA and other such countries like China and Japan. The USA is by far the worst because of the potential costs there.
However - there are still some reciprocal arrangements:
If you haven't already got an EHIC issued before the end of 2020 and still in date you won't be able to get a new one, new rules post brexit.
"Since 1 January 2021, the deal negotiated by the UK government allows those issued with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before the end of 2020 to continue to use it before its expiry date. If you’re travelling to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, your EHIC is no longer valid. We still strongly recommend taking out travel insurance, regardless, to cover all eventualities."
Hi, I’ve found the cheapest travel insurance cover is through a bank- you pay a direct debit every month and it gives a very high standard of cover. ( I’m with Nationwide - their card also gives you cash abroad without conversion charge). They didn’t seem over concerned about the steroids. Enjoy!
When I looked at travel insurance that came with cards, non standard conditions ( sorry that’s not the correct term) weren’t covered & you weren’t able to pay extra to have them covered. It may have just been the bank that issued my card
When our daughter and family lived in the USA we were insured with Staysure. Apart from my PMR we both have basic age related health issues and take medication such as anti-hypertensives and medication for osteoarthritis. Our last premium about 2 years ago which of course included my PMR/steroid medication came to about £795 for both of us, worldwide travel. As pointed out USA travel impacts seriously on premiums.
One thing worth noting is not to have any new tests or test results pending, you most likely won't get travel insurance, they don't like unknowns but seem quite happy to insure for all manner of fully diagnosed conditions.
I’m another Staysurer. Even pre my GCA to be sure OHs osteoarthritis, half-knee replacement, irritable bowel and my asthma and allergies were covered they were the best value, and adding GCA cost nothing or next to (there may have been an admin charge for reissuing the paperwork). I seem to recall the screening questions didn’t even ask what medication I was on: I explicitly asked if they needed to know when I wasn’t asked, but was assured they didn’t!
Yes. It was yearly cover including USA and I have things that bump up the price: asthma, PMR, had heart surgery (1971), Hypothyroidism, Glaucoma, Deafness. Boy I sound decrepit. You have reminded me to update my cover....Bon voyage.
I went to Spain every year to visit family and it made no difference to my insurance and I was on a much higher dose of pred then. But things could have changed since 2018.
I have had no problem with PMR and travel insurance. Also had. DVTfour years ago which I have anti coagulants for. Try Avanti travel, seem to be good but you never know until you have to claim! Currently on holiday in Slovenia lovely
My Mum aged 90 has PMR among other including depression and 3 replacement joints things. The PMR didnt make any difference to her travel insurance with Insure and go. She going to Italy in June for 10 days. Premium was £119. At her age I thought that was reasonable with repatriation etc. All declared health problems included.
It won't be that expensive (but it depends how many other issues you have). I buy yearly overseas travel insurance (incl USA) and it was @ £120 ish with Axa but shop around. Bon voyage.
PMR doesn’t usually increase premiums, but you could get a quote from ROthwell and Towler on 0345 9080171, I’ve used them as they specialise in pre existing conditions and they have beaten all other quotes
I'm with Lloyds and until recently had free worldwide insurance for my wife and I until age 80. They now charge me £14.95 per month which includes other benefits (car breakdown and lost key cover). PMR combined with hypertension added ,£80 per annum. Either one alone would does not add any premium. I looked for equivalent cover elsewhere and got nowhere near the premium I am paying.
I actually asked my insurance company about PMR and got a written reply that it would have no impact on my travelling or the price. Result! I don't know whether other insurance companies are so good.
My Wife and I went to Spain recently - it was the week when UK weather was great but the rain in Spain stayed mainly wherever we decided to go 😡. My Wife suffers with a range of problems including heart and thyroid and I suffer with PMR. After a fair bit of research we obtained an affordable quote with good cover from Staysure Insurance - Staysure.co.uk.
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