TRAVEL INSURERS SHOULD BE UP FRONT ABOUT THEIR COVER

When you took out international travel insurance, you told the company about your pre-existing conditions, including heart problems. The insurer agreed to give you cover, including for pre-existing conditions, but pointed out that should you claim for a pre-existing condition, it might need to go further into your medical files before a final decision on a pay-out could be made. Is this reasonable?

Travel insurance is no good unless you know before you leave what you are and are not covered for. I think there’s an element here of the insurer trying to have it both ways. It keeps your premium if nothing goes wrong but if something does, it reser ves the right to not pay out without further investigation. If the company needs to go further into your files, it should do so before offering you cover. Of course, if all it means is that it reserves the right to later check you have told the truth, then that’s just sensible business prac tice. I think you’ve fulfilled your part. Not so sure about the company!