Blood Pressure And Travel Insurance

[Ann]

A question please for Sqad - when getting a quote for Travel Insurance with with medical conditions - (so costs more) :( why do they ask how many BP medications you are on. Does it follow that if you are on two different brands it means you have a more serious problem? In my case I am on two different ones which apparently (my doctor explained) work hand in hand - Ramipril and Amlodipine like a combined dose. My BP has never been that high anyway, I was diagnosed it 6 years ago through a special promotional check on BP and following a 24 hour monitor I was put on these brands which actually suit me perfectly - no side effects and perfectly controlled at all my clinic checks. Trouble was - the 24 hour monitor was done prior to a very stressful day in our family so may have been unreasonably high, which I did explain at the time.

All travel insurance companies ask how many medications for BP you are on and hike up the price of the premium if you are on two brands instead of one. Its all to make more money I'm sure as they are not medically trained.

Thoughts anyone please?

[jno]

do all of them ask? I've seen one or two in the past (and one that asked if you'd ever been on statins), but I've never taken one out where I had to disclose it. But perhaps things have changed.

They may not actually raisd the premiums if you're on BP medication, just exclude you from claiming for anything BP-related.

[Old_Geezer]

What is the point of insurance if they're going to exclude the very things you'll want to cover ? Sounds a right con.

[Ann]

Jno - if you haven't taken out travel insurance in the past 18 months you will be shocked at how much the premiums have risen. Admittedly we have now turned 65 and my husband has to declare a mild heart attack but that happened over 10 years ago - with no problems since. The premiums have almost doubled and I've checked hundreds of comparisons through 4 comparison sites.

I never thought I'd say this - but it almost doesn't pay you to be honest ... and to just take the risk. Wonder how many people don't tell the truth about medical conditions. I'm a wimp - I daren't take the risk.

[Sqad]

Ann......that is a difficult one.....I suppose that the more BP lowering agents that you are taking reflects the difficulty and advancement of your cardiovascular profile.

Although I wouldn't necessarily agree with that statement for all cases, it would be a difficult argument to refute.

I hope that answers your question.

[jno]

OG, if your blood pressure (or other) problems are well controlled, you probably won't need them covered. It's the accidents and the heart attacks you aren't expecting, but which could cost you a fortune, that need insuring against.

[Ann]

Thanks Sqad :) Do people ever re-check their BP after years on medication to see if it's still needed? Or would it be safer not to .... I'm just annoyed at the cost of travel insurance when it's perfectly controlled at every check.

[Sqad]

Jno^^^^^now you are being logical, something which insurance companies have difficulty in facing............they only understand statistics.

[Ann]

You have to declare the BP medication Jno - they explained that if you had a heart attack or similar and they found out you had been on BP medication and not declared it, they would not pay a penny for a claim.

[237SJ]

jno - thing is, if you don`t cover the blood pressure then anything linked to high blood pressure such as a heart attack or stroke would provoke the insurance company to refuse to pay out.

[Sqad]

Ann....if your BP is fine......on a small regime of hypotensive drugs..................then continue and "don't rock the boat."

[jno]

oh for the life of an actuary, Sqad.

Ann, have you been through Martin Lewis's list?

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/cheap-travel-insurance#tool

[Ann]

Yes Sqad - they have no knowledge of medical matters at all, they ask questions from a script or if doing it online just ticking boxes. There is no opportunity of explaining individual requirements or situations - so wrong! A money making scam.

[Ann]

Yes thanks Jno - been through Martins list. One he recommended wanted £157 for us a couple to travel to Europe for 2 weeks single trip!!!! Obviously still looking around and have found cheaper.

[Sqad]

Ann

\\\\\they have no knowledge of medical matters at all, they ask questions from a script or if doing it online just ticking boxes. \\\\

Don't be too hard on them as even the medical profession is entering into an era of "tick box" medical care.............something that I would have great difficulty in following.

[237SJ]

BTW - they don`t just ask how many medications you are on for high BP - they ask that of cancer as well. The more treatments you have had or drugs you are taking, the higher risk you are deemed to be.

[Ann]

Haha - I agree Sqad! Bring back the old family doctors who knew all your medical history! Sure you wouldn't like being around the profession today, how times have changed. That's why we so much appreciate your help on AB, we get an answer in minutes and are so grateful to you.

[Sqad]

\\\\\That's why we so much appreciate your help on AB, we get an answer in minutes and are so grateful to you.\\\

LOL.......it might not be the right or helpful answer, but yes, it usually appears in minutes.....;-)

[bednobs]

if ou are upset that the companies won't take the risk without the premium, it's simple - just take the risk yourself :)

[Ann]

I don't think I could do that bednobs - I would be paranoid something was going to happen to me or OH abroad and we wouldn't have the money to get us home.