Credit Card Travel Insurance when there's a problem

[SandyS]

Booked trip to States months ago and at time had no health issues whatsoever. I've never had to claim on travel insurance before.

2 months ago, discovered issue that required abdominal surgery but surgeon stated I'd have 7 weeks post op and would be fine to travel and the medical issue is all resolved.

Called Zurich Insurance who told me that this is now classed as a pre existing condition which they won't cover. However, they won't pay out for cancellation as the doctor says I'm fit to travel; they just won't cover anything that they would class as related to this condition.

I'm not sure what to do. I'm not expecting there to be any medical issues but I'm very uncomfortable traveling to the States without full medical insurance. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Peter D]

I ran out of time to get paperwork to Zurich. They covered my wife's preexisting condition on line but my kidney stone of 12 years ago required a report from my doctor. I had left it late and my doctors Christmas holidays intervened.
I shopped around and RACV covered me online. So bought single policy for 24 days and peace of mind.
The weird thing was my wife's condition was current but mine was an historic one off.

 

[chelzmalee]

Can you cancel the policy and request a refund on grounds that they will not cover you fully?

 

[opusman]

Can you cancel the policy and request a refund on grounds that they will not cover you fully?

It's a credit card policy, so "free".

I would shop around and see if you can find an insurer who'll cover you - often pre-existing conditions can be covered subject to providing medical history etc. and paying an increased premium.
If you can't get coverage you'll either have to assume the risk yourself or never leave Australia again.

 

[chelzmalee]

It's a credit card policy, so "free"..

...should have read that part! D'oh!

 

[SandyS]

It's a credit card policy, so "free".

I would shop around and see if you can find an insurer who'll cover you - often pre-existing conditions can be covered subject to providing medical history etc. and paying an increased premium.
If you can't get coverage you'll either have to assume the risk yourself or never leave Australia again.

Yeah I'm going to shop around but wondered if its because I'm only 7 weeks post op. I've no idea and they wouldn't even give me an answer as to when it would be safe to travel, only that I should try again when I plan to travel again.

My issue with this travel insurance however is that they can tell you they won't cover you but won't pay for cancelling the trip due to completely unforeseen circumstances. Isn't that what insurance is?

 

[opusman]

My issue with this travel insurance however is that they can tell you they won't cover you but won't pay for cancelling the trip due to completely unforeseen circumstances. Isn't that what insurance is?

Yes it seems unfair, but I guess it's because technically you are fit to travel so there is no basis for cancellation other than your own nervousness (which is not a coverable condition).

If your doctor were to change his assessment of your fitness to travel I imagine you would have a basis for a claim.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Sorry but the op is like someone wanting to change their lottery ticket number after the numbers are drawn.

Dr states that you are fit to travel. ....so why should it cover you?


You ask what insurance is for? It is not for everything including whims. If it did then no cc would offer it and no one woukd be able to afford go purchase a policy either.


It you wanted a policy that covers more then why on earth did you rely on cc ti?

 

[Cynicor]

Booked trip to States months ago and at time had no health issues whatsoever. I've never had to claim on travel insurance before.

2 months ago, discovered issue that required abdominal surgery but surgeon stated I'd have 7 weeks post op and would be fine to travel and the medical issue is all resolved.

Called Zurich Insurance who told me that this is now classed as a pre existing condition which they won't cover. However, they won't pay out for cancellation as the doctor says I'm fit to travel; they just won't cover anything that they would class as related to this condition.

I'm not sure what to do. I'm not expecting there to be any medical issues but I'm very uncomfortable traveling to the States without full medical insurance. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I'm no lawyer, but as the condition was discovered after booking, you will/should be covered. I think the phone assistant was wrong.

 

[harvyk]

Escalate it.

If at the point in time you purchased the tickets in accordance with your credit card TI T&C's, and you did not have any reason to suspect that you had a medical condition, then they will be obliged to pay up should something happen.

Get this in writing prior to travel, so that if the worst should happen whilst you are away, then you will be covered. BTW In writing is very important, since verbal assurance is no assurance at all.

If they refuse to give you that assurance in writing escalate this to the ombudsman.

Unfortunately this will be the last time you will be able to travel to the states without this being considered a pre-existing condition. So next time you may be unable to have the condition covered / will need to pay extra to have the condition covered.

