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Medical travel insurance

Compare travel insurance for pre-existing conditions to find the right cover for you

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  • Compare quotes from up to 431 insurers that cover pre-existing medical conditions

  • Get travel insurance with a medical condition from £8.362

  • Covers emergency medical treatment, getting you back to the UK and more

1Correct as of March 2024

2The cheapest single-trip policy based on 1 adult aged 30, with anxiety listed as a medical condition, travelling in Europe for 1 week. Based on Confused.com data, April 2024.

How to compare medical travel insurance quotes

Getting a quote only takes a few minutes. Having the following information ready makes it easier:

  • Your name, age and address
  • Where you're travelling
  • The length of your trip
  • Details of your medical conditions, including any medication you're taking or treatment you're receiving

When you fill out our travel insurance quote form, we'll ask you questions about your health so we can show you policies that provide cover for you. This is why it's important to answer the questions accurately and honestly. If you have a serious medical condition, we may require more information.

We compare prices from travel insurance companies to help find the right policy at the right price. We'll show you a list of quotes from the insurers who can offer the cover you need based on the information you've given us.

Then all you need to do is read the policy details and make sure you have the right level of cover before you buy.

Can I get travel insurance if I have a medical condition?

Yes, as long as you're fit enough to make your trip, it should be possible to buy travel insurance. But make sure you declare your medical condition to your insurer when you buy your policy.

You might find that your insurance costs more if you have a pre-existing medical condition. This is because you're at higher risk of making a claim.

Unless it's a particularly serious condition, you should be able to get a quote. We work with a panel of insurance companies who cover many declared serious conditions.

If for any reason you struggle to get a quote, MoneyHelper has a directory of insurers who cover customers with pre-existing conditions.

You can find the directory of insurers on the MoneyHelper website. Or you can phone the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) for free, impartial advice on 0800 138 7777.

How travel insurance for medical conditions works

Travel insurance for medical conditions is designed for people with pre-existing health conditions. This includes any conditions that you've visited the doctor about or are having tests or treatment for.

A regular travel insurance policy without pre-existing condition cover doesn't pay out for claims relating to health problems you already have.

The amount of medical cover you need depends on your pre-existing condition and the likelihood that you'll need treatment while you're away.

Most medical travel insurance quotes provide around £5m worth of cover. If you have any doubts about your level of cover, contact your insurer.

Enjoy your trip knowing you're covered

"A pre-existing medical condition shouldn't stop you travelling. The most important thing is that you’re honest about your condition and any medication when you’re getting a quote. This will ensure you have the right level of cover in place, so you can enjoy your holiday."

Alvaro Iturmendi - Confused.com travel insurance expert
Travel insurance expert Confused.com logo

Medical conditions you need to declare to your insurer

Typically, the conditions you need to tell your insurer about are any illnesses or injuries that you've been diagnosed with or referred for investigation for before buying your travel insurance.

This includes:

  • Asthma and respiratory problems
  • Diabetes, both type 1 and type 2
  • Mental health conditions like anxiety and depression
  • Cancer
  • Heart conditions
  • Joint and bone conditions like arthritis and rheumatism

This isn't a complete list of all the conditions you need to tell your insurer about. So, if you're wondering whether you should declare something, it's best to check.

If you develop a condition after you've bought your travel insurance but before you travel, you should contact your insurer and let them know. This is usually referred to as your 'ongoing duty of disclosure' or a 'change in health'. Your insurance company can clarify whether you're covered or whether your policy needs to be adjusted. You might need to pay more for your cover, but it means you've got the right level of cover for you.

What you don't need to declare to your insurer

It's important that you're honest when you answer the questions we ask about your pre-existing medical conditions. But there are some things you don't need to declare on your travel insurance:

  • Pregnancy: Being pregnant isn't considered a pre-existing medical condition unless you have complications. So, you normally don't need to declare it. But, most insurers don't cover pregnancy after 37 weeks. If you're having twins, insurers might not cover you after 32 weeks.
  • Contraceptives: When you get a quote, there's no need to tell us about any contraceptives your doctor has prescribed.
  • Painkillers or antibiotics: In most cases, your insurer doesn't need to know if you've recently been prescribed painkillers or antibiotics. The exception to this is if your prescription is for an ongoing or chronic condition.

What does medical travel insurance cover?

