Travel Insurance for us?

[marta]

Hi all, just trying to book a holiday in the states and apparently I'm uninsurable..... they wont even insure me for anything different from my pre-existing condition, so if I get hit by a bus, tough bananas.

Any of you have any tips on getting insurance in Canada for travelling abroad - any insurance companies you've had success with? I'm sure there are a lot sicker people than us who travel and get insurance. This is crazy. I'm a little p'd off right now about this. So insurance companies only take your money if they think they wont have to pay. Arrrghhh...

[pberggren1]

This is very odd.

When I went to Europe in 2007 I had no problem getting insurance. I think all of the insurance cost about 75 dollars then. I am sure that I told them I have Wegs and they said it would not be a problem. I got the highest level of insurace possible. I went through a travel angency and I cannot remember which insurance company it was with. If you like I go down to that travel place and see if I can find out which insurance company it was.

I would be pissed off too.

[pwc51]

It is difficult here in the UK too - if you can get insured the premium can be up to 5 times that of a healthy (non-WG) person. Many insurance companies will not touch me. Most of the on-line companies know about WG but very often it does not matter how you answer the series of WG questions the answer in NO - seems pointless them even asking the questions!

[drz]

I have a couple chronic illnesses that increase my risks so always get the travel insurance when I book a trip. Usually I book with the agency that books the trips just for ease though their rates are much higher generally. If you book within 30 days of reservations their are no exclusions or waiting periods. I don't know about the private ones policies on prior illness but agree that one with such exclusion would be pointless. Better to just buy an accident coverage policy then.

Suggestion: Call your credit card companies. Some of my cards offer some trip cancellation protection if you charge the trip with them. They might also have suggestions for trip insurance through their concierge department too.

I also found a list of travel insurance companies through a search on internet but don[t remember their policy exclusions.

I used to carry a medical evacuation policy too through an organization in USA that was only 75-90$ a year since a medical evacuation from any remote place like the bush in South Africa could actually cost a million dollars if you were in a critical accident and needed medical support on the flight home. I dropped it this year (went up to $109) since I don't anticipate being able to travel again to such exotic places for awhile if ever.

[marta]

Thanks guys, who woulda thunk.... I was one of the healthier people I knew a year and a half ago, and now I'm uninsurable.

We are using a gift certificate for our travels so no go on the credit card. We called Brian's existing insurance company and we are covered for accidents and the pre-existing condition as long as I've been stable for three months prior. So just need cancellation insurance and I think we can get that with the airline.

I like the idea of the medical evacuation insurance... not that I can see myself needing anything like that with the current status, but it still seems appealing.

Thanks for the feedback. I am still curious how people who are worse off than us can travel.

[pberggren1]

That is good to hear that you are covered under Brian's plan. Probably all you need then is a letter from your doc in Ed for the insurance.

Now as far as stabel goes, what exactly to they mean? As far as I know no one is mentally stable on any dose of pred. LOL

[Sangye]

We called Brian's existing insurance company and we are covered for accidents and the pre-existing condition as long as I've been stable for three months prior. .

I suggest you get that in writing, along with a definition of "stable." Insurance companies will do anything they can to avoid paying.

[gurinbasra]

Wow, I think I've been very fortunate all those years of working for an oil & gas company. I am covered through them even for personal travel for up to $2 million per person, per incident and my husband's work covers personal travel too I think at $1 million/person/incident. All I know is that I have called Manulife (insurance co.) and they have my Wegener's noted and before I go on an overseas trip, I make sure I have the OK with my dr's (because Manulife said if I have any claims, they will check with dr's), and then I let them know I've been OK'd - that's mainly so that they'll cover for any costs if I get sick due to the WG. Hopefully, it all worked out with your husband's coverage.

I'm still glad to have my job - more so now than ever. It is Manulife that's covering for my Rituxan 100% with no maximum's.

[Natalie]

well I went and had a talk to the travel agency , she gave me a Medical Assessment form to give to my doctor to fill out , then Its up to the insurer to accept it .. they Go threw Cover.More Travel Insurance . Just reading it fine print that the Insurance is issued by Greater Lakes Insurance UK ...Trading as Greater lakes Insurance Australia ( why dont they just call it Greater lakes Australia ).. I have attached the part in the policy that deals with Medical Conditions for yous to have a squiz ..

I would say most insurance mobs would have similar out lays .

[Natalie]

these may be easier to read ..