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.
A Guide to Getting Holiday Insurance for Crohn’s Disease
If you’re one of the estimated 102,000 people in the UK living with Crohn’s disease, you’re certainly not alone. In fact, it is thought diagnosis rates have increased rapidly over the years – meaning more than ever before, people are becoming familiar with this painful and, at times, debilitating condition.
Newly diagnosed patients tend to be young - in their 20s, 30s or even teenage years - a time when many of us are keen to start seeing the world and exploring new places.
While being diagnosed, you might feel as if your life is being brought to a halt. Once your condition is under control, there’s no reason whatsoever that the condition should stop you from exploring the world and ticking those items off your bucket list!
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Can I Get Medical Travel Insurance for Crohn’s disease?
You might think that having conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative Colitis (or any kind of inflammatory bowel disease) would make it tricky to get insurance – but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are a whole range of providers that can arrange travel insurance cover for IBD – even if you’ve been unfortunate enough to have experienced recent surgery.
Our site enables you to quickly compare online quotes from over 30 specialist providers who offer pre-existing medical travel insurance. In other words, we can connect you to a whole host of insurance companies that have experience in providing insurance for those with ongoing health problems.
There’s every chance your belly will behave itself on your trip abroad, but travel insurance provides invaluable peace of mind and makes sure you are covered if the disease does start rearing its head midway through your holiday.
Top Tips for Travelling with Crohn's
Dr Sarah Jarvis is the Clinical Director of the Patient Platform, an active medical writer, broadcaster, and the resident doctor for BBC Radio 2.
- Order your repeat medications well in advance, and make sure you have enough to last the whole holiday, with some to spare.
- Carry your medication in your hand luggage and ideally split it with a travelling companion, in case one bag gets lost. However, be aware that you will need to be with them at any security points, so you can show details to confirm the medicine has been prescribed for you. Always keep your medication in its original packaging while travelling.
- If you take medication that needs refrigeration (e.g. Adalimumab), carry it in a cool bag and arrange in advance with your hotel to provide somewhere safe to keep it. If you’re taking medicines by injection, check with your airline about their regulations for travelling with needles and syringes. It’s worth investing in a travel-sized sharps bin for these.
- Consider which non-prescription medicines (such as anti-diarrhoea medication or rehydration sachets) you may need and stock up on.
- Do be aware that some medications readily available in the UK – including some that can be bought over the counter in pharmacies – may be banned or restricted in other countries.
- Always check the website of the embassy of the country/countries you’re travelling to for details of restricted medications. Countries such as India, Turkey, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have stringent restrictions, but they aren’t the only ones.
- If you use controlled drugs such as strong painkillers, contact the Home Office Drugs Branch – you may need a personal licence to take these drugs abroad. Your pharmacist can advise you if any of the medicines you take are controlled.
- Keep a list of your medications, including the generic (non-brand) names. This is because certain brands – e.g., Asacol or Pentasa (generic name mesalazine) – may not be available in other countries or may be known by different names.
- Check with your airline whether you need a letter from your doctor confirming you are fit to travel. Your GP may charge for this. If you’re travelling with liquid, gel or cream medicine that is more than 100ml in size, you’ll need a letter from your doctor to carry it in your hand luggage. Ask your doctor to include details of non-prescription medicines they advise you to carry with you. You may find it useful to carry copies of important medical documents with you.
- If you take steroid tablets, get a card from any pharmacy or a MedicAlert bracelet from the MedicAlert Foundation. Steroid tablets mustn’t be stopped suddenly.
- Always take out travel insurance with a specialist company, which will ensure you’re covered for any conditions in your medical history.
- Getting access to a toilet in a hurry is one of the biggest concerns for many travellers with Crohn’s. Toilets are often available in supermarkets, tourist information centres and fast-food restaurants. Find out details of toilet map apps in the country you’re visiting from the IBD Passport website.
- Visit the Crohn’s and Colitis UK website (or phone their information line on 0333 222 5700) to get hold of one of their ‘Can’t Wait’ cards, in case you need the toilet urgently. They’re available in 30 languages.
- Think about your travel and whether you’ll need extra support – either for finding toilets in a hurry or with transferring, carrying your luggage, etc. Get in touch with your airline, ideally at least 3 days in advance, to let them know if you need any assistance. You may find it useful to request a seat on the plane close to the toilet.
