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• Travel Insurance with Medical Conditions

Travel insurance for medical conditions

Quick and easy medical screening.

Includes Medical Assistance Plus

Emergency medical and repatriation costs covered

Make sure you have the right medical travel insurance

If you have an existing medical condition, it's important to get the right treatment when you're abroad. And having the right cover's important too.

Treatment for an unexpected illness can quickly run into the thousands of pounds. But with the right insurance, you'll know you're covered.

Cover for common medical conditions

Diabetes can range from mild to serious, which can affect your overall health. Our travel insurance covers all these levels. We look at the how severe your disease is, where you're travelling to and if you have any other health issues

Asthma can range from mild to severe. It can also be linked to other respiratory problems. It’s important to have the right travel insurance for asthma. We'll check your asthma on a case-by-case basis to see whether we can give you the right cover

Heart conditions

From high cholesterol to high blood pressure , we want to help you enjoy your trip. We'll consider any heart conditions you have and try to help you find cover that will give you protection should you fall ill abroad

Post Office Travel Insurance covers most pre-existing medical conditions. Get a quote today to see if we can cover you

Get a quote online or by phone

When you choose Post Office for your medical travel insurance, all you have to do is answer a few questions. We can either take you through your medical screening online or over the phone

Tell us everything we need to know

Tell us about the conditions you have and any medications you’re taking. Include everything you know to help us get the right cover in place for your specific needs. Or there's a risk you might not be protected if you have a problem while on holiday

All medical conditions considered

We’ll do our best to provide you with cover. But if you have a serious pre-existing medical condition we can’t offer cover for, check the Money and Pensions Scheme (MaPS) directory of companies that may be able to help or call them on 0800 138 7777

Medical Assistance Plus: 24/7 holiday health support

Have peace of mind when you travel knowing that health professionals are just one click away.

Medical Assistance Plus, powered by Air Doctor, comes free with all our travel insurance policies (1). It gives you access to outpatient medical support while you’re away.

Through the service you can book an in-person or video consultation with a doctor. You can also get prescriptions delivered to your nearest pharmacy.

We’ll send you an SMS reminder about the service the day before you travel (for single-trip and backpacker cover) or the day before your policy begins (for annual multi-trip cover).

Ehic or Ghic aren't always enough

UK citizens travelling in EU countries can access some state-provided healthcare there for free or at a reduced cost.

You'll need a UK Global Health Insurance Card (Ghic) or, if it’s still in date, a European Health Insurance Card (Ehic). It’s important to remember that:

• Neither card covers any extra cost to return you to the UK or for a relative to stay or fly out to be with you
• In a medical emergency you may have no control over the hospital you are taken to. Or if the closest hospital you can be taken to may be private. Medical travel insurance may be able to cover some of the cost for you
• The Ehic no longer provides access to healthcare services in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland

We’ll look after you if you’re ill abroad

If you're taken ill on holiday and end up in hospital, our emergency medical assistance team can be contacted to help you.

We'll look for facilities available to provide the treatment and care you need. We may be able to get you home. And we may be able to pay towards your medical costs.

Conditions and exclusions apply. For full details of what's included with your cover, check our policy documents .

Ready to get a quote?

Let’s find the protection that’s right for your travels. Get a quote for Post Office Travel Insurance

An award-winning provider

Best travel insurance provider.

Post Office won a ‘Best Travel Insurance Provider’ award at the Your Money Awards in 2021, 2022 and 2023

Post Office won a “Best Travel Insurance Provider” award at the British Travel Awards in 2023

Defaqto 5-star rated cover

Our travel insurance policies with premier level cover are Defaqto 5-star rated

Common questions

Does post office travel insurance cover coronavirus.

At Post Office, we work hard to provide cover that’s right for you and any pre-existing medical conditions you’re living with. And we know coronavirus is still a worry for many people living with such conditions.

All Post Office Travel Insurance policies include a level of cover for trip disruption. This also includes problems due to the Covid-19 virus. Check if there any warnings from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)  about where you plan to visit. If not, then we'll cover the costs of emergency medical expenses or getting you back home if you fall ill on your trip.

Check what’s covered as standard for Covid-19 on our policies. You can add extra cover for coronavirus-related problems with our trip disruption upgrade option.

Sometimes the FDCO will advise only essential travel to a certain place. If you make a trip to somewhere like this, we'll only cover a claim if the cause isn’t linked to the reason for the FCDO advice. This applies even if you've bought an optional trip disruption upgrade. You may be able to travel with full cover if we authorise, in writing, that your trip is essential before you depart. To find out more, please email [email protected]

What is considered a medical condition for travel insurance?

It's important to tell us the full details of any medical conditions you have, or any medication you're taking. This is so we can make sure the travel insurance we offer you fully covers you for your trip.

When you apply, we’ll ask the following medical questions. If the answer is “yes” for you or anyone listed on the policy, you’ll need to complete a medical screening.

• Have you been prescribed medication in the last 2 years, whether you’re taking it or not? This includes tablets (including morphine-based painkillers), inhalers or injections
• Do you currently routinely visit a GP, hospital or clinic for check-ups/consultations or treatments? This includes annual reviews or reviews once every 2 years for a condition
• Are you visited by a doctor, nurse or carer for check-ups or treatment (including changing dressings)?
• Have you been admitted into hospital or undergone surgery in the last 2 years?
• Have you received treatment for heart, stroke or respiratory-related illness in the last 2 years?
• Are you currently waiting for any consultations, referrals or results from tests/investigations, or on any waiting lists?

We'll check the condition and then let you know if we have a policy to suit your needs, and if any additional premium needs to be paid.

Do I have to declare medical conditions for travel insurance?

Yes, it's very important to tell us about your pre-existing medical conditions. If there's something you don't tell us about when you apply for travel insurance, you might not be fully covered when you go away. We must agree in writing to cover these conditions, and you may need to make an additional payment.

What will I be asked during the medical screening?

The questions we ask you in your medical screening will depend on the conditions you have. We’ll also ask about your recent medical history.

If you've had had any issues recently, we'll ask more questions about:

• Treatments you've had
• Medicines you've been given
• Surgery carried out
• Any planned treatments

We may have further questions after these.

What does medical travel insurance cover?

Medical travel insurance covers you for your existing medical conditions. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you may be more at risk than a healthy person. This type of insurance can offer a higher level of cover if you have a condition that means you need extra care after an accident.

We offer a policy that considers all medical conditions to give you the level of cover that you need.

This can include:

• Any medical expenses
• If you need to be flown home
• Being taken to a different hospital if the one you’re in isn’t suitable for your condition

Do I need an Ehic or Ghic?

If you’re travelling within the EU, it’s important to take your existing European Health Insurance Card (Ehic). Check if it's still in date. If it's about to expire, you can apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (Ghic) .

With the card you can get emergency and necessary state healthcare in EU countries. The care will be free or at a reduced cost. But there are certain things they don't cover, such as medical repatriation. So it's important to have travel insurance too.

Please remember that the Ehic no longer covers healthcare for UK nationals in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

• Read more travel insurance FAQs

Need some help?

Travel insurance help and support.

For emergency medical assistance, to make a claim, find answers to common questions about our cover or get in touch:

Visit our travel insurance support page

Travel insurance policy types

Single-trip cover.

• Cover for a one-off trip in the UK or abroad 
• Perfect for one-off trips or longer holidays of up to 365 days (2)
• No age limit 

Annual multi-trip cover

• Cover for multiple trips for a 12-month period 
• 31-day trip limit, with extensions available up to 45 and 60 days
• Available for everyone aged up to 75 years 

Backpacker cover

• Cover for a one-off trip up to 18 months
• Option to return home for up to 7 days on 3 occasions
• For people aged 18 – 60 wanting to travel the world for a gap year or career break

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About our travel insurance

Post Office® Travel Insurance is arranged by Post Office Limited and Post Office Management Services Limited.

Post Office Limited is an appointed representative of Post Office Management Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 630318. Post Office Limited and Post Office Management Services Limited are registered in England and Wales. Registered numbers 2154540 and 08459718 respectively. Registered Office: 100 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7ER. Post Office and the Post Office logo are registered trademarks of Post Office Limited.

These details can be checked on the Financial Services Register by visiting the Financial Conduct Authority website and searching by Firm Reference Number (FRN).

(1) Medical Assistance Plus is not available for trips taken in the UK, only for international travel. The service allows up to 3 separate medical events per person, per policy and for each medical event up to 3 appointments per person listed on the policy. All appointment charges are covered by your travel insurance policy. You will not need to pay any excess fees for this service.

For any online appointments or where the appointment was held at your accommodation, where a prescription is issued, you will need to pay for any medication and claim upon your return home. No excess will be applied for any prescription charges. If your appointment takes place at a clinic and they have a dispensing chemist, you will not need to pay for your prescription and all charges will be covered by your policy at the point of appointment. If there is no dispensing chemist at the clinic, you will either be given a prescription, or the prescription will be sent to a chemist by the treating doctor, and you will need to pay for any medication and claim upon your return home.

If your medical situation needs to be handed over from an outpatient case to an inpatient case and requires hospital admission, you will be handed over to our emergency medical assistance team in the UK. For any inpatient cases, no excess will be applicable.

(2) For economy, standard and premier policies, the single-trip policy will cover you for one trip up to:

365 days for those aged up to and including 70 years

90 days for those aged between 71 and 75 #

31 days for those aged 76 years and above

Medical Travel Insurance

Finding you the right travel medical insurance.

Our panel of specialist providers are here to help, whatever your condition. If you're looking for the best travel insurance for medical conditions, then we have a vast range of options to cover almost any medical condition. You may think that it would be harder to get travel cover after having medical treatment or if you’ve got a long medical history, but we are here to help. With medical cover for conditions like osteoporosis, breast cancer, diabetes, and many more, we can make sure you're travelling safely. With a selection of options including single trip travel insurance and multi-trip cover, browse our medical travel insurance quotes and read more below.

Ever wondered if you need to declare allergies on holiday insurance with medical conditions? Find out all you need to know about allergy travel insurance and get specialist cover here.

Angina Travel Insurance

We compare angina travel insurance UK-wide from specialist providers, to help you find the right policy for you and your trip. Get started today.

Angioplasty Travel Insurance

Planning a trip? We’ve teamed up with specialist insurance providers to help you find the right cover for your angioplasty. Get a comparison quote today.

Compare anxiety travel insurance quotes from over 30 specialist travel insurers to find the best deal for you. Compare and buy online today.

Compare asthma travel insurance deals to find the most suitable cover at a competitive rate. Cover is available for people with mild to severe asthma.

Atrial Fibrillation

If you’ve been asking ‘can I get travel insurance with atrial fibrillation?’ the answer is ‘yes’. Find specialist atrial fibrillation travel insurance here.

Back Problems

Find the best travel insurance for those with back problems. Compare quotes in minutes today.

