If you have a chronic illness or medical condition and are taking a trip, you need proper travel insurance. The catch? Many travel insurance policies don’t cover costs related to pre-existing medical conditions.
However, you can still get coverage — you just need to buy a waiver for your policy that removes the exclusions for pre-existing conditions. But every policy is different, so make sure you understand how yours works so you don’t end up with a denied claim.
Erika Recommends
- Allianz Travel Insurance
Comprehensive coverage with pre-existing options on all plans. - Travel Guard
High medical limits and pre-existing waivers. - VisitorsCoverage
Online marketplace for shopping and comparing policies.
What Are Pre-Existing Conditions in Travel Insurance?
A pre-existing condition is a medical condition or chronic illness that was diagnosed before you booked your trip.
This condition has the potential to impact your trip (or cause you to cancel), so insurers see this as a high risk and may not offer coverage. Pre-existing conditions include things like diabetes, asthma, heart conditions, and other chronic illnesses.
Each insurer has its own definition of what qualifies as a pre-existing health condition, so it’s important to review the terms and conditions of your policy before you book your trip.
How insurers determine pre-existing conditions
Most insurance companies have a specific range of time they review to see if a medical condition is considered pre-existing.
This is known as the “look-back period” and is usually from 60 to 180 days prior to your travel insurance policy's effective date. But some insurers will look back up to three years, so be prepared to provide documentation if asked.
The review is to ensure that your condition is considered stable. If you have received new diagnoses, medication, or treatments for your condition within the look-back period, you may not be covered if there’s an incident before or during your trip.
READ MORE: Emergency Medical and Travel Health Insurance: How To Stay Protected
How Pre-Existing Condition Waivers Work
The only way to get travel insurance when you have a pre-existing medical condition is to get a “pre-existing condition waiver” clause added to your insurance.
This is an add-on to your plan to remove any exclusions in your policy due to your pre-existing condition.
It does cost more than a traditional policy, and not all travel insurers will offer this option.
Eligibility requirements for waivers
To be eligible for pre-existing coverage, you usually need to purchase your travel insurance policy (and waivers) within 14 to 21 days of booking your trip.
Different insurance companies set different time limits, so read your policy’s terms and conditions before booking your trip.
Limitations of waivers
While most pre-existing medical conditions can qualify for waivers for travel insurance, not all do. Often, waivers won’t cover the following:
- Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions
- Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
- Alcohol or drug-related medical conditions
- Pregnancy
- Some activities or treatments (e.g., experimental treatments)
Again, each policy will be different, so review the terms to make sure you’re covered.
What to Look for in Policies Covering Pre-Existing Conditions
When shopping around for a travel insurance policy that covers your pre-existing medical condition, here are a few things you’ll want to consider:
- High medical limits: This ensures sufficient coverage for medical emergencies — especially when traveling to a foreign country.
- Emergency evacuation coverage: This helps cover costs for transport (i.e., ambulance or airlift) to a suitable medical facility and, in some cases, transport back to your home country for more advanced care.
- No age restrictions: Some policies have age caps — look for plans that offer coverage for your age range.
- Comprehensive claims support: You don’t want a complicated claims process or hard-to-contact customer service. Make sure your travel insurance has a simplified claims process specifically for pre-existing condition-related expenses.
- 24/7 emergency assistance: Some insurance companies have 24/7 emergency assistance teams that can help you find local hospitals and English-speaking doctors (or translation services).
You can use an online marketplace like SquareMouth or VisitorsCoverage to search for and compare quotes side-by-side.
Providers Offering Pre-Existing Condition Coverage
Here’s how some of the most popular providers with pre-condition waivers compare:
| Allianz Travel Insurance | Travel Guard | Generali Global Assistance | World Nomads | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waiver availability | Available with all plans | Available with all plans | Only available with Premium plan | Only available with the Explorer or Epic plans |
| Emergency medical coverage | Up to $75,000 | Up to $150,000 | Up to $250,000 | Up to $250,000 |
| Emergency evacuation coverage | Up to $1 million | Up to $1 million | Up to $1 million | Up to $700,000 |
| Purchase window | Within 14 days of making your first trip payment deposit | Within 15 days of the initial trip payment | Within 24 hours of your final trip payment | Within 7 days of your initial trip deposit or payment |
Common Mistakes to Avoid With Pre-Existing Condition Coverage
Choosing the right coverage for your trip can save you thousands (or tens of thousands) of dollars. But here are a few common mistakes to watch out for when getting a policy:
Missing the waiver purchase deadline
You must purchase pre-existing condition waivers within a specific time frame to get coverage.
The window is usually 14 to 21 days after you book your trip. If you miss this window, you may be out of luck for your trip.
Ignoring the look-back period
Most travel insurance companies consider your recent medical history when evaluating a claim.
If you have a pre-existing condition and received treatment, new prescriptions, or had a medical emergency related to your condition within the look-back period, your claim might be denied.
Choosing policies with low medical limits
Some travel insurance policies don’t cover larger expenses, or have limits below $20,000 — which will be exhausted in a complicated medical emergency.
Make sure to find a policy with high medical coverage to ensure you’re covered no matter what.
FAQs About Pre-Existing Condition Coverage
Can I get coverage for newly diagnosed conditions before my trip?
If you have a recently diagnosed condition before your trip begins, the best way to get coverage is to purchase a pre-existing condition waiver.
If you develop a condition after you’ve already booked your trip and purchased travel insurance, you should still be covered because you already had coverage in place before the condition developed.
Do all travel insurance providers offer pre-existing condition waivers?
Most do, but not all. And while pre-existing condition waivers might be offered, they may not apply to every situation. Review the policy before purchasing to make sure you have coverage for your specific condition.
How do I prove a medical emergency is related to a pre-existing condition?
You may need to provide medical documentation, such as diagnosis, treatment history, and possibly a signed doctor’s statement showing how the current medical emergency is connected to a pre-existing condition.
TL;DR: Traveling With a Pre-Existing Condition
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you'll need to get a special waiver with your travel insurance to be covered. But act fast — you typically only have two or three weeks after booking your trip to be eligible.
When comparing insurance providers, pay attention to coverage limits and note that some conditions (like mental health issues and pregnancy) usually aren't covered, even with a waiver. You want to understand exactly what's covered before you buy.
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