Travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions

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

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Ceyda Erem

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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42 Responses

    Pam's avatar
    PamJuly 26, 2015

    I had a craniotomy in April to remove a meningioma and want to have a holiday overseas in October or November is there an insurance company that will cover me I have not had any adverse affect from the surgery I am back to work full time and my next check up with the surgeon is next June, I had been getting cover prior to having the operation as I had the tumour for 5 years before they decide to remove it.,

      Richard's headshotFinder
      RichardJuly 27, 2015Finder

      Hi Pam,

      Thanks for your question. Exception criteria vary from insurer so there is not a hard yes or no answer. However, InsureandGo claim to consider all conditions and CoverMore assess medical conditions prior to issuing travel insurance.

      These are just two providers from our panel that may be able to help and there may be other insurers out there that are suitable for your needs. Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features, and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement 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.

      I hope this was helpful,
      Richard

    geoff's avatar
    geoffJuly 15, 2015

    My partner and I will be taking a cruise in December this year for 14 nights, south pacific & NZ my partners father has alzheimers and is over 85 years old can we get travel insurance that covers cancellation in case he is hospitalised by chance?

      Maurice Thach's headshotFinder
      MauriceJuly 15, 2015Finder

      Hi Geoff,

      Thanks for your question. Some travel insurers may cover the costs of such cancellation if you disclose the pre-existing medical condition of any family members and allow for what is called a pre-existing medical condition waiver.

      What exact pre-existing conditions are covered however e.g. Alzheimers, will largely depend on the providers specific policies surrounding general exclusions, so it is best to speak to them directly.

      Hope this is useful.

      Cheers,

      Maurice

    Tommy's avatar
    TommyJune 16, 2015

    Can I get travel insurance for
    Nonischemic cardiomyopathy

      Richard's headshotFinder
      RichardJune 17, 2015Finder

      Hi Tommy,

      Thanks for your question.

      Exception criteria vary from insurer so there is not a hard yes or no answer. However, InsureandGo and CoverMore claim to consider all conditions and may help as they assess medical conditions prior to travel issuing travel insurance.

      Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features, and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement 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.

      I hope this was helpful,
      Richard

    CHARLES's avatar
    CHARLESJanuary 17, 2015

    I WOULD APPRECIATE CLARIFICATION ON THE FOLLOWING POINTS.
    1.MY GP REGULARLY SENDS ME FOR COLONOSCOPY/SKIN CANCER/ETC CHECKS EVERY FEW YEARS AND SOME INVOLVE HOSPITALS AND PRIVATE DAY SURGERYS.IS THIS ON-GOING HEALTH MAINTENANCE CALLED HOSPITALISATION?
    2.WHEN I AM QUOTED FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE IS IT FOR TRAVEL PLUS ALL OTHER COVERS INCLUDING MEDICAL. IF I HAVE A PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION WHICH IS NOT GOING TO BE COVERED, DOES THE QUOTATION GET REDUCED AFTER THE MDF IS SUBMITTED, AND MEDICAL COVER REFUSED.
    3.A SINGLE DESTINATION IS REQUESTED WHEN A TRAVEL COVER QUOTE IS SOUGHT. IS IT MORE ECONOMICAL TO GO FOR INDIVIDUAL TRIP COVER? SHOULD THAT COVER START WHEN (JUST BEFORE) THE TICKET IS PURCHASED, OR THE TRIP COMMENCES?

      Richard Laycock's headshotFinder
      RichardJanuary 19, 2015Finder

      Hi Charles,

      Thanks for your a question. First, what is and isn’t a pre existing condition depends on the insurer. Second, you’re covered for what ever is stipulated in you travel insurance PDS – if you are getting cover for a pre-existing condition and the condition is approved, you’ll generally have to pay an additional premium. Third, The destination sought is the destination on the journey where you’re planning on spending the most amount of time. The cover starts when you begin your journey.

      I hope this was helpful,
      Richard

      Helen's avatar
      HelenMay 15, 2015

      Hi there,
      My daughter is unable to get cover for pre existing conditions. Is there any way she can be treated overseas (should an incident occur relating to pre exiting) acknowledging the fact that we would incur the cost
      She is travelling to Europe
      Thanks Helen

      Richard's headshotFinder
      RichardMay 15, 2015Finder

      Hi Helen,

      Thanks for your question. If you contact the insurer, you should be able to arrange cover for things like cancellation, lost luggage, etc and exclude cover for anything arising from your daughters condition.

      I hope this was helpful,
      Richard

      CHARLES's avatar
      CHARLESJanuary 30, 2015

      Thank you very much for your previous answers on the 19/1/15. I have been thinking about it and have the following supplementary questions.
      1.IF I PURCHASE NON-REFUNFABLE TICKETS NOW FOR A FLIGHT 11 MONTHS LATER (WHICH IS POSSIBLE),I THOUGHT THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE FROM THE DATE OF TICKET PURCHASE, IN CASE OF CANCELLATION, RATHER THAN FROM THE DATE THAT TRAVEL COMMENCES. IS THIS NOT SO?
      2.IS TRAVEL INSURANCE FULLY ENCOMPASSING OF ALL RISKS/LOSSES, OR WILL INSURANCE COMPANIES ALLOW THE TRAVELLER TO SELECT INDIVIDUAL COVERS SUCH AS CANCELLATION AND BAGGAGE ALONE?
      WITH THANKS,
      CHARLES

      Richard Laycock's headshotFinder
      RichardJanuary 30, 2015Finder

      HI Charles,

      As long as you take out cover for the trip, prior to the event that causes you to cancel your trip, you ought to be covered. Some policies do have stripped down cover for example personal liability and medical, baggage and cancellation and medical only.

      I hope this was helpful,
      Richard

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