Travel insurance for medical conditions

Yes, you may still be able to get travel insurance if you’re waiting for treatment or test results, but the condition under investigation may not be covered. Be sure to disclose any ongoing tests, referrals or planned treatment when getting a quote, as this may affect the cover available to you.

Yes, you can usually get travel insurance if you have more than one medical condition, provided you declare them all when getting a quote.

Having multiple conditions may affect the cost of your cover, but many insurers can still provide cover for travellers with complex medical histories. If you’re unable to find suitable cover through a standard provider, specialist medical travel insurers may be able to help.

If your medical condition changes after you’ve bought travel insurance, you should tell your insurer as soon as possible. This includes new diagnoses, changes to medication, referrals for tests or treatment, and hospital stays.

Your insurer may update your cover, charge an additional premium, exclude the condition from your policy, or advise you of any other changes that need to be made.

You generally don’t need to declare minor, short-term illnesses or routine life stages, if they haven’t required medical advice, treatment or prescribed medication.

This may include a simple cold or flu, standard contraception, or a complication-free pregnancy. However, requirements vary between insurers so always answer medical questions honestly.

Yes, you should declare any medications or medical conditions you’re asked about when taking out a travel insurance policy.

When you buy travel insurance, you’ll usually be asked to complete a medical screening that may include questions about any medication you take and the conditions it relates to.

Failing to disclose relevant medical information could be considered non-disclosure and could affect your cover or result in a claim being denied.

You should be able to travel to the same destinations as anyone else, choosing insurance that covers the UK, Europe or worldwide. You’ll just need to declare your medical conditions when getting a quote.  

However, you might find it’s more expensive to get cover if you have a pre-existing medical condition and you’re visiting a location with a high level of private healthcare, such as the USA or Hong Kong.

Your travel insurance won’t cover you if you’re travelling to a place that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) doesn't consider to be safe.

Yes, you may need to tell your insurance provider which drugs you’re taking – for example, statins or prescribed aspirin. You might also be asked how many medications you’re taking to treat a particular condition. 

If you don’t declare a pre-existing medical condition when applying for travel insurance, your policy will likely be voided if you make a claim for anything related to that condition. If this happens, you could be left facing a huge treatment bill you need to pay yourself.

Your premium is likely to increase but it depends on a few different factors, such as the type of medical condition and how likely you are to make a claim. Prices can vary so it's worth comparing different providers to find a policy that best suits you needs.

Pregnancy isn’t usually considered a medical condition. Your insurance should cover you if you have a pregnancy-related emergency abroad, provided you haven’t had any complications beforehand and you’re less than 37 weeks pregnant, or 33 weeks pregnant with twins.

Some policies won’t cover you if you’re more than 32 weeks pregnant, or 24 weeks pregnant with twins. But others will cover you up to 37 weeks, so it’s advisable to check directly with your provider before you travel. 

Yes, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) isn’t a substitute for travel insurance. It  allows you to access state healthcare at the same rate as locals in most European countries and Australia.  

But it won’t pay for repatriation, specialist treatment or stays in private hospitals. Nor will it cover you for eventualities like lost luggage or missed flights. 

Most providers ask for details about health conditions you’ve been diagnosed with or received treatment for within the past two to five years. 

However, some conditions must always be declared, regardless of when they happened. These include heart attacks, angina, blood clots and strokes.