Travel insurance and retinopathy

[tigger]

Last year I got a background retinopathy diagnosis on my eye test. My consultant was of the view that my control was really good and all they do is just compare 2 years tests and therefore the most likely cause was the centre had bought a better camera. Needless to say I was rather worried.

I am now travelling for the first time since then. When doing the declaration do I need to declare that I have retinopathy? The question is not that clear and I haven't been able to get hold of a person to clarify. Grateful for advice.

 

[noblehead]

No idea tigger, does it ask for a detailed account of diabetic complications or other conditions or simply ask you to list the conditions you have? either way I would email or phone just to be certain.

Nigel

 

[Sid Bonkers]

Isnt background retinopaphy a very tiny blood vessel in the back of the eye that has burst? I have background retinopaphy myself and was told not to worry about it. So if I am not worried about it I personally would not declare it on any insurance form unless it specifically asked for that info directly.
After all isnt it just the same as a bruise? Now, would you declare a bruise if it was on your arm?

OK, I know that a ruptured blood vessel on your retina has more significance to a diabetic than a bruise on the arm but for insurance purposes I dont think it is important enough to warrant a declaration, if your next scan shows thing has deteriorated could the insurance company be held liable? I don't see how.

Just declare your diabetes and any other conditions you may have and that should cover things. Relax and have a good holiday

 

[Unbeliever]

My retinopathy is very much in the foreground but I would never have thought of declaring it.

It is hardly likely to require emergency treatment while travelling or affect you in any way.

I am sure Sid is right. To declarare your diabetes should cover it. Even if it was a lot more serious than background it would only affect your sight. {Only!} You wouldn't feel that you had to declare shortsight for example would you?

I understand that most diabetics have some dgree of retinopathy. I hope yours never progresses
but if it ever should you will probably not be aware of it immediately and would be highly unlikely
to want or be able to have it treated while travelling..The treatment is not something that should be rushed. It requires careful consideration. Some are fortunate and find hat a short laser session does help bu it can also do a great deal of harm and make things worse. That is not a "worse case scenario" but fairly common.

 

[Hydrazine]

Hi tigger,

I got one of those letters a while back informing me that I had background retinopathy, but so it doesnt require treatment.

I went on holiday to Egypt in march (just after the political unrest) and purchased single trip travel insurance. On the phone the salesman asked me about medical conditions - I told him Type 1 diabetes and retinopathy. He plugged it into the computer and it didnt raise the premium by a penny!