Before you pack your bags, it’s important to think about travel insurance, especially if you already have a medical condition. Many people wonder how their existing health issues can affect their travel insurance. This is where the concept of pre-existing diseases comes in.
This guide explains what pre-existing conditions are, how they affect travel insurance, what is covered and what is not, and how you can still get insured even if you have one.
What is a pre-existing medical condition?
A medical condition is a pre-existing medical condition if it is:
- A medical condition you are aware of
- A medical condition for which you are undergoing treatment or have had treatment in the past
- A medical condition for which you are taking regular medications
- A medical condition for which you had a surgery or are planning one
Let’s consider an example.
Reena bought a travel insurance policy for her father for a trip to Australia to visit her brother. At the time of filling the form, she mentioned that her father had no pre-existing disease. During the stay abroad, he had to be hospitalised for high blood pressure. To their surprise, his claim was rejected. He had been taking medication for blood pressure for the last couple of years. However, Reena didn’t think it was important to mention this.
Therefore, a proper analysis should be made and all doubts must be cleared before completing the policy form.
What is pre-existing disease coverage in travel insurance?
Pre-existing disease coverage in travel insurance means the insurer can cover medical expenses if your existing illness gets worse or needs treatment while you are travelling.
Usually, single-trip travel insurance covers sudden illnesses or accidents that happen during the trip. But with this special cover, it can also include flare-ups or emergencies linked to your pre-existing condition.
For example:
- If you have controlled diabetes but face sudden complications during your trip, the insurer may cover the hospital bills.
- If you have asthma and suffer a serious attack while travelling, you may be able to claim the medical expenses.
This cover is not automatically included in most policies. You usually have to declare your condition and pay a higher premium to get it.
Inclusions & exclusions of pre-existing disease cover in travel insurance
It’s important to read your policy documents carefully to know what’s included and what’s excluded. Here’s a simple breakdown.
Inclusions:
- Emergency hospitalisation due to your pre-existing condition.
- Emergency medical evacuation if you need to be moved to another hospital or country for treatment.
- Life-threatening complications caused by your condition during travel.
- Doctor consultations abroad if linked to an emergency with your condition.
Exclusions:
- Planned treatments for your existing condition (for example, travelling abroad for a scheduled surgery).
- Routine check-ups or ongoing treatment for a stable condition.
- Conditions not declared in the insurance form.
- Self-inflicted harm or treatment needed due to ignoring medical advice.
How to qualify for insurance with a pre-existing medical condition?
Many insurance companies provide coverage for a pre-existing medical condition, provided your condition is “stable”. Being “stable” comes with a few conditions, which include:
- No new diagnosis or prescribed treatment and medication
- No change in the frequency of treatment or medication
- No signs of further deterioration in the reports
- Should not be awaiting the results of a test
- No further hospitalisation or referred to a new specialist
These conditions may also vary depending on your policy provider. Apart from “stable” there is also a “look back period” which is the time period since you registered for the policy and the day you made your claim. It should exceed the time specified by the company; otherwise, your claim would be rejected.
Why pre-existing condition cover matters
Here is why its essential to cover pre-existing conditions:
- Protection against high medical costs abroad: Medical treatment in many countries can be extremely expensive. This cover ensures you are financially protected if your pre-existing condition requires urgent care.
- Emergency medical evacuation: In serious cases, you may need to be moved to another hospital or even flown back to your home country. This cover can include evacuation costs, which can be very high.
- Access to quality healthcare: Having valid insurance means you can seek treatment qucikly without worrying about arranging funds.
- No interruption to your travel plans: Quick access to medical help can reduce the impact on your itinerary, allowing you to recover and continue your trip if possible.
Conclusion
Travel insurance is an important part of safe travel, especially if you already have a medical condition. While most standard travel insurance policies don’t automatically cover these, you can get pre-existing disease coverage by declaring your health condition.
If you want help choosing the right international travel insurance for your needs, simply fill in the form on this page. Our team can guide you with clear, personalised advice so you can travel without worry.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It may contain outdated data and information regarding the topic featured in the article. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.