Travel insurance for diabetics

If you're one of more than 5.6 million living with diabetes in the UK, planning a holiday with your condition can be stressful. It can be difficult managing your normal routine on holiday, there should be plenty of travel insurance policies available to you.

Finding the right policy can give you that extra peace of mind while you're away, especially knowing you've got cover.

Can I get travel insurance as a diabetic?

Yes, but you'll have to disclose this when you're searching for a quote. In some cases cover is included in a standard travel insurance policy, others may charge more based on your condition.

• Whether you can get cover depends on your condition, and if you have any complications or other health issues. Some policies can offer you wide-ranging cover, but some insurers may not offer you cover at all.
• To find out, you'll need to declare whether you’re type 1 or type 2 diabetic, details about your condition and answer some questions relating to it. It's important to be honest, withholding information or lying about your condition can invalidate your policy.
• The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) have set up a directory of insurers to help customers with more serious pre-existing medical conditions get travel insurance. This is done through their brand MoneyHelper.

Do I need diabetic travel insurance?

Getting travel insurance that covers your condition is worth considering. If you need to pay for hospital and medical care relating to diabetes while you're away, your policy can help to cover the costs. Depending on where you go, these costs could be substantial. 

You might not need treatment while you're away, but disruption to your typical routine, diet and change in climate could affect your blood glucose levels. This is why you must declare your condition, so if you do need care, you're covered.

What's covered by travel insurance for diabetics?

Diabetic travel insurance should cover the usual things like a standard travel insurance policy. This includes things like lost luggage and flight cancellations. But it also gives protection if you need emergency medical treatment for type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Emergency medical treatment

If you experience a diabetes-related health issue while abroad, your insurance may cover hospital stays, medication, and treatments. This could include unexpected medical emergencies such as diabetic ketoacidosis or hypoglycemia.

Repatriation to the UK

If you’re too ill to continue your trip, repatriation cover ensures you can safely return home. This can include medical escorts or specialised transport if needed.

Baggage cover

Lost or stolen insulin supplies, glucose monitors, or medications can cause a lot stress. Insurance can help cover the cost of replacing these essential items. 

Travel disruption

Whether it's a delayed flight or missed connection due to unforeseen circumstances, travel disruption cover helps manage extra costs like accommodation or rebooking

Cancellation or curtailment cover

If you need to cancel or cut short your trip due to a diabetes-related issue, or other issues such as death in the family this cover helps reimburse prepaid expenses.

What’s not covered? 

Diabetic travel insurance can cover you for a lot of things, but there are situations where it won’t apply. Make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully as it may vary from policy to policy. Here are some typical exclusions:

Travelling against FCDO advice

Visiting destinations against Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office recommendations could void your policy.

Undeclared, pre-existing medical conditions

Not disclosing your diabetes or related complications can result in claims being rejected.

Extreme sports and activities

Risky activities like skiing or scuba diving might not be included without additional cover.

Incidents involving alcohol and drugs

Claims linked to drinking excessive alcohol or illegal substances are typically excluded.

Changing your mind

Deciding not to travel for personal reasons without a valid claimable cause isn’t covered.

How much is diabetic travel insurance?

What you pay for insurance can depend on various factors. These can include your age, whether you have any complications associated with diabetes, and the level of cover required.

Here's how much you could pay:

^{*Cheapest price for a 7 night trip to Spain. Based on adults aged 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 years old listing type 1 diabetes as a medical condition. Confused.com data - November 2024.}

Am I covered by the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)?

The GHIC has been introduced to replace the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you still have the EHIC, it's still valid in the EU for 5 years or until it expires. GHIC works in the same way as a EHIC, it gives UK citizens access to state-supplied healthcare in Europe.

It is not a replacement for travel insurance. What it does provide is entitlement to pay the same price for medical treatment as citizens of that country, or for free. In some countries, you get it at a reduced rate.

If you're dealing with an issue relating to your condition while away, a GHIC doesn't cover costs for medical repatriation, for example.

This is why considering travel insurance can be really important. If you fall ill before your trip because of your condition, travel insurance can help you to recover the cost of what you paid. It'll also protect you against the costs of medical bills you incur if you need treatment relating to your condition while away.

What information do I need to provide to get a quote?

When adding information about your diabetes, you’ll be asked questions on the following:

• Whether you take insulin or other medication to treat your diabetes
• How many unplanned hospital admissions you’ve had in the last 2 years
• Whether you are or have ever been a smoker
• If you have any other medical conditions such as impairment of your kidney function, heart problems, vascular disease, foot/leg ulcers etc. Use the quote process to get more info on this
• If you’ve ever been advised to take medication for high blood pressure or to lower your cholesterol

Tips for travelling with diabetes

You may have a regular routine while living with diabetes at home, so it's worth considering having a plan when travelling with diabetes for when you go away. Here are some of some top travel tips for diabetics:

• Taking a letter from your doctor to explain your condition and the medication you take can help you navigate airport security.
• Make sure your chosen travel insurance policy covers the costs associated with diabetes
• If you carry insulin, or use an insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor (CGM), keep it in your hand luggage just in case your hold luggage goes missing. Carry extra insulin just in case there are any problems.
• If you’re visiting somewhere hot, be sure to keep your insulin in a cooling pouch or bag while travelling. Once you get to your accommodation, you can keep it in the fridge
• Visiting somewhere cold - make sure your insulin or other medication doesn’t freeze
• Check that entering the country with medication won;t be a problem - For most countries this shouldn’t be an issue but some countries such as India, Turkey, Pakistan and United Arab Emirates have strict lists of medications that you are not allowed to bring in. You should always check the rules for entering a country with medicines with the embassy of the country you're visiting.
• Plan ahead according to the time difference and keep others around you informed in case of an emergency.
• Travelling across different time zones could disrupt your normal routine in managing your condition, particularly if you take medication.