Is arthritis a medical condition I need to declare on my travel insurance?
As arthritis (and its different variations, like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis) is a pre-existing medical condition, you will need to declare it on your travel insurance.
Does air pressure affect arthritis?
Local weather can increase arthritis pain. On average, this pain will increase incrementally for every 10-degree drop in temperature. As for air pressure, fluctuations can cause the tendons, muscles, and bones to expand and contract. Both these changes in air pressure and colder temperatures can make flying result in more pain than usual for those with arthritis.
What to prepare before your flight
To prepare for a flight if you have arthritis, you will want to:
- Have pain medication on hand
- Know the security and customs rules and regulations - you might need medical certification
- Inform the airport and airline in advance if you have special requirements
- Choose flights that will help minimise pain (e.g., multiple layovers for long-haul flights)
During your flight
There are many ways to cope with potential arthritis pain during a flight. These include:
- Taking pain medication
- Providing joint support to your affected limbs
- Sitting upright in your seat
- Walking and stretching regularly throughout the trip
- Using heating or cooling pads
Holiday Extras Travel Insurance is sold and administered by Holiday Extras Cover Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under registration number 828848.
Holiday Extras™ is a Trading Name of Holiday Extras Cover Limited
Holiday Extras Travel Insurance is provided by Taurus Insurance Services, an insurance intermediary licenced and authorised in Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission under Permission Number 5566 and authorised to passport general insurance intermediary services into the UK and registered with the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK under registration number 444830.
The insurance is underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited. Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 13436330 and whose registered office address is 10 Fenchurch Avenue, London, United Kingdom, EC3M 5BN. Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Firm Reference Number 955859. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting; register.fca.org.uk or by contacting the Financial Conduct Authority on 0800 111 6768.