Is dementia always considered a pre-existing medical condition by travel insurers?

Yes, dementia and Alzheimer's disease are almost always classified as pre-existing medical conditions by travel insurance providers. This means you must declare the condition during the application process. Failure to do so could invalidate your policy and any claims related to the condition or other medical emergencies during your trip.

What stage of dementia affects travel insurance eligibility?

The stage of dementia significantly influences eligibility and the premium charged. Insurers typically assess the condition's severity through a medical screening process. Early stages of dementia may be easier to cover than advanced stages which present higher risks. The insurer will consider factors such as cognitive function, mobility, the need for assistance and recent changes in the condition.

What information do I need to provide during a medical screening for dementia?

During a medical screening you will generally need to provide details about the diagnosis date, the specific type of dementia, current symptoms, medications and dosages, any recent hospitalisations and your overall mobility and independence. It is important to be as accurate and thorough as possible to ensure your cover is valid.

Does travel insurance for dementia cover the carer or travelling companion?

Many travel insurance policies that cover dementia can extend to also cover a travelling companion or carer. This cover might include cancellation costs if the person with dementia becomes unable to travel or if the carer must return home early due to the condition. You should check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully and confirm with the insurer if this is a feature of your chosen policy.

What are common exclusions in a travel insurance policy for dementia?

Common exclusions might include claims arising from aspects of dementia that were not declared during the medical assessment, claims where travel was against a doctor's advice and claims for medical expenses related to other pre-existing conditions not declared or covered. Policies may also have limits on coverage for mental health related incidents so always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for full details.

Can I get travel insurance if a doctor advises against travel due to dementia?

It is highly unlikely you will be able to get travel insurance cover if a medical professional advises against travel due to dementia or any other medical condition. Insurers base their decisions on medical advice and if there is a known elevated risk due to a doctor's warning they will likely refuse to provide cover. Travelling against medical advice could also invalidate any existing policy.

Why is travel insurance more expensive for someone with dementia?

Travel insurance premiums are generally higher for individuals with dementia because the condition increases the risk of needing medical attention overseas, requiring emergency evacuation or experiencing trip interruptions. Insurers factor in the potential for medical complications, lost belongings and the need for specialised assistance, which all contribute to a higher cost of cover.

Can I travel internationally with dementia or Alzheimer's?

Yes, you can travel internationally with dementia or Alzheimer's but it requires careful planning and appropriate travel insurance. You will need to complete a medical assessment during the application process. Some insurers may offer cover depending on the severity of the condition and your travel plans. Short trips to familiar destinations or cruises are often recommended as good starting points.

Travel insurance for dementia and Alzheimer's

Over 10 insurers on Finder may cover dementia after an online medical screening and extra premium.
Inform your current insurer promptly about a dementia diagnosis to ensure your existing policy remains valid.
Plan thoroughly by carrying vital documents starting with shorter trips and informing relevant staff about your condition.

We've done the research and found over 10 brands that cover you if you have dementia or Alzheimer's. Many insurers will flat-out exclude cover for dementia as a pre-existing condition. Others may agree to provide you with travel insurance for Alzheimer's if you undergo a medical screening. This can simply be filled out online.

Check out the list below to get started. You can also read on to find out more about how to get travel cover if you've been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's and what to do when you travel.

Which Finder travel insurance brands cover dementia?

Conditions
Medibank	Dementia and Alzheimer's may be covered. You will need to do an online medical assessment and an additional premium will be charged for cover.	Get quote
Zoom	Cover is available pending online medical screening and an additional premium will be payable.	Get quote
Insure4less	Online medical assessment will determine if cover for dementia and Alzheimer's can be provided.	Get quote
Travel insuranz	May be approved pending an online medical questionnaire and an extra premium.	Get quote
InsureandGo	Customer can complete the online medical assessment and InsureandGo will decide if they will cover the existing condition. Additional premiums may apply.	Get quote
Tick	Online medical assessment will determine if cover for dementia and Alzheimer's can be provided.	Get quote
World2cover	World2cover travel insurance may cover dementia if you are approved on an online medical assessment. An extra premium will be payable.	More info
Cover-More	May be approved pending an online medical assessment and an extra premium.	Get quote
Southern Cross	Cover is available pending online medical assessment and an additional premium will be payable.
Travel insurance saver	Online medical screening assessment will determine if cover can be provided. Consider the PDS and TMD from TIS and if the product is right for you.	More info
Easy	Online medical screening assessment will determine if cover for dementia and Alzheimer's can be provided.	Get quote
1cover	Customer can add pre-existing condition and must complete an online medical assessment. 1Cover will decide if they will cover the condition and/or exclude it from your policy. Additional premiums may apply.	More info
World Care	May be approved pending an online medical assessment and an extra premium.
RACV	Additional cover is available through RACV with online medical screening and extra fee.	More info

