Travel Insurance Pre-Existing Conditions Coverage

What Is Considered A Pre-Existing Medical Condition?

Travel insurance providers typically define a pre-existing condition as any illness, injury, or health condition that you, a family member, or a traveling companion has been diagnosed with, treated for, or shown symptoms of before your trip.

This includes undiagnosed symptoms that were noticeable and would have led a reasonable person to seek medical attention.

To determine if a condition was pre-existing, providers review your medical history during a ‘lookback period’, which is a window of time typically between 60-180 days before your policy purchase date.

If your provider determines that your medical condition was unstable during the lookback period, it typically won’t qualify for coverage as it is considered a pre-existing and foreseen condition.

It’s important to note that medical conditions that are controlled by stable prescription medication or that remain stable during your lookback period are generally not considered to be pre-existing conditions and are covered by most travel insurance plans. This typically means that your prescription and treatment regimen have remained the same without change during the entire lookback period, and you have had no flare-ups that required additional treatment or medical intervention during that time.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?

Some travel insurance plans can cover medical flare-ups of an existing health issue, but providers don’t apply this coverage automatically. To be covered, you must meet specific requirements to qualify for a Pre-Existing Condition Waiver.

This “waiver” removes the pre-existing condition exclusion and extends travel insurance benefits to cover you and your travel companions if a flare-up of a pre-existing medical condition disrupts your trip. This is different from a standard waiver you may encounter, as there is nothing you need to sign or disclose when purchasing your policy.

To be eligible for a pre-existing condition waiver, you typically need to meet the following requirements:

• You must find a plan that offers a waiver, which can be done by applying filters to your search
• You must purchase your policy early, usually within 14 to 21 days of your
• You must be medically stable when you buy the plan, meaning there haven’t been recent changes in your condition, treatment, or prescription medications
• You must insure the full cost of your trip, not just a portion of it

Common Pre-Existing Conditions Travel Insurance Can Cover

Travel insurance policies with a pre-existing condition waiver typically cover lifelong or chronic health issues that existed when you purchased your policy.

Common examples of health issues eligible for coverage include:

• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Joint issues like arthritis & herniated disks
• Breathing issues like asthma & COPD
• Heart disease, heart attacks, high blood pressure, or strokes
• Recent injuries

Pre-Existing Conditions Travel Insurance Will Not Cover

Some conditions are universally excluded from coverage, even if you meet the plan’s pre-existing waiver requirements.

Examples of medical conditions not eligible for travel insurance protection include:

• Mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorders
• Psychological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
• Terminal illnesses
• Pregnancy
• Injuries or illnesses related to alcohol abuse, substance abuse, or intentional self-harm
• Conditions that became acute, worsened, or manifested symptoms within the lookback period
• Health issues that cause disability at the time of purchase
• Conditions relating to an untreated injury or illness that were known before your trip
• Elective procedures

How Does Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions Work?

Eligible policies cover pre-existing conditions before your trip starts, as well as during your trip. The type of travel insurance benefit that applies depends on when the disruption occurs.

If you’re forced to cancel your trip due to a flare-up of a pre-existing condition, “Trip Cancellation coverage”:"/travel-insurance-benefits/trip-cancellation may reimburse up to 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable "/resources/glossary/trip-cost>trip costs. To be eligible for this coverage, you must submit documentation, such as a note from your physician, to support your cancellation.

If you’re already traveling and experience a flare-up or acute onset of a previous medical condition, your policy’s

Most providers that offer pre-existing condition coverage can refer you to quality care if you’re unsure where to turn for treatment. In some cases, your provider may arrange upfront payment for medical expenses if it’s required before care begins.

When To Buy Pre-Existing Conditions Coverage

Pre-Existing Condition coverage is a time-sensitive benefit, so you must purchase your plan within a specified timeframe to qualify. Depending on your plan, this window typically lasts 14-21 days after your initial trip deposit date.

Your initial trip deposit date is the day you make your first payment towards your trip, such as the purchase of your airfare or hotel booking.

The exact length of a policy’s time-sensitive window for this benefit is found in its plan certificate.

Is It Worth It to Buy Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions?

Yes, if you have a chronic illness, a recent diagnosis, or any medical history that could affect your travel plans, a policy that includes coverage for pre-existing conditions can provide invaluable peace of mind.

A flare-up of a known condition could lead to costly medical bills or force you to cancel your trip entirely. Without this benefit, travel insurance typically won’t cover claims related to pre-existing conditions, so a policy with this coverage adds critical protection.

