Travel insurance for people with medical conditions

Travel insurance is a vital aspect of going away. Whether you're travelling around the UK or going abroad, you need to make sure that you and your travel companions are protected with comprehensive travel insurance.

A good premium is even more important if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

Making sure you are covered and fit for travel

Fit for travel means that you are fit and healthy and able to travel without concern.

If you are in any doubt of whether you're fit for travel, you should contact your doctor for advice. Note that you will not be covered for travel insurance if your doctor deems you unfit for travel. Before you purchase or renew your travel insurance, you need to tell your insurer if you or anyone named on your policy has had a pre-existing medical condition.

For most policies, including Admiral Travel Insurance, it includes medical conditions you’ve had within the last two years. You’ll need to tell your insurer 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 being aware that you need inpatient treatment.

What constitutes a pre-existing medical condition or illness?

The following list of examples is not exhaustive and rather acts as a guide to pre-existing medical conditions generally recognised by insurers (they are in Admiral's policy).

If you are unsure about your condition, speak to your doctor. An insurance adviser can then tell you whether or not you’re covered.

Pre-existing medical conditions:

• cancers
• heart conditions (irregular heartbeat/angina/heart disease)
• diabetes
• 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.

If you make a claim for injury or illness, your insurer may need to contact your doctor to receive your medical records and you may not be able to make a claim if you refuse access.

Medical examinations (or post-mortems) may also be required in light of your claim - your insurer may pay cover expenses for these.

Why do I have to tell my insurer if I have a medical condition?

This is to certify that you are fully covered should anything happen to you on your trip relating to your pre-existing medical condition. It will go on your insurer’s file and is confidential – you can check this with your insurer. This information means that if you require medical assistance, the experts at the emergency assistance service will be able to advise you on the best care.

Your insurer may refuse a claim if it's in any way connected to a pre-existing medical condition that you haven’t specified. Claims are also often denied for people who:

• travel against the advice of their doctor, or fail to seek advice where travel would have been denied
• travel for the purpose of receiving treatment i.e. an operation in a foreign country
• fail to take necessary medication i.e. any prescribed medicines or inoculations.

Will my premium be more expensive if I have a medical condition?

The cost of your premium usually depends on the number of travellers on your policy, the location you are travelling to, and the nature of any pre-existing medical condition(s). I've been diagnosed with a medical condition after I've booked my premium.

Am I still covered if I go on my trip?

Yes, usually, as long as:

• your doctor says you are fit for travel
• you've told your insurer about these changes to your health.

When you tell your insurer about a new medical condition and they agree to cover you for it, you may have to pay an additional premium.

If they can’t cover you or you don’t agree with any changes to the terms and conditions, you may be able to cancel it as long as you haven’t already started your trip. You should get a full or partial refund.

Can I make a claim once I return home?

Ideally claims to your travel insurer should only be made whilst you’re away from home on your trip. Retrospective claims aren’t normally considered, no matter how costly or minor the treatment.

As soon as you require medical care abroad, always contact your insurer’s emergency service as soon as possible.

Get set and go

Admiral offers both single and multi-trip policies with a three tier system of cover: Admiral, Admiral Gold, or Admiral Platinum. For these, medical and repatriation expenses have limits from £10million up to £20million, with different excess amounts.

It’s worth discussing your needs with the Admiral team to get a clear gauge of your premium. Always make sure that you are fit for travel and that you and your health needs are fully covered. At Admiral, we can cater to your individual travel needs and answer any of your questions about our policy and ensure you get the right premium.