Millions of Australians live with ongoing health conditions, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, cancer in remission, and hundreds of others. The good news is that having a pre-existing condition does not disqualify you from getting travel insurance. The bad news is that the wrong policy, or failure to declare, can leave you with an enormous unpaid medical bill overseas.
What Counts as a Pre-existing Condition?
Insurers define a pre-existing condition as any medical condition, injury, symptom, or circumstance that existed, was being treated, or that a reasonable person would have been aware of before purchasing travel insurance. This typically includes diagnosed conditions you’re currently managing, conditions you’ve had treated in the past, symptoms you’ve experienced but haven’t yet had diagnosed, medications you take regularly, and scheduled procedures or pending test results.
Do You Need to Declare Your Condition?
Yes, always. Failing to declare a known pre-existing condition is considered non-disclosure and will likely void your claim if you need to make one. Some insurers have an automated medical screening process; others exclude pre-existing conditions entirely unless you complete a separate medical assessment.
Types of Cover Available
- Automatic cover: Some conditions are automatically covered without requiring declaration, mild, well-controlled asthma, for instance.
- Covered with extra premium: You declare your condition, the insurer assesses the risk, and offers cover at a higher premium.
- Excluded from cover: The insurer declines to cover the specific condition, but you can still purchase the policy for other risks.
- Full cover declined: In rare cases, an insurer declines to offer any cover due to the severity of a condition.
Practical Tips for Travelling with a Pre-existing Condition
- Carry enough medication for the entire trip, plus extra for delays
- Keep medications in their original packaging with prescription labels
- Research medical facilities at your destination before you leave
- Notify your insurer’s emergency assistance team immediately if you need medical care
- Ask your GP for a letter outlining your condition, medications, and medical history