Breast Cancer

Compare quotes for breast cancer travel insurance from over 30 specialist providers. Get yours online today!

Use our comparison tool to find travel insurance as a cancer patient or if you have a history of cancer.

Cardiomyopathy

Ever wondered if you need to declare cardiomyopathy on travel insurance? Find out all you need to know about cardiomyopathy travel insurance and get specialist cover here.

Compare COPD travel insurance form over 30 specialist providers today with Medical Travel Compared.

Crohn's

Instantly compare Crohn’s Disease travel insurance quotes from 30 specialist providers or read our guide to Crohn’s insurance.

If you’ve been diagnosed with depression, compare policies from 30 specialist providers all in one place to find the right holiday insurance for you.

Travelling with diabetes? Use our free online comparison tool to find great value full coverage travel insurance today.

Looking for disability travel insurance? You can easily compare travel insurance for people with disabilities today.

Find epilepsy travel insurance in minutes with our free comparison tool! Compare cover from over 30 leading medical travel insurance providers.

Compare quotes for gallstones travel insurance. A single application for specialised pre-existing condition travel insurance including gallbladder surgery.

Heart Conditions

Struggling to find travel insurance to cover your heart condition? Find specialist cover for a variety of heart conditions from over 30 providers.

Got the all-clear from your doctor to fly? Finding hernia travel insurance is easy with Medical Travel Compared. Get started today.

High Blood Pressure

Travelling with high blood pressure? Use our free online comparison tool to find travel insurance with cover for high blood pressure.

Compare HIV travel insurance from a range of specialist travel insurance providers to find the best deal.

Lung Cancer Travel Insurance

We’ve teamed up with specialist insurance providers to help you find the right cover for you and your condition. We compare medical travel insurance for those with lung cancer so you don't have to.

Compare lupus travel insurance quotes from specialist UK insurers all in one place.

Lymphoma Travel Insurance

Compare travel insurance quotes for those with lymphoma with Medical Travel Compared. We’ve teamed up with specialist insurance providers to help find the right cover for those living with lymphoma.

Mental Health

Compare mental health travel insurance quotes from over 30 specialist providers to find the best deal for you today. Find cover for a variety of mental conditions.

Multiple Sclerosis

Find and compare travel insurance from over 30 specialist providers who can cover MS.

Osteoporosis

Ever wondered if you need to declare osteoporosis on travel insurance? Find out all you need to know about osteoporosis travel insurance and get specialist cover here.

For those with existing heart conditions, like having a pacemaker - here’s how to find the right travel insurance for people with medical conditions like heart conditions.

Pre-existing Conditions

Save time and money on travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions. Use our comparison tool to compare medical travel insurance cover.

Prostate Cancer

Discover the best travel insurance for prostate cancer at the best prices from over 30 specialist providers. Compare and buy online today!

Skin Cancer

Compare skin cancer travel insurance quotes from 30 leading providers. Find and buy the best deals online today.

Getting travel insurance after a stroke has never been easier. Compare stroke travel insurance quotes from specialist providers all in one place.

Kidney Disease

Catering for conditions like CKD and dialysis, secure your peace of mind and travel with confidence. Compare quotes now.

Are you still unsure about what travel insurance for health conditions you should be choosing for your condition? Get in touch or request a quote and we can compare travel insurance for medical conditions, so you don't have to. We endeavour to find you the best cheap travel insurance for your medical condition, so don't hesitate to get in contact.

A pre-existing is any medical condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received before applying for a travel insurance policy. For some conditions, we'll need to know if they have ever been present, whilst for others if they occurred within a certain period.

It is simple and quick to do! After you've told us about your trip details and answered some medical history questions you can add your pre-existing conditions, one by one, for each traveller. You'll only need to enter your details once, it's all online and there's no need to call, or provide details of your conditions in writing.

A pre-existing condition is a diagnosed medical condition that existed before taking out a policy. We'll ask a series of questions about the medical history for you and any travellers on your quote. If you answer yes to any of these, you will need to tell us about the traveller's conditions. This could be a condition that a traveller has now or has had in the past. If you are not sure what conditions you need to declare, we have online support available to help you 24/7!

You can send your question to  our team , or visit our help centre on Covering Your Conditions .

You can send your question to  our team , or visit our help centre on Adding Your Conditions .

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• Help and Support
• Travel Insurance
• Travel Insurance with medical conditions

Travel Insurance with Medical Conditions

Travelling with a pre‑existing medical condition.

The right travel insurance is even more important.

Travel insurance  is an important part of going away. Whether you're travelling around the UK or going abroad, make sure you and your travel companions are protected with comprehensive cover.

Covid-19 - what our travel insurance covers

Our travel insurance now covers you for certain events related to Coronavirus (COVID-19), provided you have proof of a positive Covid-19 test and your cover is active at the time of the event.

What we cover

We provide cover for some costs related to Covid-19: please see Section 1 'emergency medical costs and repatriation' and Section 2 'cancelling or cutting short your trip' in your policy book for full details on what's covered.

We'll cover you if:

• you were diagnosed with Covid-19 before your trip was due to start
• a close relative died or became seriously ill as a result of Covid-19 before your trip was due to start
• you weren't allowed to board your pre-booked outbound travel due to symptoms of Covid-19
• an insured person or a close relative died during the trip because of Covid-19
• you couldn't take part in an excursion due to you self-isolating after getting Covid-19

What we don’t cover

You won't be covered if:

• you had reason to believe your trip may be cancelled, postponed or cut short when you booked it, purchased your policy or started your trip
• any government or public authority imposes travel restrictions or quarantine on a community, location, or vessel because of Covid-19 (this includes, but is not limited to, local lockdowns, entry requirements, being denied entry and airspace closures)
• you have to quarantine after arriving in the UK or abroad
• the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) change their advice to avoid ‘all travel’ or ‘all but essential travel’ to your destination because of Covid-19

For more information about how Coronavirus (COVID-19) affects your travel cover, see our FAQ page . And remember to check the policy booklet carefully before you buy to make sure our cover meets your needs.

Travel insurance with pre-existing conditions

Admiral offers both  Single Trip  and  Annual Travel Insurance  with three tiers of cover to choose from: Admiral, Admiral Gold and Admiral Platinum.

Read the full list of benefits in the policy summary booklet .

Make sure you’re covered and fit for travel

Fit for travel means you’re healthy and able to travel without concern. If you’re in any doubt, speak to your doctor. You won’t be covered if your doctor considers you unfit for travel.

Before you buy or renew your cover, you need to state if you or anyone named on your policy has a pre-existing condition. This includes medical conditions you’ve had within the last two years.

You should also let us know if anything changes with your health at any point after taking out the policy.

We need to know about:

• Advice, treatment or prescriptions from a doctor
• Investigation of your health or waiting for diagnosis
• Being on a waiting list for inpatient treatment or knowing you need inpatient treatment

What’s a pre-existing condition or illness?

A pre-existing condition is a short or long term illness or injury you have or have had before you buy travel insurance, whether that’s having symptoms, tests, diagnosis or medical treatment.

This includes:

• Urinary tract infections
• Heart conditions (irregular heartbeat/angina/heart disease)
• Circulatory conditions (strokes/high blood pressure/high cholesterol)
• Breathing conditions (asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD))
• Gastro-intestinal or digestive conditions (Crohn's disease/IBS)
• Bone or joint conditions (arthritis/gout)
• Psychiatric or psychological conditions (anxiety/depression)
• Terminal prognosis

You can declare your pre-existing conditions during the quote process to see if we can offer cover. If you’re unsure what needs to be declared or if you're unable to find your condition on the medical conditions list, please contact us on 0333 234 9913

Your pre-existing conditions won’t be covered unless you’ve:

• Declared them all on your policy
• Received written confirmation that we’ll cover your medical condition
• Paid any additional premium in full

Policy terms and conditions apply. Please note, if you’ve had a positive diagnosis of Covid-19 and been prescribed medication, received treatment, or had a consultation with a doctor or hospital specialist for any medical condition in the past two years, this needs to be declared on your policy.

If you don’t tell us about your pre-existing conditions or give us incorrect information, your policy may be invalid, and we may refuse all or part of any claim you submit.

For a quote with us, click the green button above.

The MoneyHelper directory

If you require cover for more serious medical conditions, MoneyHelper may be able to help you find specialist travel insurance through their medical directory.

If you wish to get in touch with them you can call them on 0800 138 7777 or find them online . (Monday to Friday 8:00-18:00, closed on Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays.)

Why do I have to tell my insurer if I have a pre-existing condition?

Having travel insurance for existing medical conditions means you’re fully covered should anything happen on your trip relating to your pre-existing condition.

If you require medical assistance, the experts at the emergency assistance service will be able to advise you on the best care.

Your pre-existing conditions won’t be covered unless you’ve declared them all on your policy, received acceptance of this in writing, and paid any additional premium in full. If you don’t tell us about your pre-existing conditions or give us incorrect information your policy may be invalid, we may refuse your claim or not pay your claim in full.

Claims are also often denied for people who:

• Travel against the advice of their doctor, or don’t seek advice where travel would have been denied
• Travel to receive treatment e.g. an operation in a foreign country
• Fail to take necessary medication e.g. any prescribed medicines or inoculations

Can I get cheap travel insurance with a pre-existing condition or will my price be more expensive?

It’s not impossible to get cheap travel insurance with pre existing conditions, but you shouldn’t sacrifice cover for the sake of paying less.

Your insurance cost usually depends on:

• Number of travellers on your policy
• Where you’re travelling to
• The type of pre-existing condition(s)

I was diagnosed with a medical condition after I booked my insurance – am I still covered?

Yes, usually, if:

• Your doctor says you’re fit for travel
• You've told us about these changes to your health

When you tell us about a new medical condition and we agree to cover it, you may have to pay a bit more.

If you don’t agree with any changes to the terms and conditions, you may get a full or partial refund. If we can’t cover you, you may be able to cancel your holiday if it hasn’t started.

Can I make a claim once I return home?

Claims for medical emergencies should be made while you’re away from home on your trip.

Please call our 24 hour Emergency Assistance Helpline on +44 (0)292 010 7777 before cutting your trip short, going into hospital or incurring medical expenses over £500.

Non-medical claims, for example claiming back money spent, can be submitted when you’re back home. If you’re in any doubt, it’s best to contact us to check, or visit our  Make A Claim  page for more information.

Your questions answered

Is asthma a pre existing condition for travel insurance.

Yes, asthma is a pre-existing condition and must be declared when buying your insurance.

Does travel insurance cover medical expenses?

You’ll be covered up to the limits shown on your policy for any reasonable, necessary costs relating to emergency medical, surgical and hospital treatment. This doesn’t include treatment in a private facility, or anything carried out in your home country after returning home.

Can you get travel insurance with COPD?

