Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

Don't assume you're covered.

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For information relating to policies purchased prior to 17 June 2021, 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 17 June 2021 please see below.

Don't assume you're covered

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(s) before your travel, so you're not caught unawares.

What is a pre-existing medical condition?

The following can help determine if you, your travel companion, a close relative or someone upon whom your trip depends has a pre-existing medical condition, as defined in our Policy Wording. If any of the following exist at the time you buy your policy, start your trip, extend your policy or resume your trip after returning home early, then we’ll consider that you have a pre-existing medical condition:

A medical or dental condition or related complication for which advice, treatment or medication has been prescribed by a medical practitioner, dentist or a chiropractor within the 180 days, and of which you are aware, before: (a) purchasing your policy; (b) starting your trip; (c) extending your policy; or (d) resuming your trip after returning home early; or
Ongoing medical or dental condition, or related complication you have, the symptoms of which you are aware at the time of (a) purchasing your policy; (b) starting your trip; (c) extending your policy; or (d) resuming your trip after returning home early; or
Ongoing medical or dental condition, or related complication which is currently being or has been investigated by a medical practitioner, dentist or a chiropractor; and of which you are aware at the time of (a) purchasing your policy; (b) starting your trip; (c) extending your policy; or (d) resuming your trip after returning home early.

In addition, if you took out cover after you left home, there is a time excess (waiting period) of 72 hours before the insurance takes effect and only for events first occurring after those 72 hours. Any illness or injury that occurs during this waiting period will be considered a pre-existing medical condition.

How are pre-existing medical conditions covered by travel insurance?

Our policies still cover many events for travellers with pre-existing medical conditions, as long as they don’t occur as a result of the pre-existing medical condition(s). These include cover for:

Baggage and personal belongings
Medical expenses – for unexpected serious illness and accidental injury, including evacuation and repatriation home
Natural catastrophe
Lost or damaged passport, licence or other travel documents
Travel delay
On our Explorer Plan, the section Coronavirus Travel Costs covers some Coronavirus related events.

You can check out our Coronavirus cover article which has all of the details, including benefit limits and exclusions.

When may a pre-existing medical condition be covered?

We do not cover any claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions.

Our policy covers cancellation if, after you’ve purchased the policy and before you start your trip, you, your close relative or a member of your travelling party suffers a serious illness or accidental injury or unexpectedly dies.

The policy isn’t designed to cover everything so take the time to read the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions in the Policy Wording for full details, so there are no surprises if you need to use it. If you’re not sure if something is covered get in touch.

Find a travel insurance provider if you have a serious medical condition

If you’re concerned our plans do not provide cover for a pre-existing medical condition that you have, you can visit the Money and Pensions Service’s travel directory (MaPS) which lists providers specialising in offering travel insurance to people with serious or life-threatening medical conditions.

MaPS Directory

If your not worried that your pre-existing condition(s) isn't covered 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(s).

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.

Claim paid: USD $39.41
J Davis. US Nomad in Mexico.

Reconnect with the world with our travel insurance cover for some Coronavirus-related events

Itching to travel again?

Explore the world with our plans that provide cover for some Coronavirus-related (including COVID-19 related) events, including emergency overseas medical, evacuation, cancellation cover and more. Find out what cover applies to your Country of Residence, and the key benefit limits depending on which plan you purchase. Happy and safe travels!

Overseas medical expenses and repatriation home

If a qualified medical practitioner diagnoses you with Coronavirus while you’re travelling, we may offer emergency medical benefits to help you get back on your feet, as well as emergency transport to the nearest or most appropriate medical facility or back home to the UK to recover.

Standard plan:
£5,000,000

Explorer plan:
£10,000,000

Repatriation of your remains

If the worst happens and you die from Coronavirus while overseas, we offer benefits to help your family with the costs of a funeral, or if available, bringing you back to your home country.

Standard plan:
£5,000

Explorer plan:
£5,000

Coronavirus Travel Costs section (cancellation and curtailment pre and on-trip)

Had to cancel your trip because you, a travel companion or a close relative in the UK have been diagnosed with Coronavirus? Our cover may help with your cancellation costs.