Travel insurance and diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes refers to a group of chronic conditions that affect your ability to use insulin to control sugar in your blood. Some types of diabetes affect the ability to create insulin, others make you insulin resistant. In both cases, people with diabetes end up having to be super careful about what they eat, when they eat it, the impact it has on their blood sugar and whether they need extra insulin.

Estimates vary, but between 55 and 10% of Australian population is estimated to have diabetes . In the US, around 9.3% of population is estimated to have diabetes.

The main types of diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder. Your body attacks the beta cells in your pancreas that produce insulin, so you don't have enough.

Type 2 diabetes is a condition where your body has become insulin resistant, typically due to genetic or long-term lifestyle factors.

Gestational diabetes is a condition affecting pregnant women. Basically, hormones can increase your insulin resistance.

Type 3 and 3c diabetes are rarer types of diabetes. Type 3 is insulin resistence in the brain, typically associated with Alzheimer's disease. Type 3c is a result of trauma to the pancreas, reducing your ability to create insulin.

Travelling with diabetes

All 3 major types of diabetes will need you to be really careful about what you eat, so that you don't spike or crash your blood sugar. Severe hyerperglycemia, which is where your blood sugar gets way too high, is really serious, and can require an urgent hospital visit.

Traveling with diabetes, as a result, is a tricky thing. Diabetics are already 'always-on' with regard to watching what they eat and drink, and that become even harder when you're traveling. Real-time blood sugar monitors are of course extremely useful, but they don't solve the problem.

Travel insurance and diabetes

The good news is, travel insurance will cover diabetes related claims. However, it is considered to be a pre-existing condition, so you need to declare it with your insurance provider ahead of time. Diabetes is one of the most common pre-existing conditions in countries like Australia, up there with mental health and asthma, so all major Aussie travel insurers have systems in place.

There are some conditions, however. Many companies will only insure people who:

• Were diagnosed at least a year ago
• Haven't and any complications for the last year
• Haven't got any eye, kidney, nerve or vascular complications
• Haven't got any known cardiovascular diseases
• Are younger than 50

Diabetes travel insurance case study: Michelle Vodden

Michelle's close call in the USA

"When I went to the USA I took about 4 or 5 insulin pens with me. Insulin is crazy expensive over there, so I didn't want to be left hanging. But then, I left them in the hotel fridge! It was a hassle, but I had to go back and get it. I didn't put much thought into travel insurance. I just used the one on my credit card, so we wouldn't have been covered. "

Michelle Vodden

Contributor

Because Michelle just got the travel insurance on her credit card, she didn't have the chance to declare her pre-existing condition. With a standalone policy, she could have declared her diabetes and been covered for lost insulin, along with any emergency medical care, which would have cost a pretty penny in the USA!

Will diabetes increase the cost of travel insurance

Unfortunately, a pre-existing condition will probably increase the cost of your travel insurance premiums. This is because a person with diabetes is more likely than a person without diabetes to make a claim. Luckily, the difference isn't too big. Here's a sample quote from a few leading insurers for a 40 year old spending a week in Bali.

*The quotes shown on the table were last updated in December 2023.

As you can see, some travel insurance providers won't add any loading for uncomplicated conditions. Our example here was Type 1 diabetes with no additional complications. Your quotes will vary, but it always pays to shop around. You can use the Finder travel insurance comparison tool below to get started.

Frequently asked questions

• What information do I need to provide when declaring my diabetes?

  When declaring your diabetes you will typically need to provide details about your specific type of diabetes, the date you were diagnosed, any related complications you have experienced, your current medications and how well your condition is managed. Some insurers may also ask about recent hospitalisations or specialist visits. Always be truthful and provide complete information to ensure your policy is valid.

• Will my travel insurance cover diabetes-related medical emergencies overseas?

  Yes, if you have declared your diabetes as a pre-existing medical condition and your insurer has accepted it your policy should cover eligible medical emergencies that arise directly from your diabetes while you are overseas. This can include hospitalisation doctor's fees and emergency medical evacuation if deemed necessary. Always check your policy's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for full details on what is covered.

• What happens if my insulin pump or blood sugar monitor is lost or damaged while travelling?

  Most comprehensive travel insurance policies can cover the cost of replacing essential medical equipment, such as insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitors, if they are accidentally lost, stolen or damaged. This cover is usually part of the personal belongings or medical equipment section of your policy, provided you declared your diabetes when you took out the cover. Keep receipts for your equipment and a doctor's letter confirming its necessity.

• Are existing diabetes complications covered by travel insurance?

  Coverage for existing diabetes complications depends on your specific insurer and the nature of the complication. Some insurers may automatically cover minor or well-managed complications, while others may require a medical assessment or exclude certain severe complications like advanced eye, kidney or nerve conditions. It is crucial to declare all complications during your application to understand what is and is not covered.

• What medical documents should I take with me when travelling with diabetes?

  It is highly recommended to carry a letter from your doctor outlining your diabetes diagnosis, current medications (including dosage), and equipment such as insulin pens or pumps. This letter can be useful for airport security in case of medical emergencies or if you need to access medical care overseas. Also keep copies of your prescriptions and a record of your regular blood sugar readings.

• Can I get travel insurance if I have newly-diagnosed diabetes?

  While some travel insurers prefer to cover individuals who have been diagnosed for a certain period (usually at least a year) it may still be possible to get cover for newly-diagnosed diabetes. Your options might be more limited and you may need to undergo a medical assessment. It is best to shop around and compare different insurers as their criteria vary.

• What if I forget to declare my diabetes when buying travel insurance?

  If you forget to declare your diabetes your travel insurance policy may be considered void or any claims related to your diabetes or its complications could be denied. It is essential to declare all pre-existing medical conditions truthfully and fully to ensure your cover is valid and you are protected financially in case of a medical emergency overseas.

Written by

Tim Bennett

Insurance expert

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A seasoned journalist with over 10 years of experience in news, politics and finance reporting, Tim has previously held roles at the ABC, SBS and Fairfax Media. Tim’s expert insights have been quoted in The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, The Courier Mail and more. He regularly appears on TV and radio, and has been interviewed on 7 News, Sunrise, SBS News, ABC Local, 3AW and 5AA. Tim is passionate about simplifying complex insurance topics for Australian consumers. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics) from Macquarie University and a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification, which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). If you’re interested in a media interview with Tim, please reach out to our PR team at aupr@finder.com. See full bio

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