Travelers with health problems sometimes inadvertently or even deliberately do not declare their pre-existing medical conditions when purchasing travel insurance. For those who are new to travel insurance, this is a very important issue and one worth taking the time to research and understand.
When purchasing travel insurance, which is often done online these days, you will be required to declare any pre-existing medical problems. Obviously, serious illnesses such as heart disease and cancer must be declared. However, it may or may not be obvious that pre-existing medical problems also include many more common ailments and conditions, such as asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, as well as any recent investigations, diagnoses, or hospital stays.
Younger people embarking on adventures on gap years or around the world trips may not think this section applies to them because they are young and in good health. However, no matter the age of the traveler, the rules are the same. The statement of pre-existing medical conditions applies to everyone, no matter how healthy they are at the time they book the trip and purchase the insurance. A good basic backpacker policy should also include coverage for medical expenses, air ambulance and medical repatriation, but all pre-existing conditions must be declared.
The bottom line is that if you fail to declare a medical condition and then experience a medical problem related to that condition while abroad, your insurance provider will most likely deny coverage for your claim, and this could be very expensive. Some people may decide not to declare a condition when they buy insurance because they fear the premium will be too high, but this is a false economy.
In some cases there may be an increase in premium to buy travel insurance to cover a pre-existing medical condition, but it’s better to be honest and pay a little more than have to pay for hospital treatment abroad if the worst happens. . Paying a little more for your policy and having the peace of mind that you’re covered is crucial and could save you a lot of money if you run into trouble. Wouldn’t it also be nice to know that with insurance you have a lifeline to turn to if disaster strikes and a helpful voice to reassure and guide you?
It is vital that you declare all pre-existing conditions, and not just the ones you think are most serious. Less serious medical conditions may not seem important, but sometimes when they are present in combination with other conditions, the insurer considers the risk to be greater and additional payment may be required.
If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and you travel to another EU country, you may falsely believe that travel insurance is not necessary or that the embassy will pay your bills. While a valid EHIC should cover most of your hospital expenses, this can vary from country to country and EHIC does not cover non-urgent or ongoing treatment, nor does it cover medical repatriation.
If you become seriously ill abroad or go skiing and sustain an injury, such as a broken leg, your return home may be delayed or you may need medical repatriation, perhaps with the purchase of an extra seat on the plane and a medical escort. The TSE does not cover expenses of this type, but good travel insurance should cover them. If your medical problem is found to be related to a previous illness or condition that you did not disclose, you risk having your insurance claims denied. It is simply not worth trying to hide or ignore pre-existing medical conditions.
Before you are tempted to buy a very cheap travel insurance policy, or choose the first policy that appears on a comparison site, or buy any policy, always check that it provides adequate cover for medical expenses and includes air ambulance and services doctors. repatriation.
Double-check the terms and conditions of the policy to make sure all your planned activities are covered. If you are unsure or confused about any aspect of the insurance, it is better to contact the company for clarification rather than leave things to chance.
Your travel destination should be considered, especially if you are traveling to an underdeveloped country or remote area where medical facilities may be limited or inadequate. There is always the possibility that you may have to be flown by air ambulance to a neighboring country for treatment. Obviously this would be a huge expense and without travel insurance you or your family would have to foot the bill alone.
If you are not sure if you should declare a medical condition, the best option is always to declare it or ask for advice. Do not leave this important matter to chance or luck and risk ruining your trip. It could be an expensive and unnecessary mistake.
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