Travel Insurance Tips
How to find travel insurance & an up-to-date contacts list of insurance companies & brokersThe main issue for anyone affected by a brain tumour, and their partner or family is to find a travel insurer who accepts medical conditions. Pre-existing medical conditions are one of the most important exclusions in all travel policies unless they have been disclosed when you take out the policy and have been approved by your insurer. Some companies won't cover pre-existing illnesses, and others increase premiums or excesses.
Don't buy it with your holiday! Shop around for travel insurance. There can be a marked difference in charges between companies. Take a look at WHICH HOLIDAY magazine (pub:The Consumers Association) and available in your local library or by subscription on line. WHICH surveys the travel insurance market in March each year and regularly through the year.
Save time by asking your local
insurance broker, or AGE Concern Travel Insurance who claim they insure any
age, or RIAS, the Retirement Insurance Advisory Service (for over 50's} to find
you the best value holiday cover. You don’t have to be over 50 or retired to
use their services and they are very friendly. R.I.A.S. Freephone 0800 552 100 (see Travel Insurance Contacts)
Tell them about recent or planned treatment, and any other pre-existing medical conditions, otherwise these won't be covered if you make a claim.
Be prepared for questions
You may be asked for the dates of your last or next hospital visit, what it was for, and about any proposed or ongoing treatment. For instance, if you are booked for surgery within a short time, you will pay more than if the condition has been inactive for a long time and no other treatment is proposed. You may be required to provide a letter from your GP or your consultant confirming your fitness to travel. This is particularly relevant for people with a newly-diagnosed brain tumours or who have had recent treatment.