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
- Emergency medical and repatriation costs if you become ill with COVID-19 while abroad and must self-isolate
- Trip cancellation if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 within 14 days of your trip departure
- Cutting short your trip because you're denied boarding on your pre-booked outbound travel due to symptoms of COVID-19
- Trip cancellation because of the hospitalisation or death of a close relative due to Covid-19 within the 14 days prior to your trip departure
- You can't continue with a pre-booked because you contracted Covid-19 while on your trip
- Cutting short your trip due to your death or the death of a close relative from Covid-19
What we don’t cover
- 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.
- Cancelling, cutting short your trip or being unable to continue with a trip or pre-booked excursion because you're required to self-isolate due to the potential exposure to Covid-19 except for reasons specified
- If you travel against Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice. You will need to check the travel advice for all countries you visit or will transit through
- Cancelling or cutting short your trip due to the FCDO changing its advice regarding your destination or countries you will transit through due to COVID-19
- Costs incurred as a result of a local outbreak of COVID-19 that meant you couldn't stay in your pre-booked accommodation or vessel
- Due to travel restrictions or quarantine imposed by any government or public authority, including local lockdowns, being denied entry and compulsory entry requirements
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 medical conditions
Admiral offers both Single Trip and Annual Travel Insurance with three tiers of cover to choose from: Admiral, Admiral Gold and Admiral Platinum.
Admiral |
Admiral |
Admiral |
|
---|---|---|---|
Excess |
£100 | £75 | £50 |
Emergency medical treatment & repatriation (Limits up to) |
£10M | £15M | £20M |
Cancellation or cutting short your trip (Limits up to) |
£1.5K | £3K | £5K |
Personal belongings (Limits up to) |
£1K | £2K | £2.5K |
Money & documents (Limits up to) |
£300 | £400 | £500 |
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 medical 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 medical condition or illness?
A pre-existing medical 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
- 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
You can declare your pre-existing medical 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 medical 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 medical 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 medical 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 medical 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 medical 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 medical condition or will my price be more expensive?
It’s not impossible to get cheap travel insurance with pre existing medical 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 medical 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.
show more
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.
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.