There are three solutions to the pre-existing mediacal condition problem. 1) Shop around for insurance as if you had no pre existing mediacal conditions. Then after identifying the cheapest, ring them up and ask to speak the underwriter. They will ask many questions and will probably not cover any incident that related back to the pre-existing medical condition. But at least you will get cover for everything else. 2) Get a credit card with travel insurance cover included. These often exclude pre-existing medical conditions but will provide automatic cover for all else. 3) Stick to the Countries in the EEC. If you have an EHIC card (free from the post office) in Europe you are entitled to similar care to that that the National Health would provide. This means that if the worst happened, at least it wouldn't bankrupt you.

The "pre-existing medical conditions" clauses really pees me off.

My wife is asmatic and most policies say (in the assuptions) "you do not have any pre-existing medical conditions". In my opionion that makes her cover void (and probably the whole policy as well). I know i'm looking at the worst case, but you can only rely on what you've got in writting.

I bought from Norich Union in the end. their small print said something along the lines of "pre-existing medical conditions are not covered" they didn't say they'd void your whole policy if you have any medical conditions. In my case my wifes asma is not going to cause any trouble.

In the case of your dad, I would say better safe than sorry. Insulin for example could cost you a fortune if your bags are delayed. You probably won't be able to buy it without paying for a diabetes test first. Its not worth the worry. Declare the lot and make sure your covered.

Have fun

We're planning a multi-generation family trip to Florida next year (11 of us!) and we're more concerned about whether we'll be able to get travel insurance for my dad and what it may cost without thinking about the cost of the actual flights, villa, theme park tickets etc...

He is 72, had a heart attack 15 years ago and subsequently had a bypass operation. In the last couple of years he's been diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer and now diagnosed with diabetes. He leads a perfectly normal life and actively looks after an allotment and plays in two brass bands so, as you can imagine, he's got plenty of go in him yet.

Do you think getting travel insurance is going to be straight forward?

Are we going to be talking silly money or do all travel insurance policies automatically omit cover for these "pre-existing medical conditions"?

If these conditions are omitted then what would happen if, for example, he had a heart attack whilst on holiday?

Do you have any recommendations on whether it's better to have all 11 people on one policy or to split it into senior citizens/medical conditions on their own and everyone else on one/multiple?

Thanks!