Co-op Broadens Travel Insurance for Unexplained Health Problems

In a groundbreaking move, Co-op Insurance has announced an expansion of its travel insurance product to cater to individuals with undiagnosed medical conditions. This development aims to address the significant challenges faced by those who are awaiting formal diagnosis, particularly for conditions such as ADHD, autism, heart conditions, epilepsy, cancer, and other health issues that often involve lengthy waiting lists and health assessments.

According to a study by Co-op Insurance, 32% of UK holidaymakers struggle to get travel insurance, with 60% citing pre-existing medical conditions as the primary reason. Henry Shelford, CEO of ADHD UK, has welcomed this development, stating that getting travel insurance while on a medical waitlist is a challenging, complex process, and anything that simplifies the process is to be celebrated.

While most travel insurance providers do not cover undiagnosed medical conditions due to the lack of a confirmed diagnosis, Co-op Insurance's new product offers coverage for cancellation and other standard travel risks. However, it does not cover claims directly related to the undiagnosed condition itself, such as medical treatment for symptoms while abroad.

For diagnosed pre-existing conditions, many providers will cover these if declared properly. For instance, Staysure offers travel insurance policies that cover cancellation and other standard travel risks for those with diagnosed conditions. Another provider, General and Medical Insurance, offers coverage for up to two pre-existing conditions from a defined list.

In response to the challenges faced by those with pre-existing medical conditions, Co-op Insurance has also introduced a new travel cover, Travel Cover: Fit2Trip. This Black Box product aims to address the issue of expensive comprehensive travel insurance for those with pre-existing medical conditions by providing cover for emergency medical care, ongoing treatment, and repatriation.

The most common medical conditions that cause difficulty in obtaining travel insurance are cancer (21%), diabetes (18%), and high or low blood pressure (18%). Charles Offord, managing director of Co-op Insurance, stated that the expanded travel insurance product is part of Co-op's broader commitment to social value and inclusivity.

This development by Co-op Insurance is a significant step towards removing the disparity faced by those who are awaiting formal diagnosis and have difficulty securing travel insurance. By offering coverage for undiagnosed medical conditions and expanding its travel cover for diagnosed conditions, Co-op Insurance is enabling more people to experience peace of mind whilst traveling.

For those with undiagnosed medical conditions, the best options are to obtain insurance that covers cancellation and other non-medical claims related to travel disruption. It is also recommended to contact providers like Staysure to clarify cover options before purchase. For those with diagnosed conditions, using comparison tools like MedicalTravelCompared can help find insurers who offer specific coverage tailored to your health needs.

References: [1] Co-op Insurance (2021) Co-op Insurance launches new travel insurance product for those with undiagnosed medical conditions. [online] Available at: https://www.coopinsurance.co.uk/news/co-op-insurance-launches-new-travel-insurance-product-for-those-with-undiagnosed-medical-conditions

[2] Staysure (2021) Staysure Travel Insurance for Pre-existing Medical Conditions. [online] Available at: https://www.staysure.co.uk/travel-insurance/pre-existing-medical-conditions/

[3] General and Medical (2021) Travel Insurance with Pre-existing Medical Conditions. [online] Available at: https://www.generalandmedical.co.uk/travel-insurance/

[4] Medical Travel Compared (2021) Compare travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions. [online] Available at: https://www.medicaltravelcompared.co.uk/

This expansion of Co-op Insurance's travel insurance product aims to cater to individuals with undiagnosed medical conditions, such as ADHD, autism, heart conditions, epilepsy, and cancer.
A study by Co-op Insurance revealed that 32% of UK holidaymakers struggle to get travel insurance, with 60% attributing it to pre-existing medical conditions.
Henry Shelford, CEO of ADHD UK, has welcomed Co-op Insurance's new product, stating that securing travel insurance while on a medical waitlist is a challenging process.
Most travel insurance providers do not cover undiagnosed medical conditions due to the lack of a confirmed diagnosis, but Co-op Insurance's new product offers coverage for cancellation and other standard travel risks.
Staysure offers travel insurance policies that cover cancellation and other standard travel risks for those with diagnosed conditions.
General and Medical Insurance provides coverage for up to two pre-existing conditions from a defined list.
In response to the challenges faced by those with pre-existing medical conditions, Co-op Insurance has introduced Travel Cover: Fit2Trip, which aims to provide cover for emergency medical care, ongoing treatment, and repatriation.
The most common medical conditions that cause difficulty in obtaining travel insurance are cancer (21%), diabetes (18%), and high or low blood pressure (18%).
Charles Offord, managing director of Co-op Insurance, stated that the expanded travel insurance product is part of Co-op's broader commitment to social value and inclusivity.
By offering coverage for undiagnosed medical conditions and expanding its travel cover for diagnosed conditions, Co-op Insurance is enabling more people to experience peace of mind whilst traveling.
For those with undiagnosed medical conditions, it is recommended to obtain insurance that covers cancellation and other non-medical claims related to travel disruption.
It is also wise to contact providers like Staysure to clarify cover options before purchase.
For those with diagnosed conditions, using comparison tools like MedicalTravelCompared can help find insurers who offer specific coverage tailored to your health needs.
The development by Co-op Insurance is a significant step towards removing the disparity faced by those who are awaiting formal diagnosis and have difficulty securing travel insurance.
This move can also be seen as a positive contribution to the broader realm of health and wellness, especially in terms of workplace-wellness, mental-health, and mens-health, as travel can be a crucial aspect of lifestyle for many individuals.