Travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions

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

Ceyda Erem's headshot

By

Ceyda Erem

Updated

Fact checked
4.6 based on 836 reviews

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 covered 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.

Having a pre-existing medical condition doesn't mean you can't get travel insurance. The key is being upfront about your health, so you know exactly what you're covered for before you go.

In this guide, we'll tell you how you can get cover for your pre-existing medical condition, when conitions won't be covered and what happens if you don't declare a medical condition before you travel.

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

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 and the cost to cover the condition.
  3. Take an online medical assessment: If required by your insurer, you may need to complete an online medical assessment to secure cover for your condition.

It's important to note that many insurers automatically cover some common conditions, as long as they're stable, while others may exclude them altogether. While it can be tempting to not declare any medical conditions during the application process to lower your premium, if you do require medical attention related to your condition overseas, your insurer may not cover the cost and leave you to foot the bill.

When declaring your history, be aware that disclosure timeframes vary by insurer. According to 1Cover and Smartraveller, most insurers require you to disclose any medical or mental health conditions you have seen a doctor or dentist for in the 12 months prior to purchasing your policy. However, some providers like Fast Cover may require a history spanning the last 3 years, and certain serious conditions (such as cancer or heart surgery) often require disclosure regardless of how long ago they occurred.

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

Some insurers automatically cover certain pre-existing conditions if specific eligibility criteria are met, which may include the condition being stable for a specified period and having no planned surgery, treatment or investigation. These requirements vary by insurer and condition, and some insurers require you to complete a medical assessment before providing cover. The conditions eligible for automatic cover also vary between insurers.

  • 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

The insurer-specific medical assessment process usually involves a digital screening questionnaire during the application. According to nib and InsureandGo, this assessment typically takes between 2 and 10 minutes. You will be asked targeted questions about your specific condition: including the age you were diagnosed, medications you currently take, and any recent hospitalisations or changes in treatment. This screening allows the insurer to provide an instant decision on whether cover can be offered and what additional premium may apply.

Must read

Depending on the insurer, certain conditions may be automatically covered or will need to be declared. Every insurer assesses medical conditions differently and will often rely on the stability of your condition before approving cover. Don't assume your condition will be automatically covered. Reach out to the insurer before purchasing the policy.

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

There are also strict policy exclusions for travelling against medical advice. If a qualified medical practitioner has advised you not to travel, or the main purpose of your trip is to get medical treatment (such as elective surgery or dental procedures abroad), insurers won't pay claims related to that condition or treatment. The rest of your policy, such as cover for unrelated illness, theft or cancellation, generally still applies.

Travel insurance for specific pre-existing conditions

Each pre-existing condition is likely to be treated slightly differently. Some conditions are simple and straightforward, and all travel insurers treat them similarly. However, some more complex or serious conditions are treated very differently depending on which travel insurance company you use. Your 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.

What counts as a pre-existing condition?

A pre-existing condition is any illness, injury or medical issue you knew about, or reasonably should have known about, before you bought your policy. That includes conditions you take medication for, ones you've seen a doctor about, and symptoms that are still being investigated, like waiting on test results.

How far back you need to look depends on the insurer. Many ask about the last 12 months, some go back three to five years, and serious conditions like cancer or heart surgery usually need to be declared no matter how long ago they happened. Ongoing conditions like diabetes generally need to be declared, while one-off issues like a broken bone may only count if they haven't fully healed.

What happens if you don't declare a medical condition?

If you don't tell your insurer about a pre-existing condition and something related to it happens on your trip, your claim will likely be knocked back. That could leave you paying for hospital bills, medical evacuation or cancelled bookings yourself, which can add up to tens of thousands of dollars overseas. In some cases the insurer may also cancel your policy altogether. Even if you think a condition is minor or happened years ago, it's worth declaring it and letting the insurer decide.

Frequently asked questions

Ceyda Erem's headshot
Written by

Senior writer
Add to Preferred Sources

Ceyda Erem is Finder’s senior writer for insurance and has almost 10 years of experience writing about personal finance. Formerly a copywriter for several business and finance clients, Ceyda has written hundreds of articles, guides, blogs and more to ensure Australians stay in the loop about how to best manage their money. She has a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Writing from Macquarie University. See full bio

Ceyda's expertise
Ceyda has written 244 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Insurance
More resources on Finder

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

    Saphire's avatar
    SaphireMarch 7, 2017

    Hi, my daughter has Evan’s syndrome.. what travel insurance will cover that and what is included please.

