How To Get Pre-Existing Conditions Covered By Travel Insurance (2024)

Travel insurance companies may deny medical-related claims if you have a pre-existing condition. But a feature called “pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver” can ensure you are covered for problems with pre-existing conditions during your trip.

What Is a Pre-Existing Condition for Travel Insurance?

A pre-existing condition for travel insurance refers to an injury, illness or medical condition that prompted you to seek treatment, experience symptoms or take medication before buying the travel insurance policy, according to Allianz Travel.

Travel insurance companies normally exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage. These conditions rank among the most frequent reasons for denial of travel insurance claims.

A pre-existing condition waiver means a travel insurance company can’t examine your recent medical records when it’s reviewing a medical claim.

To determine what qualifies as a pre-existing condition, a travel insurance company looks back 60 to 180 days before the day the policy was purchased, says Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison provider. If you had any changes in your medical status during that period, such as a new diagnosis, a decline in health or the addition of new prescription medication, the condition will be considered pre-existing.

Allianz Travel notes that you don’t need an official diagnosis from a health care professional to have something designated a pre-existing condition for travel insurance purposes.

How to Get a Waiver for a Pre-Existing Condition

You can generally get a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver only within 14 to 21 days of making your initial deposit for a trip and only if you insure the full nonrefundable costs of the trip. So it’s really best to buy your travel insurance immediately after booking your trip, and sure the policy includes the exclusion waiver. There is typically no extra cost for the waiver.

If you meet the eligibility requirements for a waiver, such as being “medically able” to travel when your policy is purchased, the insurance company won’t charge extra for a waiver. And most travel insurance policies don’t impose an age limit for getting the exclusion waiver.

Common claims tied to pre-existing conditions include emergency medical care, emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellation and trip interruption.

Here are three possible scenarios where a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver could be used:

1. You have pre-existing arthritis that brings a halt to your trip plans.
2. You suffer a mild heart attack while on your trip after being diagnosed with coronary artery disease.
3. You experience a flare-up of pre-existing lupus while you’re on a cruise.

Without a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver, a travel insurance company won’t pay for medical bills or claims related to your recent medical history. With the exclusion waiver, a travel insurance company can’t examine your recent medical records when it’s reviewing a medical-related claim.

Related: Travel Insurance Considerations For Those With Disabilities

What Documents Are Needed for a Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Waiver?

The specific documents you need may vary by travel insurance company, but you will likely need to provide a letter from your physician saying you’re medically OK to travel to get a waiver. Note that you usually must be OK to travel on the day you purchased your travel insurance policy. For example, a doctor’s note saying you are expected to be well enough to travel by the time of your trip may not qualify.

Pre-Existing Conditions Not Eligible for a Waiver

Even with a waiver, some conditions likely won’t be covered by travel insurance, such as:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Anxiety
• Complication-free pregnancy or childbirth
• Dementia
• Depression
• Illness or injury related to alcohol or drug abuse

Some high-dollar trips (perhaps $50,000 or more) also may be ineligible for pre-existing condition waivers.

Be sure to carefully read your travel insurance policy to see what’s covered and what’s not when it comes to pre-existing conditions, or ask your travel insurance agent for help. Also, be aware of the policy’s limits for travel medical insurance and medical evacuation coverage, to avoid any surprises.

Qualifying for a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver

Travel insurance companies have limitations on what’s covered by pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers, and you also must meet some criteria to get one.

Amount of Trip Cost You Insure

You usually must insure 100% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs to qualify for a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver.

Health

You may not be eligible for a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver for travel insurance depending on your health. That may include a severe medical condition that isn’t under control. Travel insurance policies also often exclude coverage for people with Alzheimer’s disease and mental health conditions like bipolar disorder.

Time of Purchase

Travel insurance companies usually require that you buy a travel insurance policy within a certain period after making your first trip deposit in order to qualify for a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver. For example, some travel insurance companies require you to buy a policy within 14 days of making your first deposit if you want the exclusion waiver.

Which Travel Insurance Companies Offer Pre-Existing Medical Condition Waivers?

Many travel insurance companies offer pre-existing medical condition waivers, but not always on every travel insurance policy they sell. A travel insurance agent can help you identify the policies that have the coverage you want and that offer the exclusion waiver.

Travel insurance companies that offer pre-existing medical conditions waivers on some policies include:

• AIG
• Allianz Travel
• AXA Alliance USA
• Cat 70
• Generali Global Assistance
• GeoBlue
• GoReady
• HTH Worldwide
• ITravelInsured
• Nationwide
• Seven Corners
• Tin Leg
• Travelex Insurance
• TravelSafe
• Trawick International
• USI Affinity
• World Nomads
• WorldTrips

Waiver specifics can vary by company, so make sure to dig into the fine print to understand any exclusions and limits.