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.

Last updated: 10th Mar 2025 Originally posted: 29th Jun 2023

Why do you need travel insurance for pre-existing conditions?

Going on holiday can be a costly expense, which is why it’s important to get covered for your pre-existing medical conditions before travelling. With Medical Travel Compared, travel insurance with medical conditions isn't too far away. 

If anything happens as a result of your condition while travelling, this type of travel insurance enables you to claim - providing you with the peace of mind to enjoy your holiday knowing you’re protected. 

Despite the fact that many standard policies will include medical coverage, more often than not - this won’t extend to claims relating to undisclosed medical conditions. In fact, a recent study found that only 1 in 5 people understood the need to disclose a pre-existing condition.

Failing to disclose pre-existing medical conditions carries many risks if you end up needing to claim as a result of a pre-existing medical condition. It's essential to arrange specialist travel insurance for existing conditions with the correct cover.

Depending on the type of medical condition you have, finding specialist providers to cover you can be challenging and expensive. This is where Medical Travel Compared can help.

Our experienced team is on hand to help you compare the market for travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions and take the money out of travelling with a medical condition.

Our simple online comparison tool helps you find affordable quotes in minutes, so you know you're getting the best travel insurance for medical conditions. Why not give it a try today? 

 

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Medical screening for pre-existing conditions

With Medical Travel Compared, the process of disclosing your conditions when applying for holiday insurance with pre-existing conditions is very straightforward. 

You’ll be able to declare your conditions once you’ve entered a number of details regarding your trip - as well as selecting the type of policy you need, whether that’s for a single trip, or an annual multi-trip policy. 

It’s likely that you might be asked a few questions in relation to your condition before you proceed. This stage is called medical screening - and it enables travel insurance providers to get a better understanding of your medical background so that they can offer you the right type of cover.

For more information on declaring your pre-existing medical conditions and the online medical screening process, you can read our comprehensive guide.

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What are pre-existing medical conditions?

This refers to any condition that existed before, or at the time you take out travel insurance for existing medical conditions. Essentially, you need to notify insurance providers about any conditions you’ve been previously diagnosed with in order to get the most suitable level of holiday insurance for medical conditions - and that’s where we come in!

You can declare your pre-existing conditions with us - and we’ll help you compare quotes for pre-existing medical travel insurance. Just bear in mind that insurance providers cannot provide cover for undiagnosed conditions.

There are over 2,000 conditions that can be covered by travel insurance that covers pre-existing medical conditions. Here are some of the most common forms of medical insurance we help people find:

If any of the above apply to you - then you may need to declare them to compare the right travel insurance cover for you.

This especially applies if you have recently been diagnosed with the condition and are receiving treatment for it right now. That being said - not all conditions necessarily need to be declared. It often depends on what they are and when they occurred.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that we are unable to provide a quote for an undiagnosed medical condition that’s currently under investigation.

Dr Sarah Jarvis, MBE

Dr Sarah answers your questions

Dr Sarah Jarvis is the Clinical Director of the Patient Platform, an active medical writer, broadcaster, and the resident doctor for BBC Radio 2.

Question: Is it safe to travel alone when I have a pre-existing medical condition?

That very much depends on what medical condition you have. For instance, if you have epilepsy or insulin-treated diabetes, you may have a seizure or become severely unwell in a very short space of time.

If you have COPD or arthritis, your mobility may be limited. In this case, it could be difficult for you to carry your luggage, board transfers, or get around.

In any of these situations, it may not be advisable for you to travel alone. You should certainly take all the precautions you would take at home and more to ensure you remain safe.

Hotel Resort Sunset

What does a pre-existing medical policy typically cover?

Holiday insurance for pre-existing medical conditions could offer coverage for a variety of different things, including:

  • Lost, Stolen or Damaged Personal Belongings - this could include any medication you take abroad with you - so it’s an important benefit.  
  • Emergency Medical Expenses and Repatriation - if you need emergency medical treatment abroad, the chances are you’ll end up paying a hefty price for it. The cost of repatriation (emergency return back to the UK) is also high.
  • Cancellation and Curtailment - the insurance provider will cover you in the event of needing to cancel your holiday or cut it short for a certain reason (usually medical).
  • Travel Delay - this won’t always be included, check with your provider.
  • Personal Liability - if you cause accidental damage to another person or someone else’s property - cover is provided.

We work with over 30 leading providers to help you compare cover for over 2,000 medical conditions - so you can count on us to help you find what you need in no time.

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Compare quotes and find the best cover for your condition

Why waste time and effort searching the internet for specialist cover when you can come straight to us? We enable you to compare travel insurance for pre-existing conditions, UK wide, from leading insurance providers all in one place.

The process couldn’t be any easier - and you’ll be able to start comparing cover against any pre-existing travel insurance you may have in minutes. 

Then, it’s time to get back to the exciting stuff… like planning your holiday!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Pre-existing medical condition travel insurance is a specialised type of insurance that covers you for any medical conditions you have when you buy your policy. To ensure that your condition is included within your policy, you will need to declare your condition during the quote process.

With this cover, you're protected against unexpected medical emergencies related to your condition while travelling, giving you peace of mind to enjoy your holiday.

A pre-existing medical condition is any condition that existed before or at the time you take out your insurance policy. We will ask you a few questions to help you identify the conditions you will need to declare.

For more information, read our guide What Do I Need to Declare On My Travel Insurance.

Yes, you must tell us about all relevant pre-existing medical conditions for your policy to be valid. This includes conditions you're currently being treated for or have been diagnosed with in the past. Don’t worry – our simple online medical screening makes it quick and easy.

If you fail to declare a condition, your insurance provider may not cover any claims related to that condition, or they may invalidate your policy altogether. It is always best to be upfront and honest about your conditions when applying for travel insurance.

Policies designed for pre-existing medical conditions can include:

  • Medical expenses and emergency repatriation if you need urgent treatment abroad or need to return home unexpectedly.
  • Cancellation cover if you have to cancel or cut short your trip for medical reasons.
  • Lost or stolen belongings, including medication.
  • Travel delays where applicable.

Make sure to review your policy’s limits and specific inclusions before travelling.

No, we cannot provide an insurance policy that excludes your pre-existing medical conditions. However, once you've declared your conditions, we will show you quotes specifically tailored to your health needs.

Furthermore, should you decide to omit a condition, your policy could become invalid.

Declaring your conditions is straightforward with our online process. After entering your trip details, you'll be asked a few questions about your medical history for each traveller. Add each condition one by one, and we’ll handle the rest – no phone calls or paperwork needed.

Unfortunately, insurance providers cannot offer cover for any undiagnosed conditions that are currently under investigation. If you're awaiting test results or diagnosis, it’s best to wait until you have more information before applying for travel insurance.

The cost varies based on factors like your age, trip destination, and the complexity of your medical condition. However, with Medical Travel Compared, you can compare quotes from over 30 leading providers to find affordable and competitive options for your needs.

Absolutely! We work with providers who specialise in offering insurance for travellers of all ages and medical histories. Whether you’re 25 or 95, our mission is to help you secure the right cover so you can travel with confidence.

* Price is based on 1 traveller aged 61, who has declared High Blood Pressure 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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Don't just take our word for it...

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.