Insurance question with Heart condition

[medhead]

Hi
I was wondering if anyone knows of travel insurance that might be available for someone with a serius heart condition. The neighbours are looking to return to the UK. One of them had a major heart attack 2 years ago and now has a pacemaker.

Anyway they are, obviously having difficulty getting insurance for the preexisting condition during the flights to and from the UK. They are covered while in the UK. The doctors have cleared the neighbour to fly.

Does anyone have suggestions of anyone that might consider insuring in this type of situation?

[NM]

In my experience (looking for travel insurance for my father who had bypass surgery 25 years ago), most are happy to cover for everything EXCEPT the pre-existing condition. They will exclude that specifically from the policy. But they will cover for anything else that may arise during the trip. My father was happy with that and travelled with a policy that excluded his heart conditions.

Mind you, you would think that after 25 years they would hardly consider it additional risk. In fact, he is probably a lower risk for heart problems now than I am, yet all are happy to cover me for any medical issues .

His surgeon told him that his bypass should last him 10 years, 15 if he is lucky. 25 years on he reckons he has a lifetime warranty .

[medhead]

In my experience (looking for travel insurance for my father who had bypass surgery 25 years ago), most are happy to cover for everything EXCEPT the pre-existing condition. They will exclude that specifically from the policy. But they will cover for anything else that may arise during the trip. My father was happy with that and travelled with a policy that excluded his heart conditions.

Mind you, you would think that after 25 years they would hardly consider it additional risk. In fact, he is probably a lower risk for heart problems now than I am, yet all are happy to cover me for any medical issues .

His surgeon told him that his bypass should last him 10 years, 15 if he is lucky. 25 years on he reckons he has a lifetime warranty .

Thanks NM

I thought the pre-existing condition was the problem. If something did happen it would be major. So they don't want to get 2 hours out of SIN towards LHR and have "the worst" happen, leaving one of them with a big bill for the turn around. Or even a big medical bill in SIN would be bad.

Just thought there might be an insurance company that would cover the extra risk for the limited flight circumstances, after charging an appropriate fee. Looks like the the answer is no, and I think they might not do the trip, which means the 90 year old dad might have to come here again

Amazing about your dad. I bet his bypass will out live the surgeon as well.

[NM]

Amazing about your dad. I bet his bypass will out live the surgeon as well.

Already has! In fact, his surgeon was his last customer (he was a house painter) before finally retiring 17 years ago. He would not sign the paperwork for Dad to go onto a disability pension at the age of 62 and 7 years after his bypass surgery until he finished painting his house. And last year Dad insisted on painting my new house before we moved in. He finished the double-story entry area the day before his 78th birthday, noting that he wanted to get it finished because he didn't want to be climbing the ladder after he turned 78. But there is no way he was going to stay on the ground and let me climb the ladder. He painted the entire entry/stairs area off a ladder with a brush (two coats) as he says its quicker and easier than using a roller from a ladder.

[Mwenenzi]

Have a look in this thread: -
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/comm...nce-13348.html (Seniors travel insurance)

[drron]

They need to have a chat with their Cardiologist on the risks.Even with the information you have given the risk might not be major-eg the heart attack has already done all the damage possible with the blockage they had and there are no other blockages.In this situation the risk of something else happening to the heart would be low.
Having written numerous letters to insurance companies advocating for patients with very low risks I am afraid that waiving the pre-existing condition clause is extremely unlikely to occur.

[Travel Guru]

It may be worth your while giving the head of medical underwriting at Vero a call, they tend to deal with a fair few older clients, and would at least be able to give you an indication over the phone as to the likelihood over such cover being offered (although obviously they wont give too much info out over the phone without knowing your individual circumstances)

I think its unlikely you'll find someone who will cover it, but IMHO, if it is going to be anyone, its going to be one of the big players such as Vero who will take the risk.

Good luck

TG

[medhead]

Thanks everyone for the advice and there are a few good leads to follow.

Sorry to say I don't have much information. SWMBO was talking to the neighbours and offered for me to ask the travel experts (not sure if she ranks you as a psychic network, yet) here about their problem.

Personally, in their situation I'd be inclined to take the risk. But luckily I'm not in their situation.