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- Most travel insurance companies offer waivers for pre-existing stable medical conditions.
- To qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver, you must buy insurance within a certain timeframe.
- Keep in mind that not all policies cover pre-existing conditions, so always double-check your policy.
Medical travel insurance is a great way to protect your health and finances when traveling. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you might assume you can't get coverage. Luckily, many travel insurance companies offer pre-existing condition coverage in the form of a pre-existing condition waiver.
Here's everything you need to know about pre-existing conditions and travel insurance, including how to find coverage options if you have a pre-existing condition.
Understanding pre-existing conditions and travel insurance
Most travel insurance companies define pre-existing conditions as a change in your medical record that includes tests, examinations, treatment, or changes in medication. The changes in your medical record usually result in a diagnosis, which becomes a pre-existing condition. But you do not have to receive a formal diagnosis for it to be considered a pre-existing condition.
Travel insurance companies consider medical conditions within a specified look-back period, or length of time. The medical condition must be stable to qualify for a claim. Conditions are stable if you do not need additional treatment, medication, or diagnoses.
But even if your medical condition is stable, you likely need a pre-existing condition waiver to get coverage if it suddenly worsens while you're traveling.
Travel insurance look-back periods for pre-existing conditions
If you file a claim, the insurance company has a right to review your medical record and ensure that you did not have a condition related to the claim. This process is known as a "look-back" period since the insurance looks back through your records.
The look-back period usually includes 60 to 180 days before you buy the policy. Before approving your claim, the insurance company wants to determine if the condition already existed.
The insurance company may approve or deny your claim based on what it discovers. To avoid dealing with the risk of denial, you can qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver instead.
Choosing the right insurance policy for pre-existing conditions
Many travel insurance companies offer coverage for travelers with pre-existing conditions. For example, Tin Leg Travel insurance, listed in our guide on the best travel insurance for best pre-existing conditions coverage, offers pre-existing condition waivers for all its plans except Tin Leg Economy.
While there are many options for pre-existing condition coverage, the challenge is finding the right one for you.
Comparing policy terms and benefits
When comparing insurance policies, you should pay attention to the coverage limits for emergency medical and acute onset of a pre-existing condition. You should also assess the time window in which you must purchase insurance to receive coverage for pre-existing conditions. If you've already waited a week before purchasing, you may already be ineligible for a waiver with certain companies.
You can contact individual companies for quotes or work with a travel insurance comparison site like TravelInsurance.com, SquareMouth, or InsureMyTrip. Comparison sites allow you to review multiple quotes at once. You can usually filter results based on companies that offer pre-existing medical condition waivers.
Regardless of which company you choose, it's important to understand the policies regarding pre-existing conditions and adhere to the requirements.
Purchasing travel insurance with pre-existing conditions
With a pre-existing medical condition waiver, you disclose your medical conditions to your insurance provider and ensure that the condition does not impact your ability to file a claim. If you have a waiver, you can even bypass the look-back period.
The waivers are set up through the travel insurance company and should not impact the cost of your policy.
Application process and documentation
You must meet the following criteria to qualify for a pre-existing medical condition waiver:
- Stable medical condition: Conditions are stable if you do not need additional treatment, medication, or diagnoses. You also need a letter from your doctor tho confirm that you are medically fit to travel on the day of your trip.
- Get coverage within a certain timeframe: You typically need to establish coverage shortly after you make your first payment towards the trip, but timelines vary by provider.
- Coverage must equal nonrefundable costs: If there are nonrefundable parts of your trip, your travel insurance coverage must equal or exceed that amount.
For example, if you were diagnosed with high blood pressure a few years ago, but the condition has been stable since — your medication manages the symptoms, and you have not needed additional medical support — then you likely qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver.
Pre-existing conditions and travel insurance FAQ
What pre-existing conditions are not covered by travel insurance?
Some companies do not provide coverage if you have certain health conditions, such as depression, dementia, or Alzheimer's disease, but it varies based on the provider. The coverage details of your policy depend on the plan you select. But comprehensive travel insurance usually covers baggage delays, trip cancellations, and emergency medical care.
Will my pre-existing condition automatically disqualify me from getting travel insurance?
No, many of the best travel insurance companies offer pre-existing condition waivers, so you can get coverage with a pre-existing condition as long as you buy ahead of time.
Can you be denied travel insurance if you have a pre-existing condition?
A company can deny your travel insurance claim based on what it discovers in the look-back period if you do not have a pre-existing condition waiver.
Can I get travel insurance for a pre-existing condition at the last minute?
Obtaining travel insurance for a pre-existing condition at the last minute is unlikely, as most insurers require purchasing the policy within a set time frame from your initial trip deposit.
How do I disclose my pre-existing condition when applying for travel insurance?
Disclose your pre-existing condition during the application process by providing detailed and accurate medical information as required by the insurer.
Freelance Writer
Taylor Milam is a California-based personal finance writer and educator who recently paid off $14,000 of student loans in less than a year. She's passionate about helping people take control of their finances and create a life they love. When she's not researching financial terms and conditions, she can be found reading on the beach or hiking with her dog.
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