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.
How to get your Lupus cover
To make sure we help you find the right travel insurance we’ll ask you a few quick health questions when you’re completing your quote, for more information on this check out our guide on telling us about your health conditions.
If you suffer from Lupus, you’ll need to tell us about this health condition if you’ve seen a medical professional (such as a GP) or been prescribed medication within the last 2 years.
When telling us about your Lupus you will likely be asked some of the following:
- How long ago was the diagnosis made?
- Do you take medication or your treatment?
- Do you have any of the following complications of this condition? (for example - angina, asthma, or kidney damage)
- Do you have any shortness of breath on exertion?
This will also help us understand if you need to tell us about discoid or systemic lupus and any associated conditions (if you have any) such as Sjögren's Syndrome, Anti-phospholipid Syndrome (sticky blood), Kidney Damage and Hypertension.
Travel insurance providers will then see what cover they can offer you based on your current health, how lupus personally affects you, as well as taking into consideration your travel plans, such as where you’re travelling to and for how long.
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Is lupus travel insurance expensive?
Not necessarily. In our experience, if lupus is stable and well managed with no other health conditions, getting travel insurance can be easy to get and may not cost any more than you would pay for a standard policy.
The cost of lupus travel insurance cover may be higher than normal, if you have other medical complications, or are travelling to destinations that operate a high level of privatised healthcare such as the USA, Canada, Spain, Canaries Islands and Malta for example, as it will be more costly to cover medical treatment in these countries.
If you’re having difficulty obtaining cover, you can chat with our online team, and we’ll do our best to help you find a policy.
What does lupus travel insurance cover?
The level of cover you can expect varies depending on which travel insurance provider you choose. Once you’ve added lupus to your quote, we’ll only show your policies which will take your condition into account.
A typical travel insurance policy might usually include:
- Emergency medical expenses and repatriation - if you’re hospitalised, or even need to be brought back to the UK for treatment as a result of your condition.
- Lost, stolen or damaged personal belongings - this could include any medication that you’re taking with you to treat your anxiety.
- Cancellation and curtailment - if you suddenly decide to cancel your trip, or end up cutting it short.
- Travel delay - this won’t always be included, so check your cover
- Personal liability - if you cause accidental damage to another person, or someone else’s property - cover is provided.
Travelling with lupus
Although additional considerations may need to be made, travelling with lupus should never put you off travelling abroad. First and foremost, it’s highly recommended that you avoid travelling altogether if you are in the middle of a flare-up, or feeling unwell in the lead up to your holiday.
As lupus is a chronic condition, preparation is key – and you should therefore carefully plan your trip to suit you best, and ensure you remain comfortable at every possible stage of your holiday. Before you plan however, you need to consider what vaccinations and immunisations you might need. This all depends on your destination.
It is unlikely that you will need any jabs if you’re travelling to countries in Europe, North America or Oceania. However, if you do require a vaccination – you should not receive vaccines that contain live organisms if you suffer from lupus.
Does flying affect lupus?
Some people who suffer with lupus do experience a worsening of joint pain whilst flying. This is often attributed to high air pressure in the aircraft cabin.
This is somewhat unavoidable if you do fly, however most airlines enable you to do a pre-flight check in, where you can manually select your own seat on the plane. It may be best to do this as far in advance as possible to ensure you get a more comfortable seat i.e. extra legroom, or aisle seat.
Make sure you have a doctor’s note that enables you to take your medication aboard an aircraft should you need it, and ensure you keep this on your person or at least with a responsible guardian every day.
If you require advice about travelling with lupus, please visit LUPUS UK for guidance.
Optional extras
Also, feel free to add any optional extras that you need - such as gadget cover, cruise cover or winter sports cover.
This may slightly bump up the cost of your cover, but it’s definitely something to consider when shopping around, especially if you have different types of holidays planned.
Get cheap quotes from specialist lupus travel insurance providers
Use our straightforward quote comparison tool to find the cover you need. It literally takes minutes – there’s no need to fill out any paperwork, and it’s all online.
You can compare Lupus cover across a range of specialist insurance providers, all in one place - so there should be plenty of choices.
Once you’ve got everything sorted - so you can get on with the good stuff and start planning your trip.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Lupus travel insurance is a specialised insurance policy designed to cover individuals with lupus, whether it’s discoid or systemic lupus. It provides tailored protection that takes into account medical needs, ensuring peace of mind while abroad. Key cover includes emergency medical expenses, trip cancellation, and lost medication protection.
Standard travel insurance policies often exclude protection for pre-existing medical conditions, which can leave you vulnerable. Lupus travel insurance ensures you’re protected against unexpected medical costs, providing access to necessary care should a flare-up occur while you’re away.
Additionally, it offers cover for trip cancellations or delays related to your condition, giving you the confidence to travel knowing you’re supported.
Not necessarily. If your lupus is stable and well-managed with no associated complications or other conditions, the cost may not differ significantly from standard policies.
However, factors like additional health conditions or trips to countries with high healthcare costs, such as the USA, might increase the premium.
When obtaining a quote, you’ll need to answer a few health-related questions, using our online medical screening tool, so providers can assess your specific situation. This might include:
- When you were diagnosed with lupus.
- Details about any medications or treatments.
- If your lupus has caused a recent, unplanned, hospital visit.
Being fully upfront about your condition ensures your policy covers what you need.
Most lupus travel insurance policies will include:
- Emergency medical expenses: Including hospitalisation and repatriation to the UK.
- Lost, stolen or damaged personal belongings: Covers essential items like medication.
- Trip cancellation or curtailment: If your condition forces you to cancel or shorten your holiday.
- Travel delays: Depending on your policy specifics.
Make sure to review your policy details to understand exactly what’s covered.
It is generally not advised to travel during a lupus flare-up, as your body needs rest and proper medical attention. Symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, or rashes may become worse during the stress of travel, and you might not have access to the treatments you need while away.
Speak to your doctor before making any travel plans to ensure it is safe for you to travel.
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.
Flying can have an impact on lupus symptoms due to changes in cabin pressure, lower oxygen levels, and prolonged sitting, which might exacerbate joint pain or swelling. Additionally, the stress of air travel and potential circadian rhythm disruptions can contribute to fatigue. Always consult with your doctor before flying to discuss precautions specific to your condition.
Travelling with lupus requires additional preparation:
- Pack enough medications to last your holiday, plus some spare.
- Get travel insurance as soon as you book!
- Whilst away, build in rest days to relax.
For more tailored travel tips, check out our guide on Travelling with Lupus.
Using comparison tools like ours helps you browse specialist insurers to find policies that meet your needs without overpaying. You can compare costs quickly online, with no paperwork or phone calls necessary.
* Price is based on 1 traveller aged 61, who has declared Lupus 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.