COPD is a pre-existing condition and must be declared when buying your insurance.

Can you get travel insurance with cancer?

Cancer is one of the pre-existing conditions you need to declare when buying your insurance.

Can you get travel insurance with HIV?

HIV is one of the pre-existing conditions you need to declare when buying your insurance.

Can you get travel insurance with epilepsy?

Epilepsy is one of the pre-existing conditions you need to declare when buying your insurance.

Does having a pacemaker affect travel insurance?

If you have a pacemaker, it’ll need to be declared to us when you take out the policy (or when you have it fitted if this is done after you’ve taken out the policy). You can still get travel insurance with a pacemaker.

Why do I have to provide my medical details to get a quotation?

Declaring your medical details will ensure you are buying a policy which meets your needs. It’s important you supply accurate and complete answers to all questions as failure to do so could mean your policy is invalid and/or your claim is not paid in full or refused.

Do I need to declare existing medical conditions to get Admiral cover?

Declaring your medical conditions will ensure you are purchasing a policy which meets your needs. It’s important you supply accurate and complete answers to all questions as failure to do so could mean your policy is invalid and/or your claim is not paid in full or refused.

Can I take out insurance if I am currently being diagnosed, under referral, awaiting an operation or haven’t been discharged from outpatient care?

Unfortunately Admiral is not able to offer cover in these circumstances, but there are other specialist insurers who may offer cover for travellers in the above circumstances.

What happens if I need replacement prescription medication when I'm abroad?

Please make sure you take enough medication to last your entire trip and include extra to allow for travel delays that may occur.

If you run out of prescription medication because you were unable to return home as planned because of illness or injury, we will pay for the cost of additional medication (a policy excess may apply).

If your medication is lost or stolen, we'll refund you the cost of replacing it (a policy excess may apply).

Getting the most out of your trip

Going anywhere nice.

Off to one of the destinations below? Take a look at our guides for some hints and tips on what you need to remember.

Travel insurance that suits you

Whether you're travelling solo, with your family, or with a little one on the way, read our guides to make sure our cover is right for you.

Family Travel Insurance

Student travel insurance, travelling while pregnant, travel insurance over 65, travelling with medical conditions, travel insurance upgrades.

Whether you want the adrenaline rush of a skiing holiday, or fancy taking to the seas on a cruise, you'll need to add extra cover to your policy.

Cruise Travel Insurance

Ski travel insurance, gadget travel insurance, adventurous sports insurance, single trip insurance, annual trip insurance.

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Medical Travel Insurance

We specialise in providing Travel Insurance with medical conditions.

• All medical conditions. All ages. All destinations
• 24/7 emergency medical helpline
• 97% customer satisfaction 2

Can you get Travel Insurance with medical conditions?

You can get Travel Insurance with medical conditions if you buy cover from a specialist Travel Insurance provider like AllClear. Some providers will only cover you for medical emergencies that are unrelated to any pre-existing conditions. So if you’ve had a hospital appointment, visited a GP or taken any medication for a medical condition in the last two years, you’ll need specialist Travel Insurance

View this brief video overview from MaPS to learn more about their directory service:

View video transcript

What is medical travel insurance, and why do you need it?

You can still get Travel Insurance if you’re living with medical conditions, but you’ll need a specialist policy.

Standard Travel Insurance excludes cover for your existing medical conditions.

Specialist Medical Travel Insurance covers you for all the medical conditions you declare.

What would your specialist medical Travel Insurance policy cover?

As well as covering cancellation and baggage, a specialist policy covers medical expenses, including if you need medical treatment for your existing medical conditions while you’re away.

Cover benefits:

• Up to unlimited medical emergency expenses cover.
• Cover if you need to be repatriated home.
• A 24/7 worldwide emergency assistance helpline.
• Up to £25K cancellation cover for unforeseen medical emergencies before you go.
• This means you can relax and enjoy your holiday with peace of mind.

Which medical conditions do you need to declare for your Travel Insurance?

A medical condition is anything you’re having treatment for or are taking medication for.

All Clear is a specialist medical Travel Insurance provider.

We have covered more than 1,300 different medical conditions.

Examples include:

• Heart conditions,
• High cholesterol,
• High blood pressure,
• Back problems,

If you don’t declare your medical conditions, your policy could be voided.

Without Medical Travel Insurance, medical costs abroad can be very expensive.

Example costs of treatment for heart attack.

Spain – £45,000.

Thailand – £75,000

USA – £362, 000

How do you get quotes for Travel Insurance with medical conditions?

You can get quotes for Medical Travel insurance with AllClear.

Just pop in a few details about your trip and answer the screening questions.

A set of simple questions that we ask about your medical conditions to individualise your policy.

We may ask what treatment you’re having or your prescribed medication. Don’t worry, we don’t need to know the specific names of any medication.

Once you’ve sorted your Medical Travel Insurance, you can focus on enjoying your holiday. All medical conditions. All ages. All destinations.

Get a quote at AllClearTravel.co.uk or call 0800 640 4839

Why do you need Medical Travel Insurance?

Emergency medical treatment abroad can cost more than you think. That’s why medical cover should be your number one priority when looking for Travel Insurance.

It covers emergency medical costs including hospital charges and ambulance fees. It also covers repatriation (medical transport back home) if needed.

Medical Travel Insurance gives you four key benefits in addition to those provided by standard Travel Insurance:

• Cover for your pre-existing conditions while abroad. AllClear cover up to unlimited costs for emergency treatment, including treatment for ongoing medical issues.
• Cover for cancellation due to a pre-existing medical condition. You can also be covered for up to £25K if you need to cancel your holiday because of your medical condition, or a complication related to it.
• Repatriation costs. According to FCDO figures, if you were to fall over in Spain and need treatment for a broken leg, you would be looking at costs of around £15,000. Even minor ailments such as an infection or stomach bug in the USA could cost you £100, 000 if you need flights home.
• Peace of mind. While you’re away, you’ll have access to 24-hour medical emergency assistance, so you can travel with confidence, knowing we’ll be there just in case.

What happens if you don’t have Medical Travel Insurance?

With a standard policy, you would need to pay for costs incurred due to your pre-existing conditions, which can easily reach thousands of pounds very quickly.

According to FCDO figures, if you were to fall over in Spain and require treatment for a broken leg, you would be looking at costs of around £15,000. Even minor ailments such as an infection or stomach bug in the USA could cost you £100, 000 if you require flights home. Real customer claims we’ve paid out include; £21,587 for a fractured femur in Italy and £179,391 for pneumonia in Spain. Clinical Nurse Specialist, Kay Greveson explains more: “ People often do not realise the cost of medical emergencies abroad. It’s natural that people believe it won’t happen to them, but even the most well-managed conditions need to be covered, in case the unexpected happens. ”

What our Customers Say

Case study – sheila lowrie.

Sheila has been with AllClear since 2015. When the couple visited their holiday home in Portugal, her husband was taken ill, she found out the true importance of having Specialist Medical Travel Insurance.

“When my husband fell seriously ill, he was suddenly taken to hospital in Portugal so you can imagine how traumatised I was. I rang AllClear and they were absolutely fantastic. They arranged for the air ambulance to come and collect him, the doctor and nurse came to the hospital to meet us and they actually escorted him all the way home to Newcastle, even taking him into the hospital to make sure everything was OK. It was amazing and meant so much to me.”

So what’s a pre-existing medical condition for Travel Insurance?

A pre-existing medical condition is any illness or injury you have before you buy your Travel Insurance. It could be an ongoing condition, or one you have been treated for in the past. As part of the quote process, we’ll guide you through any relevant questions that may apply. We can then make sure you’re covered if you have a medical emergency abroad.

Some of the most common conditions we cover include:

• Diabetes: More than 4 million people in the UK are living with diabetes . This  can mean some extra consideration is needed when planning your trip.
• Heart conditions: Such as heart disease , heart attack and atrial fibrillation are common and vary in severity, which can impact on how you travel with the condition.
• Circulatory conditions: Issues with blood flow such as stroke , high blood pressure which are still important to declare when quoting for your Travel Insurance.  Even a well-managed condition at home can affect you differently when abroad. 
• Respiratory conditions: Conditions which impact breathing such as asthma , or COPD can mean travelling with specific medication.
• Chronic conditions: There are conditions which can have long-term health impacts on health. These include issues like cancer , epilepsy , multiple sclerosis , disability , Crohn’s disease
• Bone and joint conditions: Issues affecting your bones or joints like arthritis , back problems or osteoporosis can affect how you plan your holiday.
• Other conditions: AllClear covers a wide range of other conditions. These include mental health issues , after-surgery , undiagnosed conditions and gallstones .

Our experts say…

“People often underestimate just how important it is to let us know about their medical conditions. Even if something is minor and controlled at home, changes in climate can affect it. Declaring all your pre-existing conditions helps make sure you have the right cover. With comprehensive cover you can travel with peace of mind, even if the unexpected happens while you’re away.”

Letitia Smith MSc, Travel Insurance expert

What conditions don’t need to be declared?

As part of the quote process, we ask you to declare any conditions that fall within the medical warranty. This is an important part of our medical screening for Travel Insurance. But you may wonder if there are any conditions you don’t need to declare. If you’ve had a cold or flu, but didn’t need to see a doctor or take any prescribed medication, then you don’t need to tell us about it. We also don’t need to know about a complication-free pregnancy or any contraception prescriptions.

How does Medical Travel Insurance work?

Travel Insurance offers financial protection for specific problems you might face on holiday. The medical section of your policy covers the cost of medical care if you become ill or have an accident.

Without Medical Travel Insurance, you’d be liable for any expenses resulting from an unexpected medical emergency when travelling. This means the cost of the ambulance, any doctor’s appointments and any surgeries you might need. Also, the cost of any medication that’s needed to treat you. These expenses can quickly build up and be in the thousands, if not tens of thousands, of pounds.

Here we explain how you would make a claim.

If  you need emergency medical care while abroad:

• Notify us as soon as possible. We’re here to help, so just let us know what’s happened. Ideally, you’ll notify us while you’re still away. In some emergency cases our assistance team may arrange payment directly to the treating hospital or clinic.
• Keep all documentation: Make sure to keep any medical reports, booking forms, receipts, hospital certificates or invoices. These will be needed for your claim. 
• Fill out a claims form when back in the UK.   If you’ve paid any medical costs yourself, you’ll have up to 30 days from the end of your holiday to make a claim. Please be as accurate as possible in your information. This is where you’ll need to provide your receipts, certificates and booking forms. 
• Send it to us. Remember to keep a copy of all the documents you’ve sent us, just in case.
• We’ll do the rest. Our team will get to work and keep you posted with any updates.

For full instructions on how to claim, please read our How To Claim page .

What does AllClear Medical Travel Insurance cover?

SWIPE TO COMPARE POLICIES

* If you buy a policy which includes cancellation cover. / All these figures are per person and per trip.

