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Medical travel insurance

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Coronavirus (Covid-19) - important information 3 July 2020

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has lifted its advice against non-essential international travel. This means you can travel to a number of countries from Saturday 4 July.

However, the FCO still advises against travelling to many countries. So check the FCO for the latest advice before you go. If you buy travel insurance and then travel to a country that the FCO advises against visiting, your travel insurance won’t cover you. You won’t be covered for any cancellations either.

The rules on self-isolation when entering or returning to the UK are different for England, Scotland and Wales. Check these differences before travelling to understand what you need to do.

Coronavirus is what they call a “known event”. So some insurers may exclude this type of event from the cover they offer you. If in doubt, check the policy wording or contact your chosen insurer before you buy.

However, all policies bought through Confused.com include cover for emergency medical expenses and repatriation - even if you contract Covid-19 abroad. This is so long as you’re not travelling against FCO advice.

We compare trusted travel insurance companies to find you the best deals.

Travel insurance with medical conditions

When buying travel insurance, it’s important to tell your insurer if you have a pre-existing medical condition. 

Depending on what the condition is, you may get a specialist policy that covers you for any related treatment while you’re on holiday.

You can find a policy that offers suitable cover by declaring your condition when you get a quote.

Some common conditions include:

  • Respiratory conditions
  • Heart, kidney, liver, circulatory or cerebral conditions
  • Stroke or central nervous system disorders
  • Cancerous conditions
  • Terminal conditions
  • Psychological conditions (diagnosed or treated)

Meanwhile, if you’re prescribed certain medication, you’ve recently received treatment, or had a consultation, then you may also have to declare this too.

If you choose to take out a standard policy without telling the insurer about an existing condition, and then go on to make a claim relating to this, your claim may be refused and the policy could become invalid.

What does a pre-existing medical policy cover?

  • Medical expenses could be covered if you get ill or injured abroad
  • Repatriation could also be covered if you are unable to travel on your pre-arranged transport, so you could be closer to your friends and family back in the UK
  • With cancellation cover you could claim back your hotel and transportation costs if you are forced to cancel your trip
  • Your luggage, personal possessions and money could also be covered if they are lost, stolen or damaged
  • Most travel insurance policies offer a 24 hour helpline providing advice and support in an emergency

Why compare travel insurance for existing medical conditions with Confused.com?

Some standard travel insurance policies may not offer cover if you have a pre-existing medical condition, so finding cover can be difficult. We compare travel insurance quotes from providers who cover for pre-existing medical conditions, and we could find you competitive insurance prices to cover your medical conditions and all of your travel needs.
  • We aim to get you our best deal on travel insurance
  • Compare popular brands like Saga or Admiral
  • We offer a wide range of travel insurance guides to help you on your journey

Travel insurance tips

  • Get travel insurance in advance, as you might not be able to get the full benefit of cancellation cover. In 2014, 46% of people bought travel insurance less than a week before going away and 6% bought on the day! (Confused.com data)
  • It’s important that you declare any pre-existing or medical conditions that you or your travel party have or might have developed during the term of policy
  • Read the terms and conditions of your policy in advance and take a look at the excess and policy exclusions to make sure you’re covered (most policies exclude alcohol and drug related incidents)
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