Tommy Lloyd
Author: Tommy Lloyd, Managing Director

Tommy has over 15 years experience within the insurance industry, and his primary focus is helping travellers find the right cover for their medical conditions.

Originally posted: 1st Sep 2022

Compare travel insurance for back problems

Finding the right travel insurance for back pain can almost feel as painful as the ailment itself. It can be rather tricky to find cover for back problems, as some insurers exclude pre-existing medical conditions.

However, there are a range of insurers who can provide the perfect cover for your condition. It all comes down to research and putting in enough information to be able to compare travel insurance for back problems, which come in many forms and levels.

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Does a back injury qualify as a pre-existing condition?

If you suffer from back problems, and have been formally diagnosed by a specialist – you may need to declare this when you take out a travel insurance policy. Whether it is a chronic back condition or a more acute issue, you can always add this to your policy at the time of submitting all of your details.

Any condition that you have been formally diagnosed with prior to travel is considered to be a pre-existing medical condition.

Insurance providers will take a closer look at your medical history once you disclose that you have a pre-existing medical condition. This is just where you answer questions about your ailment or health complaint to give the insurers a better idea of how this may impact your day-to-day life.

Should I declare back pain when taking out insurance?

If you’ve been diagnosed with a back injury, even if it seemingly comes and goes – you may need to declare it to your insurance provider. If it’s something that you know about prior to taking out cover, it may flare up during your trip and if you know this beforehand, then you need to protect yourself from the outset.

If you don’t declare them at the starting point of taking out a travel insurance policy, then your insurance provider may challenge you in the event of a claim. This would mean that you risk not being paid out compensation, because the insurer did not know that this posed a threat to your health – even in a small way.

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What types of back injury can I get cover for?

There are a wide-ranging number of back problems that people can suffer from. These can be anything from sciatica to a slipped disc, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, or fractures to the back, and many more.

We can even find you cover for a completely broken back, or if you are awaiting further investigative scans or surgeries.

What does travel insurance for back problems cover?

Depending on what your needs are, we can offer cover for back problems from trips lasting under short trips to multiple trips. Within this, we offer cover for medical expenses, personal accidents, travel cancellation and delays, baggage claims and more.

We can also provide comprehensive cover to include tailored policies with a higher amount of excess, if required. In summary, we offer a range of different types of cover to meet the specific needs of many types of back complaints.

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It’s imperative to declare all relevant back problems when you are looking for cheap travel insurance. For the sake of just a few minutes, you can have a stress-free break knowing that you have taken out appropriate cover.

This means that in the event that something does go wrong while you’re on your holiday, you know that you can seek treatment without any financial repercussions.

The key is to shop around and compare travel insurance for back problems - this will enable you to find the cheapest deal.

Get the ball rolling by filling out our simple online application, then we can email over to you a quote within minutes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Travel insurance for back problems gives protection for medical expenses, trip cancellations, or emergencies related to pre-existing back conditions while traveling.

It ensures you’re protected financially if your back issues flare up during your trip, giving you peace of mind and access to necessary care.

Yes, if you’ve been diagnosed with a back problem, even if symptoms are occasional, you must declare it when taking out your travel insurance.

This ensures any related incidents during your trip are covered. Failing to provide this information could result in your claim being denied.

Our travel insurance can cover a wide range of back issues, including sciatica, slipped discs, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fractures, and more.

Travel insurance for back problems, typically includes:

  • Emergency medical expenses and repatriation in case of a health issue abroad.
  • Cancellation or curtailment cover if you need to cancel or cut short your trip for medical reasons.
  • Personal belongings cover for lost or stolen items, including medication.
  • Travel delay cover, depending on the provider.

Yes, as long as your back condition has been declared and accepted when purchasing the policy, cancellation cover would typically apply. Make sure to check your documents or contact your provider to clarify.

This will depend on the terms of your specific policy.

Many travel insurance plans that cover pre-existing medical conditions include emergency medical treatment while abroad, which could extend to treatments like physiotherapy if deemed medically necessary.

Review your policy wording or consult your insurance provider to confirm what is covered while travelling.

Yes, many policies include cover for mobility aids like wheelchairs, scooters, and walking frames. However, the level of cover may vary between providers. It’s a good idea to check the baggage or personal belongings section of your policy wording and consider specialist insurance if additional cover is needed.

The medical screening process involves answering a few straightforward questions about your condition. For example, you might be asked how you manage your pre-existing medical condition (e.g., treatments etc.). Whether you’ve had unplanned hospital visits in the past year, or if you’re on any medication. The answers help insurers provide the right level of cover tailored to your needs.

Learn more about our medical screening process here

We strongly advise against not disclosing your back problem, or any other pre-existing medical condition you may have.

If you do not disclose your medical condition, and you have a flare up, or fall ill whilst you are away, your travel insurance provider will be inclined to decline your claim. Furthermore, they may even invalidate your policy altogether.

Declaring your medical condition(s) ensures you have the appropriate protection for your health while travelling, offering peace of mind when you're away from home.

Travelling with back problems may require some planning and adjustments to ensure comfort and safety. For long flights or car journeys, consider using lumbar support cushions and taking regular breaks to stretch and move around.

Choosing accommodation with supportive bedding can also help minimise discomfort. It’s advisable to consult with your doctor before a trip, especially if you have recently experienced severe back pain or had surgery, to confirm your travel plans are suitable.

Simply use our online comparison tool to enter your details and declare your back condition, where we will compare prices from over 30 specialist travel insurance providers.

You'll receive tailored quotes within minutes, making it quick and easy to find the best protection for your trip.

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* Price is based on 1 traveller aged 61, who has declared Back Problems and is travelling to France for 7 nights. The price is correct as of January 2025. Prices may vary according to your individual requirements.


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If we're unable to help you find cover for a pre-existing medical condition, the Money Helper Directory has listings of companies that may be able to assist you. Further details can be found on their website.