^{*Table last updated April 2024}

Should I tell my insurer if I've been recently diagnosed?

Any changes in your health can affect your cover, and in some cases can invalidate your policy. If you already have travel insurance - for instance if you have an annual travel insurance policy - you need to let your insurer know about a dementia or Alzheimer's diagnosis.

That way, you'll know whether or not your existing policy will cover you. Your insurer will probably ask you to complete a medical assessment, helping them determine the seriousness of your condition. These assessments are nothing to be worried about and usually don't take long to complete - the provider simply needs to work out if they can afford to insure you. If you've only recently been diagnosed, your policy might still be valid, though there might be an increase in your premiums. If they refuse to insure you, there are always alternatives.

Shop around

While the cost is likely to be higher if you are living with dementia, you can still get travel insurance. If you are refused by an insurer, shop around for a policy elsewhere. If you are finding it hard to get cover, there are also specialist insurers who cover people with dementia.

Alternatively, check out the list above. These insurers will consider cover for dementia and Alzheimer's, but none of them covers it automatically. Each one assesses your condition through a medical assessment and then decides whether it can offer cover, exclude the condition or charge an additional premium. If filling out medical assessments online isn't really your thing, speak to a broker. It'll cost you a little more, but they can shop around and find cover for you.

Planning a trip with dementia

The more thoroughly you plan your trip, the easier it'll be for you or the person with dementia you are travelling with. Follow these steps to ensure dementia doesn't prevent you from having a great trip.

Start small. It's a good idea to travel on a shorter domestic trip and see how that goes, before you plan any international trips. That way, you'll be able to assess how easily you or your traveller managed the flight and coped with being in a new and unfamiliar place. Try and go out of peak season as well to avoid massive crowds and tourists everywhere. It's also much easier to find domestic cover for Alzheimer's and you'll still have access to Medicare.
Have a travel itinerary. Travelling to a new place is exciting, unfamiliar and often disorientating for anyone, so if you or your companion has dementia, it's an especially good idea to have your trip clearly planned out. That way, you have a routine to stick to and follow.
Consider a cruise. Cruises are a great option if you have Alzheimer's or dementia as you can establish a routine and familiarise yourself with the areas, all while enjoying a relaxing holiday experience. Remember though that Medicare and private health insurance often isn't covered while you're on a cruise, so you'll need to look into alternative medical cover.
Don't be afraid to tell people. Whether it's the hotel staff or tour guides, letting people know you or your companion has dementia is important. That way, everyone is on the same page should a little assistance be required.

What documents should you take with you when travelling?

When travelling with dementia or with someone who has Alzheimer's, it's important to carry documentation with you in case of an emergency. This should include:

Doctor's name and contact details
A list of medications and dosages
A list of food or drug allergies (if relevant)
Emergency phone numbers such as local police, ambulance and fire department
Copies of legal documents such as a will and power of attorney
Contact details of friends and family
Insurance information, including policy number and insurer's contact details

Tips for travelling with dementia

The following general tips are useful when travelling with someone who has dementia:

When travelling by car, make sure you or your companion are comfortable; take breaks, especially on long trips.
When travelling by plane, inform the airline ahead of time so that cabin staff can provide any extra assistance if necessary.
Book flights with plenty of time so that you don't need to rush to gates.
Make sure you or your companion has identification on them. An identity bracelet is ideal in case you become separated at any stage of the journey.
If your companion is living with dementia, it's best that you keep all valuables and important documentation with you, including money, ID, passports and tickets.
Carry a list of the required medications and their doctor's contact details.

