Travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions
Most of our policies don’t cover pre-existing conditions, so don’t assume you’re covered.
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For information relating to policies purchased prior to 8 November 2022, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For policies purchased from 8 November 2022, please see below.
Having a pre-existing medical condition isn't a reason to stop travelling, but it can affect your travel insurance and what you’re covered for. Whether you're travelling off the grid or blogging in it, it's best to know if we can cover your pre-existing medical condition before your travel, so you're not caught unaware.
What is a pre-existing medical condition?
A pre-existing medical condition is any ongoing medical or dental condition that is either under investigation by a doctor, dentist or chiropractor, or you have experienced symptoms of the condition and are aware of them. It may also be any condition(s) for which you are or have received treatment, advice, or medication within a specified period of time before you purchased or extended your policy, for example in the previous 180 days or other period of time specified in the policy wording.
It’s important that you read your policy wording and its specific definition of 'pre-existing medical condition' and determine if the cover offered will meet your needs.
In addition, if you took out cover after you left home, there may be a waiting period (called a time excess in some policies) of up to 72 hours before the insurance takes effect, depending on your Country of Residence. Any illness or injury that occurs before or during this waiting period may be considered a pre-existing medical condition for the remaining period of your insurance.
The definition for 'pre-existing medical condition' applies to all people to be insured on your policy as well as to any other person upon whom your trip may depend.
What can travel insurance cover if not pre-existing medical conditions?
Our policies do not cover pre-existing medical conditions (unless stated otherwise in the policy wording), but they still offer cover for many events that can take place while on the road, as long as the event is not as a result of the pre-existing medical condition(s). This includes cover for:
- Baggage and personal belongings
- Medical, including evacuation and repatriation for unexpected illness and accidental injury that are not pre-existing medical conditions
- Natural catastrophe
- Lost or damaged passports, licenses or other travel documents
- Travel delay.
Our policies may also cover your cancellation expenses if, after you’ve purchased the policy and before you've started your trip, you or someone else on whom your trip depends suffers a serious illness or injury which is not a pre-existing medical condition.
Is Coronavirus a pre-existing medical condition?
It can be.
To find out more about Coronavirus (COVID-19) coverage for your Country of Residence, select your Country in the top left hand corner of this screen. Or to read more about what cover applies to you, read our What’s Covered for Coronavirus article which has all of the details, including benefit limits, conditions and exclusions.
Coverage depends on your Country of Residence and varies between plans.
What's not covered by World Nomads Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything. The main things that aren’t covered are:
- Pre-existing medical conditions as defined in the policy wording, unless specifically mentioned as covered in the policy
- Any medical expenses once you return home
- The sickness you caught right before you remembered to buy a policy.
This isn't a full list of what's covered and not covered. There are item limits, conditions and exclusions that apply, so for more information check out our article on pre-existing medical conditions and read your policy wording carefully before you buy. If you’re not sure if something is covered get in touch.
If your pre-existing medical condition isn't covered (as explained in your policy wording) and you're not worried about covering it, you can still purchase a policy online through World Nomads. Just be aware there's no cover for any claim made as a result of this condition.
New Diagnosis in Mexico.
I realized I had forgotten a medication (clonazepam) which I take for insomnia. I visited a doctor in Mexico City the next day and got a prescription for the medication. However, he also diagnosed me with a condition that I was not aware of (hyperthyroid) and suggested that the medication would help with the condition on a short-term basis. He suggested that I get a blood test for hyperthyroid, which I just did in Boston.
J Davis. US Nomad in Mexico.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Protection
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation before you leave home.
- Explorer Plan: €10,000
- Standard Plan: €4,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Abroad Medical Expenses
Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling abroad.
- Explorer Plan: €12,500,000
- Standard Plan: €3,750,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transport
Expenses included in Emergency Medical limits.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear (just not sports equipment when in use).
- Explorer Plan: €2,500
- Standard Plan: €1,250
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- 24 hour Emergency Assistance
- Emergency Medical Transport
- Repatriation & Travel Expenses
- Pre-Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption (Explorer)
- Resumption of Trip (Explorer)
- Travel Delay (Explorer)
- Missed connection (Explorer)
- Hijacking (Explorer)
- Baggage & Personal Items
- Passport & Travel Documents
- Personal Liability
- Rental vehicle insurance excess (Explorer)
- Personal accident
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
| Country of residence | Phone |
|---|---|
| Belgium | +32 (0)2 808 66 32 |
| Denmark | +45 89 87 30 23 |
| Germany | +49 (0)335 5622 3012 |
| Ireland | +353 (0) 90 640 6460 |
| Netherlands | +31 (0)20 8080731 |
Contact the team
Wherever you are, whatever has happened, our multi-lingual assistance teams are here to help you and your family.
Emergency Assistance, World Nomads
Travel insurance. Simple & flexible.
Travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.