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Travel Insurance

  • 1.  Travel Insurance

    Posted 15-11-2022 19:26

    Hello everyone

    Apologies if this question has been posted in the past, but I'm looking at getting overseas travel insurance and wondering if anyone has any pearls of wisdom of a company that doesn't charge like a wounded bull because we are type 1.  

    Countries to be visited will be Canada, Italy and the UK.  

    Many thanks in advance

    Jane ��

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  • 2.  RE: Travel Insurance

    Posted 16-11-2022 09:58
    Hi Jane. Sounds like a great trip. Enjoy!
    We have always used Covermore. Never had to claim fortunately but my daughter has also used them (no diabetes) and found them fine for claims. The extra I have paid for being T1 has never been much. I think it was about $20 for our recent trip to Africa.
    As an aside, I don’t have a pump, but use a Dexcom G6 CGM. I asked AMSL/Dexcom for a letter and they sent me a letter/disclaimer which included a little graphic showing not to use scanner or X-ray. Took this, doctors letter, copy of Aus Home Affairs website info about travelling with medical devices (for Aus). Had several copies, pocket, clear bag with spare sensor and reader as well as in my car on bag. Absolutely no problems. Approached them first to explain, they took me out of the line, did the pat down, swabbed my stuff and said have a great holiday. In Johannesburg as soon as I said I was diabetic they assumed I had a pump and took me aside straight away. It was great that all my apprehensions were unfounded and we had a great trip.
    Have a marvellous holiday, stay well and safe.
    Kind regards

    Rochelle


    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Travel Insurance

    Posted 16-11-2022 12:57
    Hi Rochelle,

    Thanks for giving that information to Jane - love the sharing and helpfulness of our community :)  Hopefully that company can help you Jane and have a fabulous holiday!

    Have a great day, Ange.


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    Community Team
    Natasha, Erin and Ange
    community@diabetesaustralia.com.au
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Travel Insurance

    Posted 17-11-2022 09:22

    Hi Jane
    i made a claim 2020 for a trip to Japan which we had to cancel due to covid concerns at that time,  the reason  used was a carryover from an infection (pneumonia) my partner  picked up on cruise boat december 2019. The insurance was underwritten  by  Westpac complimentary credit card & all money refunded.

    I am t1d & have not had any probs with travel insurance costs all the years i have been travelling o/s.

    cheers



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    Tim Flakelar
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Travel Insurance

    Posted 16-11-2022 13:00
    Hi Jane.
    I have many diabetic complications. This may not apply to you, but if it does (or this applies to others reading this post) I can recommend "InsureandGo". In 2017 I contacted 12 different travel insurance agencies and I found InsureandGo was the only company which would insure me for pre-existing conditions resulting from diabetes.
    I haven't travelled overseas since 2019 so I cannot give more up-to-date info.
    It is expensive but gave me peace of mind when travelling to North America for 6 weeks in 2017 and to UK/Europe for 11 weeks in 2019.
    Happy travels!
    Annette

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    Annette
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Travel Insurance

    Posted 16-11-2022 13:09
    Hi Jane
    We have recently returned from five weeks in the UK.  The main issue I faced with travel insurance was the post-Covid narrowing of the age ranges that most companies now cover. 80 once was the critical threshold when higher premiums applied. Now some companies exclude anyone 75+ (in some cases as low as 70). This seems to be their response to automatically including  cover for Covid cancellations/change of travel plans. We have previously used Covermore but their rates have soared ($4000 plus for two of us, 6 weeks and one of us T1D). Our travel agent was able to get cover with Go Insurance for $2056 for 5 weeks. The add-on for my TiD was $300. Again a change in criteria for T1D - previously your most recent Hb1ac was sufficient. Now no questions about your control of diabetes but rather a very long list of possible complications.

    Many rental companies are applying the same age exclusions as the travel insurers as a means of rationing their depleted fleets (having sold off 'surplus' vehicles during the pandemic and now unable to replace then due to supply issues).

    Harwood

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    Harwood
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Travel Insurance

    Posted 16-11-2022 16:55
    Hi Jane,

    Firstly, I can say that Canada and Italy are great to visit.  Cannot advise on UK.

    My wife and I have travelled overseas at least 7 times prior to Covid and have always used Vero travel insurance over a period of 10 years.  They have covered me (type 1) diabetic.

    Recommend that you phone and discuss your travel with them and cover all the salient points.

    We had intended to travel to Europe again in the year Covid hit but this did not eventuate.  

    We were able to claim for a number of local flights, accommodation, entrance fees and others prepaid items and by the end only out of pocket a few hundred dollars.

    Enjoy your travels and research.

    Jeff O'Sullivan

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    Jeffrey
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Travel Insurance

    Posted 17-11-2022 09:55
    Hi Jane

    My wife and I spent nearly 6 weeks in the UK in May and June 2022. We insured with Allianz and then I was diagnosed as Type 1 in November 2021 so I contacted Allianz and advised them of my changed medical condition. The amended premium was $761 and I think the adjustment for my new medical condition was only $50 or $60. I should say that I was 66 and my wife 69 at the time. Age might be a bigger factor in determining the premium than a managed medical condition.
    We are going to Sweden, Iceland, Norway and the UK in February/March 2023 and have insured with Insureandgo for a premium of $1,118. I think this includes better Covid19 insured events.
    I should also say that I am still in the "honeymoon period" and I am not using insulin yet. Not sure if that has had an effect on premium levels.
    Enjoy your holiday. It sounds wonderful.

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    Peter
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Travel Insurance

    Posted 18-11-2022 17:57
    Hi Everyone,
    When looking at travel insurance also checkout the reciprocal agreements Medicare has with other countries National Health Services. A few years ago a friend was hospitalized in the UK and all medical expenses were covered by the NHS under the agreement with Australian Medicare. Two years ago I travelled to the Netherlands and found out I was covered under  their National Insurance Systems.

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    Johannes G
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Travel Insurance

    Posted 20-11-2022 11:32
    Many thanks to all of you who replied to my question about travel insurance and also Rochelle for all your good advice. At least we are not travelling through the UAE this time as the last 2 times, I've ended up having to my underwear as they did not like my pump!!! 
    We are from the UK, so thankfully can appreciate the reciprocal agreements. We are under 60 so hopefully that too will bring down the premium because adding in that we are skiing in both Canada and Italy will likely shoot them right back up again.  

    It looks like a day on the phone tomorrow.   I'm very grateful for your replies

    J😀


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    Jane
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    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Travel Insurance

    Posted 21-11-2022 12:50
    Wow - I must be lucky as I went through the UAE a couple of times without hassle.
    I always find an official BEFORE going through the scanning area and request a hand held body scan.  I show them the pump and CGM and they scan my body and get me to rub my fingers over the pump then they scan my fingers for residue.
    This only takes a few minutes then all good.  No undressing required.
    I am in my 60's and I always smile and be agreeable at all times.
    Have travelled extensively with no issues.
    Best of luck
    Denise
    --
    Sent from Gmail Mobile



    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Travel Insurance

    Posted 22-11-2022 09:58
    I agree - one must always put yourself first when travelling and be prepared and we tell the security on arrival that (a) one has a pacemaker and (2) the other has a sensor.  Never had any trouble travelling domestic or overseas.
    Marna

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    Marna
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    Original Message


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