Travel Insurance6 min read12 May 2026
Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions: What You Need to Know
Asthma, diabetes, heart conditions — how to get covered and what to declare.
Travelling with a pre-existing medical condition doesn't mean you can't get travel insurance — but it requires more care. Getting this wrong is the most common reason for denied medical claims.
What counts as a pre-existing condition?
Definitions vary by insurer, but generally: any medical condition you were aware of, or sought treatment for, in the 12–24 months before purchasing cover. This includes stable, well-managed conditions like hypertension or diabetes.
Important
If in doubt, declare it. Failing to declare a condition that later leads to a claim is the single most common reason claims are denied. Disclosure is always the right choice.
Your options
- •Declare and cover: Most insurers will cover declared conditions (sometimes with a loading or sub-limit). You'll typically fill out a medical assessment.
- •Exclude it: Some policies let you exclude your condition in exchange for a lower premium — useful if your condition is stable and unlikely to require treatment.
- •Any-condition policies: Some specialist providers (Cover-More, NIB, 1Cover) offer 'cover all conditions' policies — more expensive but simpler for complex health profiles.
Before you buy
- •Get clearance from your GP to travel — it strengthens any future claim
- •Read the medical assessment questions carefully and answer fully
- •If you're unsure whether something counts, call the insurer and get the answer in writing (email)
- •Check if there's a limit on cover for your specific condition — some policies have $5,000 sub-limits for declared conditions
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