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.
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 condition
Basically, 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:
- A physician hasn’t prescribed any investigative tests, new treatment, or change in treatment
- There hasn’t been any change in medication, hospitalization, or referral to a specialist
Best advice: talk to an expert
Read 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 condition
Policies 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 disability
It 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:
- any condition you’re waiting for an operation on
- any condition that you’re currently awaiting test results for
- any condition, even a minor one, that you’ve seen a doctor about in the past year
- any serious condition – cancer, heart trouble, respiratory problems – you’ve ever had.
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 broker
If 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 UK
Even if you’re not travelling abroad, it’s still a good idea to have travel insurance.
Most policies include cover for:
- lost or stolen bags
- emergency medical expenses
- the costs of cancelling, delaying or cutting your trip short (some policies will cover if it’s coronavirus-related)
- personal liability, in case you’re sued for damaging property or causing injury.
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:
- to another location – possibly one nearer home, or
- from a multi-trip policy to a single trip.
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 coronavirus
The 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:
- if you test positive for coronavirus before you travel, or
- while you’re on your trip.
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