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Travel insurance for pre-existing conditions
Travel insurance for pre-existing conditions
Written by
Rachel Gregg
Edited by
Laura Crowden
Reviewed by
Adrian BennettEasily compare Travel Insurance
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What is a pre-existing medical condition?
Long story short
Not all pre-existing medical conditions are covered
Insurers might automatically cover conditions like asthma or diabetes, charge extra for others, or exclude some entirely.
You need to be up-front about any medical conditions you have
If you have a pre-existing medical condition and don’t declare it to your insurer, any related claims could be knocked back.
Pregnancy can count as a pre-existing condition
But this generally only applies in the later stages of your pregnancy.
What is a pre-existing medical condition?
The Commonwealth Ombudsmen defines a pre-existing medical condition as an ongoing medical issue you have had signs or symptoms of and received treatment, advice, or medication for from a medical practitioner in the 6 months prior to their insurance cover starting. Travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions can come with additional premiums which can make your policy more expensive, but it’s a better alternative than paying for overseas medical bills on your own. Since the definition of a pre-existing condition can change from one insurer to the next, always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the travel insurance policy you’re considering.
Family medical history can come into play, too. So, if heart conditions run in your family and you start feeling some symptoms, it might be treated as pre-existing by your travel insurer.
Why should I take out travel insurance for a pre-existing medical condition?
Taking out travel insurance that covers your pre-existing medical condition means you’ll be covered if you need any medical treatment for your condition while you’re travelling. Not taking out adequate cover or failing to tell your insurers about your condition could mean you won’t be covered. This puts you at risk of being left to pay for expensive overseas medical treatment on your own.
Is it common to take out travel insurance for a pre-existing medical condition?
Yes, travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions is quite common, especially for senior travellers who are more likely to have health conditions. In 2024, around 6 in 10 Australians were living with at least one long-term health condition. So if you need a bit of extra travel planning around your health, you’re not alone. Even if you’ve got a good handle on your medical condition, unexpected flare-ups can happen. Travel insurance can also help cover other common issues like trip cancellation, delays or theft, which is exactly why the Australian Government recommends always taking out travel insurance anytime you head overseas.
If there’s a chance you could need serious medical attention for your pre-existing condition while you’re away, and it’s not included in your cover, it may be time to reconsider your travel plans.
Helpful tip
Told your insurer about your pre-existing medical condition? That’s great! Just remember, if anything changes in your condition after buying your policy, make sure to keep your insurer in the loop. Even a small thing like a prescribed medication tweak could affect your coverage. Being up-front keeps your policy clean and helps avoid any hiccups if you do end up needing to claim for a pre-existing condition mid-holiday.
Adrian Bennett
General Manager for General Insurance
Is my pre-existing medical condition covered by my travel insurance policy?
Common pre-existing conditions, like asthma, high blood pressure and diabetes, are often covered by travel insurance. Whether or not your pre-existing medical condition can be covered will depend on both your specific medical condition, and the insurer and policy you choose to go with. But keep in mind including coverage for pre-existing conditions may increase the cost of your travel insurance.
Some policies might be able to provide limited protection for certain covered conditions without an assessment, while others will require you to complete an online medical assessment, which may include higher premiums, exclusions or age limits.
If you don’t want to pay higher premiums and you’re comfortable not being covered for your pre-existing condition, it may be possible to skip it. That means taking out a policy that covers you for any of the other things that could go wrong while travelling (like cancellations, luggage protection and rental car excess) but doesn’t cover you for any claims related to your medical condition.
Remember if you want to avoid having a medical claim rejected, it’s always best to disclose your pre-existing condition upfront. If you don’t disclose it and end up needing to make a claim related to it, it could be game over for your travel insurance policy.
