Free health checks could invalidate holiday and travel insurance
Plans for the Department of Health to offer over 40s with free health checks could result in thousands of people travelling abroad unaware that their holiday and travel insurance is no longer valid, it has been warned.
As many as two million people could be assessed each year under the new scheme to invite everyone aged 40 to 74 for a free health check-up every five years.
But those diagnosed with a medical condition could find that their travel insurance does not cover any medical expenses they face abroad, AllClear has warned.
According to the specialist provider, a large number of providers offer no cover whatsoever to people with health disorder unless they have travel insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions.
Chris Blackman, head of product development at AllClear, warned that insurance companies could find themselves inundated by concerned travellers.
"There is a very real danger that providers may be swamped with calls," he explained. "There will be many worried callers wanting to check if their policies cover any newly discovered medical condition."
Earlier this month, the Scotsman claimed that travel insurance covering trips to North America is more expensive to reflect the increased medical costs in the US and Canada.
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