Covid-19 - Important information 22nd June 2021
International travel has restarted, governed by a traffic light system. The system will help travellers to understand COVID requirements when travelling back to England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland from a green, amber or red country.
Before buying travel insurance, you should think about what could happen if your destination moves from a green list country to an amber or red list country. You may face extra costs and face travel restrictions that won't be covered by your travel insurance policy.
The traffic light system only tells you what you have to do when returning to England or Scotland, as there will be strict border control measures in place. So even if a country is on the green list, you still need to check your destination's entry requirements and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice for travelling there. If the Foreign Office has advised against travel to your destination and you still decide to travel, you won’t be covered by any travel insurance policy you buy.
A few insurers do offer cover if you're an essential traveler, but if you have any questions, you should check the policy wording or contact your chosen provider before you buy.
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Need more help?
Is pregnancy a pre-existing medical condition?
No, most insurers don’t consider pregnancy a pre-existing medical condition, so you don’t need to buy a medical travel policy to cover it.
You can still buy a pregnancy travel insurance policy to be sure you’re covered for anything unexpected while on holiday. There are certain limits on policies, for example depending on how far along in your pregnancy you are, or whether you’re having twins. Check the details of your chosen policy with the insurer in more detail before you buy.
What do I do if I’m refused a quote?
Unless it’s a particularly serious condition, it’s unlikely that you’ll be refused a quote. We work with a specialist panel of insurance companies who give quotes for many declared serious medical conditions. If for any reason you do struggle to get a quote, the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) have set up a directory of insurers to help cover pre-existing conditions.
You can find their directory of insurers on the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) website or you can phone them on 0800 138 7777 for free impartial advice.
Am I covered if I develop a condition after I buy my travel insurance policy?
If the medical condition wasn’t declared when you bought the original policy, then you won’t be covered. All conditions must be declared at the time of buying a policy.
Can I exclude a medical condition from my travel insurance?
If you don’t disclose a medical condition on your policy but then go on to try and claim, it’ll most likely be rejected by your insurer. You must disclose any medical conditions that you have before travelling, otherwise you run the risk of having to cover any medical bills yourself.
Can I travel if I have a terminal illness? Will I be covered?
Terminal illnesses are included in the pre-existing medical condition category, but you’ll still need to check with your insurer to see whether you’re covered. It’s also a good idea to get advice from your doctor before you decide to travel.
How much medical cover should I get?
This will depend on your condition and what level of cover you’ll need for any associated medical expenses. Most medical travel insurance quotes provide around £5m worth of cover, which is normally more than enough. If you have any doubts about your level of cover, contact your insurer.
How can I get cheaper travel insurance with a medical condition?
The best way to get a cheap medical travel insurance policy is to buy your policy with plenty of time left before you travel. You should also declare any medical conditions before buying, to avoid the risk of a claim being rejected in the future.
How long you’re away for, where you’re travelling and what activities you’re doing can also affect the cost of a policy.
What our travel insurance expert says
We all know medical bills abroad can be expensive. People don’t realise it, but it takes just 3 minutes to get a medical travel insurance quote and you can go ahead and enjoy your holiday knowing you’ve got cover for your condition.
Jac Morris
Travel insurance Product Executive
What are the different types of travel insurance?
Family travel insurance
means you can get one policy that covers everyone, rather than buying individual policies.
Long stay travel insurance
is the perfect policy for those who plan to travel for an extended period.
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