Alyssa Lane
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, it's important to be aware of the options available to you when it comes to travel insurance. While it might seem intrusive, disclosing your medical history helps insurance providers assess risk factors and determine how likely it is that you'll require medical treatment while on holiday. Failing to declare a pre-existing medical condition could result in your policy being voided if you need to make a claim related to that condition. Most travel insurance policies cover emergency medical treatment, accidents, property loss, cancellations and emergencies while overseas, but not all cover pre-existing conditions. Specialist insurers exist for those who have been refused insurance elsewhere due to their medical conditions. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has created a directory of insurance companies that have proven specialisms in covering people with medical conditions, and nine in ten people found better prices through this directory. Other specialist insurers include AllClear, Medical Travel Compared, and Just Travel Cover.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Declare medical conditions | It is important to declare all medical conditions and be honest about your medical history. Failure to do so may result in your policy being voided. |
| Pre-existing conditions | Most insurers cover pre-existing medical conditions, but some may require a specialist policy. |
| Single-trip insurance | Some insurers offer single-trip insurance to customers they won't offer annual policies to. |
| Medical screening | You may be required to undergo a medical screening or examination as part of the application process. |
| Medical emergencies | Policies typically cover emergency medical treatment, including hospital charges and ambulance fees, related to pre-existing conditions. |
| Repatriation | Medical repatriation, or transport back to your home country, is covered by some policies. |
| Medication | Be sure to disclose any prescribed medication you are taking. |
| Travel advice | Follow the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and check the entry requirements for your destination. |
| Directories | The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and BIBA maintain directories of insurance companies specialising in medical conditions. |
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What You'll Learn
Declare all medical conditions
When applying for travel insurance, you will usually be asked a series of medical questions and possibly be invited to a medical screening. It is important to declare all medical conditions and be as accurate and honest as possible. If you don't declare a pre-existing medical condition, your policy will likely be voided if you make a claim for anything related to that condition.
A pre-existing medical condition is any illness or injury you have before you buy your travel insurance. It could be an ongoing condition or one you have been treated for in the past. Some insurers will allow you not to declare conditions on the understanding that these conditions are automatically excluded. This may reduce the premium but could leave you with far less cover than you need.
In some cases, information received via a handful of questions online isn't enough for an insurer to make a rounded decision about how much of a risk your condition poses. If you have a complex condition, it's worth calling the insurer so they can make a more detailed evaluation of your circumstances.
If you are unsure about whether to declare a medical condition, it is always best to contact the insurer directly and ask for clarification. It is better to be safe than sorry, as failing to declare a condition could result in your policy being invalidated.
There are a number of specialist providers that can help you find the right travel insurance policy for your needs, including AllClear, Medical Travel Compared, Just Travel Cover, and the Post Office. These companies offer policies that consider all medical conditions and can provide comprehensive worldwide cover.
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Specialist insurers
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, it is important to be honest and disclose this when applying for travel insurance. While this may increase your premium and affect your level of cover, failing to disclose a pre-existing condition may result in your policy being voided if you need to make a claim related to that condition.
There are several specialist insurers that can provide travel insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions. These include:
AllClear
AllClear offers a quick and simple three-step quote process to provide comprehensive worldwide cover for people with serious health conditions. They cover all medical conditions, ages, and destinations. They also provide emergency medical treatment abroad, including hospital charges, ambulance fees, and repatriation.
Medical Travel Compared
Medical Travel Compared is a specialist in finding medical travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions. They work with 30+ providers who specialise in covering pre-existing conditions and always show customers the best prices from providers. They also provide expert advice from Dr Sarah Jarvis, who offers guidance on travelling with a pre-existing medical condition.
Just Travel Cover
Just Travel Cover works with multiple insurers who cover pre-existing medical conditions to help you find cover that is tailored to your needs. They offer single-trip policies for any age and consider all pre-existing medical conditions. They also provide specialist cruise travel insurance.
Post Office
The Post Office offers a policy that considers all medical conditions to give customers the level of cover they need. They also provide Medical Assistance Plus, which offers outpatient medical support while travelling internationally. This includes the ability to book consultations with doctors and get prescriptions delivered to your nearest pharmacy.
