Travel Insurance

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Pre-Existing Medical Problems

Pre-Existing ConditionsMedication AbroadFear of Flying
Diabetes
Pre-Existing Medical Problems

Serious pre-existing conditions are often excluded from policy cover.

When it comes to health cover, travel insurance policies are no different from any other types of cover in that there will be exclusions.

Some insurers will NOT underwrite people with pre-existing medical conditions and illnesses such as:

  • Individuals with AIDS and HIV
  • Strokes
  • Any heart problem such as angina
  • Kidney failure requiring dialysis
  • Cancer

Agents and Brokers

Even if mainstream insurers will not offer cover there are other insurance companies, agents and brokers that will.

In every case special conditions will usually apply to cover and quotations. For common conditions many insurers will tailor a quote for you:

  • Asthma and Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol or use of statins - lipid-lowering drugs

Hot Tips and Info

Do not hide relevant medical details, they are recorded and can be checked should you claim.

Within Europe your EHIC Card (replaces the E111) should provide you with emergency medical cover. But you may still need cheap cover for cancellation, loss or theft, dangerous sports and dental cover

Shop around for cheap quotes

It's always best to be upfront and disclose any pre-existing medical condition to your insurer so they can assess actual risks and prepare an accurate travel insurance quote.

Void cover

If you DON'T and you need medical treatment because of it then you've broken the terms of the policy.

You could be staring into the gaping jaws of a financial black hole when it comes to counting the cost of your memory lapse.

E111 and new EHIC

UK citizens travelling within Europe are covered by reciprocal health agreements and can obtain emergency medical treatment for free or at reduced cost. There are some (country) exceptions, and you will be required to provide your EHIC Medical Card form, passport and perhaps your NHS Card.

So if a pre-existing condition does flare up, then if you are travelling in Europe without your EHIC Card (replaces the E111) - the new European Health Insurance Card - you may have to stump up the cash for treatment and medicines. It is up to you to claim reimbursement once back home - so do keep copies of receipts.

Useful Links

Alzheimers

alzheimers.org.uk
alzheimers-research.co.uk

Aids and HIV

tht.org.uk
nat.org.uk

Cancer

bcc-uk.org
cancerbacup.org
cancerhelp.org.uk
cancerresearchuk.co.uk
clic.uk.com
macmillan.org.uk

Diabetes

diabetes.org.uk

Disabilities

yourable.com

Epilepsy

epilepsy.org.uk

epilepsynse.org.uk

Heart & Strokes

bhf.org.uk
stroke.org.uk
guch.org.uk
heartpoint.com
cardiomyopathy.org

High Blood Pressure

www.hbpf.org.uk
bhsoc.org

Kidney Disease

kidney.org.uk

Leukemia

leukaemiacare.org

Liver

britishlivertrust.org.uk

Lupus

lupus-support.org.uk

Syndromes

marfan.org.uk