Pre-existing conditions that may be automatically covered
Asthma
Diabetes
Osteopenia
Epilepsy
High blood pressure (hypertension)
High cholesterol
Pre-existing conditions that you can potentially cover
Cardiovascular disease
Cancer
Mental illness
Pre-existing conditions that will likely not be covered
Drug or alcohol dependency
Conditions waiting for treatment or investigation
Any travel booked against the advice of your doctor
Conditions with a terminal prognosis
Please refer to the relevant insurer’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for a full list of plan inclusions and exclusions.
Is pregnancy a pre-existing medical condition for travel insurance?
No, in most cases, pregnancy is not considered a pre-existing medical condition for travel insurance. This means you don’t have to declare it to your travel insurer or need a medical screening. But this could change depending on how far along you are. If you’re already in your third trimester or had reproductive treatment like IVF your insurer will likely consider your pregnancy a pre-existing condition.
Most travel insurance policies will cover you for pregnancy-related complications earlier in your pregnancy (often up to 30 weeks if you’re expecting just one baby but it can vary between insurers). You’ll generally be covered earlier in your pregnancy even if you hadn’t told them you were pregnant (of course in some cases you may not have known yourself when booking your trip or taking out your policy!)
Many insurers won’t cover you during the last weeks of your pregnancy, and most won’t cover any costs related to normal childbirth or pregnancy-related complications in the final stage of your pregnancy. Some insurers might also stop offering cover altogether to those who are pregnant. How exactly pregnancy is covered varies between insurers and policies, so always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and give your insurer a call if you have any questions.
Some comprehensive travel policies can also help cover cancellations or travel disruptions due to pregnancy-related medical issues or if your doctor declares you’re no longer fit to travel.
Tips for choosing travel insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition
Having a pre-existing condition can make choosing travel insurance a little trickier, but by disclosing your condition, buying a policy early and looking into specialist insurers who can cover your needs, you can stay covered on your holiday. Here are some things to keep in mind when comparing travel insurance options:
Always disclose
Be up-front about your pre-existing conditions when your insurer asks. If you leave something out, your entire policy may be void when you need it most.
Buy early
Start looking into travel insurance as soon as you book your trip to make sure you’re covered for any flights, hotels or deposits, should you have to unexpectedly cancel.
Look into specialist insurers
There might be policies designed for your specific pre-existing condition. You could find that they offer medical cover and other benefits that better suit your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get travel insurance if my pre-existing medical condition can’t be covered?
Yes, you can still buy travel insurance even if your pre-existing medical condition can’t be covered. This means you likely won’t be covered for claims related to your pre-existing condition, like hospitalisation or emergency assistance, but you can still protect your trip from common travel mishaps like lost luggage and rental vehicle excess costs.
Can I still get travel insurance for my pre-existing medical condition if I’m already overseas?
If you’re applying for an ‘already overseas’ trip policy, you may be able to get cover for some pre-existing medical conditions. However, these already overseas policies could come with no-coverage waiting periods or fixed excess amounts.
Am I covered by travel insurance if I develop a medical condition while I’m overseas?
In most cases, travel insurance will cover a medical condition developed mid-trip, as long as it’s a new or unexpected illness and not something you had symptoms of before travelling. If you developed a medical condition in the months leading up to your travel, it’ll be considered a pre-existing medical condition and may not be covered.
If you’ve already bought a travel insurance policy and found out afterwards that you have a pre-existing medical condition you’ll need to update your insurer of the change in your medical condition. This could mean needing a medical assessment and the possible increase of your premium for coverage on your new condition.
Most policies will cover medical care claims for new or unexpected illnesses within their regular medical benefits. But there is the chance that they might not, depending on your specific circumstances.
Get your travel insurance sorted before your next getaway
Don’t let a pre-existing condition ruin your chance to switch off and enjoy your holiday. Whether you’re looking at a single trip plan or an annual multi-trip option, make sure your travel insurance is sorted before you go. That way you can spend less time worrying about ‘what ifs’ and more time soaking up the sights. Start comparing from a range of travel insurance policies side by side with iSelect.
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