I was having a lazy morning, of which there are quite a few these days 😁. A cup of tea in my hand, my feet up on the coffee table, for which my Dad would have slapped my legs, vaguely watching the “gogglebox”.

Angela Rippon popping up on the screen, caught my attention as she started talking about travel insurance. Our annual policy was about to expire, so I thought it might be prudent to listen a little more intently.

The article was discussing pre existing medical conditions. Initially I thought it wasn’t relevant to me. As we have both declared our conditions, mine although almost 20 years ago, is excluded from any cover and Steve’s being a long term condition, requires an annual screening, is covered but incurs an additional premium. But she related the story of a Brit, who whilst on holiday in Cape Verde, was diagnosed with a kidney tumour, and needed to be airlifted to Tenerife for an operation spending a month in hospital. She had purchased travel insurance and as far as she was concerned had no pre existing medical conditions. However when the insurance company requested her medical records, it seemed she had been prescribed sleeping tablets for a bout of insomnia. She had failed to declare this, as she assumed it wasn’t relevant. Her claim was assessed and whilst she was still in hospital she was advised that she would only be reimbursed with a third of the total claim. The Guardian also subsequently ran her story, which makes interesting reading, and her plight of being left with a £30,000 bill.

It made me wonder just how much you need to declare when purchasing a policy. In the past couple of years I have had a vitamin D deficiency for which I was prescribed medication and a couple of bouts of sciatica, for which I was prescribed cocodamil.

When our policy came up for renewal, we thought it wise to declare these doctors visits. The vitamin D issue didn’t appear relevant, but as calls are recorded at least it’s on record, however the sciatica was duly noted on the policy and caused a slight increase in premium. Like the poor lady with the kidney tumour, it would never have occurred to me to mention these minor ailments, but it seems that in the event of a claim everything is relevant.

Although I was aware, the article continued to discuss how any treatments, or accidents as a result of alcohol intoxication would not be covered as it is deemed as negligence on the part of the policy holder. It makes you wonder whether holiday companies aimed at younger travellers, should offer their own insurance policies as some openly encourage drinking to excess 😂

Single trip policies insure customers from the date of purchase, covering just one trip. New annual policies, covering multiple trips during a twelve month period, require a nominated start date. A misconception of some travellers purchasing annual policies is, it is better value for money to nominate the date of their first trip. However, this often means they don’t have the benefit of cancellation cover, and should something occur prior to the first trip which means they need to cancel, they would not be eligible for any refunds.

All of this led me to do a little bit of research. It is such a minefield. Different insurers seem to require different information and then there’s travel insurance included with some bank accounts. Should you call your insurer or bank if you are subsequently diagnosed with a condition requiring medication, should you declare ALL trips to your GP and are you covered for winter sports or a cruise, both of which usually require additional cover.

The answer to these questions is, it’s probably best to give them a call. A recent article by Martin Lewis is very comprehensive, and suggests it’s better to contact and be safe, rather than sorry.

So our annual travel insurance premium has gone up, but we are insured against incidents on our upcoming cruise and as I can now pass through the green nothing else to declare channel, am confident I’m properly insured against all unforeseen circumstances. We just need to make sure we don’t over indulge during the all inclusive cruise 🚢 🥂 I’m sure falling overboard as the result of intoxication would negate any claim!

Happy travels everyone, be safe and be protected.