Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways that affects around 10% of the Australian population.
While asthma is generally covered at no extra charge, you should declare it at the time of applying for insurance. Most insurers cover asthma automatically, provided you are under a certain age (usually 60) and have not been experiencing any symptoms. This includes hospital admissions, emergency department attendance or changes in medication or treatment for your asthma in the past 24 months.
Even if you don’t meet these conditions, you may still be able to get cover for asthma by undergoing a medical assessment and paying a higher premium. Conditions vary from insurer to insurer, so the best thing to do is shop around for the cover you need.
Which travel insurance brands provide automatic cover for asthma?
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You're covered for asthma provided:
You are less than 60 years of age when You purchase the policy.
In the last 12 months, You haven't had an Asthma exacerbation requiring treatment by a medical practitioner.
You have been a non-smoker for at least the last 18 months.
You don't need prescribed oxygen outside of a hospital.
You don't have a chronic lung condition or disease.
In the last 12 months, you haven’t had an Asthma exacerbation requiring treatment by a medical practitioner.
You have been a non-smoker for at least the last 18 months.
You don’t need prescribed oxygen outside of a hospital.
You don’t have a chronic lung condition or disease (whether chronic or otherwise) including Chronic Bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Emphysema or Pulmonary Fibrosis.
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.
You are less than 60 years of age when You purchase the policy.
In the last 12 months, You haven't had an Asthma exacerbation requiring treatment by a medical practitioner.
You have been a non-smoker for at least the last 18 months.
You don't need prescribed oxygen outside of a hospital.
You don't have a chronic lung condition or disease including Chronic Bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Emphysema or Pulmonary Fibrosis
You are less than 60 years of age when You purchase the policy.
In the last 12 months, You haven't had an Asthma exacerbation requiring treatment by a medical practitioner.
You have been a non-smoker for at least the last 18 months.
You don't need prescribed oxygen outside of a hospital.
You don't have a chronic lung condition or disease including Chronic Bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Emphysema or Pulmonary Fibrosis
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.
Note: This information was last updated September 2022
How do insurers define asthma?
Asthma is defined for insurance purposes as a chronic inflammatory disease. Asthma causes a narrowing of the airways and obstruction of airflow, which leaves the sufferer wheezing or gasping for air. Asthma attacks can vary from mild to severe and can be life-threatening when left untreated.
The symptoms and triggers that lead to asthma attacks vary from person to person. Triggers can include cold air, aerosol sprays, allergens, cold and flu viruses, exercise, dust mites, air pollution, certain foods, mould, pets, medications, smoking, stress and anxiety.
Most people use medications to prevent asthma attacks and relieve symptoms, such as inhalers, nebulisers and even steroids in extreme cases. Because each asthma sufferer experiences symptoms differently, insurers refrain from lumping all asthma sufferers together and instead review cover on a case-by-case basis.
Finder survey: Which pre-existing medical conditions do Australians have?
Response
Asthma
9.17%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1112 Australians, December 2023
Do I need to declare my condition?
Even though asthma is often automatically covered, you still need to declare your condition at the time of applying for travel insurance. Your insurer needs to know about all pre-existing medical conditions in order to have an accurate picture of your health and medical history.
A pre-existing condition is a medical condition that you are aware of and have sought treatment for, or are taking medication for, or have had surgery for in the past. You have a duty of disclosure to tell your insurer about such conditions, as they can influence the cost of your premium and the extent of cover provided. Failure to do so means your insurer can legally refuse any claim related to that condition that arises at a later date.
Jake had asthma as a child and had been hospitalised with several serious attacks. But the symptoms became less prevalent as he got older and he had not experienced any symptoms in the last few years. So when Jake applied for travel insurance to go to South America, he saw that asthma was covered automatically and didn’t bother to declare his previous condition to his insurer.
Unfortunately, when he got to South America, the pollen in the air triggered his childhood asthma and he ended up in hospital after suffering a serious attack. When he went to claim the very large hospital bill from his insurer, he found he wasn’t covered because he had failed to declare his asthma as a pre-existing medical condition.
* This is a fictional, but realistic, example.
Tips for travelling with asthma
Most people manage their asthma well, but travel can put additional pressures on you and take you out of your comfort zone. Here are some useful tips for travelling with asthma.
Ask your doctor for a letter describing your asthma and current medications in case you suffer an attack.
Make sure your travel insurance policy includes cover for asthma and that you have declared your condition to your insurer.
Take all the medication you will require with you and be sure to carry it in your hand luggage in its original packaging.
Research your destination to determine the allergens that may be in the air.
Avoid accommodation that looks unclean, as bedding often harbours dust mites.
Make sure your travel companions know you have asthma and know what to do if you have an attack.
Tips for getting ready to go on holiday
There’s plenty you can do before you depart to ensure that asthma doesn’t ruin your holiday. Keep the following tips in mind as your holiday approaches to ensure that your big trip goes off without a hitch.
In the months leading up to your holiday
Schedule a check-up with your GP. Now is the perfect time to review your condition, your asthma symptoms and whether your treatment plan is working.
Discuss your travel plans. Inform your GP of your travel plans and the irritants and allergens you may potentially be exposed to. Your GP may decide to alter your treatment plan to suit the conditions at your destination.
Get contact details. Find out what will be the best way to contact your doctor from overseas if needed.
Top up your prescription. Chat to your doctor to make sure you will have enough medication for your trip.
Plan your stay. You can also research the hotels where you are staying. For example, do they allow pets, which may cause your asthma to flare up? Can you request a room away from the chemicals prevalent in pool areas or car parks?
Gather your important documents. Get copies of your Asthma Action Plan and your doctor’s contact details. You’ll need a copy to carry with you and spares to keep in your suitcase or give to travelling companions.
Review your travel insurance. Check your travel insurance to make sure you have adequate coverage, and make sure you have copies of all the insurance info you need to lodge a claim during your trip.
In the week before you go
Get your medication together. Make sure you have all the necessary daily and emergency medication, as well as extra supplies if needed. Check and clean equipment such as nebulisers and peak flow meters.
Do your research. Research the locations of pharmacies and hospitals along your travel route so you can get help if you need it while on the road.
The day you leave
Pack with care. Make sure you have all your medications close to hand in your carry-on luggage. Packing sufficient food and water is also important in case of travel delays.
Do a final check. Do a final double check to make sure you have all the medication, supplies and travel insurance documents you need.
Exclusions: When won’t you be covered?
Exclusions are circumstances in which an insurer will not provide cover. In the case of a pre-existing asthmatic condition, no cover is usually provided if:
You are 60 years of age or older (depending on the insurer)
You have experienced recent, more serious asthma attacks
Your treatment or level of medication has recently been increased
You have been hospitalised or sought emergency treatment for asthma attacks in the past 24 months
You have another lung disease
You fail a medical assessment of your condition
You fail to declare your pre-existing asthmatic condition
Compare travel insurance for asthma
Asthma is a chronic condition that many people are forced to live with, but it can usually be managed and controlled with modern medicine. Thanks to realistic insurers, it shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying the benefits of travel.
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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