What’s not covered?

Travel insurance covers  you when abroad (and before you go) and provides assistance in case of unforeseen emergencies However, certain types of claims may not be covered. You should review your policy document carefully before you travel. This will help you to know what benefits you have, and what exclusions apply.

Examples of situations where you may not be covered:

• Travelling against the advice of a medical professional
• If you choose not to travel
• If you have not declared a pre-existing medical condition
• If you are travelling specifically to receive medical treatment abroad

Limitations of GHIC: what they don’t cover

The GHIC has replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This card means you’ll receive emergency and necessary state healthcare in EU countries as though you were a local citizen. However, the GHIC isn’t a substitute for Travel Insurance. It doesn’t cover you for: the costs of rescue and repatriation (an air ambulance from Spain back to the UK costs the costs of rescue and repatriation (an air ambulance from Spain back to the UK costs £10,000 or more)

• lost or stolen property such as passports, baggage or precious items
• losses from trip cancellation, curtailment and interruption
• extra travel and accommodation costs due to illness
• any medical treatment needed outside of the EU

How to get Travel Insurance for pre-existing medical conditions

Insurance for medical conditions doesn’t have to be hard to buy. If you have serious health conditions you can get specialist insurance from AllClear. Our 3-step quote process is quick and simple and designed to provide you with comprehensive worldwide cover. Here’s how it works.

1 . Get a quote online or by phone

Once you’re ready to start the quote process, the first step is to provide your personal details and information about your holiday and travel plans. This can be completed over the phone with one of our team members or online. 

2. Tell us about your conditions 

As part of the quote process, we’ll run through a medical screening, and ask you some questions about your conditions. This way, we can provide the cover that best suits your needs. As a specialist, AllClear can cover all pre-existing conditions. 

3. Select your level of cover 

Once you’ve completed the medical screening process, you’ll be able to choose the level of cover which best suits your needs. 

How much does Medical Travel Insurance cost?

The cost of Medical Travel Insurance will differ based on a number of factors

• Your medical history: For example, the severity of your condition, whether it is medicated. The medical screening process will answer these questions and determine the level of risk. 
• Your destination: Some places carry a greater risk as they have a more expensive health care system. For example, Travel Insurance for the US will have a higher premium than Travel Insurance in Europe .
• Your age: Travel Insurance has a higher premium as we get older. However, our policies have no upper age limit, and we specialise in Travel Insurance for those in their 60s and 70s .
• Activities: While we cover some activities as standard, you’ll need to pay an additional premium to take part in others – for example, winter sports . 
• Valuables: If you’re taking a lot of expensive items abroad, such as laptops, tablets, phones or cameras, you might want to add gadget cover to your policy.
• Additional cover: You may want to include extra cover for a special type of holiday, such as a cruise or golfing holiday .

How can you reduce the cost of Travel Insurance with a pre-existing medical condition?

If you’re concerned about the cost, there are some steps you can take to get cheaper Travel Insurance.

• Consider arranging a shorter trip. Shorter trips mean you’re less likely to claim, as you’ll be travelling for less time. This means a cheaper policy. 
• Consider choosing a destination with lower medical costs. Coverage tends to be pricier when travelling to countries with high private healthcare expenses. The US famously has an expensive healthcare system, so Travel Insurance for the US will be more expensive than Travel Insurance for Europe .
• Consider one policy for the whole year. If you plan to travel two or more times within a year, an Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance policy is typically more cost-effective than securing coverage for every single trip .

The length of your trip and the cost of medical treatment in the country you plan to visit can affect the costs of medical cover. For example, a week’s trip to Milan will be cheaper to cover than a two-week holiday in New York City.

You should never knowingly declare your medical conditions inaccurately.. Doing so may reduce the policy premium, but you would invalidate your cover and leave yourself responsible for all the costs incurred in the event of a claim.

Our expert advice on Medical Travel Insurance…

“Everyone has the right to travel and living with medical conditions shouldn’t stop you from enjoying your holiday. It does help to be prepared and make sure you have comprehensive Medical Travel Insurance. That way, you can travel with peace of mind, knowing you’re covered if the unexpected happens and you need emergency medical assistance while you’re away. It means there will be a 24 hour helpline to help you through a difficult situation.”

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between travel insurance and medical insurance.

Travel Insurance and medical insurance serve different purposes. 

Travel Insurance policies are designed to cover accidents, property loss, cancellations and emergencies while overseas.  Our Travel Insurance policies can cover emergency medical treatment related to pre-existing medical conditions, but not all do. 

Medical insurance focuses on medical cover, usually in your home country, for issues like therapies, treatments, medications and sometimes preventative care. UK residents are entitled to free healthcare from the NHS, so this isn’t needed. However. many people also take out private medical insurance to cover the costs of private healthcare providers.

Is GHIC enough to cover emergency medical expenses when abroad?

The GHIC is not enough to cover your emergency medical expenses when abroad. The UK Government recommends that all travellers from the UK get the recommended Travel Insurance policy for their destination.

It’s important to note that while the GHIC covers you for emergency medical costs, it will not cover you for anything that is not a direct medical cost, such as transport to and from hospital. It also won’t cover you for other holiday mishaps, like lost luggage, delays or cancellations. 

At AllClear, we offer Senior Travel Insurance , so that you can have comprehensive cover at any age, no matter your conditions. So, if you’re looking for Travel Insurance for over 70s or over 60s we can help you!

How much medical cover do you need for Travel Insurance?

Medical care abroad can be very expensive.  For example, a stomach bug treated in a hospital in the USA with return flights home could cost around £100k.

How much cover you need will depend on where you’re going, what you’re doing, your medical history and how long you’ll be travelling for. We’ll use these to work out a policy that will keep you fully protected so you can travel with confidence.

Is there an age limit on Medical Travel Insurance?

No, there is no upper age limit on our Travel Insurance policies, and we can cover all pre-existing medical conditions. The only age limit is on our winter sports cover, which we cannot provide for people aged over 65.

How do you declare medical conditions?

When choosing your policy, you must declare your medical conditions via our medical screening process . This can be done online or over the phone. 

During the medical screening process, we’ll ask you a few questions about your medical conditions. Some example questions we might ask include: 

• What age were you when you were diagnosed? 
• Are you currently undergoing treatment or is any planned? 
• Have you had any surgery, inpatient, or outpatient treatment or any referrals or investigations?
• Have you had any unplanned hospital admissions?

It’s important to declare all pre-existing medical conditions. If you don’t, you may find that your policy is invalidated and you’re left to cover any unexpected medical costs. You’ll need to answer a series of questions relating to your condition(s) when completing your quote.

Can I exclude a medical condition from Travel Insurance?

As part of the quote process, we ask you to declare all of your conditions as part of our medical screening for Travel Insurance. If you’ve had a cold or flu, but didn’t need to see a doctor or take any prescribed medication, then you don’t need to tell us about it. We also don’t need to know about a complication-free pregnancy or any contraception prescriptions.

How to make sure you’re ‘fit to travel’?

If you need to make a claim, you may need a letter from your doctor confirming that you were fit to travel at the time you bought your policy, and the date when you were declared unfit to travel.

Can you still get cover if your medical condition is undiagnosed?

Yes. However, It’s important that you understand that you will have no cover relating specifically to your undiagnosed condition(s) for Cancellation, Curtailment (cutting your trip short), Medical Emergency Expenses and costs relating to Home help or a nanny (where offered).

Does Medical Travel Insurance cover prescription medication?

Yes, Medical Travel Insurance covers any prescription medication you might need when abroad, so won’t be left without medication that you might need. 

We suggest you carry extra supplies in case you’re delayed abroad. Subject to airline restrictions, carry your medication in your hand luggage and not in checked-in bags.

It’s useful to travel with a copy of your prescriptions, and a copy of your medication’s medical name, as the brand name may differ in your destination country.  Always check that your medications are not prohibited in the destination you’re travelling to .

Is pregnancy a medical condition for Travel Insurance?

No, pregnancy is not considered a pre-existing medical condition for Travel Insurance. However, any pre-existing pregnancy-related conditions are classed as pre-existing conditions, such as gestational diabetes. 

We will cover claims for emergency medical expenses, or cancellations until the beginning of the 32nd week of your pregnancy (24th week for multiple pregnancies).

Get the most out of your trip with our helpful guides

Where are you visiting.

Explore our helpful guides for tips to ensure you remember everything you need when travelling to one of the below destinations

Which activities do you have planned?

Whether you’re planning a skiing holiday or setting sail on a cruise, remember to add extra coverage to your policy for a worry-free trip.

• United Kingdom
• Cruise Travel Insurance
• Winter Sports
• Golf Travel Insurance

2 Based on over 100,000 Trustpilot responses, correct as of March 2024

Written by: Letitia Smith | Travel Insurance Expert Last Updated: 2 May 2024

3 - Based on Trustpilot reviews of all companies in the Travel Insurance Company category that have over 40,000 reviews as of September 2023.

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• Medical Travel Insurance
• Travel insurance for those with pre-existing medical conditions
• Plus multiple brands and a wide choice of products all in one place
• Quick, easy online quoting with discounts on certain brands
• Many happy customers with over 1800 reviews on Trustpilot

What cover do you need?

Do you need cover.

The excitement of booking your holiday can often overhaul the important factor of protecting yourself while you have fun. Before you dive too deep in thought about what you'll be doing while away enjoying yourself, make sure you spend a little bit of time to consider whether you should purchase travel insurance, the last thing you want is to have to pay out the enormous costs for medical treatment while abroad.

Medical Travel Insurance keeps things simple for you, just declare your medical conditions and we return you a panel of quote that can help cover you. This ensures your security while you're on holiday.

We have a large range of pre-existing medical conditions that we cover everyday, such as; diabetes, arthritis, asthma, cancer, strokes, epilepsy, high blood pressure and heart conditions, as well as many more. So if you have a health condition you are worried about in your medical history its worth getting a travel insurance with medical conditions quote now and seeing if you can cover yourself with medical assistance for whilst your away.

Our team are fast to adapt if you have something that doesn't match our pre-existing conditions, providing you with alternatives or maybe some customised cover, perhaps tailored medical expenses or baggage cover.

Medical Travel Insurance and you

We've helped thousands of people over the years allowing them to go on holiday with peace of mind that their medical condition is covered, enjoying your holiday is what's important to us, don't let the thought of falling ill due to your pre-existing medical conditions hold you back. Be it travel disruption cover to medical cover whilst your away our essential travel insurance can help you with the cover you need.

With travelling be a huge part of peoples lives, we understand that finding cover with a medical condition can be extremely frustrating. That's why we have made it as simple as possible for you to get cover and enjoy your holiday.

