Hernia Travel Insurance

Do you need travel insurance for a hernia?

If you have a hernia and are jetting off on holiday, we want to make sure you have the best cover available. Most standard travel insurance policies don’t cover unexpected medical bills, and although hernias can be relatively symptomless they can often need treatment unexpectedly. 

So whatever stage your hernia is at - or even if you’ve had one in the past - make sure you’re covered so you can enjoy your holiday without worrying about it. 

Before you book, get the all-clear from your GP that you’re fit to fly. Advice from the NHS tells us that even with approval from your doctor, you should wait at least 48 hours before flying after keyhole surgery, or 10 days after an open surgical operation. 

The good news? Finding travel insurance after a hernia operation (or if you haven’t yet had surgery) is easy with Medical Travel Compared. We’ve partnered with over 30 specialist providers to give you the best choice of policies - at the best prices.

What does hernia travel insurance typically cover?

Whether you’ve had a hernia in the past, or are post-surgery, here’s what you’ll usually find included in a hernia travel insurance policy:

• Emergency medical expenses and repatriation - if you need medical attention because of your hernia, or have to be repatriated back to the UK in an emergency
• Lost, stolen or damaged personal belongings - including medication
• Cancellation and curtailment - insurance will cover you if you have to cancel your holiday or cut it short (usually for a medical reason)
• Travel delay - this isn’t always included, so check your policy
• Personal liability - if you cause accidental damage to someone else’s property or another person

Not every insurance company offers full cover for people with a hernia condition. But we’ve teamed up with specialist providers to help you find cover that does and the best part is that it’s really easy to compare all these in one place.

Optional extras

Need a little extra? No problem - we can help you find a range of add-ons for your cover, depending on the type of trip you’re taking and your needs. These can include:

• Gadget cover
• Cruise cover
• Winter sports

Do I have to declare a hernia on my travel insurance?

If you don’t tell your travel insurance provider about your hernia, you’re leaving yourself at risk of having to pay unexpected costs. Say your condition means you can’t fly, or it gets worse while you’re away and you need urgent medical attention. Without specialist cover, you might still have to pay for your holiday even if you can’t go on it, or find the money for medical bills and flights back home if you’re away.

Despite all this, we know the last thing you want is a long, complicated survey of questions. So we’ve designed our online medical screening tool to make telling us about your condition quick and fuss-free. The types of questions you might be asked include:

• What kind of hernia do you have? (e.g. hiatus, diaphragmatic, inguinal, etc.)
• Has your hernia been corrected by surgery?
• Have you ever had a procedure to widen a narrowing of the oesophagus (food pipe)?

Remember, we ask these questions to help you find the right cover for your health condition.

Tips and considerations for travelling with a hernia

Been given the all-clear by your doctor? Here are our top tips on how to keep yourself safe while you’re away.

1. Consider the activity level of your holiday - don’t commit to anything too strenuous.
2. Make sure you have enough medication to last the length of your trip - plus a few days extra, in case you’re delayed.
3. Research the location of where you’re staying - are there reliable medical facilities, should you need them?
4. Plan your journey. Contact your airline if you’ll need any help with your luggage at the airport, and think about whether getting a taxi would be better than using busy public transport.
5. Double-check you’ve told your insurance provider about your condition, and have travel insurance with hernia cover in place.

For more travel advice, visit Hernia.org.

Get cheap hernia travel insurance quotes from specialist providers

Getting the right cover for your condition will give you the peace of mind you need to focus on the important things, like enjoying your holiday.

With us, finding a quote that works for you and your needs is quick and easy. From telling us about your condition to adding any optional extras for your trip, we’re with you every step of the way.

And because we partner with over 30 specialist providers, you can rest assured that you’ll have a great range of options to choose from.