You are finally taking that long-awaited vacation to an exotic destination. You’ve booked your flights, planned your itinerary, sorted every detail, and packed your bags. But soon after arriving at your destination, you experience chest pain. When you visit the doctor, they advise medical screening, and after reviewing the reports, it’s concluded that your condition is due to a pre-existing heart issue. Aware of the potentially high medical costs abroad, you call your travel insurance provider, who, after hearing your concern, informs you that there was no declaration of your pre-existing condition on the proposal form. Does this mean your claim will be denied? Let’s find out.
Medical coverage under travel insurance
When you buy travel insurance online or offline, the insurer provides coverage for the following medical scenarios:
1. Hospitalisation cover
Travel insurance is a mandatory requirement in many countries due to the considerable costs involved if you need hospitalisation coverage. If you fall ill while on a trip abroad and your condition requires immediate medical attention, the insurer will cover the treatment costs up to the specified limit. In addition, you also receive coverage for pharmacy bills, surgical procedures, and consultation expenses.
2. Evacuation cover
If you are travelling to an offbeat location with inadequate medical facilities and no proper accommodation, the situation can be concerning. If you fall sick in such a place due to local food, the weather, or any other reason and cannot travel to the nearest hospital for treatment, you can call your insurer. They will promptly coordinate with a nearby hospital and arrange for your medical evacuation. Moreover, the insurer will reimburse any expenses you incur upfront for such an evacuation.
3. Compassionate visit
You might find yourself in a medical crisis where, due to your current health condition, your doctor advises against flying back to India. Additionally, your condition may require prolonged hospitalisation. In such a situation, you may miss your loved ones, like your spouse or parents, and wish they were there to support you. Fortunately, your health insurer can arrange and cover the cost of a compassionate visit, allowing one family member to be by your side at the hospital. However, it is important to note that this benefit is limited to just one family member.
4. Dental cover
Dental cover in a family travel insurance policy pays for any injury sustained during a trip, infection, or severe pain you experience in your natural teeth. However, the policy does not cover routine follow-ups or any major dental procedures.
What is a pre-existing disease?
A pre-existing disease refers to a medical condition diagnosed before purchasing the plan. Simply put, any illness contracted within 48 months before the policy purchase is categorised as a pre-existing condition. These conditions may include hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. Typically, standard travel insurance plans do not cover pre-existing conditions. However, many insurers now offer add-ons to cover such conditions, which you can obtain by paying an additional premium on top of your standard travel plan.
Why is disclosing medical history before purchasing a policy important?
There are several reasons why disclosing your medical history is crucial:
1. Accurate coverage
When you share your medical history with your travel insurance provider, they can provide the most accurate coverage for your needs. Without it, you risk gaps in your policy, which could result in denied claims if medical issues arise during your trip.
2. Avoid claim rejections
Insurers may reject claims if they find out you had pre-existing conditions that were not disclosed. Being upfront ensures that your claims won’t be denied due to incomplete or inaccurate information.
3. Tailored premiums
Providing your full medical history helps insurers assess your health risks accurately, allowing them to offer a tailored premium. This way, you avoid paying unnecessarily high rates or being underinsured.
4. Smooth assistance
If you face a health emergency abroad, having your medical history on file helps the insurer coordinate with local healthcare providers efficiently.
5. Contractual compliance
Fulfilling the insurer’s requirement to disclose your past medical history is part of your legal obligation under most travel insurance contracts. Failing to do so could result in policy invalidation, leaving you unprotected.
Conclusion
Sharing your previous medical records with your insurer is crucial to avoid issues with claims related to medical conditions while on a trip abroad. Accurate disclosure allows the insurer to charge a tailored premium and provide customised coverage. It also helps you receive quick assistance from your insurer when locating the best healthcare provider at your travel destination.
