Hello, I have recently been diagnosed with PAP. It is mild. Can you get travel insurance for international travel? Are there any problems with travelling by air?
Chris Hameetman
Aug 24, 2017
Very interesting question -- I had never researched PAP issues directly as it relates to travel insurance. I travel frequently and often purchase travel insurance (it is now available at the push of a button with online reservations), so the real question is will the insurer HONOR the insurance if you have a PAP related issue causing cancellation. And this, and your question, concerns the fact that you have PAP as a preexisting medical condition. Of course, the answer will entirely depend on the individual TERMS of the insurance policy you purchase, but generally, it appears PAP, as a preexisting medical condition, would not disqualify you from coverage. I researched the Allianz website, one of the largest travel insurance providers, and found that they encourage you to purchase travel insurance for existing medical conditions. From the Allianz website: "It’s vitally important to protect yourself with trip insurance, especially if you or a family member is living with an existing medical condition."
As to the second question, I travel frequently and have never had an issue with PAP and air travel. By its nature, PAP is a slowly progressing degenerative condition, so unless you are already in bad shape (i.e., at that point your lungs are so full of surfactant you are having difficulty functioning), I would not anticipate any "flare ups" or sudden issues that would create a problem when flying. The one caveat is that the typical air cabin is pressurized to the equivalent to 6,000 to 8,000 feet above seal level, so you could have the same issues with oxygen absorption as you would have at high altitudes in the mountains. However, sitting in an airline chair is not taxing on the system, and other than stowing your carry-on, there is little exertion involved. So again, unless you are already in bad shape, I do not foresee an issue (and I have never had one) with air travel.
sunitadhir
Aug 24, 2017
Thank you for your reply. Is it important to declare PAP as pre-existing condition when taking travel insurance? I have yearly travel insurance through my bank. When I informed them about my PAP, they are excluding this condition from the insurance. So need to find a company which will cover PAP. I guess it is better to have it covered, even though problems related to it are unlikely to happen.
Chris Hameetman
Aug 24, 2017
" When I informed them about my PAP, they are excluding this condition from the insurance " What does this mean exactly? It is understood that they will not cover PAP itself, but a cancellation resulting from exacerbation of an existing (PAP) condition may be covered... But based upon your bank's position, this highlights that it will all be about the specific terms each insurer offers. When I buy travel insurance, it is tied to a single "trip" and the question of preexisting conditions is never asked. It is a simple "check the box" purchase, and the terms of the coverage are provided for review by separate web link. So in my first comment, we know Allianz covers existing condition related cancellations, so it is simply a matter of finding the right insurance provider to give you the coverage you desire.
Very interesting question -- I had never researched PAP issues directly as it relates to travel insurance. I travel frequently and often purchase travel insurance (it is now available at the push of a button with online reservations), so the real question is will the insurer HONOR the insurance if you have a PAP related issue causing cancellation. And this, and your question, concerns the fact that you have PAP as a preexisting medical condition. Of course, the answer will entirely depend on the individual TERMS of the insurance policy you purchase, but generally, it appears PAP, as a preexisting medical condition, would not disqualify you from coverage. I researched the Allianz website, one of the largest travel insurance providers, and found that they encourage you to purchase travel insurance for existing medical conditions. From the Allianz website: "It’s vitally important to protect yourself with trip insurance, especially if you or a family member is living with an existing medical condition."
For full details: https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/travel/medical/existing-medical-conditions-coverage.htm
As to the second question, I travel frequently and have never had an issue with PAP and air travel. By its nature, PAP is a slowly progressing degenerative condition, so unless you are already in bad shape (i.e., at that point your lungs are so full of surfactant you are having difficulty functioning), I would not anticipate any "flare ups" or sudden issues that would create a problem when flying. The one caveat is that the typical air cabin is pressurized to the equivalent to 6,000 to 8,000 feet above seal level, so you could have the same issues with oxygen absorption as you would have at high altitudes in the mountains. However, sitting in an airline chair is not taxing on the system, and other than stowing your carry-on, there is little exertion involved. So again, unless you are already in bad shape, I do not foresee an issue (and I have never had one) with air travel.
Thank you for your reply. Is it important to declare PAP as pre-existing condition when taking travel insurance? I have yearly travel insurance through my bank. When I informed them about my PAP, they are excluding this condition from the insurance. So need to find a company which will cover PAP. I guess it is better to have it covered, even though problems related to it are unlikely to happen.
" When I informed them about my PAP, they are excluding this condition from the insurance " What does this mean exactly? It is understood that they will not cover PAP itself, but a cancellation resulting from exacerbation of an existing (PAP) condition may be covered... But based upon your bank's position, this highlights that it will all be about the specific terms each insurer offers. When I buy travel insurance, it is tied to a single "trip" and the question of preexisting conditions is never asked. It is a simple "check the box" purchase, and the terms of the coverage are provided for review by separate web link. So in my first comment, we know Allianz covers existing condition related cancellations, so it is simply a matter of finding the right insurance provider to give you the coverage you desire.