Travel insurance Issue when on prednisone
Posted , 12 users are following.
I have recently purchased my annual travel insurance policy (we travel several times a year). Ever since I have been on prednisone for my PMR - 5 years now - I have purchased this directly from the company. There is a question on the health questionnaire about a new prescription and/or s change in dose and I have always answered Yes as my dose is changing of course. The insurance company people have never asked me what drug I take.
So this month the company is have labour issues and if you want their policy you need to contact an independent insurance company who sells their policy, often called insurance brokers here.
So I contacted a local insurance company and talked to a guy who seems very knowledgeable about insurance companies. I was shocked to learn that I basically have had no travel insurance coverage since I have been on prednisone! I was told that insurance companies use the excuse of prednisone to not pay claims as prednisone has so many side effects, like anything to do with your heart. He said one very large insurance company in Canada refuses to give you a travel insurance policy if you are on prednisone. He said being on prednisone is a really big deal if you are buying travel insurance.
I feel so lucky to have talked to this insurance broker. The solution is to purchase my usual travel policy (and he said the company is good) but to also purchase additional coverage (only cost $100) for pre-existing conditions which basically removes prednisone from my medical questionnaire.
I am posting this in case some of you were not aware that you could have a travel insurance issue with prednisone.
1 like, 6 replies
EileenH Mrs_CJ
Posted
It will vary from country to country. My travel insurance isn't interested in anything except was I fit to travel at the time of booking and at the time of departure - this is in Austria/South Tirol in Italy. In the UK everything has to be declared and they make an assessment based on the declaration but most aren't interested in changing doses either, just the name of the illness.
margaret89358 Mrs_CJ
Posted
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Diana112 margaret89358
Posted
EileenH margaret89358
Posted
Did you have the insurance before PMR appeared? if so there shouldn't be any problem but it never hurts to be on the safe side.
But insurance rules in the UK are totally different from other countries - which is why insurance premiums can be so cheap and shoot up so much when an illness is involved.
Mrs_CJ margaret89358
Posted
I suggest you talk to your insurance agent, and if you feel like you aren't getting good answers then go talk to another agent.
I was was just thinking that if i happen to break a bone travelling my insurance company may not cover the costs as they could claim that prednisone causes bones to be weaker. Now my additional policy will. Give me coverage....they these past years there could have been some bad expensive things happen to us. I can hardly wait to get off prednisone!
oh, and the agent said I have to be off prednisone for 6 months before it is no longer considered a pre-existing condition. Of course your travel policies could be different.
TheRaven Mrs_CJ
Posted
That's very interesting. Thank you for that information! I only occasionally get travel insurance but good to know that one needs to get the pre-existing coverage as well. I am always learning something new on this forum!