Travelling with a pre-existing medical condition like epilepsy requires planning, especially with regards to medication. It's crucial to be adequately prepared in the event that you have a seizure overseas and this includes having the right travel insurance in place.
Most travel insurance policies provide automatic cover for certain pre-existing medical conditions like epilepsy but will usually carry requirements such as:
You will need to:
| Brand | Details | Apply |
|---|---|---|
 | You are automatically covered if:
| Bonus |
 | You are automatically covered if:
| Bonus |
 | Zoom Travel Insurance will not pay any claims relating to any pre-existing medical condition unless you completed the medical screening process, paid any relevant additional premium and received written confirmation from Zoom Travel Insurance confirming that cover has been accepted for these conditions. | Get quote |
 | You are automatically covered if:
| Finder AwardBonus |
 | No mention | Get quote |
 | No mention | Get quote |
 | No cover if in the last 5 years suffered from or received medical advice, treatment or medication for any neurological condition. | Bonus |
 | No cover if in the last 5 years suffered from or received medical advice, treatment or medication for any neurological condition. | Bonus |
 | You are automatically covered if:
| Get quote |
 | You are automatically covered if:
| Bonus |
 | The policy doesn't automatically cover your pre-existing medical conditions. However, if you complete a medical assessment, we may be able to offer you cover for your pre-existing medical conditions. | Finder Award |
 | You are automatically covered if:
| More info |
 | You are automatically covered if:
| More info |
 | You are automatically covered if you have:
| Get quote |
 | You are automatically covered if:
| Get quote |
 | You are automatically covered if:
| More info |
 | No mention | More info |
 | You are automatically covered if:
| More info |
 | No mention | More info |
Note: This information was last updated August 2022
If you suffer from epilepsy and you’re considering applying for travel insurance, it’s important to be aware of the way in which your condition is assessed by the insurance provider. The type and gravity of your condition will influence your premium. Categories include:
The onus is on you to disclose your condition to the insurer, especially if it’s not automatically covered as a pre-existing medical condition. If you develop the condition after purchasing travel insurance, it’s imperative to inform your insurer so that the contract can be modified accordingly. You will most likely be charged an additional premium for the modification.
When you apply for insurance and disclose a pre-existing medical condition like Epilepsy, you will typically go through the these steps:
This will mean the you cannot get cover with the policy.
Automatically included Epilepsy cover will typically have a condition such as requiring not hospitalisations in the past 2 years. If you meet the conditions then you will be automatically covered.
Some policies will let you apply using a declaration form.
Yes, you must declare what type of medication you are using or when the last you used it was. Most travel insurance brands will cover epilepsy if your condition hasn’t changed within 12 months, or if you’re on only one course of anti-seizure medication. Depending on the variation and the kind of medication you’ve been prescribed, you might have to pay an additional premium.
Here are a few tips to facilitate travelling with epilepsy.
Most travel insurance policies will cover epilepsy as a pre-existing medical condition, but not if:
In these cases, the terms of your travel insurance policy won’t cover the costs of medical assistance or hospitalisation.
Living with epilepsy doesn’t mean you can’t travel. Depending on the seriousness of your condition, most travel insurance policies will cover epilepsy as long as you show you can manage it responsibly.
Conditions of Epilepsy cover from Australian travel insurance brands
You might have a pre-existing condition without even realising it. This guide explains what you need to know about gallstones, gallbladder removal surgery and travel insurance.
Looking to travel with a pacemaker? Find out how to get travel insurance cover from Australian brands.
Can someone with Alzheimer's get travel insurance? This guide looks at purchasing cover for dementia and provides tips for travelling with a dementia sufferer.
If you suffer from cystic fibrosis and you’re planning a holiday, you may find it more difficult to find travel insurance cover, but if you plan ahead and apply for your cystic fibrosis to be included as a pre-existing condition, you may be able to find a travel insurer.
This guide looks at travel insurance for multiple sclerosis and if cover is available, how to get it and how to make travelling with MS as easy as possible.
This guide looks at mental illness, how insurers treat this pre-existing medical condition and provides tips on where to get insurance cover and advice.
Are you undergoing dialysis treatment and looking to take out travel insurance? Find out whether or not you can get cover in place and what other options are available if you are an Australian traveller.
Can I get travel insurance if I have or have had cancer? This guide looks at the intricacies of getting cover for former and current cancer patients.
If you have diabetes, there are special steps and precautions you should take when travelling overseas.
This guide looks at pre-existing medical conditions – heart conditions in particular – and how to obtain adequate, affordable travel insurance.
