Planning a holiday should be exciting — but if you live with a long‑term health condition, it’s important to get your travel insurance right before you fly. For many people affected by cancer and other health challenges, appropriate travel cover isn’t just sensible assurance — it’s peace of mind.
What Counts as a Pre‑Existing Medical Condition?
In travel insurance terms, a pre‑existing medical condition is any illness, injury, or health issue that you’ve had before buying your policy or before your trip begins — whether you’re currently being treated for it or it was in the past. This can include conditions like cancer, heart disease, asthma, diabetes, neurological conditions, and many more.
Even if a condition feels “under control” or isn’t currently causing symptoms, insurers generally still expect you to declare it when getting a quote. Failing to do so can mean your policy won’t pay out if something goes wrong.
Why Full Disclosure Matters
It might be tempting to skip mentioning a condition — especially if you’re worried about the price — but this is risky. Research shows that many UK travellers don’t always declare their full medical history, either because they aren’t sure what needs to be declared or because they assume minor issues won’t matter.
The problem is that travel insurers often verify medical histories during claims. If a condition isn’t disclosed, related medical costs — which can be extremely high overseas — may not be covered. That could leave you footing the bill yourself if you need treatment abroad.
What Travel Insurance Can Do for You
Appropriate travel insurance for people with pre‑existing medical conditions can include:
Medical treatment abroad: Cover for emergency treatment if your health condition flares up while travelling.
- Repatriation: If you need to be transported back home because of illness, insurance can cover those costs too.
- Trip cancellation or disruption cover: If your condition changes before you travel and you need to cancel, certain policies can refund non‑refundable trip costs.
Bear in mind that travel costs for medical care abroad can be enormous compared to care in the UK, especially in places like the United States or private facilities — another reason why proper cover is essential.
Tips for Getting the Right Cover
Be honest and thorough: List every condition you’ve been diagnosed with, treated for, or prescribed medication for — even if it seems minor.
Compare options: Use comparison tools like GoCompare to check specialist travel insurance that covers pre‑existing conditions and find the best prices for your needs. (Link below)
Declare changes: If your health changes between buying your policy and your trip, update your insurer — it could affect your cover.
Ask questions: If you’re unsure about wording in a quote or what you need to declare, contact the insurer or broker directly.
Where to Start
A good place to begin your search for cover is the pre‑existing medical conditions section on GoCompare Travel Insurance — this lets you explore options and find the right policy that understands your health needs.
https://www.gocompare.com/travel-insurance/pre-existing-medical-conditions/
