My Dad has a heart attack 3years ago come September, he had a stent fitted at the time and thankfully has been fit and healthy since then. Him and my uncle are planning to go out to see family in Vancouver in September for 3 weeks however the cost of travel insurance is almost as much as the flight.
The questions the companies are asking are all the same, and it seems as if no matter how long ago the heart attack occurred you still present the same risk to an insurer. All ask if the attack was more or less than 6 weeks ago, he could hardly walk 6 weeks after he was discharged from hospital yet 3 years on he is as fit and healthy as I have seen him in a long time.
The numbers we have been quoted range from £500 to £600 for a single trip policy. He could go without cover for pre existing conditions and it could set him back around £130 for the policy.

Anybody had similar issues? any companies out there who you can recommend?

Are you using websites for quotes?

Last time we went abroad, we shopped around for quotes with a “pre-existing medical condition” and all the web prices were sky high. Actually ringing the companies and talking to humans gave us a considerably lower premium.

Look up a company called Medi-care, they certainly used to specialise in pre-existing cover. Much better to phone up companies in this situation

might be age rather than medical condition? – it really ramps up
we use Atlas for youngest daughter’s medical condition with screening and considering a very small loading

edit sorry missed been quoted without condition bit

ex work colleague has just been to Canada, ironically. Her husband had a heart attack out there. Cost for the medication and getting him home was £36000. Not saying that your dad isn’t healthy, but puts it into context how much it cost their insurance company.

Try Saga.

Saga were the same as most others. I think phoning is probably best so will try that more this week, i use atlas so will be ringing them. £36k!!! Bloody hell.

Saga covered my grandma who was 89, took warfarin and had a triple heart bypass some years ago. Obviously, you need to phone to get a correct quote, as they get you to hold while they discuss things with a doctor.

My Mother has had heart attack and Pace Maker. Think she pays about £600 a year insurance through Saga

British Heart Foundation website has some links to insurers that cover heart conditions.

I took out travel insurance last year, two years after having a heart attack and stents, it was very expensive but cheaper than the bill I would have got from a Spanish hospital.

I spent literally hours on the phone to insurers going through medical details and medication only to be told, sorry we can’t cover you.
If you start with the BHF links at least your Dad may avoid this.

Annual insurance is way cheaper on a pro rata basis but that’s only relevant if you are planning more than one trip.

I suffered a TIA a couple of years ago and had the same issued when I looked at going to Vegas. Ended up using Virgin Insurance spoke to the person on the phone and got a reasonable price. The website quotes were a nightmare.

Saga. The only one I found that would cover me for pre-existing – cerebral haemorrhage and heart attack 12 and 7 years ago. £600 for a 4week trip to the US . Well worth it considering the cost of medical care there. Good advice to phone for a quote.

As mentioned above, call or go in to a local broker. my dad had a heart attack 2.5 yrs ago and quotes had been sky high, they went to a local insurance broker and were quoted around 60% less. For specialist insurance, you really need to speak to someone. Good luck 🙂

after having an artificial valve 14 yrs ago i travelled to the states to recuperate. the costs were extreme so we asked the surgeon what the risk actually were so he wrote me a letter.. basically although i was a greater risk of a heart related health issue the increased risk was less than 5%..

my dad is 69 heart condition for the past 15ish yrs been told body too knackered for a stent also diabetic pretty sure he’s insured through post office.

Try Fish Insurance in Preston. One of my clients and they specialise in insurance for people with disabilities and pre-existing conditions.

https://www.fishinsurance.co.uk/travel-insurance-with-medical-conditions.php

Have you tried the post office? I know it’s very different but post cancer they have been brilliant for me.
Good luck