Many travellers might assume that after getting a clean bill of health from their doctor in the new year, their only concerns need to be which restaurant to eat at and how many landmarks they want to tick off while they’re away– but a little-know rule used by insurers means this assumption could leave thousands unexpectedly out of pocket.
Holidaymakers looking to book their trip might be mistaken for thinking that the new year means a clean slate for when they get their travel insurance. However, most travel insurers apply what’s known as a ‘look-back period’ when they assess the cover required for any pre-existing medical conditions you might have. It’s the length of time an insurer will check your medical history, and it can range from several months to potentially years, depending on the provider and policy. For example, if the insurers look back period is 90 days this is the length of time, they will look at to determine what medical conditions you need to declare on your policy. If you fail to declare all conditions on your medical records within this time your policy may become invalid. Even if you feel fully recovered and haven’t needed treatment for a long time, this rule can still apply especially if the condition is on your NHS medical records or it’s something you’ve discussed with a healthcare professional.
Dr Asimah Hanif, working with travel insurance provider Staysure, issues a warning to travellers who may misunderstand or are entirely unaware of what a look-back period is, and what they need to be aware of-
“People often make the mistake of disregarding a past medical condition when buying their travel insurance. In reality, there are many conditions that can still have a bearing on your health, despite them not impacting your daily life.” she says. “For example, those who’ve suffered from Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) are at heightened risk of redeveloping blood clots in the future, particularly when travelling at altitude due to prolonged immobility, dehydration and venous stasis. In this instance if you need medical treatment abroad this is something your insurer could pick up on if it falls within their look-back period and you haven’t declared it.”
For travellers caught out by this rule, the consequences can be serious. Failing to accurately declare your medical history can result in insurance claims being altered or even invalidated altogether leaving you out of pocket. In many cases, travellers only become aware of look-back periods when they are already dealing with the stress of illness overseas, at which point it may be too late meaning they may well have to foot the medical bills themselves.
Dr Asimah says this is why guessing can be risky. “If you’re unsure whether or not something needs to be declared, it’s always best to ask your insurer and be completely honest. Declaring a condition won’t necessarily mean it will affect your premium, and you’ll have a tailored medical travel insurance policy to suit your needs. Failing to declare conditions could cause real problems should you need emergency medical treatment abroad.”
With millions of people travelling each year, many with current or historical health conditions, understanding how look-back periods work could make a significant difference when you buy your cover.
For anyone planning a trip in the new year, the advice is simple. Check your policy’s look-back period with Staysure its two years, declare anything that falls within it, and make sure your cover reflects your full medical history, not just how healthy you feel now.
