Travel Insurance for pre-existing medical conditions
Travel insurance policies provide cover for unexpected illnesses or injuries overseas, as well as limited cover for medical conditions you may already be aware of at the time you purchase the policy. These are considered Pre-Existing Medical Conditions.
Having a Pre-Existing Medical Condition doesn’t mean you can’t get travel insurance.
In fact, it may be even more important to make sure you do have travel insurance that will cover your Pre-Existing Conditions, so you'll have adequate cover for related expenses if you unexpectedly get sick or injured during your trip.
Do I have a Pre-Existing Medical Condition?
It's important to think about your medical history for your entire life.
Even if your condition is something that was treated many years ago, or is an ongoing condition you've had for a long time, or is being managed by prescription medication, it's important to understand how it may affect your travel insurance cover.
For the purposes of travel insurance, a Pre-Existing Medical Condition means any medical or dental condition that you have, or have had before you bought your policy, or in the case of our Frequent Traveller Saver policies, the time at which any part of the trip is paid for.
A Pre-Existing Medical condition is defined as any of the following criteria at the time of purchase:
- Where investigation, tests, treatment, surgery, medical consultation and/or advice has been obtained (whether or not a formal diagnosis has been made);
- Where drugs or other treatment has been prescribed;
- Any chronic or ongoing medical condition; or
- Any complications arising from such conditions referred to above whether direct or indirect. or
- Pregnancy.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions can also include dental problems, mental health conditions, back problems and arthritis.
How do I get cover for my Pre-Existing Medical Conditions?
We've made buying travel insurance as fast and simple as possible by eliminating the need to fill out a medical assessment.
Fast Cover provides cover for the following 43 Pre-Existing Medical Conditions, as long as you have not been hospitalised (including day surgery or emergency department attendance) for your condition in the past 24 months and your medications for that condition have remained unchanged for the past 6 months.
If you do have one of the following Pre-Existing Medical Conditions, you can head overseas with the peace of mind knowing that your unexpected medical costs, repatriation expenses, and hospital fees are covered should your condition require you to seek medical help while on holiday.
What Pre-Existing Medical Conditions are covered by travel insurance?