This type of coverage is especially important for:

• Travelers with ongoing conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or autoimmune disorders
• Anyone who has had a recent surgery, diagnosis, or change in medication
• Older travelers, particularly those relying on Medicare (which doesn’t cover international care)
• Anyone traveling internationally, where their regular health insurance likely won’t apply

A flare-up of a known condition could lead to costly medical expenses or force you to cancel your trip entirely. Without this benefit, travel insurance typically won’t cover claims related to pre-existing conditions, so a policy with this coverage offers much-needed coverage.

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FAQs: Travel Insurance For Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Can I Buy Travel Insurance with Pre-Existing Conditions?

Yes, it’s possible to buy travel insurance that covers pre-existing medical conditions. To find a policy that offers this benefit, you can apply a ‘Pre-Existing Condition’ filter to your search on Squaremouth or refer to the list of policies below.

The best pre-existing condition travel insurance policies feature long purchase windows and offer high medical coverage limits.

As a rule of thumb, look for policies that provide at least $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage. Seniors, cruisers, and adventure travelers may need additional protection for their trips due to heightened health risks.

• To decide if pre-existing coverage is right for your trip, ask yourself the following questions:
• Do you have an existing health issue that may flare up during your trip?
• Are you medically fit to travel?
• Have you received treatment or had changes to your medication within the past 60-180 days?
• Are you within 14-21 days of making your initial trip payment?
• Is your health issue eligible for pre-existing condition coverage?

What Documentation Do I Need To Prove My Condition Has Been Stable?

If you file a medical claim during or after your trip, your travel insurance provider will likely ask for documentation that proves your condition was stable during the lookback period.

Examples of documents providers often request include:

• Medical records from your doctor or specialist showing consistent treatment with no significant changes in medication, dosage, or symptoms
• Physician’s notes confirming that your condition was stable leading up to your trip
• Prescription history to verify there were no new medications or dosage adjustments
• Hospital or clinic discharge summaries if you were recently treated or monitored

Your travel insurance provider will advise you on the specific documents needed to support your claim.

Does Pre-Existing Conditions Coverage Apply To Family Members Or Travel Companions?

Yes, this coverage typically applies to travel companions listed on your policy and, depending on the policy, may also include non-traveling family members.

For example, many comprehensive travel insurance policies will reimburse policyholders who are forced to cancel their trip if a family member is hospitalized and they are the primary caretaker. In this scenario, Trip Cancellation insurance will reimburse a traveler’s prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.

However, if the illness or injury to a family member is related to a chronic illness, existing injury, or other type of pre-existing medical condition, then a pre-existing condition waiver may be required to be eligible for coverage.

Without a waiver, travel insurance providers may impose a lookback period to assess if the family member’s injury or illness was related to a pre-existing medical condition.
If you have concerns about having to cancel a trip due to health concerns of a family member, you should consider a policy with Cancel for Any Reason coverage for the most cancellation flexibility.

Information about who is covered by a pre-existing condition waiver is found in your policy’s Certificate of Insurance or by contacting your travel insurance provider directly.

How Do I Know If My Policy Includes Pre-Existing Conditions Coverage?

Review the policy details or the certificate of insurance before buying your policy to ensure it covers pre-existing conditions. This documentation will also outline any time-sensitive requirements you must adhere to in order to qualify for a waiver.

If you qualify for pre-existing condition coverage, you will receive your waiver after purchasing your plan, along with other policy documents. We recommend reaching out to our customer support team or contacting your provider if you’re unsure if your plan covers your pre-existing medical condition..

How Do I Find Pre-Existing Conditions Travel Insurance?

When comparing plans on Squaremouth, you can apply a ‘Pre-existing Medical’ filter to your results, which excludes any plan that does not offer a pre-existing condition waiver. Start looking for coverage within 14-21 days of making your initial trip payment to meet eligibility requirements.

Pre-existing condition coverage is typically only available in comprehensive travel insurance plans. When getting quotes, you will need to insure 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.

Many plans on Squaremouth offer pre-existing condition waivers. To see the top plans, visit our Best Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions page.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Death Due To A Pre-Existing Medical Condition?

Most travel insurance policies do not cover death resulting from a pre-existing medical condition, including costs related to the repatriation of remains, unless you purchase a plan that includes a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver.

This also applies to Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) cash payments offered by your policy if you or a traveling companion passes away during a covered trip.

Is Cancer Covered Under Pre-Existing Conditions Waiver?

Yes, cancer can be covered by a pre-existing condition waiver as long as specific conditions are met, such as being medically stable and fit to travel. To make sure your cancer diagnosis is eligible for coverage, we recommend contacting your provider and disclosing any relevant medical information.

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Please be aware that coverage and eligibility requirements for this benefit differ by policy.

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