Compare your cover options

Suffering from dementia doesn’t mean you can’t travel. It just means you need to plan well ahead and take precautions wherever possible to make the process as smooth and painless as possible.

Compare which travel insurance brands on finder.com.au cover Alzheimer's

Useful contact details

The following services provide help and information regarding dementia, which you may find useful:

Dementia Australia. Dementia Australia is the national peak body for people living with dementia, their families and carers. It provides support services, education and information, and runs the free National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500, open 24 hours a day, every day. It was previously called Alzheimer's Australia.
- https://fightdementia.org.au/about-us/contact-us
The Alzheimer’s Association. The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organisation dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
- http://www.alz.org/au/dementia-alzheimers-australia.asp
Memory Loss. Memory Loss provides a collection of helpful resources for those with Alzheimer's disease and their carers, including books, DVDs, videos, help sheets and online resources.
- http://www.memoryloss.org.au/caring_for_someone/
My Aged Care. The Australian Government’s My Aged Care website provides access to a full range of aged care services and information on aged care for individuals and their carers.
- http://www.myagedcare.gov.au/health-conditions/dementia
Your Brain Matters. Your Brain Matters can help you maximise your brains health by showing you how making simple changes to your everyday life can reduce your risk of developing dementia.
- http://yourbrainmatters.org.au/about-alzheimer%E2%80%99s-australia
The Dementia Support Service. The Dementia Support Service provides brochures and fact sheets on dementia and information on local face-to-face counselling and support services.
- http://www.dementiasupport.com.au/Resources/Brochures-Fact-Sheets.aspx

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, dementia and Alzheimer's disease are almost always classified as pre-existing medical conditions by travel insurance providers. This means you must declare the condition during the application process. Failure to do so could invalidate your policy and any claims related to the condition or other medical emergencies during your trip.
The stage of dementia significantly influences eligibility and the premium charged. Insurers typically assess the condition's severity through a medical screening process. Early stages of dementia may be easier to cover than advanced stages which present higher risks. The insurer will consider factors such as cognitive function, mobility, the need for assistance and recent changes in the condition.
Many travel insurance policies that cover dementia can extend to also cover a travelling companion or carer. This cover might include cancellation costs if the person with dementia becomes unable to travel or if the carer must return home early due to the condition. You should check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully and confirm with the insurer if this is a feature of your chosen policy.
Common exclusions might include claims arising from aspects of dementia that were not declared during the medical assessment, claims where travel was against a doctor's advice and claims for medical expenses related to other pre-existing conditions not declared or covered. Policies may also have limits on coverage for mental health related incidents so always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for full details.
It is highly unlikely you will be able to get travel insurance cover if a medical professional advises against travel due to dementia or any other medical condition. Insurers base their decisions on medical advice and if there is a known elevated risk due to a doctor's warning they will likely refuse to provide cover. Travelling against medical advice could also invalidate any existing policy.
Travel insurance premiums are generally higher for individuals with dementia because the condition increases the risk of needing medical attention overseas, requiring emergency evacuation or experiencing trip interruptions. Insurers factor in the potential for medical complications, lost belongings and the need for specialised assistance, which all contribute to a higher cost of cover.
Yes, you can travel internationally with dementia or Alzheimer's but it requires careful planning and appropriate travel insurance. You will need to complete a medical assessment during the application process. Some insurers may offer cover depending on the severity of the condition and your travel plans. Short trips to familiar destinations or cruises are often recommended as good starting points.

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Written by

Richard Laycock

Editor

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Richard Laycock is Finder’s insights editor after spending the last five years writing and editing articles about insurance. His musings can be found across the web including on MoneyMag, Yahoo Finance and Travel Weekly. Richard studied Media at Macquarie University and The Missouri School of Journalism and has a Tier 1 Certification in General Advice for Life Insurance. See full bio

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Travel insurance for people living with dementia

We're here to try and help you find travel insurance for dementia and Alzheimer's patients.

Key takeaways

Which Finder travel insurance brands cover dementia?