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What is classed as a pre-existing medical condition?

When buying travel insurance, it can be difficult to know what to class as a pre-existing condition, especially when these are so varied and can be stable for some time before you are taking out insurance, such as lifetime conditions. However, pre-existing conditions can be simply defined to ease the complications of applying for travel insurance.

Travel insurers class a "pre-existing medical condition" as an illness that you have had symptoms of or treatment for before your insurance being taken out, regardless of whether this is short-term or long-term.

Even if you have had a condition wherein your treatment has now stopped, you may still have to declare the illness as a pre-existing condition for some time afterwards. These can include lifetime conditions such as asthma, long-term illnesses like cancer or heart problems, injuries and chronic conditions.

Additionally, mental illnesses must also be declared before travelling. However, the definition does differ between insurance providers, with some travel insurance companies offering insurance specifically for pre-existing medical conditions. We would always recommend that you read the insurance policy wording and definition of pre-existing medical conditions, as these will differ from insurer to insurer.


Why you need to declare your medical conditions on your travel insurance

You should always declare pre-existing medical conditions on your travel insurance prior to taking it out. If you do not declare these conditions, even if they are stable at the time of taking it out, you may end up not being covered when you travel and being forced to pay expensive medical bills.

This is especially vital for popular destinations such as the USA, which has extensive medical bills.


Choosing Holiday Extras for your travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions

  • - Over 40 years experience selling travel insurance.
  • - Voted best insurance provider 15 years running.
  • - Tailored policies to suit your personal requirements.
  • - UK-based contact centre and 24/7 helpline.
  • - Thousands of medical conditions covered

Our travel insurance protection with both our single trip and annual travel policies, as well as medical cover for cruises. We offer cover for you and everyone in your party for travel in the UK and abroad.


Compare medical travel insurance cover levels:

Our travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions is available at bronze, silver, and gold levels.

Holiday Extras Travel Insurance is sold and administered by Holiday Extras Cover Limited, registered office address: Ashford Road, Newingreen, Hythe, Kent CT21 4JF.

Holiday Extras Cover Limited is an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, registration number 828848. You can check this by visiting the Financial Services Register

Holiday Extras™ is a Trading Name of Holiday Extras Cover Limited. 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 by visiting the Financial Services Register