Blue Cross Travel Insurance Reviews

I now owe SG$62,500 (US$49,000) to a Singapore hospital that saved my life because Blue Cross Asia Pacific refuse to pay. I was insured with them when I had a heart attack on a long haul flight.

I have a history of asthma, which I accept as a pre-existing condition and would not expect to claim for. But in January 2023 my breathing difficulties got worse (though it was not unmanageable, I could do things as normal) and I consulted at least 4 different doctors during the next 8 months. All either diagnosed worsening asthma or something else, but none suspected heart trouble. I booked a flight in June 2023 for a flight that October and took out Blue Cross insurance soon after. By September (after I had taken out the policy) I was finally diagnosed with a very weak heart. I was given medication and told I would be okay and cleared by 2 doctors to fly as planned. I felt reassured and thought all would be well.

But I had a heart attack on my flight to Hong Kong, transit through Singapore. I was taken to hospital in Singapore, and they saved my life. While I recovered, my family helped me claim the hospital bill from Blue Cross. But they denied my claim, saying “unknown pre-existing conditions”. I have taken it further through a second claim, a lawyer's letter and a complaints' bureau but still cannot get this payment.

Apparently I should have known my breathing problem was heart and not asthma even though 4 doctors failed to diagnose it. I did everything that could reasonably be expected of me by seeing different doctors and when the heart was finally diagnosed (after the policy was taken out) I only flew because I was ok’d by doctors to do so, my problem was thought to be under control and no-one expected I would have a heart attack. But it seems Blue Cross can use pre-exiting conditions to get out of paying, and there is no discretion that I am not at fault. I don’t see what I could have done differently, other than I should not have bought my travel insurance from the company that sold the cheapest premium. This is my experience with Blue Cross!

I made a claim and blue cross wouldn’t pay. They said there was an advisory when I bought the insurance. How would I know that? They should have told me. They sold me something I could not use. Other insurances paid other people in my group. Go with a real travel insurance company, not a health insurance company for travel insurance. Shame!!!