Finding travel insurance when you have a chronic illness can feel like a bit of a minefield. Trying to find cover which is affordable yet you know will cover you can be hard.
There are so many things to take into consideration when looking for travel insurance; what does it actually cover, do I really need that excess, does it cover my pre-existing condition or not?
I find giving information about my conditions stressful, purely because I’m scared I haven’t given enough information about my condition!
As I said, it’s a minefield. So here’s a post which will hopefully help you find affordable travel insurance which properly covers you!
Why you need travel insurance
I’ve heard so many people say “but why should I bother with travel insurance” and it always gets me.
Regardless of whether you have a chronic illness or not, you need travel insurance. It doesn’t just protect you from medical emergencies; it also covers lost luggage, if you’re burgled, issues with flights and hotels. Basically, it’s an essential.
You can get
However, if you have a pre-existing medical condition, it’s a bit harder to find good cover, more expensive and going to comparison sites isn’t always the best options.
It’s important that you declare your chronic illness when you apply for travel insurance so you know you’re fully
Pre-existing conditions are defined as;
Any condition for which you have received treatment, including; Respiratory conditions (relating to the lungs or breathing),
any heart, kidney, liver, circulatory or brain condition, psychological conditions, including anxiety, stress and depression, strokes or central nervous system disorders, Cancerous conditions, Terminal conditions.
Conditions for which you have undergone surgery, in or out-patient treatment, tests or investigations in a hospital, clinic or GP surgery within the last 24 months.
Any condition for which you have been prescribed medication in the last 5 years.
https://www.allcleartravel.co.uk/travel-insurance/medical-conditions/
Once you’ve bought insurance, it’s important to let your insurers know of any changes to your condition so you know you’re fully covered.
What to look for when finding travel insurance with a chronic illness
There are two things to look for when buying travel insurance; what the cover includes and what the excess fees are.
AllClear travel have said that when looking for travel insurance, “A specialist comparison site is a good place to start when looking for travel insurance to cover medical conditions. AllClear’s own branded policies cover: All conditions. All ages. All destinations. The AllClear website provides up to 61 prices which include other specialists to meet a wide range of budget and cover options. Alternatively, you can call our call centre, as it can be useful to go through your condition and cover options with one of our trained representatives in order to get the best cover for you”
Cruises and winter sports often bump up the price of insurance. If you’re going on that type of holiday it may be worth heading to StaySure’s online tool aimed at helping disabled people find winter sports resorts that cater to their conditions.
If you use the online tool, you can actually get 20% off your insurance so if you’re heading to a ski resort, it’s well worth a look.
There are some ways to save money on your insurance. Look at the difference between single trip coverage and annual cover. If you’re only going on one or two trips, single trip cover may be enough for you.
When talking to All Clear about reducing the price, the said “You can save money on your premium by opting for a larger excess or restricting activities you might not need, such as winter sports. If it’s a last-minute holiday then cancellation cover may not be appropriate, so excluding this could also lower your premium.”
Which travel insurance companies cover chronic illnesses
Most travel insurance companies will cover pre-existing medical conditions to some degree.
I always start by going to a comparison site and see what comes up. That way you can get a general idea of where you will and won’t be covered.
I always look at what actually is covered but sometimes ring as well when I find one I like. I like to have peace of mind that I’m actually covered for my conditions!
Companies that specialise in pre-existing medical conditions include;
If you are worried about whether your insurance covers it, it’s worth ringing up a few different companies and actually talk to someone. Find out what the cover includes and then decide what’s right for you.
It’s really important that you don’t let your conditions stop you from living. Finding ways around may be difficult at times but there are companies out there who want to help!
Don’t forget to leave your advice for finding travel insurance in the comments below
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