How to get travel insurance when you have a medical condition

Don’t let pre-existing conditions be a roadblock to your wanderlust. Learn the ropes of securing the right travel insurance for a hassle-free adventure.

Travelling with a pre-existing medical condition? There’s no reason you can’t indulge your inner adventurer! While the journey may seem daunting, arming yourself with the right travel insurance will allow you to enjoy your holiday without breaking the bank or compromising your health. Here, we’ll unravel the complexities and unveil the secrets to ensure your travel insurance prescription perfectly matches your unique medical needs.

The importance of travel insurance for everybody

We won’t preach about the importance of travel insurance because, let’s be real, even the strongest amongst us need backup plans. A good travel insurance plan will typically include the following…

Overseas medical costs

Your Medicare and private health insurance will be utterly useless in the face of overseas medical bills. A robust travel insurance plan will help you with both finances and logistics in troubled times.

Make sure that your policy covers overseas medical costs. (Image: Stephen Andrews)

Emergency evacuation

The financial implications of an emergency evacuation can be nothing short of astronomical. Finding a well-structured travel insurance plan that includes emergency evacuation ensures that you’re not only safeguarding your well-being but also protecting your finances from the unexpected twists that travel can throw your way.

Find one with transport assistance in case you become seriously ill. (Image: Anete Lusina)

Trip cancellations

A comprehensive travel insurance policy can come to the rescue when it comes to those unavoidable cancellations, ensuring you don’t miss out on your well-earned holiday. When life hits a smoother stride, rescheduling should be a breeze.

Flight cancellations are inevitable. (Image: Akshay Chauhan)

A word of caution

However, take note, not all pre-existing medical conditions will be covered by your standard insurance. If your health story is a bit more complex than the average Joe’s, it’s time to read the fine print. Dive deep, understand your coverage, and make sure your insurance has your back.

Not all pre-existing medical conditions are covered by your insurance. (Image: Olga Guryanova)

How does it work?

When you’re applying for your travel insurance, you’ll be questioned about any pre-existing medical conditions. It’s important to be upfront to ensure proper coverage in case you do need to make a claim. Some technically pre-existing conditions, such as acne, allergies, and asthma, might already be covered under the standard policy.

However, certain conditions demand extra attention, and you will be asked to answer further questions on a medical assessment form. Your insurer will then evaluate the risk level and decide whether they can cover your condition or apply an additional premium.

What counts as ‘pre-existing’? (or what you should disclose)

A pre-existing medical condition typically includes:

• Any conditions requiring hospital visits within the last 12-24 months.
• A condition that you take prescription medication for.
• Regular doctor check-ups for a specific ailment, whether diagnosed or not.
• An upcoming surgery related to back, joint, or abdominal issues.
• A medically documented chronic condition.
• A pending diagnosis or condition under investigation.

Herniated discs can be considered a pre-existing condition. (Image: Joyce Hankins)

It’s fairly straightforward, and common sense will guide you in the right direction. If you’ve experienced an ailment that’s prompted several visits to the doctor without resolution, or if there’s a significant health issue at play, it’s likely considered a pre-existing condition. Many of these pre-existing conditions will require an additional premium, meaning you’ll need to dig a little deeper into your wallet when arranging your coverage.

Find out if your coverage covers your pre-existing condition. (Image: National Cancer Institute)

Common exclusions

Unfortunately, there are conditions for which you likely won’t have the option to pay a premium, and you’ll be met with rejection. These include:

• Conditions related to drug or alcohol dependency.
• Conditions for which you are awaiting medical treatment or procedures.
• Ailments that involved recent treatment or hospitalisation (the time since varies between insurers).
• Certain types of cancer.
• Conditions requiring constant oxygen.
• Heart failure.
• Terminal illnesses.

Not all pre-existing conditions are covered by premium travel insurance. (Image: Pina Messina)

When you can’t find cover

The sad reality is that there will be scenarios in which you won’t be covered for a pre-existing medical condition – but don’t lose hope, as there often are specialised options available. If all else fails, you don’t have to forego travel altogether. Even if your condition isn’t covered, you can still obtain comprehensive insurance to protect yourself from other mishaps like theft, cancellations, or unrelated medical issues.

Dig deeper into your travel insurance policy. (Image: Towfiqu Barbhuiya)

Top tips for a joyful jaunt

When exploring cover for pre-existing conditions, keep the following in mind:

Age is just a number, but…

Be aware that age limits might come into play, and premiums could be a bit steeper due to an increased risk of claims. Take your time to explore different plans and find one that caters to your golden years.

Explore different plans to find one that is ideal for your age. (Image: Scott Graham)

Take a holistic approach

Instead of fixating solely on your medical status, consider the whole policy. Look into aspects like luggage cover and general medical coverage. Seek out a plan that addresses all your needs, not just the medical ones.

Be honest and up-front

When you’re applying for your insurance and are faced with the question about pre-existing medical conditions, honesty is the best policy. You must declare any pre-existing medical conditions to make sure it will be covered by your insurance. There are several ways you can accidentally void your cover, make sure this isn’t one of them.

Some conditions demand extra attention. (Image: Nguyễn Hiệp)

For more tips and advice, read our travel insurance hub to help you navigate the ins and outs of what to do before you head overseas.