Travel Insurance for pre-existing conditions

It’s no secret that pre-existing medical conditions often make travelling the world slightly tricky. Yet the benefits of new experiences, delicious food and unforgettable sights are far too alluring to give up forever. Fortunately, our travel insurance for pre-existing conditions may help make your journey less stressful.

This is because we automatically support a range of medical conditions across our travel insurance policies subject to meeting the criteria outlined in the PDS. Plus, we may be able to provide cover for other health concerns for an additional premium. Submit an online medical assessment when requesting a quote to see if we can provide coverage for your needs.

For more information, please see the combined FSG/PDS (PDF 696kb) for pre-existing medical condition definitions and any exclusions or conditions that may apply. You can always call us on 1300 728 015 if you're still unsure—our friendly customer service team is ready to discuss your needs free of charge.

Why you need to disclose existing medical conditions

Even if you have good control over your health, disclosing pre-existing health conditions is crucial for maintaining your travel insurance coverage to help avoid issues with potential future claims for medical treatment. As nearly a third of all international insurance claims are associated with medical or dental issues, it’s good to do do all you can to avoid unnecessary risks.

Discover our automatically covered conditions

We automatically provide travel insurance coverage for numerous pre-existing medical conditions subject to the criteria outlined in the PDS, with the following examples just some of those included in our policies. Keep in mind that you may not be covered if you’re travelling against medical advice. Read the combined FSG/PDS (PDF 696kb) for more information and restrictions.

• Acne
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Gout
• Migraine
• Plantar fasciitis
  

Completing an online medical assessment

For pre-existing medical conditions that aren't automatically covered or that don’t meet the criteria for automatic cover, getting travel insurance cover might still be possible. However, you’ll need to complete our online medical assessment so we can determine the risk.

What you need to complete your online medical assessment

When you request a quote for travel insurance, you’ll be asked to submit an online medical assessment. If you have an existing medical condition, whether it’s a chronic condition or otherwise, you’ll need sufficient knowledge about your health to make a full declaration.

You might need to contact your doctor or medical practitioner to ensure you submit the most accurate name for your medical condition and medications. You must also disclose if you have multiple pre-existing health concerns. Failing to do so could jeopardise any claims.

After we decide on the outcome of your online medical assessment, you may need to pay an extra premium to secure your coverage. We’ll provide an approval number for this cover listed on your Certificate of Insurance.

We may also determine special conditions or restrictions based on your medical condition, age, trip and duration. This information is also included on your Certificate of Insurance.

Purchasing travel insurance when pregnant

It’s important to consider your needs when looking to purchase travel cover while pregnant. If your pregnancy doesn’t meet the criteria in the PDS for automatic cover, you’ll need to submit an online medical assessment when requesting a quote. Once we have assessed your pregnancy, it may help you make the right decisions for your travel plans.

Information you need to know

Always disclose accurate information about your medical history to maintain your cover if you need to make a claim. This includes details that disclose whether:

• you've had complications with this or any previous pregnancy
• you have a multiple pregnancy (e.g. twins or triplets)
• the conception was medically assisted (e.g. using assisted fertility treatment)

However, it’s important to note what we can’t cover:

• Childbirth is not covered
• Costs relating to the health or care of a newborn child are not covered, irrespective of the stage of pregnancy when the child is born

Cover is only provided for serious, unexpected pregnancy complications that occur up until the 24th week of pregnancy i.e. up to 23 weeks, 6 days. Gestational age is measured in weeks and days and is calculated from the last known date of your menstrual period or calculated from staging ultrasound.

If travelling after the twentieth week of your pregnancy, carefully consider your travel plans, as overseas childbirth and neonatal care can be expensive.

Understanding travel insurance and COVID-19

International travel might be back on the agenda, yet the risk of COVID-19 remains significant in Australia and around the globe. Our travel insurance can provide cover if you become sick and require hospitalisation.

Get to know our COVID-19 policies

We can provide unlimited¹ coverage for overseas travellers diagnosed with COVID-19 by a qualified medical practitioner during the period of insurance.

However, this cover doesn’t include destinations subject to “Do Not Travel” advice on Smartraveller.gov.au when you enter the country if one of the reasons for the travel advice is COVID-19.

We can also cover additional expenses, such as room rates and transport costs, if you're hospitalised or declared unfit to travel due to COVID-19.

Ready for an adventure? Get a quote to explore the world with travel insurance even with pre-existing conditions. For a full list of cover provided and more information, please read our combined FSG/PDS (PDF 696kb).