Policy changes mean travel insurance headache for CF patients

Travellers with cystic fibrosis must complete a medical declaration before being eligible for insurance

PEOPLE WITH cystic fibrosis (CF) who intend travelling abroad this summer may find it more difficult to get travel insurance following a change in policy by insurer ACE.

Typically, people with CF have experienced difficulty availing of travel cover, given insurers’ pre-disposition to exclude people with pre-existing medical conditions.

ACE, however, which also underwrites policies for AIB and Quinn Insurance, was one of the few insurance providers to offer cover.

Now those with CF seeking travel insurance, essential given the risks associated with common travel illnesses such as food poisoning which can lead to dehydration, are facing more of a struggle to find it.

While it had been feared that the cover was being completely withdrawn for those with CF, it “does not preclude cystic fibrosis sufferers from purchasing our policies”, according to ACE.

“Where a policy does not provide the cover a customer requires, we endeavour to provide an alternative product,” said Jim Duncan, country manager, Ireland, for ACE European Group.

However, the insurer is now requesting that people with CF complete a medical declaration before being eligible to purchase travel insurance – if they don’t pass it, then they will be excluded from cover for any ailment arising from CF.

Despite the difficulties in getting cover, Tomas Thompson, patient advocacy officer with the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland (CFAI), said that for those with CF, “it’s always best to have some sort of travel insurance”.

“I would advise anyone with a pre-existing condition taking out travel insurance that they check that their condition is covered and that the country they’re travelling to is covered. If not, they need to get clarification and seek another insurer,” he said.

For those travelling in Europe, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) offers an alternative to travel insurance, as it provides cover in the public health system of any European country for anyone falling ill while visiting.

While the care is useful, Mr Thompson said the EHIC “will cover you more or less, but not if you want to fly home”.

If you’re going further afield, the options are more limited, although the VHI offers travel insurance cover to all its members, for €49 a year, regardless of whether they have a pre-existing medical condition such as CF.

Moreover, according to the insurer, it will shortly extend this offer to non-VHI members.

Another option for those with CF is to seek out cover in the UK market. While most providers similarly refuse to insure those with pre-existing medical conditions or look for proof of UK residency, according to Mr Thompson, those with CF can get insured through providers such as Fortis and Allcare, through a pre-screening process.

In general, it is always more difficult to acquire cover if you have a pre-existing medical condition, given the greater likelihood that you will need hospitalisation and, in some cases, repatriation.

For those travelling with pre-existing conditions, Padraig Lynch, a director with insurance broker chill.ie, said many insurers did offer cover, provided that you make them aware of it and were not travelling contrary to medical advice.

“It’s important that consumers check with their insurance company and make them aware of their condition. Some policies are better than others,” he added.