Our medical travel insurance covers over 1000 different medical conditions, with competitive prices on each of the policies containing any of our listed conditions across all our cover type; single trip, annual multi trip, winter sports, cruise and golf cover. Simply request to get a quote now , enter your travel dates, location, and a few details about yourself before heading to our online medical screening portal to complete medical screening for every traveller needing their medical conditions included. Once finished, click to get prices and see what options we have for you.

Our medical process

Many people do not actually need to go through all of our medical process so we ask some simple questions first to find out if you need to. If you need to, it's not too difficult we have a search function allowing you to find your conditions.

After finding your condition you then answer some questions about it. We will take care of the rest and ensure you get coverage for that condition, if for some reason we cannot cover a condition we will alert you to this.

Multiple conditions are just as easy. Once you have finished one, simply search for another and answer the questions relevant to that. This can be done with as many conditions as you have. When you are done you will get your quote.

Common medical conditions

More than 3 million people in the UK are diagnosed with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Standard holiday insurance tends to exclude cover for pre-existing medical conditions, and this can include diabetes. If you have been diagnosed with this condition, you will need to disclose it when applying for travel insurance to ensure that you are protected for your trip. Click here to learn more.

Epilepsy affects different people in different ways, and it’s important that your travel insurance is tailored around your specific needs. Standard travel insurance tends to exclude cover for pre-existing medical conditions, and this can include epilepsy. Our simple system will allow you to declare it and choose a product that will cover your needs. Click here to learn more.

Many people who have, or have had, cancer, aren’t affected in their ability to travel, and going on holiday can be a good way to relax. If any problems arise from your cancer whilst on holiday, travel insurance can protect you. Travel insurance for cancer can cover you should you need to cancel or curtail your trip, if you require emergency medical attention, or for the costs to get you back home. Click here to learn more.

If you need us, contact us.

0330 880 3601 [email protected]

Frequently asked questions

Why do I need Medical Travel Insurance?

The cost of medical care abroad can reach the hundreds of thousands which is not ideal for those trying to enjoy themselves on holiday. If you need assistance with a pre-existing medical condition and have not been covered or have not declared it, then all costs would need to be paid somehow, no matter the cost.

Should I get an annual or single trip?

If you are planning to take more than one holiday in a year, an annual travel insurance policy could work out cheaper. Single trip travel insurance will cover you for the exact duration of your holiday.

Can you cover winter sports and activities?

We can indeed cover your winter sport activities, such as skiing and snowboarding, however if you have medical conditions please be sure to use our system to notify us as you will not be covered if you fail to disclose a condition that may be relevant.

Is our medical travel insurance a specialist cover?

This is not specialist cover, you will be covered for cancellation, baggage cover, travel disruption and much, much more as per the standard travel insurance policies offer. Medical can be included within these options sometimes without any additional premium (depending on the condition) regardless of whether its for the policy holder or any additional family members.

What is a pre-existing medical condition?

A pre-existing medical condition is any illness, disability or injury for which you have received either medication, treatment, medical advice or symptoms before you purchase your travel insurance cover. These will need be declared during the medical screening process either online or via our UK based call centre, more detailed questions maybe asked on individual conditions which need answering before a quote can be provided.

Does your travel insurance include cover for Covid-19?

We can confirm all of our policies now provide Covid cover for Medical and other Expenses outside of the United Kingdom if you contract Coronavirus (COVID-19) whilst abroad. Some of our policies now also offer other additional Coronavirus (COVID-19) benefits. The policies that offer the additional cover are clearly marked where we display our prices along with the full terms and conditions.

Our Partners

Medical travel insurance is an online comparison website for those with pre-existing medical conditions requiring travel insurance. Medical travel insurance www.medicaltravelinsurance.co.uk is a trading style of Brokersure Ltd. Brokersure is authorised and regulated by the FCA.

For more information regarding Medical Travel Insurance click here , alternatively phone or email us.

Phone: 0330 880 3601

Email: [email protected]

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From 5th May 2021 we are temporarily unable to offer travel insurance to cover people’s pre-existing medical conditions, while we make improvements to the booking engine of our website.

We want to make it as easy as possible for people with medical conditions to get the protection they need when they are travelling. While global travel is somewhat reduced during the current COVID-19 situation, we believe that now is the time to make these improvements.

However, this is just a temporary measure. In the near future we will be able to offer travel insurance to people with pre-existing medical conditions on all of our policies once more. Policies purchased before 5th May 2021 aren’t affected and your cover won’t change.

In the interim you may be able to obtain an alternative travel insurance policy to cover pre-existing medical conditions by contacting one of the providers  featured in the MoneyHelper  directory  of specialist travel insurance providers for people with serious medical conditions. Do take time to study and compare the terms and conditions to ensure you have the cover you need. To contact the Money Advice Service for further details of the directory

Call: 0800  13 8 7777 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm) or

Email:  [email protected]

Travel insurance for people with medical conditions

What is a Pre-Existing Medical Condition?

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you may have previously found travelling abroad worrying. But help is now at hand. Relax and enjoy your holiday knowing you’re properly covered, with travel insurance which covers numerous pre-existing medical conditions from Allianz Assistance.

Pre-existing conditions are medical conditions that existed before you bought an insurance policy. You may have received treatment (including surgery, tests or investigations by a doctor or a consultant/specialist and been prescribed drugs or medication) for these conditions. Our travel insurance policies with medical conditions included cover a number of pre-existing conditions depending on their severity, including:

• Heart conditions

You can check to see if we're able to cover your pre-existing medical condition by getting a quote today. Below is some more information about our products, for which Terms and Conditions apply. Please visit the policy information hub for full details.

Can I still get travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions? 

Having a pre-existing medical condition shouldn’t mean that you’re unable to travel. When you opt for travel insurance with medical conditions included, your cover works in the same way as a traditional travel insurance policy does. Additionally, your policy will cover care costs for any medical condition you may have had in the past or suffer from currently.

If you’re ill while you’re abroad after taking out a policy, we can look after you. Before you take out your Single Trip or Backpacker policy, we’ll ask you a series of health-related questions (please note that our Annual policy doesn’t cover any pre-existing medical conditions).

You’ll need to disclose all your medical history, including recurring injuries or illnesses, on-going or lifelong conditions, previous surgeries and any conditions you are currently suffering from. Remember that if you don’t declare a pre-existing medical condition or provide inaccurate information, you won’t be covered by your insurance. So, if in doubt, declare.

It is important to note that a travel insurance policy with pre-existing conditions included does not act as a private medical insurance policy, and only gives cover for emergency medical treatment in the event of an accident or unexpected illnesses occurring during your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

When you’re buying travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions included, it’s important to give us as much information as possible. This means that you also need to tell us about conditions you have, just in case. This way, you can go away knowing you’ll be covered for any unexpected flare-ups.

There are many medical conditions that are routinely managed using medicine and other forms of treatment. Some conditions are controlled so successfully and have such a minimal effect on lifestyle that it’s possible to forget they exist. For this reason, some people believe they do not have to declare them, or consider them too trivial to mention when applying for holiday insurance. The following are some examples of common conditions that are often overlooked, but need to be declared:

• High blood pressure
• Respiratory problems
• Inflammation of joints
• Neurological conditions (for example stroke or epilepsy)
• Treatment and conditions related to cancer (usually within the last five years)

It's very important that you tell us about any existing medical conditions you have when you apply for holiday insurance with medical conditions included. This is because it’s unlikely that we will pay any claim for medical expenses, trip cancellation or cutting short a trip if it relates to a medical condition that you have not told us about (and that we have agreed to cover).

Please note that for the purposes of travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions, you should also tell us about any mental health or psychiatric conditions you may have, such as anxiety or depression. By telling us about all of your pre-existing mental and physical conditions, we can tailor your policy to you, and make sure you have the cover you need in case something doesn’t quite go to plan.

If you fail to declare a medical condition, your claim could be rejected, and you may be forced to pay any medical bills yourself. No matter how minor your medical condition is, it’s always worth declaring. 

Sadly, travel insurance which covers pre-existing medical conditions doesn’t cover everything. For example, a travel insurance policy from Allianz Assistance does not cover anyone travelling:

• Against medical advice or anyone who is not deemed fit to travel on the planned trip.
• To obtain and/or receive any elective surgery, procedure or hospital treatments.
• Knowing they will need medical treatment during the trip.
• If they’ve been told they have a terminal condition.

In addition, we do not cover you for any directly or indirectly related claims that arise from a pre-existing medical condition, unless the condition has been declared and accepted by us.

You can get a quote for travel insurance which covers pre-existing conditions to see if we’re able to cover you. You can also read our  policy documents  online to see the full cover and exclusions. If there is anything you don’t fully understand, please get in touch. 

When you’re booking travel insurance policies with medical conditions included, it’s important to know that pregnancy is not considered to be a pre-existing medical condition. But, there are certain things that you should be aware of before you  travel while pregnant .

Firstly, you should consult your doctor before you book your holiday to make sure they’re happy for you to travel. You should also check with your carrier’s policy on travelling whilst pregnant, because different restrictions will be in place depending on whether you choose to travel by plane, boat or coach. For example, most airlines will not allow you to fly after 36 weeks of your pregnancy. 

• An indirect medical claim is referred to as a medical problem that is more likely to happen because of another medical problem you already have. For example, if you suffer with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other lung diseases, you are more likely to get a chest infection. Similarly, if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, you are more likely to have a heart attack or a stroke and, if you have osteoporosis, you are more likely to break or fracture a bone. 

When you take out holiday insurance with medical conditions included, you will not be covered for any directly or indirectly related claims arising from the health of a travelling companion, someone you were going to stay with, a close relative or a business associate if, at the time your policy was issued:

• You were aware they have been receiving medical treatment or consultation at any medical facility for a medical condition in the last 12 months.
• You were aware they have been awaiting medical treatment or consultation at any medical facility or have been under investigation for a medical condition.
• You were aware that a doctor had diagnosed them as having a terminal condition, or that their medical condition was likely to get worse in the next 12 months.

It’s easy to declare your pre-existing medical conditions with our medical screening process; simply click ‘Get a Quote’ and select your type of cover ( Single Trip  or  Backpacker ), before filling in some basic information about you and your trip.

You’ll then be asked to declare your conditions. To do this, all you need to do is type the first three letters of the condition into the box and select your condition from the dropdown menu. Once you’ve declared all of your conditions, check the information you’ve provided and press ‘Finish.’

If you have any questions about the medical screening process or you’re unsure what pre-existing conditions are not covered, please call us on 0371 200 0428 (from 9am to 5pm - Monday to Friday). 

Sadly, if you fail to declare a condition, you won’t be covered.

At Allianz Assistance, we want to do everything possible to make sure you’re covered for your trip, which is why we need you to provide us with as much information as possible during the medical screening process. This then allows us to create a holiday insurance policy with all your pre-existing medical conditions covered. If you’re in doubt, please declare your condition. 

