— Ginette, I just thought of something; the doctor changed my blood pressure medication barely two months ago. We won’t be able to go to Florida this winter!
Ginette looks at him without showing the slightest concern.
— Roger, the suitcases are packed and I’ve already booked the condo. Call your insurance agent before you cancel our winter trip. I’m sure he’ll find a solution for you!
Ginette is right. When it comes to travel insurance, a recent change in your health condition or medication can have a significant impact on your coverage. But fortunately, many insurers offer alternative solutions.
In Roger’s case, for example, TourMed’s rule is clear: the required stability period for blood pressure is 60 days, even when other medical conditions must have been stable for 180 days. Since his blood pressure medication was changed more than two months ago, Roger meets the required period and will be able to travel to Florida as planned without paying an extra premium. A difference of just a few days in the definition of stability can therefore make all the difference… much to Ginette’s relief, since she won’t have packed her bags for nothing!
Now let’s consider the case of Monique, who looks at Gilles with a discouraged expression:
— They changed my cholesterol medication 21 days ago… Does that mean this condition won’t be covered?
Not necessarily. Some insurers offer, in certain cases, to reduce the stability period to 7 or 30 days, rather than requiring the 90 or 180 days that would normally be required based on age and medical condition.
This coverage costs more, of course, but it can allow Monique to leave with solid insurance, including genuine coverage for the condition in question. After all, saving on the premium quickly loses its appeal when the condition we’re worried about isn’t covered.
And then there’s Francine and Marcel. They haven’t had any medical changes in years.
— “I just want to pay less!” Marcel exclaims. “We have to find a solution!”
For once, Marcel has a point. Some people whose health has been stable for a long time can choose a longer stability period—up to 365 days—and thus get a discount on their premium.
In short, medical stability is no longer just a matter of 90 or 180 days. It can be 7, 30, 60, 90, 155, 180, or 365 days, depending on the insurer, the product you choose, and your situation.
Before concluding that you’re uninsurable or that your condition won’t be covered—or, conversely, before simply choosing the cheapest policy—talk to a specialist.
Your broker’s job is to check the stability periods offered by different insurers, determine whether an exception applies to your medical change, and recommend the coverage that truly fits your situation. Another thing to consider: sometimes, a simple difference of a few days in the start date can allow you to maintain coverage for a medical condition or significantly reduce your premium.
Roger will be able to break out his sunglasses; Monique will leave with peace of mind; while Francine and Marcel will save a few dollars…
In travel insurance, a few days of stability can be worth much more than a few dollars in savings.
Translated with Deepl
