can anyone help have been turned down for travel insurance from the travel agents and southern cross for preexciting condition Insurance co seem to have tightened up this year I have COPD controlled.

I have a preexisting heart problem (Prev., MI and existing angina) and had perviously had a stomach ulcer. In 2005 we went on a round the world trip taking in USA UK and Ireland returning by container ship all in all 62 days. We got our insurance through Tower, I had to contact the "Medical Hotline" and pay an extra premium of $35.00 (if I remember rightly but it was cheep) and had an excess of $100.00 for those claims if I had had one.

Worth a try, the cost was less than the Travel Agent offered but we got a discount as members of Amway.

I'd be interested how you get on incase the rules have changed.

BTW I was turned down when traveling to Norfolk Island in 1995. So I went but only had cover for everything else not preexisting problems.

hi bryan, The only insurance cover I can get is throughMike Henrey Broker. $50 surcharge but first $5000.00 to pay with anything to do with COPD or I can buy it out for an extra $375 an ecess would be $100. So I guess I will be paying the high premuim to be on the safe side.

Well I would ring Towers 0800 no to check first unless you have tried them before

ok thanks for that

Just an update; the travel insurance industry's policies have changed again in the past year. If you are travelling to North America and have had any number of heart problems in the (even distant) past; including MI, cardiomyopathy, etc, then you will be instantly regected by the online travel insurance systems or the people who answer the phones at the call centre. The only way we could get it was by asking for a senior consultant and asking for alternatives. Mike Henry are going to charge us a $10,000 excess for any heart-related problems but at least they'll cover us now as all other options were extinguished.

Not only
heart, it inclludes cancer and all copd cases as well traveling any where overseas. I bought mine out cost me and extra 400 so my essces is 100 instead 5000 so hope it is worth it at least i have peace of mind if anything does go wrong.

On two occasions in the last 5 years we have bought travel insurance through the AA. A little hassle with pre existing conditions, but it was comprehensive and for two cost about $700. Not a lot when a Dr. visit in the USA can be $200 and extra for meds. Take extra meds and a script that details all your medication. Just in case customs get in a tizz.

I had an excellent experience with Mike Henry, they were the only company I get pre-existing cover from for an extra $50. We used them twice, thank goodness because my epilepsy decided to become a problem in Europe which involved medical treat and a major change in travel plans. All my expences had to be paid on the spot (credit cards have their uses) but were reimbursed from insurance. I used the same company for a similar trip last year but this time I had to provide them a medical certificate as they do seem to be clamping down a bit. Thankfully their services weren't required this time

My friend & i are going on a cruise next year round Aussie & dont know which insurance to take out. The travel agent says hers is best but expensive but i have quotes for S Cross & ASB which are much cheaper. What i really want to know has anyone had trouble claiming for anything on their policy, not only medical but if you need cancel your trip through illness your own or a family member has anyone had any problems have you had any problems claiming ?

Kiri, you beat me too it. Mike Henry are excellent.

We usually get our travel insurance through them. They tailor everything to your needs and it works out a lot less than travel agents insurance.

Hi, well the comments on Southern Cross sound so familer. I developed chest pain and southern cross paid for a cardiologist visit but when faced with the cost of a angiogrm suddenly said it was pre existng and would not pay.We paid ourselves and an aterery was blocked and needed fast treatment,
fortunatly the cardiologist was sympathetic and arranged with a collegue in the public system to get me into hospital fast and the result was 3 stents and I am extremly lucky still to be here.
The Cardiologist further advised to get in touch with the Insurance Ombudsman as Insurance companies have a set of ethical rules relating to claims. The short answer is that the Ombudsman ordered Southern Cross to pay me back the proceedure costs, I cancelled my Southern Cross membership immediatly after many years of paying premiums and I tell everyone who will listen what a useless company they are and that there advertising" we are not for profit but are for you " is a total sham.