Which pre-existing medical conditions do I need to declare for travel insurance?
Key takeaways
A pre-existing condition is any health condition you’ve been diagnosed with, treated for, or are awaiting diagnosis
Failing to disclose a pre-existing condition to an insurer can invalidate claims
You can usually get travel insurance with a pre-existing condition, but you may have to use a specialist provider
What are pre-existing conditions?
A pre-existing condition is any health or medical condition you've been diagnosed with, had treatment for, or are awaiting diagnosis of. It also includes ailments you are waiting on a diagnosis for, as well as mental health conditions.
Different insurers have different definitions about what counts as a pre-existing condition. In general, insurers need to know about the following:
Long-term or chronic conditions, such as asthma, Crohn’s disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or epilepsy.
Any condition you are waiting for surgery for
Anything yet to be diagnosed — for example, if you’re waiting for test results
Any ailment you have seen your GP about, had medication for, or been to hospital about in the past two years
Serious conditions you have ever had, such as a heart attack, stroke, or cancer
Conditions for which you have been given a terminal prognosis
🚩 Your travel insurance provider may have different requirements or timelines.
Do I need travel insurance if I have a pre-existing conditions?
Although not legally required, holiday insurance is a sensible investment. It provides peace of mind that you’ll be covered for any costs or emergency medical expenses you incur such as:
cancellation cover (if your condition worsens before your trip)
medical costs abroad (such as the cost of hospital treatment if you get ill on your holiday)
repatriation (if you need special arrangements to get you back to the UK)
Having a pre-existing condition makes it more likely that you’ll need medical attention during your trip. Medical treatment can run up costs in the thousands, and having an insurance policy that covers your pre-existing condition means that you won’t be left with the medical bill.
Whether you’re planning a week in the sun or an adrenaline-filled winter sports trip, travel insurance that covers any pre-existing conditions will mean that you can enjoy your holiday without worrying about the cost of any medical issues that might arise.
Do I need to declare pre-existing conditions to my travel provider?
Yes. Before offering you cover, the insurer will want to work out the likelihood of a claim, and so they will ask about your pre-existing conditions.
If you’re unsure whether a particular medical condition is relevant, tell your insurer about it anyway. This includes conditions that are managed with medication, or only flare up now and again. This will give you peace of mind that you are fully covered.
Remember, if you have couples or family travel insurance, the insurer will need to know about pre-existing conditions for everyone covered by the policy.
What is medical screening for a travel insurance policy?
If you tell your insurer you have a pre-existing condition, you might have to take part in medical screening. This is where the insurer asks you questions about your medical history, particularly relating to your pre-existing condition. The might want to know about:
Any recent hospital admissions
Any planned treatment
Any medication you are currently taking
Any tests you are awaiting results for
The information will be used to make sure you have the right cover in place, and at the right price for the insurer.
The questions will vary depending on your condition. For example, if you have osteoarthritis, the screening process might ask if you have had any joints replaced or resurfaced, if you use mobility aids, and if you’ve had any unplanned hospital admissions in the past 12 months.
📌 Failure to answer these questions honestly can invalidate your policy, so it’s important you answer all the insurer’s questions as truthfully as you can.
Will my insurer cover pre-existing conditions?
When you tell an insurer about a pre-existing condition, it will do one of the following:
Offer cover on a standard policy at no extra cost
Offer cover but exclude the pre-existing condition
Charge a higher premium to cover your condition
Refuse to offer insurance
Many common conditions are covered by most mainstream travel insurers. For example, the Post Office covers diabetes, asthma, and some heart conditions on a case-by-case basis.
These conditions might be exclusions on other policies, so you should always check with your provider. What’s covered and what’s not will be explained on your policy documents.
Specialist insurance for pre-existing conditions
If you’re turned down for travel insurance due to health issues you can usually still get insurance via a specialist insurer.
