How Do You Get Travel Insurance To Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?

An illness or a medical condition that existed before the effective date of a travel policy is termed as a pre-existing condition. Coverages for such illnesses are included in the travel protection plans as long as the conditions of the insurance provider are fulfilled. In some travel insurance policies, medical costs incurred by the pre-existing conditions are waived off.


Some of the typical pre-existing medical conditions that are covered include asthma, high cholesterol, cataracts, osteoporosis, hernia, diabetes, congenital blindness and/or deafness and high blood pressure. However, conditions like lung disease, heart problems like coronary angiography, stroke and epilepsy require filing of an assessment form before decision can be taken to grant or decline a cover. On the other side, there are also conditions that are usually not covered in the insurance policy. These include cancer, chronic lung disease, terminal illness, cardiovascular disease and mental illness.

Pre-existing medical conditions include either or all of the following scenarios: (a) medical conditions that the person traveling is aware of  (b) the person is undergoing treatment or had treatment in the past  (c) in which regular medications are taken or  (d) the person has undergone a surgery in the past or is now planning to.

Insurance companies mostly provide coverage on travel insurance plans with a pre-existing medical condition if the person’s condition is stable. Different policy holders may vary in their conditions, but most importantly, having a ‘stable condition’ implies that:-
Besides adhering to a stable medical condition, a person should also comply with a ‘look back period’. The look back period is the time duration, prior to a person’s effective date of travel policy that needs to be reviewed by the insurance company to check for pre-existing conditions in case a claim for the same has been filed. Being medically stable during the look back period is considered a pre-existing condition. In case the look back period exceeds the time prescribed by the insurance company, the claim gets rejected. The look back period would vary for every insurer; it is usually between 60 to 180 days.

In some cases where the policy is purchased within a stipulated time frame of 10-30 days of making the initial trip payment, insurers are likely for the pre-existing conditions waiver to be provided as a benefit. Some of the best travel insurance policy online do not require additional paperwork or fee.

It is extremely important to have a clear understanding of your pre-existing conditions and waivers before you buy travel insurance policy online. The travel insurance provider should be well informed about any prevailing medical conditions you have to save yourself from a huge medical bill while opting for a claim. Your travel insurance company can decide to investigate your medical history up to the time duration stated in your policy and determine if the incident is associated with a pre-existing condition,. They can deny your claim if it is found that claim is being filed is for something related to a pre-existing condition not mentioned by you.

Understanding your medical history is important as pre-existing conditions vary with every insurance provider. It is advisable to compare before you buy travel insurance online. Use online aggregator Paybima to study the clauses and coverage as soon as you pay your initial trip deposit.

Also Read :- A Guide to Making Overseas Travel Insurance Claims

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