Travel insurance protects you from unexpected issues, giving you the freedom to enjoy your trips. However, when buying travel insurance, declaring key details about your medical history will help you get the right cover for your needs.
These details include any pre-existing medical conditions and ongoing medical treatment. Failing to report them to your travel insurer could leave you stranded if you fall ill on holiday, so declaring them on your policy will ensure you’ve got the right cover.
Pre-existing medical conditions to declare for travel insurance
When buying travel insurance, a pre-existing medical condition refers to any physical or psychological conditions you’ve had within the last two years. However, some conditions must be declared even if they occurred more than two years ago. It’s classed as a pre-existing condition if:
- you have any physical or psychological condition in the last two years for which you’ve received treatment, been prescribed medication, or attended consultations, investigations, or check-ups
- you have any past diagnosis, treatment, or investigation for specific conditions like high blood pressure, strokes, etc.
Common medical conditions that you may need to declare
Common pre-existing medical conditions that need to be declared for travel insurance include the following.
| Type of Conditions | Examples |
|---|---|
| Chronic illnesses | Diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma. |
| Recent surgeries or injuries | Joint replacements, cataracts. |
| Mental health conditions | Anxiety, depression. |
| Skin conditions | Eczema, psoriasis. |
Even if a condition seems minor or is well under control, it must be declared if it meets your travel insurer’s definition of a pre-existing medical condition. Pre-existing conditions can vary between insurers, so it’s essential to review their policies closely to understand what is covered and how it’s addressed. For example, high blood pressure must always be declared under Avanti’s policies.
How far back do you need to declare conditions?
Most insurers typically ask for details about health conditions diagnosed, treatment received, or consultations attended within a specific period, often the past two to five years.
At Avanti, we ask for medical history from the past two years. However, some conditions must always be declared, regardless of when they occurred. These include heart attacks, angina, chest pain, or any other heart condition. You must also declare if you’ve ever had high blood pressure, blood clots, raised cholesterol, an aneurysm, or any circulatory disease, as well as a stroke, mini-stroke, or brain haemorrhage.
Some insurers may let you pay an extra premium to cover certain conditions, while others might exclude them or refuse cover altogether. However, at Avanti, we specialise in offering cover for most pre-existing conditions so our customers can travel with peace of mind.
It’s crucial to be honest and thorough when declaring medical conditions, as it can affect your policy and ability to make claims if needed. That’s why we require evidence to support your claims, so it’s essential to provide accurate information.
Conditions under diagnosis or awaiting test results
Your travel insurance provider needs to know if you’re undergoing tests or investigations for a medical condition. Insurance providers assess risk based on your health status. If you’re waiting for test results, they don’t yet have a clear picture of your condition, which makes it difficult to determine cover.
How undiagnosed conditions can affect your policy
- Some insurers may exclude cover for any condition under investigation.
- If your test results confirm a new condition after you’ve purchased insurance, your policy may need updating to include it.
- Failing to inform your insurer about ongoing tests could lead to a denied claim if your condition causes problems while travelling.
What to do if you’re awaiting medical results
- Check with your insurer whether your policy will cover conditions that are being investigated.
- If your test results confirm a new condition, inform your insurer as soon as possible.
- Think about purchasing a policy that allows flexibility in updating medical details if needed.
Declaring ongoing medical investigations upfront makes sure that you won’t run into unexpected cover issues if your condition develops into something more serious.
Declaring your medication
If you are taking prescribed medication for any health condition, it’s a must to declare this information. The following are some of these health conditions as examples.
- Medications for high blood pressure or cholesterol
- Diabetes medication
- Blood thinners
- Medications for osteoporosis
These policies can vary between insurers, so it’s important to carefully review the terms or reach out to them directly for clarification.
New medical conditions after taking out travel insurance
What happens if you develop a new medical condition after buying travel insurance? You must always inform your insurer about any new medical conditions. Depending on their terms, they might take the following actions.
- Update your policy to include the new condition (for an additional premium).
- Exclude the new condition from the policy.
Failing to update your policy could result in denied claims, leaving you stranded abroad without access to medical insurance if a new condition causes an issue while travelling. It’s always safer to inform your travel insurance provider in advance.
If your insurance policy is with us at Avanti, it’s easy to update the policy by giving us a call or visiting your online account.
What happens if you don’t declare medical conditions?
Not declaring pre-existing medical conditions can have serious consequences. Here is what might happen.
- If an undeclared condition causes an issue during your trip, your insurer may decline to cover related expenses
- In some cases, undisclosed conditions could lead to changes in your policy or even cancellation.
- Facing medical emergencies abroad without proper travel insurance can hit your wallet hard. For example, receiving hospital treatment for a stomach bug or infection in the USA, along with medical evacuation or repatriation, could cost up to £150,000 without travel insurance.
Nearly a quarter of disputed travel insurance claims last year were because people forgot to mention pre-existing medical conditions. According to the Financial Ombudsman Service, 27% of these disputes could’ve been avoided if they’d been fully transparent when buying their travel insurance policy.
Travel insurance is there to give you freedom when travelling, but it only works if you give all the information beforehand. So, before you travel, take a moment to make sure everything is in place. It’s a small step that could save you a lot of trouble later.
How Avanti Travel Insurance helps put your mind at ease
Planning a trip should be exciting, so we’re here to give you peace of mind that you have the cover you need. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or the holiday of a lifetime, we at Avanti will ensure you’re covered so you can relax and enjoy every moment.
Medical conditions covered by Avanti Travel Insurance
Avanti Travel Insurance covers various medical conditions, but eligibility depends on individual circumstances. Here are some examples:
- Heart conditions
- Cancer
- Digestive conditions (stomach or bowel)
- Breathing conditions
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Eye conditions
- Neurological conditions
- Mental health conditions
- Autoimmune disorders
- Kidney conditions
- Back pain
- Chronic pain
- Allergies
Our travel insurance is designed around your needs, reassuring you while travelling. If you ever need to make a claim, provide solid evidence to avoid any issues.
If your condition isn’t listed, don’t worry. Just reach out and we’re all ears and ready to help.
What we don’t cover
Avanti is here to lend a helping hand when things don’t go according to plan on your travels. We’ve got you covered in many tricky situations, but there are a few claims we won’t be able to help with. These include:
- ignoring your doctor’s advice about travelling
- deciding not to go on your trip
- travelling overseas specifically to get medical treatment
- medical conditions you didn’t declare beforehand
Always read our policy documents before you travel so you know what’s covered and what’s not. This helps you confirm that you have the right level of cover and ensures you’re fully informed about your travel insurance.
Avanti – your trusted partner in travel insurance
Travel insurance is highly recommended to anyone heading abroad, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions. Declaring your conditions upfront can make all the difference if the unexpected happens during your trip.
With Avanti’s travel insurance for a wide range of conditions, you can travel knowing you’re protected. And if something goes wrong, our team are ready to support you every step of the way.
From medical conditions to unexpected mishaps, we’re here to ensure you can travel with confidence and reassurance. Get a quote now and take the first step towards safe travels abroad.