The government-backed MoneyHelper has a directory of specialist travel insurance providers which can help if you have a serious medical condition or disability.
These providers are experts in covering travellers with pre-existing conditions and will carry out medical screening to ensure you can find the right travel insurance and level of cover for you. You might also be offered extra cover relevant to your condition, such as cover for medical equipment or lost medication.
What happens if you fail to disclose a pre-existing medical condition?
Failing to tell your insurer about a pre-existing condition is called “non-disclosure”, and can mean you’re not covered in the case of a medical emergency.
The insurer might find out you had a pre-existing condition if you make a travel insurance claim, as at this point they can request access to your medical records. They will need your consent for this, but if you refuse your claim is likely to be rejected and your policy deemed invalid.
If this happens, you’ll have to pay for treatment and associated costs yourself. While this might be affordable in some countries, it will be eye-wateringly expensive in other destinations, especially if you have a serious condition. For example, treatment for a stroke in the US can cost more than $40,000 (roughly £31,000).
As well as costs for medical treatment, a declined claim could also mean you’re not covered for cancellation, curtailment, or repatriation as a result of your condition.
Do I need to tell insurers about any changes to my health?
If you already have travel insurance – whether a single trip or an annual multi-trip policy – you’ll need to keep your insurer updated about any new medical conditions you have. Insurers will usually have a helpline you can call.
Travel insurance companies call this “ongoing duty of disclosure” or “change in health” and they might charge an extra premium due to your condition.
The golden rule is that honesty is the best policy when it comes to pre-existing conditions. It’s better to pay a bit more for travel insurance so you can relax on your holiday, safe in the knowledge you’re fully covered.
Buying travel insurance for a pre-existing condition
If you have a pre-existing condition and are looking to buy travel insurance, the best place to start is comparing quotes.
Travel insurance for pre-existing conditions starts from £[data] for a single-trip policy or £[data] for an annual multi-trip policy. The cost will depend on the specific condition and level of cover you require.
If you find that you’re unable to find adequate insurance for your condition, you can also try a specialist provider. Although generally more expensive, these are also better equipped to help with your particular needs.
Frequently asked questions
How far back do pre-existing conditions count for travel insurance?
Different insurers will have different requirements about how long ago a medical condition must have happened before it is no longer considered a pre-existing condition. They may also have different rules depending on the condition in question.
For example, a medical travel insurance provider might only want to know about issues treated by your GP within the last two years, whereas for serious or long-term conditions like cancer or asthma, they’ll want to know about any diagnoses within the last five or more years.
Always check with your provider to see what conditions you need to declare.
What pre-existing conditions need to be declared?
Generally, you need to declare any pre-existing condition that you’ve had treatment, received a diagnosis, taken medication, or had tests for within the last two to five years. This includes things like chronic illness, heart attacks, strokes, and mental health issues. Requirements change depending on the insurer, so always check with your provider to see what’s included.
What if I can’t get travel insurance cover for a pre-existing condition?
If you’re unable to find travel insurance cover for a pre-existing condition using a standard provider you can usually find a specialist provider who will be willing to cover you. Specialist cover may be more expensive, but gives you the peace of mind that you’re covered for any medical assistance you require during your trip.
In some rare cases you may not be able to get cover, even with a specialist provider, or the cover on offer may be prohibitively expensive. In this scenario, it’s up to you to choose whether you still wish to travel. Keep in mind that if you require medical treatment while abroad and do not have insurance that covers your specific condition, you may be liable to pay any costs upfront.
Do travel insurance companies check medical records?
Travel insurance companies won’t always check your medical records, but they’ll usually ask for consent to check your records if you make a claim. Failure to give consent may result in a refusal to cover a claim.
Do I need medical cover if I have a EHIC or GHIC?
A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) will cover some state healthcare in participating countries, but not private treatment. Because public healthcare can be more basic in some countries, it’s always recommended to have travel insurance alongside a EHIC or GHIC card.
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