Disclosing broken bones
Bones. We all have them. And sometimes we break them. In this bone-afide story, we seek to report on news relating to bones and travel insurance.
Travel insurance comparison site Medical Travel Compared has a bone to pick with travellers who may be unaware that if they have suffered a broken bone in the last two years that resulted in hospital treatment, they may not be covered under their insurance. With 79 per cent of British travellers incorrectly identifying what they need to disclose when purchasing medical travel insurance, the company wishes to shed some light on the issue.
The site stated that travellers need to declare broken bones in the following instances: if they have been prescribed medication, received treatment or attended a medical practitioner’s surgery; if they have attended a hospital or clinic as an outpatient or inpatient; or if there were any complications such as infections, nerve or blood vessel damage due to surgery, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It pointed out that DVT would be classed as a circulatory condition and should always be declared.
Medical Travel Compared also advised travellers that, if they suffer from bones that have been weakened by disease, the main condition must be declared where any of the warranty questions are answered yes and the broken bone will then have to be declared separately. It also said that travellers with broken bones should consider if their cast is approved by their airline and if the mobility aids are protected under the baggage cover.
This is an important reminder for travellers to a) ensure they have insurance before embarking on a trip and b) be mindful of the need to be honest and transparent with their insurance provider. Insurance is integral, and honesty makes the world go round.