 

[get me outta here]

I took out travel insurance yesterday and read the full pdf in and there was reference to what happens if you get 'sick' after taking out the insurance and the condition was not pre existing (going back years), at the time of taking it out.

You really need to go to the pdf for your insurance and read it all and then put any quotes and questions in writing to get a written response.

Booked trip to States months ago and at time had no health issues whatsoever. I've never had to claim on travel insurance before.

2 months ago, discovered issue that required abdominal surgery but surgeon stated I'd have 7 weeks post op and would be fine to travel and the medical issue is all resolved.

Called Zurich Insurance who told me that this is now classed as a pre existing condition which they won't cover. However, they won't pay out for cancellation as the doctor says I'm fit to travel; they just won't cover anything that they would class as related to this condition.

I'm not sure what to do. I'm not expecting there to be any medical issues but I'm very uncomfortable traveling to the States without full medical insurance. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Revolio]

Escalate it.

If at the point in time you purchased the tickets in accordance with your credit card TI T&C's, and you did not have any reason to suspect that you had a medical condition, then they will be obliged to pay up should something happen.

Get this in writing prior to travel, so that if the worst should happen whilst you are away, then you will be covered. BTW In writing is very important, since verbal assurance is no assurance at all.

If they refuse to give you that assurance in writing escalate this to the ombudsman.

Unfortunately this will be the last time you will be able to travel to the states without this being considered a pre-existing condition. So next time you may be unable to have the condition covered / will need to pay extra to have the condition covered.

I'm with Harvey. Put a case forward - what do you have to lose. (doing nothing is a zero outcome)

 

[SandyS]

Sorry but the op is like someone wanting to change their lottery ticket number after the numbers are drawn.

Dr states that you are fit to travel. ....so why should it cover you?


You ask what insurance is for? It is not for everything including whims. If it did then no cc would offer it and no one woukd be able to afford go purchase a policy either.


It you wanted a policy that covers more then why on earth did you rely on cc ti?

Wow, what did I do to deserve this?

As far as I was aware, I had absolutely no health issues whatsoever when I booked my trip and therefore, as far as I was aware, the insurance covered everything I needed. When my condition was discovered, the surgeon booked me in early so that I could have the op and have a full 7 weeks before travelling and said I am fit to travel because I now have no ongoing medical condition - its all sorted. If I hadn't had the operation, it still would have been unlikely to have caused any issue except for some discomfort to me. Regardless, I don't understand where "whim" comes in. I wanted a policy that covered me should, amongst other things, I get sick before or during my trip. And that's what happened. Surely, the insurance company should either state I can go and be covered or else I can't go and pay the cancellations costs? The only "whim" here belongs to the insurance company who are now changing the goalposts.

My nervousness at travelling is only that should anything at all happen to me, the insurance company will try to blame it on my "pre existing condition", that wasn't pre existing when I booked the trip and took out the insurance and I am now back to being a completely healthy, relatively young and fit person.

I will contact them again and escalate it. I think that's good advice. And of course for any future travel I will declare it because its something I now know about. However, what counts as pre existing conditions?? I had my tonsils out when I was 5 or a kidney stone removed 12 years ago. (neither of these apply to me)

 

[get me outta here]

I still think you need to look at yr pdf of the policy because that is what you will be arguing against. If they are wrong, it will show it. If not, it is still worth asking. I was surprised to see the clause in my new policy about medical issues going back years, it gets them out of a lot of illnesses that's for sure. Plus, 'years' is very open to interpretation.

Wow, what did I do to deserve this?

As far as I was aware, I had absolutely no health issues whatsoever when I booked my trip and therefore, as far as I was aware, the insurance covered everything I needed. When my condition was discovered, the surgeon booked me in early so that I could have the op and have a full 7 weeks before travelling and said I am fit to travel because I now have no ongoing medical condition - its all sorted. If I hadn't had the operation, it still would have been unlikely to have caused any issue except for some discomfort to me. Regardless, I don't understand where "whim" comes in. I wanted a policy that covered me should, amongst other things, I get sick before or during my trip. And that's what happened. Surely, the insurance company should either state I can go and be covered or else I can't go and pay the cancellations costs? The only "whim" here belongs to the insurance company who are now changing the goalposts.