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Most medical policies cover:

  • Certain medical conditions, as long as you declare them when you buy insurance. Not all insurers cover every condition, so you should check policy details carefully before you buy a policy.
  • Emergency medical treatment if you fall ill or become injured while away.
  • Repatriation if you need to be flown home during your trip.
  • Cancellations and curtailment if you need to cancel or cut your trip short due to unforeseen circumstances.
  • Travel disruption caused by things like bad weather, strikes or mechanical issues with the plane or ferry.
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Most medical policies don't cover:

  • Undeclared pre-existing conditions. If you need medical treatment for a pre-existing condition that you haven't told your insurer about, they won't cover you.
  • Extreme sports or activities like skiing or skydiving. These normally require a specialist policy.
  • Known events that occur before you buy your insurance policy.
  • Travelling against Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice. For example, if there's a travel advisory for your destination.
  • Incidents involving drugs or alcohol. If you're injured or damage something while under the influence, your insurer won't cover you.

How much does medical travel insurance cost?

Here are the average prices for an annual travel insurance policy for someone with anxiety:

Destination Cheapest annual premium3
Europe
£13.20
Worldwide exc. US, Canada and Caribbean
£30.52
Worldwide inc. US, Canada and Caribbean
£42.96

Travel insurance usually costs more if you have a pre-existing medical condition. This is because you’re at higher risk of needing emergency medical treatment while abroad when compared to someone without medical conditions.

This also means that typically, the more serious your condition, the more you pay for your medical travel insurance.

3The cheapest annual policy based on 1 adult aged 30, with anxiety listed as a pre-existing condition. Based on Confused.com data, April 2024.

How to get cheaper travel insurance if you have a medical condition

Since travel insurance can be more expensive if you have a medical condition, it's good to know what steps you can take to reduce your costs:

Increase your excess

Often the price of your policy is cheaper if you choose to pay a higher excess. But make sure the excess you choose is affordable in case you do need to make a claim. You can choose to see policies with different excess levels on the quotes page.

Choose additional cover carefully

Add any additional cover that you need for your trip, but think carefully about what you actually need. Don't add extra cover 'just in case' if there's no chance you'll use it, as it will increase the price of your policy.

Compare quotes

To get the best price for the cover you need, the easiest thing to do is compare quotes and policies.

Consider annual multi-trip travel insurance

If you're planning to take several trips over the next 12 months, you might find an annual policy better value overall. For example, you can get a single-trip policy for Europe from £8.362. But you could get an annual policy to cover all your trips in the year from £13.203. So, even if you're only planning 2 trips in the year, an annual policy might be better value. Bear in mind some insurers only offer single trip policies to those with medical conditions, so you might find there are fewer annual policies to choose from.

We compare 43 trusted travel insurance companies1 to find you our best deals

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What to consider before travelling with a pre-existing medical condition

A little planning can help when travelling with a pre-existing condition. Have a great holiday with our tips:

  • Pack any medical equipment you use regularly. This might include inhalers, nebulisers and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines. If you need to travel with an oxygen cylinder, you should contact your airline before travelling to check restrictions.
  • Get a doctor's advice before you travel as they should be able to advise you on what sort of travel and activities are okay to do with your medical condition.
  • Check the rules around bringing medication into the country, as some countries have strict rules around medication that are readily available in the UK. You can ask your GP or pharmacist whether your medication contains a controlled drug. If it does, you may need to travel with a prescription or a letter from your GP.
  • Pack your doctor's letter, if you've been advised to take one. These are sometimes called fit notes and confirm that you're well enough to travel.
  • Pack enough medication for your trip. This might mean you need to request extra before you leave. Pack your medication in your hand luggage, in case your luggage is misplaced. You should take a copy of your prescription and make sure any medication is in its original packaging, with the patient leaflet too.
  • Pack your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This gives you access to state healthcare in EU countries at the same cost as a citizen of that country. The GHIC covers things like emergency treatment and routine maternity care (as long as you haven't travelled to give birth). Alternatively, you can take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if it's still valid. Remember, the EHIC and GHIC aren't a replacement for travel insurance. But, if you have one, some travel insurers require you to use it alongside your insurance.
  • Research your destination in advance, so you know exactly where to find the nearest doctor, clinic, pharmacy and hospital.

Why compare medical travel insurance quotes with Confused.com?

Compare quotes from up to 431 insurers

We work closely with a panel of 431 trusted UK travel insurers. We compare your details against all of them to show you our best quotes.

Our expert panel reviews all content

Learn more about our editorial standards and how we operate.

We're 100% independent

This means we're not owned by any insurance company. So, the prices you see are the best available based on your information, not who they're from.

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Compare medical travel insurance quotes

Need more help?

Do I need a medical screening to get travel insurance for pre-existing conditions?

When you get a travel insurance quote, you'll be asked about any conditions you have. This is known as a medical screening. You might be asked for information like:

  • Details of any conditions you have
  • Treatment you've received
  • Surgery or treatment you're waiting to receive
  • Any medicines you take or have taken for the condition

If insurers need any additional information, they may ask further questions or ask you to speak to your GP.

Show more

What are the different types of travel insurance?

Page last reviewed: 30 April 2024

Reviewed by: Alvaro Iturmendi

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