Vacationing with travel insurance is always a good idea. The worst that can happen rarely does. But even a minor mishap, like a sprained ankle far from medical services, can ruin the trip you’ve been planning for months. It can tear a hole in your finances. And, if you or a family member needs to be airlifted and hospitalized because of a more serious event, the financial hit can be significant — never mind the incalculable worry if a loved one is sick. Show
Travel insurance — part of a comprehensive policy or stand-alone — is always a good idea. But what about those with “pre-existing medical conditions”? Defining a pre-existing conditionBasically, any medical condition that you knew about and that existed before your departure is considered “pre-existing.” Travel insurance rates are calculated on people being in relatively good and stable health. So, you could risk receiving partial coverage or no coverage at all if a medical issue occurs and you haven’t declared a pre-existing condition. Insurers vary in how they define “stable period of health” (anywhere from 30 days to a year), during which a condition hasn’t become worse or, for example:
Best advice: talk to an expertRead your travel insurance policy carefully and talk to a licensed agent if you think a “pre-existing medical condition” could affect your trip. You don’t want to find out when you make a claim and it’s rejected. And, yes, you can get travel insurance if you have a pre-existing conditionPolicies such as Manulife’s TravelEase are specially created to provide travel insurance for Canadians with pre-existing conditions. So you’re good to go! Travel insurance if you have a medical condition or disabilityIt can be difficult to know where to start looking for travel insurance if you have a medical condition or disability. These conditions can include a number of physical and/or mental health conditions which have a substantial and long-term impact on your ability to carry out day-to-day activities. There are a number of travel insurance provider who cover a great number of health conditions and disabilities; please see our Travel Insurance Directory. Insurers will probably want to know details about your health condition or disability, how it might affect day to day activities and any special arrangements which might be needed for yourself or your medical equipment. What’s considered a medical condition for travel insurance?Different insurance companies have different definitions. But your insurer is likely to consider any of the following a pre-existing medical condition:
If you feel your medical condition is not serious, it’s still worth trying a provider on our Travel Insurance
Directory as well as a mainstream company to compare prices. Using a travel insurance brokerIf shopping around is too exhausting, you can ask an insurance broker to do this on your behalf. You’ll only have to provide your details once, which
the broker will send on to several different insurers. An insurance broker can also support you if you have to make a claim. You can find an insurance broker through the British Insurance Brokers’ Association Travel insurance if you’re travelling in the UKEven if you’re not travelling abroad, it’s still a good idea to have travel insurance. Most policies include cover for:
Is travel insurance worth it?Travelling without insurance, particularly if you have a serious medical condition, could end up far more expensive than the cost of a policy. It could mean not getting the treatment you need quickly, or being faced with huge medical bills or high costs to get you home. So, it’s important not to risk travelling without insurance. What should I do if I can’t get travel insurance?It might not be possible to get cover for the trip you had set your heart on, either because of age or medical reasons. However, you might have more chance if you switch:
It’s worth persevering as the risks of travelling without insurance – particularly if you have a medical condition – aren’t worth it. For contact details of companies who specialise in providing travel insurance for people with serious medical conditions, check our Travel Insurance Directory. Travel insurance and coronavirusThe current pandemic has changed travel insurance policies, and what will and won’t be covered. Most travel insurance policies being issued now will have some sort of coronavirus cover included. But it’s important to always read the terms of the policy carefully. For example, if coronavirus cancellation cover is included in the policy, this will usually only apply if the policyholder tests positive for the virus. If you have to cancel because you have to self-isolate or are in quarantine, most policies currently won’t pay out. If you already have travel insurance policy, check the terms carefully to see whether: you’re covered:
Was this information useful? Thank you for your feedback. We’re always trying to improve our website and services, and your feedback helps us understand how we’re doing. Share this with Copy this link Looking for us? Now, we’re MoneyHelper MoneyHelper is the new, easy way to get clear, free, impartial help for all your money and pension choices. Whatever your circumstances or plans, move forward with MoneyHelper. Continue to website Do not show this message again for Money Advice Service Looking for us? Now, we’re MoneyHelper MoneyHelper is the new, easy way to get clear, free, impartial help for all your money and pension choices. Whatever your circumstances or plans, move forward with MoneyHelper. Continue to website Do not show this message again for The Pensions Advisory Service Looking for us? Now, we’re MoneyHelper MoneyHelper is the new, easy way to get clear, free, impartial help for all your money and pension choices. Whatever your circumstances or plans, move forward with MoneyHelper. Continue to website Do not show this message again for Pension Wise What is classed as a preAs defined most simply, a pre-existing condition is any health condition that a person has prior to enrolling in health coverage. A pre-existing condition could be known to the person – for example, if she knows she is pregnant already.
Can you get travel insurance with a preAnd, yes, you can get travel insurance if you have a pre-existing condition.
What are some examples of preWhat's a pre-existing condition? A pre-existing condition is a health problem you had before the date that your new health coverage starts. Epilepsy, cancer, diabetes, lupus, sleep apnea, and pregnancy are all examples of pre-existing conditions.
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