Pre-existing (heart disease) cover through Vero

[kinkacruiser]

This morning I contacted this company for a quote. It is for my husband only, as he has a pre-existing condition that I have found quite expensive to cover fully on past holidays overseas with other travel insurance companies.There is usually a large excess and limits on benefits. On this forum I learned that Vero are generally better at offering pre-existing cover due to their size.

What is of paramount importance is that my husband is fully covered for all medical treatment and transport should he have a heart attack while overseas and need to be hospitalised. We have fully paid for our 35 day cruise to Hawaii & Tahiti and all connecting flights, hotels, etc. We also have a joint policy with 1 Cover, but have not requested pre-exisiting cover.

My question is if we decide to purchase a policy in late March (assuming cover is offered for the pre-exisitng condition), would he be covered for a heart attack should he have one on the cruise or in one of the many ports.
I have heard (from the Vero sales adviosor this morning) that repatriation costs from the USA average $350,000. This has sent alarm bells ringing.

If anyone reading this has received cover for a pre-exisiting heart condition though Vero, could they comment and mention the amount of the premium paid . I am anticipating around $1500+ for a 68 yr old over 35 days worldwide.

Do most people with a pre-existing heart conditions purchase cover or do they take the risk due to the high cost?

I'd appreciate any input to my query. Many thanks in advance.

 

[markis10]

Have you seen this thread:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....surance/20-year-old-heart-attack-35354-2.html

Covermore apparently are good in similar circumstances.

 

[kinkacruiser]

Have you seen this thread:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....surance/20-year-old-heart-attack-35354-2.html

Covermore apparently are good in similar circumstances.

Thanks Markis10 . I was sucessful with Covermore in 2010 when we went to the Americas. The basic policy + extra premium came to $1050 for 35 days, but I had an excess of $400 per event and a max of $100,000 for medical cover. I took the offer and thankfully never had to use it. It will be interesting to see how Vero compares.

 

[BAM1748]

US hospital stays are upward of $10K per day, I would pay the money for the travel premium regardless of the price as it is simply not worth not being able to have the best medical attention when you need it most. Expect to pay $2K unless you are prepared to sell your house if you need help.

Matt

 

[kinkacruiser]

Thanks Markis10 . I was sucessful with Covermore in 2010 when we went to the Americas. The basic policy + extra premium came to $1050 for 35 days, but I had an excess of $400 per event and a max of $100,000 for medical cover. I took the offer and thankfully never had to use it. It will be interesting to see how Vero compares.

I received my quote today, but I'm not sure it's adequet. Vero would cover the coronary heart diease and stent, but I would have to pay a $1000 excess per heart event and they would impose a coughulative limit on the policy of just $50,000. I was told that any pre-existing heart condition automatically stop at this figure, whereas if you broke a leg etc., you would have unlimited cover.
The policy quote for just just my husband for a 35 day cruise with 5 of those days in the USA (Hawaii)is around $650. It wouldn't do much toward a US expatriation, which can run into the $350,000. I'm not impressed and even wonder if it's worth buying this policy. I suppose no insurance company wants the risk of a 69 year old gent who had a single heart attack 7 years ago. I believe that the price and conditions are designed to steer you away.

Would anyone care to share their thoughts on this? Would you buy this policy if you were in my shoes?

 

[GeeZed]

I wouldn't personally. Maybe an idea to discuss this with your travel agent as covermore have a policy called "options" which is only available from agents.

 

[deejo77]

I just purchased a policy for my parents - Dad is 60 had a stint put in after a HA approximately 8 years ago. Yearly check ups and fit as a fiddle. RACQ would only cover up to $50,000. My fav place travel insurance direct wouldnt cover pre-existing at all. Went for Covermore - 27 days all in the USA/Canada. In total for him and mum (she is diabetic) - it came to $946 with $100 excess - unlimited medical. You might want to consider a yearly policy (it was only $50 more) and try and squeeze two holidays in the one year - and unfortunately with your husbands age you might have to limit the travel he does. I think doing a cruise actually puts it higher - just the impression I got when I said no to the cruise and the agent said that will make it cheaper!!

 

[kinkacruiser]

I just purchased a policy for my parents - Dad is 60 had a stint put in after a HA approximately 8 years ago. Yearly check ups and fit as a fiddle. RACQ would only cover up to $50,000. My fav place travel insurance direct wouldnt cover pre-existing at all. Went for Covermore - 27 days all in the USA/Canada. In total for him and mum (she is diabetic) - it came to $946 with $100 excess - unlimited medical. You might want to consider a yearly policy (it was only $50 more) and try and squeeze two holidays in the one year - and unfortunately with your husbands age you might have to limit the travel he does. I think doing a cruise actually puts it higher - just the impression I got when I said no to the cruise and the agent said that will make it cheaper!!

Thanks deejo77 . Good to hear that $50,000 is in fact the 'standard upper limit for heart conditions. Covermore did a good deal for you but I'm msure my husband's age is not helping.
Geezed, I'm gald you're on my side. Covermore 'options ' looks to be the way to go.

 

[GeeZed]

Covermore use age "bands" ... so its an age grouping of 60-69 ... at age seventy it becomes far more expensive

 

[moa999]

I suspect you are right in a cruise being more expensive, not an issue in port
Big cost if you have an issue 1000 km off the coast.

 

[deejo77]

Sorry to bump this thread but.........

I have purchased a trip to NY for Easter for my family. Of course my dad (now 61) the "heart victim" is going. As I was able to get an unlimited policy with Covermore for the trip in August 2012 (27 days in USA and Canada) I didnt even think that I wouldn't get it for this trip. I went to covermore to get the pre-existing forms for the dr to fill in and they no longer have them - so I had to get the dr to do it on line - as soon as the stent information was put in it spat out NO COVER for anything heart related. Has anyone got any suggestions on any other company? I am going to give covermore a call tomorrow to find out if there is any other way to get it covered but I think I am fast running out of options

 

[brucebrad]

Another bump. Anyone know of travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing cardiac conditions?

 

[deejo77]

I was able to get three companies to cover my dads heart

1 - Suncorp
2 - RACQ
3 - National Seniors

The first two covered to $50,000 each with a $1,000 excess - premium was around $230
The third one coverd to $100,000 with a $2,000 excess - premium was $345

I found it very difficult as it appears the underwritters have gotten a little harder with this medical condition.

The trip is for 12 days in the US - no cruise ect.

I ended up going with option 3 - I even offered to pay a higher excess to get the $100,000 increased but no go.

Good luck

 

[happy2]

My father is 82 he does not have a heart condition as such but he does have very high blood pressure he got cover through Cover More
With $250 excess he got cover for three weeks in Germany For $429

 

[nickykim]

When was the trip to Germany? Cover More have recently changed their policies - they now appear to cover fewer pre-existing conditions.

 

[happy2]

When was the trip to Germany? Cover More have recently changed their policies - they now appear to cover fewer pre-existing conditions.

The trip was August 2012 And as I said it was not a heart condition as such but Hypertension But if they have changed policies It may be out of date
All the best with your search

 

[nickykim]

The Cover More changes occurred after the end of October 2012. If I had applied for cover when I booked my tickets I would have been accepted. I have found insurance elsewhere.

 

[happy2]

The Cover More changes occurred after the end of October 2012. If I had applied for cover when I booked my tickets I would have been accepted. I have found insurance elsewhere.

Good to hear. It is just getting so hard now if your not under 50 and in perfect health