Crohn's disease travel insurance

According to the charity Crohns & Colitis UK, 1 in 123 people in the UK live with Crohn's disease or Colitis. This can sometimes make finding the right travel insurance harder, but it shouldn't get in the way of finding the right policy for you.

We can help you compare the price of travel insurance cover for Crohns and Colitis.

Can I get travel insurance with Crohn's disease?

Yes! Living with Crohn's disease or Ulcerative Colitis shouldn't stop you from finding cover. Though it can sometimes be trickier, there are different options available. We can offer you a range of quotes to compare, and find the right travel insurance cover for your needs.

That being said, there's a few things to think about before you start comparing:

• Who you're travelling with. Whether it's family or you're going as a couple, if even one person has a pre-existing condition, it's likely to increase the price overall.
• Children won't be able to have their own individual policy. If in doubt you can run a family or couples travel insurance quote, and then an individual quote to see if there's a price difference. Your quote options will depend on how severe the condition is, your age, and what country you wish to visit.
• Current or previous treatment. This includes ongoing drugs to treat conditions, removal of part of the bowel or fitting and ongoing use of a stoma bag. This will all be taken into consideration by the insurer.
• Your options will generally be slightly more limited and costly compared to someone without any medical conditions.
• You must always declare your pre-existing medical conditions to your insurer, even if your condition is well-managed. Without doing so could mean you lose out financially if you need medical treatment while you're away.

Is Crohn's disease classed as a pre-existing medical condition for travel insurance?

Yes, Crohn's disease is classed as a pre-existing medical condition.

Just like other pre existing conditions such as cancer, high blood pressure, heart conditions and diabetes you must declare it to your insurer. To get an accurate quote, you can select Crohn's disease or Ulcerative colitis and give some more details about your condition. Even if it’s not severe it must always be declared. 

If on the rare occasion you can't find a quote or an insurer willing to cover you, you can contact MoneyHelper online or by phone 0800 138 7777 - They have a list of specialist insurers which can help with severe conditions. 

What will I be asked when getting a quote?

When you get a quote we’ll ask you ‘’Have you or anyone in your party been prescribed medication, received treatment or had a consultation with a doctor or hospital specialist for any medical condition in the past two years?'' 

The questions can often seem intrusive, but it's important to provide accurate information about your medical history. Otherwise your policy could be invalidated.

When you select Crohn's disease from the list of pre-existing conditions. We’ll then ask you:

• How many operations have you had to treat this condition?
• When was your most recent operation for this condition?
• Have you required regular drug injections or infusions to treat this condition?
• Have you ever had a bowel obstruction?

You can also select Colitis from the list, you’ll need to select which type of Colitis and then answer a few similar questions depending on which type you have. 

Before you get a quote you must also confirm that: 

• You are registered with a Medical Practitioner in the UK.
• You're not travelling against medical advice or to get medical treatment abroad.

You can’t get a quote without confirming this information. If you don't confirm then your travel insurance could be void.

How much is travel insurance with Crohn's disease?

Prices can vary a lot, and will depend on destination and holiday length, not just on your age or condition. Here’s what you might pay declaring Crohn’s disease for a 1 week trip to Spain

¹Cheapest prices per age based on 1 adult male travelling to Spain for 1 week. 1 operation within the last 5 years. Drug injection or infusion treatment within the last 12 months with no previous bowel obstruction. From Confused.com data. August 2024.

Do I need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)?

Since the UK left the EU, the EHIC (European health insurance card) has been replaced by the GHIC card (Global health insurance card). You can still use your EHIC card until it expires though.

It's vital that you have the GHIC card if you're planning on travelling to Europe. This is especially important if you have a pre existing medical condition. Here are a few more important things to know about the GHIC card:

• The GHIC card is only valid in EU countries, so only works for holidays within Europe.
• British citizens holding a valid EHIC can still also access state-subsidised healthcare in the EU. But it’s not always guaranteed you'll end up at a state hospital.
• If you’re taken to a private hospital you're responsible for any costs.
• You could also be responsible for repatriation (unexpected or delayed travel back to the UK in an emergency).

Travel insurance covers the costs of repatriation and medical care. You should always check the amount that's covered and the terms in your policy.

You can apply for a GHIC card on the NHS website.

Will my condition limit where I can travel to?

Your condition shouldn't limit where you can travel to. You'll be able to get a range of worldwide travel insurance quotes with us.

But bear in mind that there can be high expenses and poor standards of medical care in some countries. You might need higher cover for certain countries which will increase the cost of your policy.

Insurers work out the price based on risk, so the cost can be very different depending on your personal circumstances and the country you're going to. The best way to work out how much you'll be paying is to get a quote once you know where you're travelling to. This way you can see what options are available.

What else should I know before travelling with Crohn's disease?

The Crohn's and Colitis UK website has some great advice on travelling with these conditions.

Here are a few more helpful things to consider before you go:

• It’s always best to speak to your GP before you leave. You might need a letter from them detailing your medication and confirming you're fit to travel.
• If you’ve had surgery very recently, you may also need a letter from your doctor confirming that you’re well enough to fly.
• Some countries such as Turkey, Dubai and India can be strict on what medications can be brought into the country. GOV.UK lays out what rules are in place for a range of medication, as well as providing a controlled drugs list.
• Always update your insurance provider if anything changes regarding your condition after you’ve got a quote or bought a policy.