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Medical travel insurance

Compare quotes for travel insurance with a pre-existing condition

  • Compare travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions

  • Travel with peace of mind knowing you’re covered

  • Compare quotes from insurers like Admiral and Coverwise

Can I get travel insurance that covers COVID-19?

Yes, you can still compare and purchase travel insurance with COVID-19 cover from Confused.com. All of our providers offer emergency medical treatment and repatriation (returning to the UK) for COVID-19 claims.

Many of our providers offer further Covid-19 related cover such as holiday cancellations, accommodation costs and denied boarding. Be sure to check the details of your policy carefully as different providers will offer different policy enhancements.

It's important to note that if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), you won't be covered by any travel insurance policy you buy.

Can I get travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition?

A pre-existing medical condition shouldn't stop you from travelling. As long as you're fit enough to make your trip, it's usually still possible to buy travel insurance.

You'll need to declare your medical condition to the insurer. Often, the insurance company will be able to insure you but may charge more as you're at a higher risk of making a claim. You might need to buy a policy from a specialist provider.

What is considered a pre-existing medical condition?

Typically, a pre-existing medical condition is any illness or injury that you've been diagnosed with or referred for investigations for before buying medical travel insurance.

This can include (but isn't limited to):

  • Asthma and respiratory problems
  • Cancer
  • Heart conditions
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Psychological conditions
  • Terminal illnesses

When you apply for travel insurance, you'll be asked about:

  • Your health
  • Any conditions you've been diagnosed with
  • Doctor appointments or tests you've been referred for or are awaiting the results of

Your insurer uses this information to decide if they can cover your condition and to calculate the cost of your travel insurance policy.

How to compare travel insurance quotes for pre-existing medical conditions

Getting a medical travel insurance quote only takes about 3 minutes. Having this information ready makes it easier:

  • Your name, age and address
  • Where you're travelling
  • The length of your trip
  • Details of your medical conditions

We'll ask you questions about your health so we can show quotes with the right level of cover. This is why it's important to answer the questions accurately and honestly.

If you have a serious medical condition, we may require more information.

  • Fill out our travel insurance quote form
  • We compare prices from travel insurance companies to find you the right policy at the right price.
  • We’ll show you a list of our best medical travel insurance quotes to choose from.

We compare prices from travel insurance companies to help find the right policy at the right price. We’ll show you a list of our best medical travel insurance quote to choose from.

Compare medical travel insurance quotes

How much does medical travel insurance cost?

Travel insurance usually costs more if you have a pre-existing medical condition. This is because you'll need to cover a specific medical condition and the cost of any emergency treatment you could need.

Usually, the more serious your condition, the more you’ll pay for your medical travel insurance.

Here are some examples of average prices* for an annual travel insurance policy for those with a pre-existing medical condition of anxiety:

Destination Average annual premium
Europe
£101.00
Worldwide exc. US, Canada and Caribbean
£132.11
Worldwide inc. US, Canada and Caribbean
£175.31

You can also see the average cost* of a medical travel insurance policy for 1 week in some of the most popular destinations around the world:

Destination Average premium price
Spain
£40.23
USA
£67.54
France
£42.46
Germany
£55.67
Italy
£57.21
Greece
£41.21
UAE
£52.15
Portugal
£43.17
Egypt
£33.03
Netherlands
£54.34
UK
£29.21

*Confused.com travel insurance data – based on a average of all quotes which included a pre-existing medical condition of anxiety during 2nd May 2022 to 2nd November 2022

What should I consider before travelling with a pre-existing medical condition?

A little planning can help travelling with a pre-existing condition. Our top tips can help you have a great holiday:

  • Research your destination in advance, so you know exactly where to find the nearest doctor, clinic, pharmacy and hospital.
  • Get a doctor’s advice before you travel as they should be able to advise you on what sort of travel and holiday activities are ok to do with your medical condition.
  • Pack your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)so you can get access to state healthcare in EU countries, free of charge or at low cost. The EHIC covers things like emergency treatment, visits to A&E and routine maternity care.
  • Pack enough medication for your trip, ordering extra if necessary.
  • Pack letters from doctors and prescription details. Any medical equipment you regularly use also needs to go on your pre-departure checklist.

If your EHIC is no longer valid you can get a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) instead. Remember, the EHIC and GHIC are not a replacement for health insurance.

Compare medical travel insurance quotes

Need more help?

What is medical travel insurance?

Medical travel insurance is a type of travel insurance designed for people with pre-existing conditions. It will cover you for health problems that you've visited the doctor about or are having tests for.

A regular travel insurance policy without pre-existing condition cover, won't pay out for claims relating to health problems you already have.

How much medical cover should I get?

This depends on the pre-existing condition you have and the likelihood that you'll need treatment while you're away.

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.

Can you get travel insurance for pre-existing conditions?

Yes, you can get travel insurance for pre-existing conditions. Only in some of the most serious circumstances will insurers refuse to provide cover. You may be asked to pay more for your insurance due to your pre-existing condition, but for milder conditions it’s usually not much.

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 travel insurance policy while pregnant which covers you for anything unexpected while on holiday.

Check the details of your chosen policy with the insurer in more detail before you buy.

Can you get medical only travel insurance?

Medical travel insurance, along with travel insurance in general, includes cover for things like cancellations and lost or stolen belongings, as well as medical cover. The main difference between medical travel insurance and standard travel is that medical travel insurance will also cover you for pre-existing medical conditions – illnesses or injuries that you already had at the time you took out your policy. To get a medical travel insurance quote you need to declare them on our travel insurance quote form.

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) offers a directory of insurers to help cover pre-existing conditions.

You can find out its directory of insurers by phoning 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 you develop a medical condition after you've bought your travel insurance but before you travel, you should contact your insurer and declare it to them. This may be referred to as your 'ongoing duty of disclosure' or a 'change in health'.

Your insurance company will be able to clarify whether you are covered.

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.

What is the difference between travel insurance and medical insurance?

Medical travel insurance covers the same things as standard travel insurance but also covers you for certain pre-existing medical conditions. It means that you’ll be covered for illnesses or injuries you already have at the time you take out the medical travel insurance policy. Standard travel insurance won’t cover you for pre-existing conditions.

How much travel medical insurance do I need for the USA?

Health care in the USA generally costs more than in Europe. As a UK citizen, you won't be entitled to free or low cost emergency treatment like you can get in the EU by presenting the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or its replacement, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).

If you’re travelling to the USA, it’s extremely important that you have adequate travel insurance in place. If you’re travelling to the USA and you have a pre-existing condition, it’s vital that you take out medical travel insurance.

Do travel insurance companies check medical records?

Insurers can only check your medical history after obtaining your permission. They could ask for this when you get a medical travel insurance quote. If you’ve given your permission, they may later ask for your GP to provide information on your medical history.

It’s important to declare any pre-existing medical conditions you may have when you get travel insurance quotes. Otherwise, you could find that your travel medical claims end up being refused.

Do I need medical insurance to travel to Europe?

You don’t have to have medical insurance to travel to Europe, but it will cover you for any declared pre-existing medical conditions as well as for other illnesses or injuries that occur while you’re on holiday. You’ll also be covered for things like cancellations, accidents, theft or loss of belongings.
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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.
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Our service is free and compares a wide range of trusted household names. Confused.com is an intermediary and receives commission from theidol.com if you decide to buy through our website which is based on a percentage of the total annual premium. We pride ourselves on impartiality and independence – therefore we don't promote any one insurance provider over another.

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