      Zubair Hassan's avatarFinder
      ZubairMarch 9, 2017Finder

      Hi Saphire,

      Thank you for your question.

      Unfortunately, we are not able to recommend a specific provider that will provide cover for your condition. You will need to disclose the pre-existing condition prior to purchase the cover. However, there are two providers in our panel who state they will consider all the pre-existing medical conditions:

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

      Cheers,
      Zubair

    Susan's avatar
    SusanFebruary 19, 2017

    My spine was fused T2 to sacrum 5 years ago. I am 69. Can
    I want to travel to uk for a month in March 2017. What are my options for travel insurance?

      Zubair Hassan's avatarFinder
      ZubairFebruary 20, 2017Finder

      Hi Susan,

      Thank you for your inquiry. I’m sorry to hear about your spine.

      Unfortunately, we are not able to recommend a specific provider that will offer cover for your condition. However, what you can do instead is to check the list of insurers featured on this page. These insurers are known to cover pre-existing conditions. So, please feel free to explore them.

      In the meantime, you might also want to check InsureandGo as they don’t automatically exclude any conditions and claim to assess all conditions on a case-by-case basis. Another insurer you may consider is CoverMore as they may be able to cover you for an additional premium, subject to the outcome of a short medical assessment.

      While looking for insurers, please make sure you read the terms and conditions of the policy to learn more and know if it is the right policy for you or not.

      I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.

      Have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Zubair

    Jayne's avatar
    JayneJuly 11, 2016

    10th July 2016

    To whom it may concern,
    My husband and I are travelling to Vietnam departing Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh.
    My husband had spinal surgery on April 23rd 2016 for an acute lumbar disc prolapse. He had an elective L4 – 5 spinal fusion, L4 discectomy and bone graft.
    He has recovered well and returned to normal working duties fulltime on June 3rd 2016.
    He has no ongoing symptoms and does not take opiates or drugs of addiction for pain.
    He takes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication and Panadol.
    Please advise what further info you provide and could you please provide a quote.
    I am 55 and my husband is 68.

    Jayne

      Richard Laycock's headshotFinder
      RichardJuly 11, 2016Finder

      Hi Jayne,

      Thanks for your question.

      While you can compare quotes on our site, we are unable to take into account pre-existing medical conditions as these are assessed on a case-by-case basis by the insurance brand. However, you may find our article about back problems a useful starting point for finding cover.

      I hope this was helpful,
      Richard

    Anil's avatar
    AnilMarch 27, 2016

    My cousin had ovarian cancer in past. She completed her treatment in October 2015. She is free from that disease. Her doctor advised she can travel to Australia. My question is still she can get the insurance. Travel insurance that covers pre existing medical conditions.

      Richard Laycock's headshotFinder
      RichardMarch 27, 2016Finder

      Hi Anil,

      Thanks for your question.

      Whether or not a travel insurance brand will provide your cousin with cover will depend on the severity of the condition and the insurer. Some insurers may be able to provide her with cover. However, cover is provided on a case by case basis. You may find our guide on travel insurance for cancer patientsuseful.

      I hope this was helpful,
      Richard

    tata's avatar
    tataAugust 17, 2015

    I had my medical exam for our US travel and had flu and chills that time. Result shows in my ekg that i had sinus rhythm and poor R wave progression of which I am not aware.I am an active person, I do running and exercise and i do not take any medication. I purchased an insurance lately for our travel. In the assessment, I was diagnosed that I have a pre-existing condition. Can I get an insurance to cover my pre-existing condition. Thank you.

      Richard Laycock's headshotFinder
      RichardAugust 18, 2015Finder

      Hi Tata,

      Thanks for your question. You may be able to get cover, as this condition may not be automatically excluded. However, acceptance criteria varies from insurer to insurer. You should contact you current provider and see if they assessed this condition when you applied as you may already have cover.

      I hope this was helpful,
      Richard

Read more on Travel Insurance

Go to site