Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

In the UK the NHS provides a free safety net for UK citizens whatever your condition. When you travel abroad you will not be so lucky if you need medical treatment and you have a pre-existing condition unless you make sure that you have adequate insurance cover for it. In the European Union and certain other countries the UK government has reciprocal agreements to provide free or low cost treatment in certain circumstances. The rules surrounding this are different for each country concerned and may be very restrictive. Of course, if you are travelling in Europe, you should obtain a European Health Insurance Card but don't rely on it to provide you with full cover. For example it will not cover you for the cost of repatriation to the UK. The Department for Health's own web site says "You are advised to take out comprehensive private insurance for visits to all countries, regardless of whether you are covered by your EHIC."

There is insurance available

For most people with a pre-existing medical condition there is cover available from specialist companies who have taken the time to understand the risks involved with different conditions and different age groups.

NOTE: Most cheaper travel insurance policies specifically exclude pre-existing medical conditions. If you have an existing problem that may be the thing that you are most worried about and the thing that you most need insurance cover for. You need to find a specialist who can provide insurance full in the knowledge of your condition.

The first thing that you are going to have to accept is that the quotation process is going to be much more difficult, you may in some circumstances have to undergo a medical examination and at the very least you are going to have to answer many more questions.

It is always important that you answer all of the insurers questions open and honestly and declare anything that you are aware of that may affect their decision to offer you insurance. It almost goes without saying that it is absolutely imperative that you declare everything associated with your pre-existing condition. If you do not do so your insurance contract may not be worth the paper it is written on.

Many people have real difficulty remembering the technical terms for their condition, when it first started etc. If you are having problems filling in application forms or on-line quote systems ask you doctor for the information that you need. Get all of the questions that you can't answer together and go to the surgery with them. If you explain to the records clerk what you need to know and why you may not even need to see the doctor.

Here are three organisations to try.
Columbus Direct Pre-existing medical conditions
The Insurance Surgery
AgeConcern travel insurance

More travel insurance guides and information on this site.

Your use of this web site is subject to your acceptance of our Terms of Use.

Don't leave reading the small print until you need to make a claim. If you do it may be too late if you find that you have not complied with a specific requirement of the policy......................

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office web site has “Country specific travel advice”. Follow this link and click on “Travel Advice”. http://www.fco.gov.uk/