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See which travel insurance brands will cover your high-risk holiday, whether it's the adventure, destination or your current condition.
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You could be an adventure sports enthusiast, plan to visit politically unstable destinations or have pre-existing medical conditions for these reasons and more you pose an increased claims risk to the insurer.
As a general rule, many high-risk activities, destinations and medical conditions are excluded from travel insurance cover. However, depending on your individual circumstances, it can be possible to find an insurer who can offer the travel insurance protection you need.
The treatment of high-risk adventure sports and activities varies between travel insurers. Insurers will generally fall into three categories:
There are some brands specialising in adventure sports travel insurance policies and others that can cover you if you’re competing in specific a professional sporting activities, so it pays to shop around and compare the available options.
If you do find cover for your chosen adventure activity, pay attention to the conditions listed in the policy - you may be covered only some of the time you're doing that activity. Conditions can include:
Conditions vary between insurers and depending on the activity you want to participate in, so read the fine print of your product disclosure statement (PDS) for full details of the cover available and check out our guides below.
Activities that are usually covered in most policies include:
The following conditions can also usually be covered if you take out adventure sports cover, but conditions and limitations apply:
Finally, there are some high-risk activities that you’re very unlikely to find cover for, including:
Some of the most interesting and exciting travel destinations come with a heightened level of risk. This can be due to the threat of terrorism, ongoing political instability, or even a recent natural disaster.
A common exclusion on every travel insurance policy is you will not be covered if you visit a country where a travel warning has been issued. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) advises Australian travellers whether or not it is safe to travel to various countries. Check the Smartraveller website for up-to-date advisories.
Another common exclusion whether it’s reasonable to expect that you knew a destination was unsafe for travel due to reports in the mass media. It’s important to check with your insurer to find out if they will cover you if you are planning on visiting somewhere that is known to be hazardous.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, it can be difficult to find an insurer willing to cover any claims that arise from that condition. There are some pre-existing conditions that most insurers will automatically cover, including asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, blindness and deafness.
However, there are some high-risk conditions that are automatically excluded from cover by travel insurers.
Read your travel insurance product disclosure statement (PDS) for a full list of excluded high-risk conditions.
If you have one of these conditions it doesn’t mean you can’t take out travel insurance, but it does mean that any claims that arise because of your condition will not be covered.
Although general exclusions vary between insurers, your claim will usually not be paid if:
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My daughter is going to visit a country where a travel warning has been issued – Kashmir, Gulmarg skiing off piste. Do you know if there is any insurance that will cover her for this trip, a total of 19 days. Medical security and travel assist.
Hello Maria,
Thank you for your inquiry.
I understand your daughter’s situation in finding a travel insurance. Please know that a common exclusion on every travel insurance policy is you will not be covered if you visit a country where a travel warning has been issued.
You may go ahead and check this page https://www.finder.com.au/travel-insurance-travel-warnings and compare your options in looking for a travel insurance for countries with travel warnings.
Hope this helps. Should you have further questions or clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact us again.
Best Regards,
Robyn
I’m looking for someone to provide travel insurance for a trip to the USA for 8 weeks. I have been knocked back by 4-5 companies as I have pre existing medical – in particular two unplanned surgeries in less than 2 years….Is there anyone who will insure me for this pre existing condition.
Hi Sharron,
Thanks for reaching out. While we are unable to recommend a specific provider that will provide cover for your condition, you might find our page here on travel insurance with pre-existing medical condition helpful. Additionally, InsureandGo do not automatically exclude any conditions and claim to assess all conditions on a case-by-case basis. Also, CoverMore may be able to cover you for an additional premium, subject to the outcome of a short medical assessment.
Please note that terms and conditions vary extensively among providers. It’s crucial that you declare any medical conditions that are not automatically covered at the time of application.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Liezl