Absolutely! If you're well enough to travel and haven't been advised against it by a doctor, you should be able to get travel insurance. Just be sure to let your insurer know about any medical conditions when purchasing your policy. It's really important for 2 main reasons:
Having a pre-existing medical condition might mean you pay a slightly higher premium, as there's a greater chance you'll need medical assistance while abroad. But, in most cases, getting a quote is straightforward—especially with our panel of insurers who cover a wide range of medical conditions!
It's a good idea to consider medical travel insurance as soon as you've booked your trip. By doing this, you'll be covered if you need to cancel because of unexpected illness. It'll also save you from the stress of sorting travel insurance close to your trip.
Struggling to get covered? Don't worry, you're not out of options.
If you're having trouble finding a policy, the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has a directory of travel insurers specifically for those with pre-existing conditions.
You can find the directory of insurers on the MoneyHelper website. You can also phone the MaPS for free, impartial advice on 0800 138 7777.
A pre-existing condition includes any health issue you've been diagnosed with or are being monitored for at the time of taking out your policy.
Here's some examples of pre-existing medical conditions:
If you're unsure about whether or not to mention a condition, just check with your insurer. They're there to help you! Declaring all your medical conditions is the easiest way to make sure you get the protection you need.
Just something to keep in mind—failing to declare a medical condition could mean you're not covered for any related medical treatment you might need. This could leave you with expensive medical bills to pay, especially if you need to be transported home for further treatment.
"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 make sure that the quotes you see are appropriate for you, so you can relax and enjoy your holiday."
Comparing travel insurance is easy with us! Here's how you can do it in 3 simple steps:
If you're looking for travel insurance and have a medical condition, you might wonder how to keep costs down.
Like we've mentioned, the price of your travel insurance can depend on things like your age and how long you'll be travelling for. While you might not be able to change these factors, here's a few tips that could help you save on your insurance:
By taking these steps, you'll give yourself a better chance of finding affordable cover that suits your travel plans and medical needs. Hooray!
Exactly what's covered will vary between providers and policies. But, here's what's normally included on travel insurance:
A little planning can help when travelling with a pre-existing condition. Here's some tips to help you prepare:
There's plenty of great reasons why you should consider us! Here's just a few:
Yes, your destination can affect the cost of travel insurance, especially in places with pricier medical care. For example, travel insurance for the USA is often more expensive than travel insurance for Spain.
The IAS - one of the providers of medical repatriation for UK nationals - estimates that returning home from the USA to the UK could cost £50,000. And, from Brazil, it could be more expensive at £85,000!
Without travel insurance, you might have to pay these costs yourself. So, it's a good idea to think about getting a policy before your trip.
You might!
Let's take a closer look at the main situations you might need to:
Yes! There's some things that don't usually need to be declared. Here's some common ones:
Pregnancy isn't considered a medical condition. So, there's usually no need to declare it when taking out a quote. Boom!
But, if you've experienced any complications related to pregnancy, you'll need to let your insurer know. It's also worth declaring that you're expecting if you're in your 3rd trimester. This is because most insurers only cover up to 37 weeks due to the increased chance of going into labour. You can read more about travelling while pregnant.
When in doubt, just reach out to your travel insurer!
Not declaring a medical condition can invalidate your travel insurance, meaning any claims you make could be declined. Being upfront when getting quotes ensures you'll have the coverage you need. So, you can focus on other things—like enjoying your holiday!
Ideally, as soon as you've booked your trip! Buying travel insurance early means you're covered for unexpected issues before your departure. For instance, if you become unwell and can no longer travel, your insurance can help cover any prepaid costs.
Waiting to buy travel insurance last minute means you could be at risk of losing out if something goes wrong!
Travel insurance isn't a legal requirement in the majority of places. But, taking out a policy is still worth thinking about.
An EHIC or GHIC card can provide access to essential, state-level healthcare. So, this means paying the same price for medical care as citizens of the country you're in. In certain destinations, you could even get it for free. But, it's important to note that these cards won't cover things like medical repatriation. This means being returned to the UK for treatment, and can cost thousands without insurance.
Despite this, it's still worth travelling with one. You can use it alongside your insurance to make sure you're able to access the medical care you need. Oh, and just a heads up— some travel insurers can even ask you to get one as a condition of your policy!
If you're diagnosed with a new condition after purchasing your policy, let your insurer know as soon as possible. They might need to adjust your policy to ensure you're getting the right level of cover. Being upfront with your insurer will help avoid invalidating your policy if you need related treatment while abroad. Phew!
We understand waiting for a diagnosis can be stressful, and you might want nothing more than to get away on a well-deserved holiday.
But, it's best to wait until you receive your test results before buying travel insurance. The same applies if you're awaiting surgery. This way, you can provide accurate information to your insurer and ensure you get the right cover for your needs.
Means you can get one policy that covers everyone, rather than buying individual policies.
Is the perfect policy for those who plan to travel for an extended period.
With roaming charges making an unwelcome return, eSIMs are a convenient option when travelling. eSIMs are non-physical and are embedded into most newer smartphones; meaning you won’t have to put anything physical into your device, it should already be there.
How does it work?Simply buy your travel insurance, claim your free eSIM, and install it onto your device at the tap of a button. Your eSIM with 2GB of roaming data will kick in on a local mobile network when you get to your destination.
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Page last reviewed: 31 October 2024
Reviewed by: Alvaro Iturmendi
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