Travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions

Protect yourself from huge medical bills abroad by getting travel insurance for pre existing conditions.

Add kids under the age of 1 by typing a "0" 0 traveller(s)


By submitting this form, you agree to our Privacy & Cookies Policy and Terms of Service . By entering an email address you agree to create a Finder account. We will send you an email to setup your password.

Key takeaways

  • Pre-existing medical conditions are health issues you have before you buy travel insurance.
  • Some conditions are coverd automatically, some for an extra fee, and others can't be covered.
  • You must declare pre-existing conditions when you buy insurance, or you risk not being covered.

How do I get travel insurance for pre-existing conditions in Ausrtalia?

Here are the steps to get travel insurance for pre-existing conditions in Australia:

  1. Compare policies: Compare policies from multiple providers to find the best coverage for your needs. Look for policies that specifically cover your condition, and make sure you read the policy wording carefully.
  2. Declare your pre-existing medical condition: When applying for travel insurance, declare any pre-existing medical conditions you have. The insurer will let you know if your condition is covered, if it will cost you more, or if you need to apply for a pre-existing medical condition waiver.
  3. Apply for a pre-existing medical condition waiver: If required, apply for a pre-existing medical condition waiver with your insurer.

It's important to note that most travel insurance policies do not automatically cover pre-existing conditions, and some insurers may exclude them altogether. Therefore, it's crucial to declare all medical conditions when applying for travel insurance and read the policy wording carefully to understand what is covered and what is not.

All Clear Travel Insurance

AllClear Logo

All Clear Travel Insurance covers a range of pre-existing medical conditions, including:

  • Cardiac conditions such as high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and heart conditions
  • Respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD and lung diseases
  • Diabetes
  • Stroke
  • Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety
  • Chronic conditions such as cancer, Crohn’s disease and epilepsy

It includes the following medical related features:

  • 24-hour medical emergency helpline
  • Up to unlimited medical emergency expenses cover
  • Up to $1,000 “medical inconvenience” benefit for when you are in hospital as an in-patient
Get quote

Pre-existing conditions typically covered automatically

The list below is of conditions generally covered automatically provided the condition has been stable for the last 12 months and there is no planned surgery for the condition.

  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Bell’s Palsy
  • Bunions
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Cataracts
  • Coeliac Disease
  • Congenital Blindness
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Type 1 or 2 Diabetes
  • Dry Eye Syndrome
  • Epilepsy
  • Folate Deficiency
  • Gastric Reflux
  • Goitre
  • Glaucoma
  • Graves’ Disease
  • Hiatus Hernia
  • High Cholesterol
  • High Blood Lipids
  • Hypertension
  • Impaired Glucose Tolerance
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Iron Deficiency Anaemia
  • Macular Degeneration
  • Meniere’s Disease
  • Migraine
  • Osteopenia
  • Osteoporosis
  • Pernicious Anaemia
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Raynaud’s Disease
  • Sleep Apnoea
  • Solar Keratosis
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia
  • Trigger Finger
  • Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Pre-existing conditions you must declare

If you suffer from any of the conditions listed below, you will need to declare these to your insurance company. The company will then assess the condition and determine if they can provide cover. Whether your insurer covers your condition will depend on its severity, how recent it is and the extent to which it is being controlled by medication. The cost of your policy may increase as a result.

  • Cardiac or heart conditions
  • Respiratory or lung conditions
  • Metastatic or secondary cancer
  • Dementia or memory loss
  • If you require the accompaniment of a full-time minder
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis
  • Heart problems (e.g. coronary angiography, pacemakers, etc)
  • Any conditions requiring surgery in the last two years
  • Certain kinds of diabetes
  • Epilepsy

Pre-existing conditions typically not covered

If you suffer from any of the conditions listed below, you won't be covered for any sections of the policy related to medical expenses/repatriation or trip cancellation/lost deposits.

  • Conditions where you have been given a terminal or palliative prognosis with a shortened life expectancy
  • If you require oxygen therapy or home oxygen for the journey
  • Aids defining illness
  • If you have had or are having an organ transplant in the future

Travel insurance for specific pre-existing conditions

Each pre-existing conditions is likely to be treated slightly different. Some conditions are simple and straightforward, and all travel insurance treat them similarly. However, some more complex or serious conditions are treated very differently based on which travel insurance company you use. You cover can also vary based on the nature of your specific medical history.

