Travel insurance providers need to communicate the necessity of declaring pre-existing medical conditions to customers. That's the view of Charles Walckenaer, managing director of Europ Assistance's in UK and Ireland.
Walckenaer said: “The message the travel and insurance industries need to get across is that it's a gamble not worth taking.”
He added many travellers are under the misapprehension that sufferers of serious conditions cannot take out standard travel insurance, or will have to pay a high premium. “Our standard travel cover is available to anyone. In addition, we offer extended cover for such serious conditions as cancer, ischaemic heart disease, AIDS and significant psychiatric disorders, so practically anyone can travel.”
Europ Assistance indicates that 15% of medical emergency claims are denied due to a link with a pre-existing medical condition.
