Travel insurance for +65, 'medical conditions'

[RooFlyer]

Check out AHM ( underwritten by Zurich) After looking at many TI and reading many T&C in the PDF , they were the cheapest annual TI….80 and 85 year old. Many pre existing medical , 45 days , unlimited cancellation. Have several cruises one costing more than $80,000.

So for an annual multi trip, it just asks you to choose ONE country (or region) where you'll spend most time? Is that correct? And then when you select a time span of a year, it considers that ONE trip?

 

[Seat0B]

Check out Easy Travel too @RooFlyer they issue a Covermore policy and will cover my leukaemia (but not for annual - risk of relapse too high). Depending on your conditions, they may cover you. Never had to claim but they have been great to deal with for enquires and explanations.

 

[sanne]

So for an annual multi trip, it just asks you to choose ONE country (or region) where you'll spend most time? Is that correct? And then when you select a time span of a year, it considers that ONE trip?

I found that confusing too.I suggest you email them with questions which is what I did. They were very prompt with answers. I went back several times before I was completely satisfied with their answers. And there’s a paper trail if needed.

Every year for 20 + years I’ve taken out an annual policy. But things are trickier now with our ages and medical problems. What I’ve discovered is that even with the same underwriter, policies vary enormously in price…by many thousands of dollars! And the T&C are much the same. A bit of variation on Covid cover for instance.

What I have noticed this year is the change in being covered for new medical issues once you’ve bought your policy. This used to be covered, hence it was always a good idea to buy a policy asap. Now you have to let them know if you have a new medical condition or a change in a pre exiSting one that they have agreed to cover. And they will decide on whether to cover that.

I have had experience with claiming large sums for cancelled cruises due to a medical problem several times over the years so am extra vigilant in knowing what they try to do to get out of paying. It’s very stressful. I’m very pleased we now only cruise Australia and NZ having been almost everywhere else in the world when we were younger and fitter.

 

[Pushka]

What I have noticed this year is the change in being covered for new medical issues once you’ve bought your policy. This used to be covered, hence it was always a good idea to buy a policy asap. Now you have to let them know if you have a new medical condition or a change in a pre exiSting one that they have agreed to cover. And they will decide on whether to cover that.

Yes. We found that out a couple of weeks ago too using SCTI. However credit card insurance may cover you. Amex business one does.

 

[Seat0B]

What I have noticed this year is the change in being covered for new medical issues once you’ve bought your policy. This used to be covered, hence it was always a good idea to buy a policy asap. Now you have to let them know if you have a new medical condition or a change in a pre exiSting one that they have agreed to cover. And they will decide on whether to cover that.

Yes. We found that out a couple of weeks ago too using SCTI.

Where is this info please? Is it in the PDS or the medical questionnaire? I don’t recall it for my insurance bought a couple of months back for upcoming UAE trip and I’m wondering if I missed it somewhere or if it’s not a thing for Easy Travel (yet) as I am usually pretty diligent about reading the small print. Thanks!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Where is this info please? Is it in the PDS or the medical questionnaire? I don’t recall it for my insurance bought a couple of months back for upcoming UAE trip and I’m wondering if I missed it somewhere or if it’s not a thing for Easy Travel (yet) as I am usually pretty diligent about reading the small print. Thanks!

Any change in circumstances imposes a duty of disclosure on you, the insured.

so if they cover you for ‘Y’, but there’s a change in ‘Y’ or you later develop ‘X’, both those would need to be disclosed.

It’s part of the general duty of disclosure.

Of course if you choose to forego cover… perhaps for something minor.. you don’t have to disclose.

 

[RooFlyer]

Now you have to let them know if you have a new medical condition or a change in a pre exiSting one that they have agreed to cover. And they will decide on whether to cover that.

That's always been the case, as far as I can recall, for the reasons @MEL_Traveller gives. EDIT: No, only changes in existing, I now believe.

I've decided to go with CoverMore (with Velocity points ) , through my Travel Agent. If people wonder why, it’s to support my travel agent as the cost was the same. I support my travel agent where I can because I get the absolute top level of service. Anything I ask to be done or even looked into gets done straight away even when I say it’s not urgent or could be done later.

 

[Pushka]

Where is this info please? Is it in the PDS or the medical questionnaire? I don’t recall it for my insurance bought a couple of months back for upcoming UAE trip and I’m wondering if I missed it somewhere or if it’s not a thing for Easy Travel (yet) as I am usually pretty diligent about reading the small print. Thanks!

It's tucked away in the PDS. I ran it through ChatGPT when there was a new issue last week. Ran both SCTI and the Credit card insurance asking the question. New issue wouldn't be covered under SCTI unless diagnosed, declared and they accepted it. It was accepted no further charge but was the type of issue if there was a fall they could blame it and there was a hospital record of it.

 

[Pushka]

That's always been the case, as far as I can recall, for the reasons @MEL_Traveller gives.

I've decided to go with CoverMore, through my Travel Agent. If people wonder why, it’s to support my travel agent as the cost was the same. I support my travel agent where I can because I get the absolute top level of service. Anything I ask to be done or even looked into gets done straight away even when I say it’s not urgent or could be done later.

No. When we were researching just last week, I ran Chat through other insurers PDS and they did cover automatically a new issue arising after purchase. And I also have personal experience of this being exactly the situation a few years ago. A significant new issue arose (jugular DVT) and I did not want to go to Alaska. Contacted my travel insurer who said - you are covered for that new issue, so we will not pay cancellation monies.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

No. When we were researching just last week, I ran Chat through other insurers PDS and they did cover automatically a new issue arising after purchase. And I also have personal experience of this being exactly the situation a few years ago. A significant new issue arose (jugular DVT) and I did not want to go to Alaska. Contacted my travel insurer who said - you are covered for that new issue, so we will not pay cancellation monies.