Choose the perfect policy for you, with a range of cover options available

Single Trip Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance for Seniors

Backpacker Travel Insurance

Sports & Leisure Insurance

Cruise Travel Insurance

Insurance types for specific destinations.

Worldwide Travel Insurance

Europe Travel Insurance

Need help? Call us on: 0371 200 0428

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If you have a pre-existing medical condition that we are unable cover under our own policies, you may be able to obtain an alternative travel insurance policy through one of the providers  featured in the MoneyHelper  directory  of specialist travel insurance providers for people with serious medical conditions. Do take time to study and compare the terms and conditions to ensure you have the cover you need. To contact the Money Advice Service for further details of the directory

Call: 0800 138 7777 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm) or Email: [email protected]

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We know how important holidays are, and how important Travel Insurance can be if you need it – especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions.

That’s why we are dedicated to helping you find the right Travel Insurance policy, with the right support – just in case the unexpected happens. So whether it’s a well-deserved week in the sun or a round the world cruise, we’ve got you covered.

We know that every traveller and every holiday is different – that’s why we work with a number of insurers, many with no age limit, to help you find cover that is tailored to your own needs, whether you’re 18 or 80 and wherever you’re going next.

Single Trip

Get insured quickly and easily for a one-off trip up to 365 days, starting any time in the next 18 months – including cover for Coronavirus . Whether you’re planning a staycation, a week in sizzling sunshine or a long stay overseas, our single trip policies have no age limit so make sure you’re protected with the right Travel Insurance .

Annual Multi Trip

If you are planning to travel more than once a year, then taking annual multi trip Travel Insurance could save you money. You can cover yourself or the whole family on an annual policy, so get the flexibility to travel where you want, when you want and as often as you want without worrying about arranging cover every time you go.

We know it’s not nice to think about something going wrong on your cruise, but that’s what Insurance is for. Get peace of mind while you’re at sea with our specialist cruise Travel Insurance , including missed port departure, cabin confinement and cruise interruption cover. All ages and pre-existing medical conditions considered.

Pre-existing

Did you know the majority of Travel Insurance claims are paid to support people in need of emergency medical treatment abroad and that the average claim is more than £1,300? We work with a number of insurers specialising in cover for hundreds of pre-existing medical conditions so you can travel with peace of mind .

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Foreign travel insurance

If you’re travelling abroad, it's important to take out appropriate travel insurance before you go.

If you travel internationally you should buy appropriate travel insurance before you go. If you already have a travel insurance policy, check what cover it provides for coronavirus-related events, including medical treatment and travel disruption, and any planned activities such as adventure sports. If you are choosing a new policy, make sure you check how it covers these issues.

If you do not have appropriate insurance before you travel, you could be liable for emergency expenses, including medical treatment, which may cost thousands of pounds.

For example:

You should buy your travel insurance as soon as possible after booking your trip. Read the small print, and familiarise yourself with any exclusion clauses for the policy.

When you travel, make sure you take your insurance policy details with you, including the policy number and your insurer’s emergency assistance telephone number. Share your policy details with people you’re travelling with and friends or family at home, in case they need to contact your insurance company on your behalf.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) represents over 200 insurance companies. Read ABI’s advice on travel insurance , including how COVID-19 can affect it, and their guide on choosing the right travel insurance policy .

In addition to making sure you have appropriate insurance, you should check and sign up to travel advice for your destination.

What to consider when you buy travel insurance for you and your family

• emergency treatment and hospital bills can be expensive. Check whether your policy covers treatment in public or private hospitals
• emergency transport, such as an ambulance, is often charged separately to other medical expenses, and emergency travel home on medical grounds can also be expensive
• pre-existing medical conditions: declare existing conditions or pending treatment or tests so that you are covered if anyone gets ill during your trip. Failing to declare something may invalidate your travel insurance
• all activities you may undertake on holiday, such as sports or adventure tourism (you may need specialist insurance for some activities). Also consider all the places you intend to visit, even if you are in transit, in case anyone needs emergency treatment in another country
• cruises generally require an additional level of cover because it is more difficult to get to hospital for treatment. Check the booking conditions of the operator you plan to sail with
• repatriation costs if you or a family member die abroad
• getting home after medical treatment if you cannot use your original ticket
• reasonable costs for a family member or friend to stay with you, or travel out to accompany you home, if required
• 24-hour assistance helplines to offer support and advice about appropriate treatment
• COVID 19 cover for if you or family members cannot return home because you/they test positive for COVID during your travel. Check your insurance covers additional costs such as alternative flights, accommodation and COVID tests. You should also check your insurance provides cover if you cannot reach your final destination during transit due to COVID-19
• within Europe, some insurers may waive any excess on medical treatment if you use a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). Check the terms of your policy or contact your insurer to see if this is the case. EHIC and GHIC allow you to access state-provided medically necessary healthcare within the EU and Switzerland on the same terms as residents of these countries. Note that EHIC and GHIC are not alternatives to travel insurance as they do not cover any private medical healthcare costs, repatriation or additional costs such as mountain rescue in ski resorts. Find out more about the EHIC and GHIC, including how to apply for one free of charge
• ATOL is a consumer protection scheme for air holidays and flights, managed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) . Some insurance policies do not provide cover for when airlines or suppliers go out of business. Choose an ATOL-protected holiday or a travel insurance policy that includes airline or supplier failure cover

Policy exclusions

Check how an insurance policy covers:

• alcohol and drugs: most travel insurance policies do not cover events that happen after you have drunk excessive alcohol or taken recreational drugs or other substances
• high risk destinations: many travel insurance policies will not cover travel to a high risk destination where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel or all travel. Check your policy wording and the relevant country travel advice pages before booking your trip and buying insurance
• mental health conditions: some policies may exclude cover for treatment related to a pre-existing mental health condition. For more guidance see foreign travel advice for people with mental health issues
• age restrictions: check whether there are any age-related restrictions if you are buying an annual policy. The Money Advice Service provides guidance on how to choose the right level of cover, get the best deal, and make a travel insurance claim. It also has specific guidance for travellers over the age of 65 or with pre-existing medical conditions
• sports such as bungee jumping, jet skiing, winter sports or skydiving: these are not usually included in standard policies. Use of quad bikes and hire of mopeds is also usually not covered
• driving overseas: check Driving abroad . If you’re hiring a car, check what cover the hire company provides. If you are driving your own vehicle, check your motor insurance policy to see what it covers
• terrorist acts: most policies offer only limited cover for terrorist acts. As a minimum, make sure your policy covers you for emergency medical expenses and travel home if you are caught up in a terrorist attack. Some travel insurers offer policy add-ons to provide additional cover if there is a terrorist attack in your destination. This may include cancellation cover, if your destination is affected by a terrorist attack before your trip and you decide you no longer wish to travel
• other incidents: some policies only offer limited cover for claims related to or caused by a natural disaster (such as an earthquake or tropical cyclone) or civil unrest. You may also not be covered for some claims that arise from an incident (such as strikes or other industrial action) that was known publicly when you booked your trip and/or bought your travel insurance policy

Insurance for extended periods of travel

‘Long-stay’ travel insurance can cover extended periods of continuous travel. Check carefully the maximum duration allowed in any policy you consider buying to ensure that it meets your needs.

Make sure that the entire policy meets your needs, including specific activities and work (paid or unpaid) you may undertake.

Insurance if you live abroad or go for work or study

Travel insurance is not intended for permanent residence abroad. If you live overseas, or you’re planning to move to a different country to live, work or study, you should consider your insurance needs carefully. Local law may require you to have medical insurance, including as part of a visa application.

Read the healthcare guidance in the Living in guide for the country where you live to ensure you have the right healthcare arrangements for your circumstances.

You can buy private medical insurance for UK expatriates. You can also buy insurance from local providers overseas. You should always check policies carefully, including seeing whether you could transfer medical cover if you re-locate to other countries in future.

Support for British nationals abroad

Support for British Nationals Abroad explains how the FCDO can provide support to British nationals if things go wrong abroad.

Reviewed and updated guidance in full.

Updated guidance on using an EHIC or GHIC to access healthcare in Switzerland.

Updated to reflect new rules for travelling to amber list countries.

Updated COVID-19 section on new rules for international travel from 17 May.

Updated to reflect current COVID-19 travel guidance

New link to the declaration form for international travel (for England), from 8 March.

Edited grey box at top of page to provide further information on requirements coming into affect from 15 February

From 15 February you will need to quarantine in a government-approved hotel if you arrive in the UK from countries on the travel ban list.

Updated with new requirements coming into effect from 4am on 18 January 2021.

Updated with information on pre-departure testing for everyone travelling into England and Scotland.

Updated to reflect latest UK COVID-19 restrictions.

Updated the section on travel to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, to reflect changes from 1 January 2021.

Updated ‘Travel to the EU’ section to reflect that UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) will still be accepted in EU countries, with different guidance for people travelling to Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland from 1 January 2021.

Updated COVID-19 travel guidance

Updated to reflect the latest Tier-based COVID-19 rules for England

Updated to reflect the 5 November national restrictions for England relating to travel

Updated EU travel section with information on EHIC validity

New information on making sure your travel insurance covers you for coronavirus-related events

Update to contents including addition of new segments; travel insurance after starting travel or changing your plans, making a travel insurance claim, other financial protection and if you’re not covered.

Added information on financial protection of package holidays.

Information on the use of European Health Insurance cards (EHIC) in the event of a no deal added to the EU Exit update section

EU Exit update with advice on checking insurance coverage when travelling to Europe after the UK leaves the EU.

Content and format changes

Inclusion of Association of Travel Insurance Intermediaries (ATII) information.

Updated information on travel insurance

First published.

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Able2Travel Travel Insurance

Specialist medical travel insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions.

Finding the best travel insurance for your pre-existing medical conditions or long term illness can be a struggle as many standard travel insurance policies offer limited or inadequate cover for pre-existing conditions. Even if you do manage to find a policy that meets your needs, the price could be end up being prohibitive.

As an older person, buying travel insurance that meets your requirements can also be difficult as many insurers are not keen to offer cover to senior travellers. At Able2Travel, we believe older travellers, and travellers with pre-existing medical conditions deserve the opportunity to travel with peace of mind at a reasonable price.

Due to popular demand, we've extended our sale until midnight 12th May 2024. Meaning you can still get 20% off all Able2Travel policies until then!

For the love of travel, choose Able2Travel. Get 20% off with code*: LOVETRAVEL

Get your Quote Online or Call us on +44(0)1483 806

Why Choose Able2Travel?

Able2Travel has over 20 years of experience in providing travel insurance for elderly travellers or people with existing conditions. Our award winning Travel Insurance policies offer competitive protection for your trip including a wide range of benefits such as:

• No Age Limit on Single Trip Policies*
• Trip Cancellation Cover - up to £5,000 per person
• Emergency Medical Expenses Cover – up to £10 million per person
• Optional cruise cover and the ability to include ‘missed port of call cover’
• Cover for 1,000s of pre-existing medical conditions including cancer, diabetes, heart conditions, and many more!