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Pregnancy
It is important to note that each insurance provider has different terms and conditions, and you should always check with your provider before you travel. Most airlines will allow you to fly up to 35-36 weeks into your pregnancy, but after 27 weeks, most airlines will deny boarding unless you have a 'fit to fly' letter from your doctor.
- Check the airline's limits on pregnancy and ensure you comply with all requirements of the transport providers.
- Declare any other pre-existing medical conditions you may have, as these may impact your cover.
- Understand the terms and conditions of your policy, including any exclusions or restrictions related to pregnancy or medical conditions.
- Ensure your doctor and midwife are aware of your travel plans and that you are not travelling against medical advice.
- Consider the benefits offered by different insurance providers, such as unlimited medical expenses cover, cancellation cover, personal belongings cover, etc.
- Compare quotes from multiple insurance providers to find the best value and coverage for your needs.
Recommended Insurance Providers
Some recommended insurance providers that offer pregnancy travel insurance include:
- Holidaysafe: Offers multiple levels of cover for pregnant travellers up to 28 weeks, including emergency medical cover for pregnancy complications, cancellation cover, medical emergencies, personal belongings, and more.
- Staysure: Provides specialist pregnancy travel insurance with up to unlimited medical expenses and 24/7 medical support.
- AllClear: Offers pregnancy travel insurance with key benefits such as unlimited medical expenses cover, cancellation and curtailment coverage up to £10,000, and personal belongings coverage up to £5,000.
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Pre-existing conditions
A pre-existing medical condition is any illness or injury you have before buying travel insurance. It could be an ongoing condition or one you've been treated for in the past. When applying for travel insurance, you'll usually be asked a series of questions about your health and medical history, and you must be as honest and accurate as possible. Depending on your circumstances, you may also be asked to complete a medical exam.
If you don't declare a pre-existing medical condition when applying for travel insurance, your policy will likely be voided if you make a claim related to that condition. It's important to note that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and its replacement, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), are not substitutes for travel insurance. While they provide access to emergency and necessary state healthcare in EU countries, they don't cover costs like medical repatriation or transport to and from the hospital.
Some insurers will allow you not to declare conditions on the understanding that these conditions are automatically excluded, which may reduce your premium but could leave you with inadequate cover. If you have a complex condition, it's worth calling the insurer so they can make a more detailed evaluation of your circumstances.
There are directories of insurance companies that specialise in covering people with medical conditions, such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) directory, the Money and Pensions Scheme (MaPS) directory, and the MoneyHelper directory. These directories can help you find better prices and more suitable cover for your pre-existing conditions.
When choosing travel insurance, it's important to consider your specific needs and the level of cover required for your pre-existing medical conditions. By being honest about your medical history and shopping around for the best deals, you can ensure you have the necessary protection during your trip.
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Medical screening
The questions will help the insurance provider assess risk factors and determine how likely it is that you will require medical treatment while travelling. They will ask about any pre-existing medical conditions, any prescribed medication you are currently taking or have taken in the past 12 months, and any previous or forthcoming tests, investigations, or treatments. You may also be asked about your symptoms and whether they have led to tests or a medical investigation. It is important to declare all your pre-existing medical conditions, as failing to do so could result in your policy being invalidated if you need to make a claim related to that condition.
Some insurers will allow you not to declare conditions on the understanding that these conditions are automatically excluded, which may reduce your premium but could leave you with inadequate cover. If you have a complex condition, it is worth calling the insurer so they can make a more detailed evaluation of your circumstances.
There are specialist insurance providers that can offer cover for people with medical conditions, and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has created a directory of these companies, endorsed by BIBA.
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Frequently asked questions
A pre-existing medical condition is any illness or injury you have before buying travel insurance. It could be an ongoing condition or one you have been treated for in the past.
Yes, you need to be forthcoming about your medical conditions. If you don't declare them, your policy will likely be voided if you make a claim related to that condition.
If you don't declare your medical condition, your insurer could consider the policy invalid. Some insurers will allow you not to declare conditions, but this may leave you with far less cover than you need.
You can find travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions from specialist providers like AllClear, Medical Travel Compared, and Just Travel Cover. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has a directory of insurance companies specialising in covering people with medical conditions.
Travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions covers emergency medical treatment related to those conditions. It may also cover property loss, cancellations, and other emergencies while overseas.
