Travel insurance - for those with a pre-existing medical condition

Latest Revision Date: 8^th October 2011

Subjects: travel, insurance, medical, condition, pre-existing, screening

A subject that a good proportion of our travel insurance customers call us about is pre-existing medical conditions, and how to get cover for them when going on a trip.

As medical science develops its only natural that a by product of this is that more of us will have medical conditions that might once have ruled us out of getting insurance, but fortunately now an increasing number of insurers are prepared to offer cover.

Of our panel of almost 30 insurers ten now offer online screening of medical conditions, and in most cases will offer differing premiums depending on whether or not cover for the condition is required.

To enable you to find these companies quickly why not undertake a cheap travel insurance search and then look out for the following companies who all offer online screening:

* All use Mediquote Expert for online screening

** Uses Mediquote Expert for online screening and only offers insurance to those aged 65 or over

American Express, Avanti, Elect and Go Travel also offer phone screening.

Apply for a few companies, as if there is not a huge difference in base cost you may find the loading makes such a difference that one company 'overtakes' another by the time the final premium is calculated. Also if you are travelling as a couple, family or group you may also find that if only one person needs to make a health declaration it might be better to have separate policies.

The online screening is normally undertaken by other companies on the insurers behalf. We have indicated in our table above where different insurers use the same company so if you are advised that an insurer will not cover you at all it is unlikely that other insurers using the same screening organisation will. You can therefore save some time by ignoring the companies using the same screening firm.

We have received positive feedback from customers about other companies who do not appear on our panel, but who appeal to certain populations of the market.

Insure for Travel offer online screening for customers up to 79 years old want a single trip policy, or up to 74 for annual policies and are competitive for many customers age groups up to those limits. As they spilt Europe into two areas they are also very good if you are travelling to a part of Europe which excludes Spain, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey

One such company is World First - who have a strong reputation in the preexisting medical market - they cover customers up to 100 years old, over cover for around sports and activities, and are one of the few insurers to offer timeshare owners specific benefits - get more details or a quote from them by clicking through to their site here - World First

AllClear specialise in providing insurance for people of all ages with pre-existing medical conditions and/or disabilities, who find difficulty in obtaining travel insurance elsewhere. They also offer cruise and travel insurance for those travelling aboard for medical treatment and procedures.

AllClear’s travel insurance covers almost any pre-existing medical conditions including diabetes, angina, arthritis, asthma, cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, epilepsy and stroke. For more information or a direct quotation visit their site here All Clear - Travel Insurance with cover for any pre existing condition

Staysure specialise in insurance for the over fifties, with policies for customers up to 85. They also offer long stay cover, and one particular element customers say they like is the clear list of over 220 conditions they cover automatically. - get more details or a quote from them by clicking through to their site here - Staysure Insurance

If you are aged 80 and under and have one (and only one) of the medical conditions listed below, there is no need to declare it with Insureme4. Whats more they are offering a 17.5% discount if you click through to Insureme4 here and buy online.

Should you need to make a claim arising from that condition, your doctor must confirm in writing the date of diagnosis, that the condition was stable prior to travel and that there was no foreseeable reason why you should need to claim on this policy:

• Acid reflux
• Arthritis
• Asthma (if well controlled by using inhalers only)
• Diabetes (if well controlled and no associated conditions e.g. Glaucoma or other eye problems,kidney problems or peripheral vascular disease)
• Hiatus Hernia
• Hypertension (high blood ressure)

Insureme4 may not be as suitable if you do not meet this fairly strict criteria.

Remember if your doctor has advised against travel you are not going to find an insurer who will cover you – so maybe think about a break in this country instead.

So start your search for cheap travel insurance here, and enjoy your holiday – well rested, and well covered with your travel insurance from moneymaxim

If you need more help – call us on 0800 520 0699 and we will be happy to answer any questions or queries you might have.

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Moneymaxim always recommend you take independent financial advice before acting on any article.