*for areas 1, 2 and 3

These are just a few benefits of our Able2Travel policy. For all details, click on the button below to view the full table of benefits.

View Full Table of Benefits

Don’t just take our word for it, take the word of thousands of our satisfied customers who we’ve helped cover in the last 20 years.

What Type of Policies Does Able2Travel Offer?

Able2Travel has a wide range of policies available for you to choose from to best suit your needs.

Our Most Popular Medical Travel Insurance Policies

Suitable for travellers looking to cover one trip abroad with no upper age limit to Areas 1,2 and 3.

Annual Multi-Trip Insurance

Unlimited travel. Designed for travellers going on multiple trips in the next 12 months.

You can get travel insurance with existing conditions cover, including cancer, COPD, and many more.

Travel Insurance for senior travellers who still want to explore the world. Travel without limits.

What Features Do an Able2Travel Policies Have?

Able2Travel offers 3 levels of cover for both Single Trip and Annual Multi-trip policies, enabling you to pick a travel policy that is best suited to your individual needs.

The policy features table below will help you understand the different features on Single and Annual Multi-Trip policies depending on the level of Travel Insurance cover that you choose.

*Available to extend to 45 days or 60 days for an additional premium.

**Available to extend to 45 days for an additional premium.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

The cost of travel insurance varies depending on the level of cover you have chosen, your age, pre-existing medical condition you have, holiday duration, and destination.

If you add any policy options e.g. sports cover or cruise cover to your policy, this will also affect the cost of the policy.

2. Which Area Do I Choose?

If you aren’t sure which area to choose, please see below to find which area to select for your trip when purchasing your Able2Travel policy.

• Area 1 - England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Isle of Man.
• Area 2 - Those countries listed above in 'Area1' and including: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Channel Islands (Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, and Sark), Corsica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark (inc. Faroe Islands), Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece (including Greek Islands), Holland (Netherlands), Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madeira, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal (inc. Azores), Republic of Ireland, Romania, Russia (West of Urals), San Marino, Sardinia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (including Balearic and Canary Islands), Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, Vatican City.
• Area 3 - Anywhere in the world excluding the United States of America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico.
• Area 4 - Anywhere in the world

3. What Level of Cover Do I Need?

Able2Travel offers 3 levels of cover on all policies (Silver, Gold, and Platinum) When choosing the level of cover, make sure you choose enough cover for the cost of your trip and how much baggage you are taking.

If you want to compare the different levels of cover, you can visit our Compare Cover page .

4. Do I Need to Tell Able2Travel If I Have Pre-Existing Medical Condition?

Yes, it’s important that you declare any pre-existing medical conditions you may have when taking out a policy at Able2Travel. If you don’t declare your pre-existing medical conditions, it can make your travel insurance policy invalid when you need to make a claim.

5. Can I Get Travel Insurance While on A Waiting List?

Most likely yes. If you’re currently on a waiting list for treatment or surgery for a diagnosed medical condition we can potentially find a travel insurance solution for you. We may even be able to find you cover in case you have to cancel or end your holiday early, due to a change of date for your treatment or surgery.

For more details about getting travel insurance while on waiting list, please contact our dedicated UK Call Centre on +44(0)1483 806 826 to speak with one of our trained specialists.

Please note: we cannot provide cover to travellers who are experiencing symptoms and have not yet received a confirmed diagnosis of those symptoms from GP or medical practitioner.

6. How Do I Get a Travel Insurance Quote?

It’s quick and easy to get a quote from Able2Travel. Just click the quote button below and pick the policy that best meets your needs - We can then provide you with an instant travel insurance quote online. If you prefer to speak with someone, you can call our dedicated UK based Able2Travel specialist travel insurance team.

Important Information for Customers with Serious Medical Conditions

MoneyHelper has developed a directory of specialist travel insurance to ensure customers with pre-existing medical conditions are easily able to obtain access to affordable travel insurance. If we are unable to help you and you are struggling to find medical cover that suits your needs, due to a serious medical condition, you may find a company that can help you through the MoneyHelper travel insurance directory www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/insurance/travel-insurance-directory  or by calling 0800 138 7777 - Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm. 

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Searching Money Mentor . . .

The best travel insurance providers.

Updated March 26, 2024

In this guide

If you’re looking to escape the UK winter, or if you’re saving your holiday for the height of summer, you may wish to consider travel insurance. We explain what travel insurance is and some of the best policies on the market for your holiday.

In 2022, UK residents made 71 million visits abroad. This was over three times the amount made in 2021, when COVID restrictions kept many people at home. 

So if you’re part of a growing number of people spending time abroad, have you considered travel insurance? By taking out one of these policies you could be protected for lost baggage, delayed flights, and medical emergencies abroad among other unforeseen events.  

In this article we explain:

• What is travel insurance

What does travel insurance cover?

The best travel insurance.

• Travel insurance and medical conditions

Read more: Passport renewal costs and waiting times

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance covers the cost of unforeseen events and mishaps that either stop you from going on holiday or affect you while you’re away.

Depending on the policy, travel insurance might cover you for:

• Medical bills if you suffer illness or have an accident while you’re away
• Cancellation of your trip for reasons outside of your control
• Lost or stolen baggage

Policies are usually relatively inexpensive and can give you the peace of mind that your costs will be covered if something bad happens while you are on holiday.

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), a trade body, the average claim on travel insurance in 2022 was a little over £970. So while travel insurance won’t stop bad things from happening, but it can prevent you from having to find the money to pay for unexpected costs even after you return from your holiday.

Read more: Ten budget travel tips

Many people opt to take out travel insurance to cover potential medical care while away.

Every week, 3,000 Brits need emergency medical treatment while abroad, according to the ABI. But travel insurance isn’t just about covering medical costs. It can protect you against a range of unplanned events:

• Cancellation or trip interruption for reasons outside your control
• Missed transport or delayed departure for reasons outside your control
• Personal injury and death, including medical evacuation
• Lost, stolen or damaged items, including baggage, passports and money – check if your home contents insurance covers you
• Accidental damage or injury caused by you

Does travel insurance cover cancelled flights?

Most travel insurers provide a basic level of cover for cancelled flights. Aviva’s travel insurance, for example, will pay out if your flight is cancelled due to an airport shutdown.

If your airline cancels your flight then you should claim a refund directly with them, so your travel insurance could cover other costs such as hotel bookings, vehicle rentals, and other possible excursions.

What are my rights during strike action?

If your flights are cancelled because air staff are striking, which they have over last summer, you might be entitled to compensation from the airline. But for this to apply, customers must have been given less than 14 days’ notice.

It also depends on whether the airline was at fault or not: so if it’s the airline’s staff who are striking, you should be entitled to compensation.

If you’re worried that your flights might be delayed or cancelled, you should also check your travel insurance policy.

Some policies cover you for a cancelled or delayed flight, provided you took out the policy before the strikes were announced.

But if you haven’t yet bought your insurance, you may be out of luck. This is because most insurers won’t cover you for strikes which were already known about.

Read how travel insurance could catch you out.

Below we’ve listed some of the best travel insurance providers on the market, all of which were nominated in Times Money Mentor awards 2023.

Times Money Mentor award winning cover

Best for over-50s

Post Office

Best for those with pre-existing medical conditions

Best for those wanting substantial medical cover  

Best for a range of unique add-ons

Looking for a new holiday destination?

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Another notable provider

Despite not winning a nomination at the Times Money Mentor awards, this provider also offers a decent level of cover:

Switched On

The best travel insurance for cruises.

If you’re thinking about taking a cruise, it’s important to take out special additional cover such as a cruise insurance to protect you.

Cruise insurance is normally offered as an add-on to travel policies, and protects you if you:

• Miss connections to reach the departure
• Fail to get back on board after planned stops
• End up being confined to your cabin

Though if you want a dedicated travel insurance policy for a cruise, here’s an option to consider:

Just Travel Cover*

Best for cruise holidays

The best winter sports cover

If you’re planning a skiing and snowboarding trip then it’s important you have insurance that will cover you if you’re involved in an accident on the slopes.

Most travel insurers will offer winter sports cover as an optional add-on to their regular cover and will protect you if you:

• Need to be airlifted off the slopes or rescued and need medical treatment
• Turn up and there’s no snow
• Can’t start skiing and snowboarding because of avalanche risk
• Find out your equipment – such as skis, snowboard and boots – has been stolen

It’s difficult to predict what the next ski season will look like. But if you’re booking now and want cover for the essentials, here’s a policy to factor into your calculations.

InsureandGo*

Best for winter sports

What should a basic travel policy cover?

When shopping for travel insurance, you should ensure your policy comes with the following seven things as standard:

1. Medical expenses

This covers the costs of any emergency medical and surgical treatment while you’re away.

It usually costs more for cover in the US as medical bills can run into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Any treatment that can wait until you get home is not usually included.

Most policies offer cover of £1 million for medical costs in Europe. This is usually £2 million in the US.

2. Repatriation

This is where you might need to be evacuated from the country you’re visiting.

Repatriation usually happens when you need to get back home to the UK in the event of a medical emergency and is usually covered as standard in most travel insurance policies.

3. Cancellation/curtailment

This covers any travel and accommodation costs you have paid for and can’t use or claim back.

You need a good reason to cancel your trip, so make sure you double check the terms and conditions of your policy.

4. Missed departure

This covers your extra accommodation costs and travel expenses should you miss your departure due to situations outside your control.

It usually includes your car breaking down or being involved in an accident. Leaving home at the last minute won’t count.

This covers you for delays to your travel plans, such as severe weather conditions.

Delays known about before (such as strikes) won’t be covered.

6. Baggage cover

This should cover you if your baggage is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed.

You might need extra cover for gadgets or valuable possessions as there are usually limits on separate items.

Losses need to be reported within a certain time frame and you must have a written report from your airline if it loses your baggage.

7. Personal liability cover

This should cover you if you are liable to pay damages due to:

• Accidental bodily injury to someone
• Or for loss or damage to someone else’s property
• Claims made by family members or employees won’t be covered

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• Easy access to a specialist

• Fast tests, scans and treatment

• Comfortable hospital stay

Get a Saga Health Insurance quote

For people over 50. Saga Health Insurance is a unique product designed by us specifically for our customers, and it’s only available through us. Together with our underwriter, Bupa Insurance Limited, we are committed to providing high standards of quality and service. 

What extra cover can you buy?