- Pack extra underpants and a change of clothes in your hand luggage and take a small backpack with you that you can carry them in if you’re out and about.
Will a Standard Travel Insurance Policy Include Cover for IBD?
Unfortunately, despite IBD being a well-known condition, many standard insurance companies won’t offer cover for it.
In fact, your average travel insurance provider doesn’t usually cover ANY pre-existing conditions as a way of keeping payouts low – even if you’ve been fortunate enough to have been in remission for several years.
Using a specialist provider makes sure you won’t be left in the lurch should the worst happen.
Do I Need to Declare Crohn’s Disease on My Travel Insurance?
It might seem easier to simply omit the fact you’ve got IBD on your travel insurance – especially if you’ve not had a flare-up for a while. However, missing any details from an insurance form can invalidate your whole claim.
Not to mention that we all know how unpredictable life can be with Crohn’s disease at times.
Hot weather, change in diet, stress from travel and unwashed food can all potentially trigger a flare. Seeking treatment abroad is stressful enough without all the added worry of covering expensive hospital bills.
Are there any things that I should make sure I have included in my policy?
Most of the time, an insurance policy that covers pre-existing conditions should suffice. However, it’s important to take a closer look at the numbers. Make sure you’re comfortable with the amount the policy offers towards medical treatment and care.
IBD is a complex condition and hospital bills can easily run into the thousands. Not great if your policy only covers the basics.
If you’re packing a biological medication such as Humira, it might be worth getting specific extra coverage for this, as biological drugs can cost thousands of pounds to replace if they are lost.
If the proposed fee doesn’t look high enough, many insurance companies offer premium packages with a higher amount of coverage. It may well be worth forking out a little bit extra to make sure you are 100% covered.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Crohn's travel insurance is a specialised form of travel insurance designed to provide cover and support for individuals living with Crohn's Disease while they are travelling.
No, most standard policies don’t cover pre-existing conditions such as Crohn’s disease. With us, you can compare specialist travel insurance providers who include tailored cover for your condition to avoid unexpected medical expenses while travelling.
Yes, it’s essential to tell us about your Crohn’s disease and any other pre-existing medical condition you may have, even if you're condition is mild. Omitting this information can invalidate your claim, leaving you without cover if you need treatment abroad. Including your condition ensures your policy is tailored to your needs.
Absolutely! We work with specialist providers experienced in covering pre-existing conditions, including Crohn’s disease or other forms of IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease). You’ll find quotes that offer comprehensive cover so you can travel with peace of mind.
A travel insurance policy for Crohn's disease typically includes cover for:
- Emergency medical expenses and repatriation (such as hospital visits or medical evacuation home).
- Cancelling or curtailing your trip due to your condition.
- Lost, stolen, or damaged belongings, including medication.
Some policies may also provide additional benefits, so make sure you check the details of your selected cover.
Countries or regions with limited access to clean drinking water or proper healthcare facilities may pose a challenge for those with Crohn's disease. It's essential to research your destination thoroughly before travelling.
Generally, there are no specific travel restrictions for individuals with Crohn's disease. Be mindful of dietary restrictions and avoid foods that could trigger symptoms, especially when trying unfamiliar cuisines.
Definitely! You can extend your policy with optional extras, like:
- Gadget cover for phones, laptops, or cameras.
- Cruise cover if your trip involves travelling by sea.
- Winter sports cover if you plan to hit the slopes.
Ask your provider about the extras available and whether they match your holiday plans.
Minimising the risk of a Crohn's flare-up while travelling requires some careful planning and preparation. Start by consulting your doctor before your trip to ensure you’re fit to travel and to discuss any preventative measures.
Pack all necessary medications, ensuring you have enough to cover the duration of your trip, plus extra in case of delays. It’s also crucial to maintain a routine similar to what you follow at home and get enough rest.
Absolutely! Using our online comparison tool, you can compare Crohn's travel insurance quotes from 30 specialist providers tailored to your health needs. This allows you to find the best value and protection for your trip in just a few minutes.
* Price is based on 1 traveller aged 61, who has declared Chrones Disease 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.