That seems very unusual!

Usually any new issue arising is covered for cancellation purposes… that’s what insurance is for. And you should be covered for cancellation if your doctor states you are unfit to fly, or should postpone travel.

But to completely cover a new condition, without assessment and/or premium would leave the insurer with a potential massive liability which they haven’t accounted for.

Was it in writing from your insurer? And did you escalate?

 

[ellen10]

I have been recently looking at travel insurance policies, oh what a nightmare!
I read so many pages of PDS, that my head hurt. My travel agent recommended a few, but Covermore was about $1500 more than the others before I listed medical issues, so I didn't even pursue a quote. I have used them before, but never claimed.
In fact until health issues arose earlier this year, I have never made a claim with any travel insurance and that was with credit card travel insurance, but they do not cover existing issues, now.

So much variation in costs and wordings. One company would not cover us at all. That was very stressful.
I'm not really knowledgable with ChatGPT so I didn't even attempt it.

Life and travel insurance was so much easier before health issues!

 

[Seat0B]

I hear you @ellen10

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have been recently looking at travel insurance policies, oh what a nightmare!
I read so many pages of PDS, that my head hurt. My travel agent recommended a few, but Covermore was about $1500 more than the others before I listed medical issues, so I didn't even pursue a quote. I have used them before, but never claimed.
In fact until health issues arose earlier this year, I have never made a claim with any travel insurance and that was with credit card travel insurance, but they do not cover existing issues, now.

So much variation in costs and wordings. One company would not cover us at all. That was very stressful.
I'm not really knowledgable with ChatGPT so I didn't even attempt it.

Life and travel insurance was so much easier before health issues!

Your post made me check my credit card insurance to see if I could get pre-existing covered after an assessment (and fee of $75).

The AI results in google said there is *no* pathway to get cover for pre-existing conditions, and linking a Pointshack article as evidence.

On clicking the link the PH article says no such thing!! The AI pulled phantom information from other sections of the article, referencing other cards.

Have confirmed with ANZ’s own page that pre-existing can still be applied for!

Phew!!!

 

[Pushka]

That seems very unusual!

Usually any new issue arising is covered for cancellation purposes… that’s what insurance is for. And you should be covered for cancellation if your doctor states you are unfit to fly, or should postpone travel.

But to completely cover a new condition, without assessment and/or premium would leave the insurer with a potential massive liability which they haven’t accounted for.

Was it in writing from your insurer? And did you escalate?

I totally agree. Huge risk. Totally surprised me. I always communicate via email so yet it was. In the end I was able to cancel using credit card insurance on the grounds of something like "unanticipated and significant change - (presumably related to health issues but can't remember now)

 

[SYD]

So for an annual multi trip, it just asks you to choose ONE country (or region) where you'll spend most time? Is that correct? And then when you select a time span of a year, it considers that ONE trip?

That’s common and annoying when trying to get a quote for a multi-trip!

I always put in USA as a worse case scenario to check the price.

 

[RooFlyer]

No. When we were researching just last week, I ran Chat through other insurers PDS and they did cover automatically a new issue arising after purchase. And I also have personal experience of this being exactly the situation a few years ago. A significant new issue arose (jugular DVT) and I did not want to go to Alaska. Contacted my travel insurer who said - you are covered for that new issue, so we will not pay cancellation monies.

Yes, I think you are right (not that I doubted you!). You need to tell them about a change in your existing conditions, but they will cover for new conditions developed while travelling - that's what insurance is for! If you have a stroke, while being otherwise healthy & no prior indications, you want to be covered.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes, I think you are right (not that I doubted you!). You need to tell them about a change in your existing conditions, but they will cover for new conditions developed while travelling - that's what insurance is for! If you have a stroke, while being otherwise healthy & no prior indications, you want to be covered.

Yes, but it seemed this was a new condition developed before travel, or between travels if this was an annual policy.

A new condition before a trip makes pre-existing, by definition. And the duty is there to disclose if you want cover.

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes, but it seemed this was a new condition developed before travel, or between travels if this was an annual policy.

A new condition before a trip makes pre-existing, by definition. And the duty is there to disclose if you want cover.

I didn’t read it like that. I just read it as if it was a new condition that arose after getting the policy. My first response was wrong

 

[Pushka]

Yes, I think you are right (not that I doubted you!). You need to tell them about a change in your existing conditions, but they will cover for new conditions developed while travelling - that's what insurance is for! If you have a stroke, while being otherwise healthy & no prior indications, you want to be covered.

STCI doesn't cover for that though. I agree. That's what insurance is for. Just not in their policy. Eye opener to say the least.

Yes, but it seemed this was a new condition developed before travel, or between travels if this was an annual policy.

A new condition before a trip makes pre-existing, by definition. And the duty is there to disclose if you want cover.

No. Pre existing is something you are aware of before purchasing the policy.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

STCI doesn't cover for that though. I agree. That's what insurance is for. Just not in their policy. Eye opener to say the least.

No. Pre existing is something you are aware of before purchasing the policy.

Yes! unless you have say an annual policy, in which case any new condition needs to be declared, and is in essence may be ‘pre-existing’ before you depart on your next trip. For annual policies you may need to seek reapproval if a new condition crops up.