Are you planning a trip abroad? If so, you may want to consider purchasing travel insurance to protect yourself against unforeseen events such as accidents or illnesses. However, when applying for travel insurance, it is essential to be honest about your medical history, as this information can determine the cost of your policy and the level of coverage you receive.
In this article, we will explore the importance of medical screening for travel insurance, what it involves, and how to avoid any surprises during the application process.
The Importance of Medical Screening
When applying for travel insurance, you will need to complete a medical declaration form that asks about your current health status and any pre-existing conditions you may have. It is crucial to be honest and provide accurate information, as failing to do so could result in your policy being cancelled or your claim being denied.
By disclosing your medical history, the insurance provider can assess the level of risk involved and customise your policy to meet your specific needs. This ensures that you have adequate coverage in case of any medical emergencies while travelling.
What is Medical Screening?
In some cases, the medical declaration form may not provide enough information for the insurance provider to accurately assess your risk. In such cases, you may be required to undergo a medical screening.
A medical screening involves a series of questions about your health and any pre-existing conditions you may have. The screening may be conducted over the phone or in person by a qualified nurse or medical professional.
The nurse will ask questions about your medical history, medication use, and any recent hospitalizations or surgeries. They may also ask about your travel plans, such as your destination, length of stay, and activities you plan to participate in.
The screening helps Millstream determine the level of risk involved and what medical coverage is required for your trip.
Can You Get Travel Insurance with a Pre-existing Condition?
It depends on your condition and how much risk is involved whilst you’re away. However, our partner Millstream has a great medical team that will support you and answer any questions you may have.
Recent client case study
One of our clients came to see us, ready for their summer holiday and needing a quote for travel insurance. Our partner Millstream supported the customer through screening with a qualified nurse due to their medical conditions.
They booked a time slot at 9.13 am for 11 am the same day for our client to receive a call from one of the qualified nurses to finalise the process by going over the medical screening together. After a friendly conversation, the nurse assured them that their condition was stable and that the client was fit-to-fly.
The client happily took out the Travel insurance with us and enjoyed their holiday without worrying about their medical cover!
It is a priceless and comforting service to have a dedicated team of qualified nurses to help with medical screening due to the complexity of some medical conditions and reassurance that the right medical cover is in place.
How to Avoid Surprises During the Application Process
To avoid any surprises during the travel insurance application process, it is essential to be honest and provide accurate information about your medical history and any pre-existing conditions you may have.
You should also read the policy documents carefully to understand the coverage and any exclusions that may apply. If you are unsure about any of the policy terms, you can contact Millstream for clarification.
Wherever you travel, we’ve got you covered
Our comprehensive annual European travel insurance for families starts from as little as £155 and includes great features as standard.
What you are covered for
- Trip Cancellation/Curtailment: We cover prepaid travel and
accommodation costs. - Emergency Medical Expenses: We cover medical costs during your trip.
- Personal Accident: We pay for illness or injury expenses during your trip
- Travel Disruption: Compensation for delays and cancellations.
- Political Unrest/Natural Catastrophe Evacuation: Safe evacuation during crises.
- Collision Damage Waiver: Covers car rental accident costs.
- Winter Sports: Protects winter sports equipment and
arrangements. - Missed Departure/Connection: Covers missed flights due to
various reasons. - Business Travel: Expenses for staff replacement and more.
- Uninhabitable Accommodation: Alternative accommodation due to disasters.
- Personal Liability: Covers damages to third parties or property.
- Legal Expenses: Handles legal costs and representation.
- SmartDelay Plus: Lounge access or cash for flight delays.
- Delayed Baggage: Reimbursement for delayed baggage.
- Loss of Passport/License Expenses: Compensation for replacements.
FAQs
Have a question about our travel insurance policies?
How can I contact you?
Our contact details are:
Claims and Assistance Helpline +44 (0)330 660 0758
Travel Customer Services +44 (0)330 660 0758
Islands Jersey insure@islands.je
Islands Guernsey insure@islands.gg
Islands Alderney alderney@islands.gg
Medical Screening Service +44 (0)330 660 0758
Am I insured if I am pregnant?
Yes, as long you are not travelling less than twelve weeks before or twelve weeks after your expected due date. Please note, however, that your policy only covers unexpected complications of pregnancy and not costs associated with normal pregnancy or childbirth.
What do I have to let you know?
To ensure you have the full benefit cover, in case you need it, you must answer the quote questions accurately and to the best of your knowledge. Please remember you aren’t answering on your behalf but also of anyone on your policy.
If there are any changes to your health during your policy, you need to contact the medical screening team at 0330 660 0758. Please note, Millstream may charge you additionally. Suppose you don’t contact us, it can leave you with no right to make a claim and may mean that you travel with insufficient cover.
Can I cancel the policy?
If the policy doesn’t meet your needs, you will receive a full premium refund if you notify us within fourteen days of receiving the policy documents. Suppose you travel during this time and make or intend to make a claim. We are entitled to recover all costs.
How does the new medical screening simplify obtaining travel insurance?
Our streamlined process starts with one essential question, leading seamlessly to a travel insurance plan tailored to your needs.
If my Doctor says I’m fit to travel, do I still need to tell Millstream my medical conditions?
Millstream has a set of questions to understand if you need to declare your medical conditions to us; you can find these questions on the second page of the policy quote process.
You don’t need to declare your conditions if it appears on the list of automatically covered conditions. You can find a complete list of these on the second page of the policy quote process and in the Millstream Policy Wording.
Please note that we can only cover conditions which have a complete diagnosis by a medical practitioner.
What about the medical conditions of someone not insured by this policy?
If it concerns:
- a travelling companion,
- an immediate relative,
- a close business associate
- someone who you plan to stay with during your trip, who is not a named on your schedule whose health the trip depends
This policy will not cover any claims under Section 1: Cancellation or Section 2: Curtailment that result directly or indirectly from any pre-existing medical condition you knew about at the time of taking out this insurance or when booking a trip and that affects:
- a travelling companion who is not insured under this policy;
- an immediate relative who is not travelling and is not insured under this policy;
- a close business associate; or
- a person you plan to stay with on your trip.
Subject to the terms and conditions, at the date, you bought a policy or booked a trip, your claims may be covered if your medical practitioner tells us there is no likelihood of your condition worsening to such a point that you would need to cancel your trip. However, if the medical practitioner does not confirm this, Millstream will not cover your claim.
Will this policy cover private healthcare?
It’s important to remember that this is a Travel insurance policy, not Private Medical Insurance. Millstream and us design the Policy cover to give emergency medical treatment, not ongoing care. As a result, the cover is for emergency medical treatment by a state-run facility (on the same basis as A&E in the UK). However, if this is not possible, we will consider private treatment. However, we must agree on this before treatment. We will then plan to repatriate you as quickly and safely as possible where medically necessary.