Annual multi trip v single policy - an unpleasant surprise re existing medical conditions

[Seat0B]

I have a bit of travel planned over the next 12 months and so decided to investigate multi-trip policies.

For the first time ever, the initial run through the on line quote process suggested that multi-trip would save us about $1200 for our planned travel compared with taking separate policies. So I proceeded to the completion of existing medical conditions questionnaire. I duly declared all my various things like knee replacements and high BP and cholesterol, plus newly diagnosed osteopenia, as well as my hairy cell leukaemia (in remission). Yes, getting older is a challenge and I have some poor genetics that healthy lifestyle has definitely held at bay, but I am starting to lose the battle.

To my surprise, Easy Travel declined to cover my leukaemia. I was very surprised as they have covered it at a fair premium for the last 3 trips I have taken. So I called them and was told that this condition was ineligible for multi-trip (12 month) policies, but they would insure it on a trip by trip basis, which aligned with my previous experience. They said they were not able to take the risk associated with giving a blanket 12 month cover period. Now this seems a bit odd to me as they are happy to provide single trip insurance for my upcoming southern Africa trip in March -April 2026 (ie 11.5 months from now). Although it is more expensive to pay for all the trips separately, so I suppose they are getting a better payment for taking the risk.

There are not many insurers who will cover me anyway, but I did check COTA and All Clear, and they were the same - no annual/multi-trip cover available.
So, a few observations:

• if you look around, it is possible to get reasonably affordable single trip insurance that will cover quite extensive pre-existing conditions. In my case, the leukaemia, two knee replacements, reflux, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and osteopenia - and yes they still cover me for skiing!!!! My last trip to Japan for 3 weeks skiing additional premium was ~$500. For my upcoming cruise around Iceland, Greenland, Faroe Islands and extended trip to other parts of Europe (no skiing on this trip!) for 45 days, the additional premimum was ~$700.
• I didn't find anyone willing to insure me for multi-trip policy
• you must carefully check every time, as "they insured me last time" didn't work for me once I changed a parameter

And a question:
Does anyone have an actual experience based recommendation for multi-trip policy with this type (or similar) of medical history please? I have searched on the internet for over 2 hours just now, but have not found anything. I would be interested to get this if I can as I am now planning a LOT of travel while the remission lasts just in case I don't get to do any more in the future. I have a short window to cancel the single trip policy I just took if I can find a better option.

 

[drron]

Well I haven't had cancer or leukaemia nor has Mrsdrron but have significant problems. for me it is having had cerebral emboli- blood clots to brain-due to AF I did pay a fair amount last time for that to be covered. At the beginning of this week signed up for our next multi trip Annual policy and surprised paid slightly less than last yr because I haven't had any more emboli for 2 years and on a blood thinner.
The last 3 years we have been with SCTI. They paid up promptly when Mrsdrron fractured her shoulder in Singapore.

Southern Cross Travel Australia

Get comprehensive travel insurance for your next trip with SCTI. Find out more about our award winning travel insurance and get a quote here.

www.scti.com.au

They say that they will insure until 118!