Looking for pre-existing medical insurance?

What does travel insurance class as pre-existing conditions and illnesses?

When taking out travel insurance your insurer will ask you a few medical questions to better assess the risk of you making a claim. Essentially a pre-existing medical condition is a condition that was diagnosed before you took out your travel insurance policy. Here are a few common examples of what many insurers would consider a pre-existing medical condition:

• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Sore back
• Cancer
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Heart conditions
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Broken limbs or bones
• Mobility Issues

How will pre-existing conditions impact my plans to get travel insurance?

Insurers should provide a list of the medical conditions they do and do not cover for in their travel insurance policies. If the conditions or illnesses that you have been pre-diagnosed with are covered under their policies, the main impact they will have on your travel insurance is the price of your premiums. This is essentially due to statistical risk and the impact this could have on the insurer. Since travel insurance will cover you for medical expenses and the costs for getting you back home if you get injured or ill abroad, the need to evaluate this likelihood is paramount to insurers.

For example, if you have a condition that puts you at a greater risk of breaking a bone whilst you are travelling then the chances of you making a claim while you travel are higher. This is something the insurer will need to take into account as if you are injured they will need to cover your medical and associated costs. The exact nature and risk of your pre-existing condition will impact the amount your premium price is influenced as a result.

Is pre-existing medical travel insurance necessary?

Although it is not a legal requirement to get travel insurance in the UK, it is strongly recommended. If you have pre-existing medical conditions then it is still recommended you take out a travel insurance as in short yes, travel insurance is necessary. Travel insurance can provide you the peace of mind you need when going overseas as an unfortunate fact of life is that the unexpected happens. Travel insurance is relatively cheap compared to other insurance products and