Statins

[Cicero]

I have been a type 1 Diabetic for 49 years and 20 years ago my GP recommended that I start taking Statins as these were being recommended for all type 1 Diabetics. No specific reason was given but nevertheless, I started taking them and have been doing so ever since. My problem is that when I recently applied for an annual travel insurance policy, I declared that I was a type 1 Diabetic and was also taking Statins. I sensed a red flag being hoisted as I said this and was immediately asked whether I was taking Statins because of high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels. I told them that my blood pressure was normal and that the last time (about 6 months earlier) I had had my annual Diabetic review with my local GP, my blood pressure was normal for my age and my cholesterol was 3.2 which was good. Nevertheless, it was obvious that they regarded me taking Statins as being an additional risk. Has anybody else had a similar experience?

 

[ColinUK]

So many people take statins these days that I'd question whether it's more related to the T1?

As for practical solutions there's a listing on the main DUK website for an insurance broker I think, or maybe it's for an insurance company but it's certainly one who will insure with pre-existing conditions so perhaps have a quick look and give them a call.

 

[trophywench]

Ah, well, statins reduce the cholesterol in our blood which are what assists the build-up of placque in our arteries and are therefore considered to be 'heart protective' so generally prescribed to T1s routinely once they reach their 40th birthday so you've been lucky to be so healthy since then they decided not to add them previously, frankly. The people on the other end of that phonecall automatically start asking questions therefore - has this person had a recent CVD event so more likely than they ever were previously to need medical help whilst on holiday?

Hence - standard questions from their point of view.

 

[Cicero]

I was able to get cover but the premium went up because I declared that I was taking Statins which indicated indicated to them that I had either high cholesterol or high blood pressure or possibly both. The premium rose despite the fact that I told them that my cholesterol was very low and my blood pressure was normal for a person of my age.

 

[Robin]

Ive noticed before, when I’ve been looking for online quotes for travel insurance, as soon as I put that OH is on statins and BP meds, his premium doubles, even though he's presumably less likely to have CVD problems than someone who has blocked arteries but is blissfully unaware.
In OH's case he has had a 'wake-up call' event, but it always seems a bit ridiculous that someone who is 'mass medicated' because of the cohort they fall into is treated the same as someone for whom tailored medication has been advised.

 

[ColinUK]

Anyone would think that insurance underwriters don't want to cover anyone with anything other than exemplary health.

 

[ColinUK]

https://www.insuremydiabetes.org.uk/

 

[SB2015]

Hi @Cicero, my understanding is that the insurance companies simply count the number of meds that you are taking. The numbers of meds are counted in steps and I don’t think it matters which meds they are. My insurance went up when I tipped over into the next bracket. It went down again the next year when whoever I was speaking to counted the statins and Bp tablets as part of the T1, rather than separately.

I am someone who takes statins without any noticeable side effects. They have brought down my cholesterol a lot and brought me to the edge of the preferred levels. There are many different views in the common practice of prescribing these, as you will have seen.