To learn more about different pre-existing conditions, check out the links below. But remember, the best way to understand your travel insurance situation is to start the comparison and quote process.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Tim Bennett's headshot
Written by

Insurance expert

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

Tim's expertise
Tim has written 158 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Personal finance
  • Financial comparison
  • Health insurance
  • General insurance
  • Life insurance

Get rewarded $$ for switching with Finder Rewards

Find a better deal, save on your bills and get a free gift card. Sign up to be the first to hear about new Finder Rewards.

Ask a question

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms Of Service and Finder Group Privacy & Cookies Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

42 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    VanessaFebruary 26, 2019

    Is there travel insurance for adrenal gland insufficiency, my husband had adrenal cancer 4 years ago but is on daily medication for cortisol (hormone replacement) and a tablet chemotherapy, but has no tumours.

      Default Gravatar
      NikkiFebruary 27, 2019

      Hi Vanessa,

      Thanks for getting in touch! Your husband may view and apply travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions and you can find this information above. To find out if a provider will insure your husband for adrenal gland insufficiency, you must get in touch with the insurer. You’ll also find the steps as stated above helpful in finding one.

      Hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.

      Best,
      Nikki

    Default Gravatar
    JoseJanuary 14, 2019

    Is there an insurance that covers heart and double lungs transplant?

      Default GravatarFinder
      JhezelynJanuary 16, 2019Finder

      Hello Jose,

      Thank you for your comment.

      Although we have no specific page for insurance providers that cover both heart and lung conditions, you can check our guide above for the brands covering pre-existing medical conditions. Basically, an organ transplant is not covered so best to discuss with your preferred brand about the cover for a lung transplant.

      Meanwhile, you may also want to check our guide on travel insurance for heart conditions. You can get quotes from the insurers listed on the table or contact them if you like to discuss your options.

      You can get a quote directly from the list of insurers that we have on the table by clicking the Get Quote button. Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features, and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement PDS/T&C’s of the policy before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you. If necessary, speak to the insurance brand to verify any details.

      Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chatbox on the lower right corner of our page.

      Regards,
      Jhezelyn

    Default Gravatar
    RajgSeptember 25, 2018

    Is there a travel insurance policy that covers pulmonary fibrosis for a person who is 74 years old?

      Default GravatarFinder
      JeniSeptember 25, 2018Finder

      Hi Rajg,

      Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.

      Currently we have a page that explains more on travel insurance for Cystic Fibrosis. Our page can help in finding an insurer to cover someone traveling with pulmonary fibrosis.

      You can also enter your travel details from our senior travel insurance form since you mentioned that the person travelling is 74 years old. Basically, the traveller needs to answer the insurer’s online/phone medical questionnaire to know whether the pre-existing condition will be covered or not. Please note that getting cover will depend on person’s age, the type of travel insurance, and the nature and severity of their pre-existing medical condition.

      I hope this helps.

      Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.

      Thank you and have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Jeni

    Default Gravatar
    TinaSeptember 7, 2017

    Travel insurance which covers pre-existing medical conditions such as kidney stones and crohn’s disease.

      Default Gravatar
      GruSeptember 8, 2017

      Hello Tina,

      The pre-existing conditions such as Kidney Stones and Crohn’s Disease are not included in the list of conditions that are generally covered by travel insurance. However, they are also not included in the list of those excluded.

      To be safe, as we are dealing with something extremely important such as your health, it would be best to contact the insurance provider you are interested in. The company will assess the condition and decide whether or not cover can be provided.

      Hope this helped.

      Cheers,
      Gru

    Default Gravatar
    CarolynJuly 27, 2017

    I want cover for Fibromyalgia and Psoriatic arthritis

      Default Gravatar
      LiezlJuly 27, 2017

      Hi Carolyn,

      While we are unable to recommend a specific insurance company that will provide cover for your condition, you may want to contact directly with the insurers listed above to find out whether or not they can provide you a cover. Please note that terms and conditions vary extensively among companies hence, it is crucial that you declare any medical conditions that are not automatically covered at the time of application.

      Additionally, you may want to check InsureandGo as they do not automatically exclude any conditions and claim to assess all conditions on a case-by-case basis. Also, CoverMore might be able to cover you for an additional premium, subject to the outcome of a short medical assessment.

      I hope this has helped.

      Cheers,
      Liezl

Read more on Travel Insurance

Go to site