What is a Pre-Existing Conditions Exclusion Waiver?
Most travel insurance policies, whether it’s a single trip policy or an Annual plan, exclude pre-existing conditions, however this exclusion may be waived if certain conditions are met. A Pre-Existing Condition is defined as any medical condition that has worsened or changed during a policy’s look-back period, which is the 60-180 day window prior to the day the purchased their policy.
To get Pre-Existing Condition coverage, you typically must purchase your policy within 14 – 30 days of making your initial trip deposit. Some travel policies are more lenient and may offer this waiver if coverage is purchased prior to making the final trip payment. This means that an injury or illness occurring prior to the effective date of insurance would not be automatically excluded.
Policies may still have other conditions that must be met to be eligible for the Pre-existing Conditions exclusion waiver, such as being medically able to travel at the time insurance is purchased and insuring your full prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.
Always refer to your policy certificate for full details to determine any conditions for coverage. International Medical Plans generally do not offer a waiver for pre-existing conditions.