Travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions

What is a pre-existing medical condition?

A pre-existing medical condition is generally one you had or showed symptoms of having prior to the commencement of your policy. As for how insurers actually classify them, it can vary by condition and insurer.

In a general sense, a pre-existing medical condition could be one that in the last three years (though, insurers may use differing periods) you or anyone else you want covered by the policy:

• Were diagnosed with
• Consulted a medical or dental professional for
• Have been advised to undergo tests, investigations, care, treatment, or surgery for
• Were prescribed or have taken medication for
• Displayed symptoms of but have not been formally diagnosed with or treated for

Chronic or ongoing illnesses or conditions are also generally considered to be pre-existing when it comes to travel insurance.

To find out exactly how an insurer defines a pre-existing medical condition, read the policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or contact the provider directly.

When should you consider disclosing a medical condition?

When taking out any form of insurance, it’s important to be honest with your insurer. If you or anyone you intend to be covered under the travel insurance policy have or have had a medical condition that fits the criteria above, it’s worth disclosing this to a potential insurer.

Because policies’ costs and coverage limits aren’t always clear upfront, it may be best to contact a provider directly and share your medical history for a more personalised quote if you’re unsure.

Don’t make the mistake of not disclosing an old illness just because you feel fine now. Canstar’s Ratings Manager, Keely Robinson, warns that many of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) determinations she’s read feature a traveller with a prior medical condition who felt fine at the time they took out a policy or believed their issue was resolved a long time ago, and who didn’t disclose conditions that fell into the ‘pre-existing’ category. This often meant they weren’t specifically covered by the policy, regardless of how they felt at the time.

Why should I disclose a pre-existing medical condition?

If you fail to disclose any pre-existing conditions and require treatment related to them while on your trip, your claim may be denied and you could be left with an unexpected out-of-pocket expense. Likewise, if you need to cancel your trip as a result of a pre-existing medical condition that has not been disclosed, you run the risk of losing out on cover for travel costs that would have otherwise been included.

Why should I take out travel insurance for my pre-existing medical conditions?

If you have a pre-existing medical condition and plan on travelling, travel insurance can offer important peace of mind. The cost of treatment or hospitalisation on your trip can be significant, and you might find yourself out of pocket.

Medical assistance tends to be the highest unexpected cost for Australian travellers. Most countries won’t provide free or subsidised healthcare to visiting Aussies—meaning you or your insurer will need to pay full price. At times, hospitals overseas may refuse to treat you unless you pay up front or provide your insurance details, and even those in countries that have reciprocal health agreements with Australia may require you to pay out of pocket for certain costs.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, even one you take medication for, you may still be able to purchase travel insurance that covers it. While there are certain situations in which particular conditions won’t be covered, many pre-existing conditions may even be covered as standard.

What pre-existing medical conditions can be covered by travel insurance?

The exact medical conditions covered by a policy vary between insurers. For example, insurance provider Cover More covers the following pre-existing medical conditions, with certain additional criteria applying, at the time of writing:

• ADHD, anxiety, and depression
• Epilepsy, migraines, and bell’s palsy
• Bunions, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, stenosing tenosynovitis (trigger finger), and gout
• Hypertension (high blood pressure), hypercholesterolaemia (high cholesterol), and Raynaud’s disease
• Hip, knee, and shoulder replacement or hip resurfacing
• Coeliac disease, gastric reflux, hiatus hernia, and peptic or gastric ulcers
• Cataracts, glaucoma, ear grommets, and congenital blindness or deafness
• Goitre, Graves’ disease, and an underactive or overactive thyroid
• Acne
• Asthma
• Skin cancer, and
• Urinary incontinence

While these conditions may be covered, further restrictions can apply to some. For example, some criteria stipulates that you must not have changed your prescribed medication in the past 12 months or that the condition has been stable for a certain period of time.

Other eligibility criteria will typically apply and each provider may vary in the conditions it covers. Before signing up for any travel insurance policy, read all relevant documentation to make sure your condition won’t be excluded from coverage.

What pre-existing medical conditions can be excluded from travel insurance?

There are some situations in which pre-existing conditions will not be covered by your travel insurance. That doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t take out travel insurance, but that claims for medical expenses arising from these particular conditions likely won’t be covered.

There’s no definitive list of what is or isn’t covered but, generally speaking, you won’t be covered if:

• You have a terminal illness
• You’re awaiting treatment or a medical procedure for your condition
• You have certain types of cancer or congestive heart failure
• You have lung or cardiovascular disease
• You have a condition requiring continuous oxygen supply
• Your condition is a result of drug or alcohol dependency
• You have received treatment for your condition within a certain timeframe

It’s important to read the policy documents carefully, disclose any medical conditions when taking out cover, and, if necessary, contact your chosen provider directly to find out if your pre-existing condition excludes you from cover.

Likewise, even if your condition isn’t excluded from cover, you may still find a claim denied if your insurer finds out you’re travelling against the advice of your doctor or healthcare professional.

Can I still get travel insurance if my pre-existing medical condition isn’t covered?

You may still be able to take out a policy, but claims arising from your condition won’t be covered—this is sometimes referred to as a pre-existing condition waiver.

You would still be able to claim for medical, cancellation, and lost or damaged luggage incidents unrelated to your condition. In some circumstances, however, an insurer may not be able to offer you coverage at all due to your condition.

My travelling companions have pre-existing medical conditions. Are they covered?

If you have a joint travel insurance policy (one you’ve taken out as a couple or family) you’ll have to disclose your travelling companion’s pre-existing medical condition or conditions. If the insurer agrees to cover the condition, your travel companion should be protected against costs arising from their condition.

For single policies, some (but not all) may cover cancellation due to a companion’s illness. If you’re concerned, it’s important to check a policy’s documentation to ensure you’re covered in such instances.

Does it cost more to take out travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions?

A travel insurance policy that covers pre-existing medical conditions will usually be more expensive than one that does not, as insurers may expect the policyholder is more likely to make a claim.

Other factors may also affect the cost of a policy that covers pre-existing medical conditions, such as:

• The type of pre-existing condition or conditions
• The condition’s severity and how it’s being managed
• The age of the person covered
• Which countries they’re travelling to
• The duration of their trip

Comparing your travel insurance options can be a great way to save money, while also ensuring your pre-existing medical conditions are covered. You can compare travel insurance policies that allow for medical assessments or declarations with Canstar. The prices we show, however, won’t include cover for any existing medical conditions. You’ll need to confirm your policy price with the provider before making a purchasing decision. Using the table you can still compare key features like cancellation and luggage coverage limits, excess amount, and the policy’s Cover Rating.