One of the most common concerns when buying travel insurance is about declaring medical conditions, how much it may cost, and what might not be covered. We’re here to provide some answers and useful information on getting travel insurance when you have a medical condition.

Can you get travel insurance if you have pre-existing conditions?

When it comes to travel insurance, pre-existing conditions shouldn’t be a block for taking out a policy. It’s possible to get travel insurance even if you have pre-existing medical conditions, although you do need to declare these when getting a quote for a policy to ensure that you are covered for your condition before you buy. For travel insurance, medical conditions that are pre-existing include any kind of illness or injury that you have before or when you take out your insurance.

When you buy travel insurance you’ll normally be asked questions about your health and if you have any pre-existing conditions. This is to ensure you’re properly covered if something happens while you’re on holiday and you need medical treatment.

Certain medical conditions can cause the cost of your insurance to increase, but it’s important that you make sure you include everything. If you don’t declare your conditions, for some insurers, it could invalidate your insurance, meaning you’ll be left with the bill for any medical attention you needed while abroad.

Don't forget to also keep your insurer up to date with any changes to your health while being covered by your policy (an additional charge may be needed to cover the new condition).

How does travel insurance for pre-existing conditions work?

Taking out travel insurance whilst you have a medical condition will be a little different, as you will be asked a series of questions regarding your health and medical history. In some cases, you may also be required to complete a medical exam, which will help your insurance provider to assess your needs and offer you the best travel insurance policy that fits your specific requirements.

When taking out travel insurance with medical conditions and covid cover, it’s best to be as open and honest as possible. If you fail to disclose your medical condition or you aren’t honest about how severe it may be, any claims you make could be rejected, leading to your insurance policy becoming void. This then means you will have to pay for any medical treatment you may need whilst travelling all by yourself, which can be quite pricey abroad.

Whilst the process of getting travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition can be a little longer, it’s good to be thorough and honest so you get the best possible cover in line with your needs and requirements.

What is considered a pre-existing medical condition?

A pre-existing medical condition is any illness, injury, or disability you had either before or at the time of taking out a travel insurance policy that affects your health and wellbeing. This includes physical conditions such as cancer and diabetes as well as mental health issues including anxiety and depression.

What is the difference between specialist medical insurance and pre-existing condition insurance?

Specialist medical and pre-existing medical travel insurance are two terms to describe the same thing – they’re simply the names given to a type of insurance that isn’t covered by a standard travel insurance policy. This can include cover for things like travelling to high-risk destinations, winter sports, those over 70, and cruise travel insurance for those with medical conditions.

Which travel insurance is best for medical conditions?

The most important thing when choosing travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions is to make sure the policy provides the right cover for you. Whether you’re looking for travel insurance for diabetics or travel insurance when pregnant, for example, it’s never worth saving a little money on your premium to leave out important medical information, as you could end up paying a great deal more if something happens while you’re away.

Occasionally there might be a severe or rare condition that a provider won’t cover for travel insurance, either meaning they won’t pay out for anything relating to that condition or they’ll refuse the application completely. This doesn’t happen often, but there are specialist insurers that provide travel cover if you’re refused by the main insurers.

When you have medical conditions, the best travel insurance to get will depend on your individual situation and what exactly it is that you require cover for.

How can I get cheaper travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition?

If you’re looking for cheap travel insurance with medical conditions, there may be some things you can do to reduce the cost of your policy. These include:

• Paying a higher excess to get a cheaper deal – just be sure you will be able to afford the higher excess in case you do need to claim
• Consider getting annual travel insurance with medical conditions if you’re likely to travel more than once in a year, as these policies work out cheaper than a single trip policy
• Take a look at your options and compare travel insurance quotes to find the best deal for you. If you’re wanting the cheapest travel insurance with medical conditions, compare quotes with us today here at Asda Money.

FAQs

Can I get travel insurance with a medical condition?

Yes – if you have any type of pre-existing medical condition, it will most likely be covered by any insurance provider. However, you may need to take out specialist travel insurance as not all providers offer cover for medical conditions in a standard policy. Specialist travel insurance for people with medical conditions can help you feel safe when travelling, giving you peace of mind to enjoy your holiday.

What medical conditions have to be declared for travel insurance?

Any medical condition that you have either prior to or at the time of taking out travel insurance needs to be declared. This includes any medical condition you are waiting for an operation on, waiting to receive test results for, or receiving medication for.

Does high blood pressure affect travel insurance?

Yes – high blood pressure is classed as a pre-existing medical condition by most – if not all – insurers even if it is well managed and under control.

What happens if I don't declare pre-existing medical conditions?

If you are not honest about your medical conditions or the severity of it, you risk invalidating your travel insurance policy if your insurer finds out. Your claims may also be rejected if you have any complications or medical issues whilst travelling, meaning you will have to pay for any treatment yourself. Travel insurance with a medical condition is something that should be taken seriously, so be sure that you are as honest about your situation as possible.

Is depression a pre-existing condition for travel insurance?

Yes – depression, along with many other mental health conditions, is classed as a pre-existing medical condition by insurers.

Is high cholesterol a medical condition for travel insurance?

Yes – even though high cholesterol is seen as a minor condition; it is still classed as a pre-existing medical condition by most insurers.

Is pregnancy a medical condition for travel insurance?

Pregnancy is not considered to be a medical condition, however it’s still good to inform your insurer that you are pregnant before you travel in case you run into any problems. Your insurance policy will usually cover you for any medical issues that arise as a result of pregnancy complications whilst travelling.

What is MaPS Directory?

In 2020, the government set up MaPS which is a free and impartial money advice service, its role is to assist travellers that are having trouble obtaining cover due to their pre-existing medical conditions. There are now rules regarding signposting to MaPS where consumers subject to pre exciting medical conditions have increased policy premiums by £100+.

What medical conditions are not covered by travel insurance?

Most pre-existing medical conditions will be covered in some form by travel insurers, even if that means increased premiums, but there are situations where you might not be covered. You may not be covered in the following situations:

• If you’re going through or waiting for tests or treatment of a condition that hasn’t been diagnosed.
• If you’re travelling despite being advised not to by your doctor
• If you’ve been told you have a terminal condition, and the prognosis is less than 6 months from your return date

Also remember that if you develop a condition after you’ve already bought your travel insurance, you’ll need to get in touch with your insurer to update your policy, or you may not be covered.