My nervousness at travelling is only that should anything at all happen to me, the insurance company will try to blame it on my "pre existing condition", that wasn't pre existing when I booked the trip and took out the insurance and I am now back to being a completely healthy, relatively young and fit person.

I will contact them again and escalate it. I think that's good advice. And of course for any future travel I will declare it because its something I now know about. However, what counts as pre existing conditions?? I had my tonsils out when I was 5 or a kidney stone removed 12 years ago. (neither of these apply to me)

 

[RooFlyer]

Wow, what did I do to deserve this?
<snip>)

Nothing. Nothing at all ...

 

[RooFlyer]

I often travel on client's ticket, so have my own business class, worldwide travel insurance through Covermore. So it covers me when travelling on my own CC too.

I appreciate o/t, but for comparison, these are the relevant definitions:

“Disabling Injury, Sickness or Disease”
means a disabling injury, sickness or disease which first shows itself during the Period
Of Insurance and which requires immediate treatment by a qualified
medical practitioner.


“Existing Medical Condition”
means:
a) Any physical defect, condition, illness or disease for which
treatment, medication or advice (including investigation) has been
received or prescribed by a medical or dental advisor in the 90
days prior to the Relevant Time; or
b) Any chronic or ongoing (whether chronic or otherwise) medical
or dental condition, illness or


“Relevant Time”

means the first time at which any part of the relevant
trip is paid for or the time at which the policy is issued, whichever
occurs last.


Interestingly, it appears that the insured's "Duty of Disclosure" applies only at the time of taking out the policy and

Your General Duty Is Limited For New Policies

When You apply for a new policy Your duty of disclosure applies, but You
do not need to disclose something to Us unless We specifically ask You
about it.


That, coupled with other stuff, I interpret that the OP needn't have disclosed something new after they took out a Covermore policy.
And in the OP's case, with the doctor's "all clear" hard to see it being caught under "existing medical condition" for Covermore, at least for future cover.
YMMV!!!

 

[SandyS]

I often travel on client's ticket, so have my own business class, worldwide travel insurance through Covermore. So it covers me when travelling on my own CC too.

I appreciate o/t, but for comparison, these are the relevant definitions:

“Disabling Injury, Sickness or Disease”
means a disabling injury, sickness or disease which first shows itself during the Period
Of Insurance and which requires immediate treatment by a qualified
medical practitioner.


“Existing Medical Condition”
means:
a) Any physical defect, condition, illness or disease for which
treatment, medication or advice (including investigation) has been
received or prescribed by a medical or dental advisor in the 90
days prior to the Relevant Time; or
b) Any chronic or ongoing (whether chronic or otherwise) medical
or dental condition, illness or


“Relevant Time”

means the first time at which any part of the relevant
trip is paid for or the time at which the policy is issued, whichever
occurs last.


Interestingly, it appears that the insured's "Duty of Disclosure" applies only at the time of taking out the policy and

Your General Duty Is Limited For New Policies

When You apply for a new policy Your duty of disclosure applies, but You
do not need to disclose something to Us unless We specifically ask You
about it.


That, coupled with other stuff, I interpret that the OP needn't have disclosed something new after they took out a Covermore policy.
And in the OP's case, with the doctor's "all clear" hard to see it being caught under "existing medical condition" for Covermore, at least for future cover.
YMMV!!!

Thank you, that's useful info.

Just as an update the problem seems to be that they get you to answer a medical questionnaire.

One of the questions is "Have you had surgery in the last six weeks" to which I must answer yes as of today's date. However, when I travel, the answer will be no. And when the answer is no, they will cover me for an extra premium of $75.

If the question was "When your trips commences will you have had surgery in the past 6 weeks", there would be no issue but they must plug in the answers as of today's date. So perhaps if I call up nearer the time, it'll be different. I'll see what they have to say.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

ANZ's CC insurance policy has the same exclusion under it's overseas medical and dental section (repeated in other applicable sections of the policy such as repatriation):

2. There is no cover under this section because of an illness orinjury, the signs and symptoms of which you first becameaware of after activation of cover and before you went onyour trip.

ANZ's policy also seems to exclude cover for cancellation expenses unless you have a certificate that you are unfit to fly... kinda leaves you in limbo!