Many people think travel insurance is a waste of time or a chance to be ripped off by small print. Kevin Waite explains how to get the best travel insurance and why it is vital not to leave home without it!
Why do I need travel insurance and why get my pre-existing condition(s) covered?
We often think we won’t need travel insurance, that it’s a waste of money and that insurers are all just a bunch of rip-off merchants. But if something happens when we’re away and it’s covered by our insurance policy, we’re the first to think ‘I’m really glad I was insured!’
Cancellation and medical costs are the two areas that attract the highest claims and it’s not difficult to see why. The cost of an average European holiday is often several hundred pounds. The cost of medical treatment can be much higher – especially in places like America.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (www.fco.uk.gov) has a whole section about travel advice, including insurance and it gives an idea of how much the cost of an air ambulance could be. Here are some examples:
• From the Canaries: £12,000 - £16,000
• From the East coast of the USA: £30,000 – 35,000
(Figures provided by First Assist)
Not everyone will need an air ambulance, of course, but if you do, it’s probably re-mortgage time – and who wants that? Even a stay in hospital, with doctors’ fees, tests and treatment can come to many hundreds of pounds.
It’s vital you read your travel insurance policy wording but not in bed when you’re tired! Be clear about what you are covered for and what you’re not. Make sure the policy meets your need and if you’re in any doubt, check with the insurance company.
What if I have another medical condition as well as HIV?
It’s important to declare all medical conditions. Some people don’t consider that something like controlled high blood pressure is really a medical condition but it is! Even though you might be controlling a condition with regular medication, it’s still a medical condition! Err on the side of caution. In the end, it will avoid potential complications and possibly your claim being declined later on.
But I have a European Health Insurance Card
That helps but only to a certain extent. The EHIC entitled you to State-provided medical treatment only and you’ll be treated on the same basis as an ‘insured’ national of the country you’re in. This might not cover all the things you’d expect to get free of charge from the NHS in the UK and you may need to make a contribution to your care. The card won’t pay if you and/or your partner need to cancel your return flights and arrange alternative ones, nor will it pay for extra accommodation if you need to stay away for longer because of your medical treatment.
What if I don’t declare my medical conditions
Insurance is sold on the basis of absolute trust between client and insurer. If you don’t declare what are called ‘matters of material relevance’ an insurer could void the entire policy or refuse to meet a specific claim. If you make a claim, details will be checked. Insurers hold details of claims histories and people who make fraudulent claims run the risk of a criminal prosecution.
Will it cost me more to get travel insurance if I am HIV Positive?
Yes. The reason is that HIV is what’s called a pre-existing medical condition. That is, you had the condition when you took out the insurance. Statistics show that anyone with a pre-existing medical condition is more likely to need to make a claim that someone who hasn’t got one.
Will I have to undergo any kind of medical screening?
Yes. Insurers need to know the circumstances of someone they’re agreeing to insure.
The medical screening process usually takes place during a phone call. The questions are designed to provide the insurer with details of the medical condition that needs to be insured. It’s possible there will be a premium supplement if you have more than one medical condition.
Will my details be kept private and confidential?
This is something that you need to check with the insurer. You could ask if the company is owned by a larger insurer and whether your information will be shared within the group of companies. If it will, this could affect an application for other insurance provided by that group.
There are situations where it’s to your advantage that others know about your medical information. If you are in hospital and need treatment, checks might need to be made to ensure you’re HIV is covered by the policy. The emergency medical assistance line might need to check with the insurer. However, this is undertaken on a need-to-know basis and the people who work in these areas are professional and subject to the Information Commissioner. +
Kevin Waite, It’s So Easy Travel Insurance, 27 Old Gloucester St. London, WC1N 3XX. T: 0845 222 2226 F: 0845 222 2226.
E: hello@itssoeasytravelinsurance.com