To provide a peace of mind you might be able to add the following onto your policy too:

• Wedding cover – If you’re travelling abroad for a wedding, some providers might include an add-on which covers damage to your possessions. If you think you need something more comprehensive, then consider a separate wedding insurance policy
• Gadget insurance – While you’re abroad you may wish to cover your laptop, phone, or tablet from theft or damage
• Golf equipment cover – Planning to tee off abroad? Then consider cover for moving your clubs overseas. This type of add on includes cover for your equipment if it is lost, stolen, or accidentally damaged

Read more: Is credit card travel insurance any good?

What is not covered by travel insurance?

Travel insurance won’t cover you for a risk that is known about.

For example, if you have a long-standing medical condition that means you can’t go on holiday, your insurer might not cover you for the cancellation costs.

Insurers also won’t cover you if you have to cancel your trip for reasons within your control. For example, if you miss your flight because you woke up late, your claim is likely to be rejected.

Travel insurance is also unlikely to cover you if you have been irresponsible. For example, if you leave your valuables in your hold luggage then your policy won’t cover you if these items are damaged.

Each travel insurance policy will have specific things it won’t cover and this will vary depending on the provider. So it’s important to read the terms and conditions carefully.

What types of travel insurance can you buy?

There are two main options to choose from when taking out a travel insurance policy:

• Single trip — covers you for one trip of a specified length only
• Annual multi-trip — covers you for all your trips for one year (if you travel a lot this can work out cheaper than lots of single policies)

You need to make sure that either option of travel insurance covers you for where you are going, such as:

• Europe only
• Or the more expensive, worldwide policies (these either include or exclude the US)

But check first which exact countries providers include in their policies. For example, some policies include Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt in their Europe insurance.

There is also specific travel insurance for backpackers, which offers extra cover for those who are likely to be away for an extended period of time or travelling to multiple destinations.

Also bear in mind that if you are doing any extreme sports like skiing or going on a cruise then you might need to buy an add-on.

When should I take out travel insurance?

It’s usually best to take out travel insurance as soon as you have booked your trip.

While many people think of travel insurance as something that covers problems while they are away, some policies cover you for issues, accidents and illnesses that stop you from being able to travel.

Cancellation is one of the main reasons that people claim on a travel insurance policy. If the cancellation happens before you have bought insurance then you wouldn’t be able to claim.

How much should I pay for travel insurance?

Your travel insurance premium will depend on a range of factors such as your age, health, type of policy, and destination. This is why an average travel insurance premium will likely be meaningless, so make sure to do your research and get a quote from several different providers before deciding on a policy.

Do I need travel insurance?

Unlike car insurance, travel insurance isn’t a legal requirement. However, it does come with a host of benefits such as cover for medical expenses.

We’ve already listed the benefits of having protection for unexpected medical costs above, and it remains pertinent if you’re travelling abroad and won’t have access to the NHS. According to the ABI, there is one recorded case in 2022 when a traveller in Thailand contracted a serious blood infection which needed intensive medical treatment. The bill eventually came up to £250,000 which was paid in full by their travel insurance provider.

Also consider that some visa applications require you to have a suitable travel insurance policy in place before you apply. If you’re applying for a Schengen visa to travel Europe you’ll need a policy in place which covers medical expenses up to €30,000 during your trip.

FAQs: Travel insurance and medical conditions

Many people solely take out travel insurance to protect themselves from medical expenses. According to the ABI, the average medical claim on travel cover is more than £1,300. Notoriously in the US, these figures run into the tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds.

So below we’ve answered some of the most common medical related questions on travel insurance:

Q. Does travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?

Some insurers do provide cover for pre-existing conditions. However, it is vital that youflag these conditions during the application stage. If you don’t it could invalidate your policy.  

Q. Do you need to tell your travel insurance provider if you have a new medical condition?

If there is a significant change to your personal health then you’ll need to inform your travel insurance provider. This includes being diagnosed with a new long-term illness.

Failure to do so could invalidate your policy.

Q. Can you get travel insurance if you’re over 75 with medical conditions?

Yes. In fact, there are some providers on the market which tailor their policies towards an older demographic. For example, Saga has dedicated policies for over 50s and 70s.

* All products, brands or properties mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback, and are of a standard that we believe our readers expect. This article contains links from which we can earn revenue. This revenue helps us to support the content of this website and to continue to invest in our award-winning journalism. For more, see  How we make our money  and  Editorial promise

Important information

Some of the products promoted are from our affiliate partners from whom we receive compensation. While we aim to feature some of the best products available, we cannot review every product on the market.

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Peace of mind for travel lovers with medical conditions

• Cost-effective travel insurance for hundreds of medical conditions
• Complete your quote in less than ten minutes - online or by phone
• 24/7 access to emergency medical assistance helpline
• Cover for the loss or theft of prescribed medication

Why stop seeing the world?

Medical conditions are a fact of life. That doesn't mean they should hold you back from seeing the world. Whether you are returning to your favourite holiday hotspot or want to make memories somewhere new, we are here to provide effective cover for travel lovers with medical conditions.

Rated 5 Star by Defaqto, our Superior policies offer some of the most comprehensive cover on the market. And we provide flexible options so you can make sure your policy is right for your plans as well as your pocket. It's all about providing peace of mind for a fair price. Because sometimes travel is the best tonic of all.

What makes us medical travel insurance experts?

It all begins with our parent company. Since those fledgling days as a small family business in 1973, Rothwell & Towler has pioneered ways to provide fair, friendly and flexible travel insurance policies to people living with medical conditions. That's not just lip service. We were influential in the creation of the first travel insurance policy for people living with HIV.

Being an expert means using our knowledge to help. Our customer service team is trained in the nuances of common medical conditions. And our screening system allows you to explain how your condition is managed - enabling us to offer policies at more realistic prices. Over the years we have helped hundreds of thousands of people get great cover that leaves more in their holiday pot.

We could do the same for you.

Prefer to talk to us?

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0345 90 80 121

Open 09:00 - 17:00 Mon to Fri.

What if the government has advised against travel?

If you are travelling to a destination that the government has advised against visiting, we may still be able to help you secure a policy. Come and find out more .

Struggling to find suitable medical cover?

The Money & Pensions Service provide a directory of other medical travel insurance specialists who may be able to help if you are struggling to find suitable cover - or you can call them on 0800 138 7777.

How to get travel insurance despite underlying medical conditions

• Those declaring medical conditions paid 56% more than those without
• Concern that these groups are not being directed to specialist firms  

Millions of holidaymakers are being priced out of travel insurance because of underlying illnesses or for simply being old, new research suggests. 

These groups are not being properly directed to specialist insurance brokers despite rules being introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority in 2021 to help those who fall into these categories, Which? says. 

It comes as insurance bosses are set to give evidence to the Treasury Select Committee this afternoon. 

The FCA rules require travel insurance providers to direct customers with pre-existing medical conditions to a directory of specialist firms that provide this type of insurance. 

Which? found that of just over 4,000 people who took out an annual travel insurance policy in the past two years, the median price paid for those declaring medical conditions was £150 - 56 per cent more than those without conditions. 

Graeme Trudgill, executive director of the British Insurance Brokers' Association, said: 'The travel insurance market has changed since the pandemic with far less insurance capacity available. 

'It is also the case that more people have been unable to have regular medical checks because of the impacts of Covid, contributing to the frequency and size of claims after travel fully reopened.'

One individual with well-controlled diabetes said they were paying roughly four times what they would be charged if they did not declare their condition, which they described as 'unfair'.

More than a third of those with a pre-existing medical condition said in the last three years, they had encountered problems buying travel insurance because of their condition.

This includes expensive premiums, insurers declining to cover their conditions and issues when claiming.

Tom Marsland, policy manager at disability equality charity Scope, said: 'Life costs more when you're disabled, and that includes essential costs like travel insurance. With spiralling inflation, these costs have only gotten worse.  

'Sky high premiums can make it really difficult for disabled to find insurance they can afford. Sometimes disabled people are denied cover altogether.

'Disabled people must be able to get affordable insurance like anyone else. There needs to be much more transparency around pricing and how risk is being assessed.

'We want insurers, regulators and the government to work together to make sure disabled people are no longer being unfairly penalised.'

Age is also a factor when it comes to paying higher premiums, with the biggest hikes seen for travellers aged 75 or older, even if they are in good health. 

The median price paid for annual cover by those aged 75 or older was £300 - 65 per cent (or £118) higher compared with customers aged 65-74 (£182), and more than double the amount paid by those aged 55-64 (£142).

Older travellers are also more likely to have medical conditions, which means premiums are often bumped higher still.

'Unfortunately older people and people living with medical conditions do claim more often, this alongside rising medical claims costs, inflation, exchange rate challenges and holiday prices has affected premiums,' Trudill said. 

This suggests rules introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority in 2021 to help 'signpost' specialist travel insurers are only having a limited impact.  

Seven per cent of people say they have skipped buying insurance because of the high costs - leaving them without crucial protections should things go wrong while away.

Trudgill said: 'Insurers need to assess the likelihood of an insured person becoming ill before they travel, causing cancellation or while they are away and needing treatment overseas.'

Who is to blame?  

A spokesman from Which? said 'We're concerned that price comparison sites aren't directing travellers with medical conditions to specialist directories. 

'But there's also a wider issue with insurers more generally offering policy cover for older travellers or those with medical conditions.'

A spokesman from Compare the Market, said: 'Our process is compliant with the FCA's signposting rules, and we clearly display the need to provide accurate answers throughout. 

'We always strongly encourage customers to be completely honest in their disclosures to ensure the best possible chance of being successful if they ever need to make a claim.'

A spokesman from the Association of British Insurers, a trade body for UK insurance companies, said: 'Our members work hard to ensure competitively priced products are available to as many people as possible. 

'As part of the long-standing signposting agreement, if an insurer is unable to offer you cover, they automatically refer you to an alternative provider who can help. 

'This process is currently under review and we are working closely with the FCA to understand how it is working and any improvements that could be made.'

How to find the right cover if you are older or have a medical condition

Try directories

Fewer than half of respondents to the Which? survey who had difficulty buying insurance because of their medical condition in the last three years had tried a specialist directory.

The British Insurance Brokers' Association have specialist directories for customers with medical conditions.

Most people who used these directories were offered better prices from firms listed on them than they were elsewhere.

Check the cover

Read the policy and what cover it will provide carefully as you may find you are paying for things you do not need. 

The cheapest policy may not always offer best value for money.

Check the policy wording to see which items on your cover wishlist are explicitly mentioned or excluded. Contact the insurer if anything appears unclear.

Declare medical conditions you want covered

If you do not tell your insurer about your medical condition - whether they're a mainstream firm or one from a specialist directory - then it's unlikely to be covered.

If you are in any doubt about the insurer's position, contact them.

Push back if your insurer gets a claims decision wrong

Some 43 per cent of customers whose claims weren't fully paid were not given a reason why. 

If your insurer refuses to pay out, you are entitled to a clear explanation. If this is not satisfactory, make a complaint in writing.