cruise insurance for pre existing medical conditions

Cruise travel insurance: What it covers and why you need it

What does cruise travel insurance cover? And does it pay to buy cruise travel insurance?

The answer is not always clear-cut, as we'll discuss in this guide. But consider this: It's not always smooth seas when it comes to cruising. Even the best-laid plans for a cruise vacation can sometimes be thrown off course by an unexpected event.

You might need to cancel a cruise in advance due to the sudden onset of an illness, such as COVID-19 or the flu. Or, maybe you fall ill during the cruise and need emergency medical attention. Maybe your flight to your ship gets canceled, and you miss the vessel's departure. Or your ship is late arriving in port at the end of a voyage, and you miss your flight home.

In all of these situations, you might benefit from having cruise travel insurance — keyword "might."

Cruise insurance policies vary widely, and not every policy covers every type of mishap. That's why it always pays to read the fine print in a travel insurance policy before you purchase it to know what you're getting in advance.

It's also why you should read this introduction to everything you need to know about cruise insurance. It has many details, but the next time something unexpected happens on your cruise vacation, you'll be glad to be educated and covered by a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

What does travel insurance cover when you cruise?

The typical cruise insurance policy covers a wide range of circumstances that can go wrong in conjunction with a vacation at sea — both before and during the sailing.

For starters, policies often will reimburse you for the cost of canceling a cruise due to a last-minute crisis. They will also often cover costs related to an interruption of a cruise (maybe your ship breaks down, requiring you to fly home mid-voyage ). These two elements are known as trip-cancellation and trip-interruption insurance, and they are bundled into a typical travel insurance policy.

Some policies will also cover out-of-pocket costs related to a flight delay or cancellation that results in you missing your cruise departure (for instance, the cost of catching up to the ship at its next port). Expenses related to baggage delays and loss are often covered as well.

But perhaps most importantly, many travel insurance policies will cover medical expenses you incur while on a cruise. Some will even cover the cost of evacuating from a foreign destination if you are in the midst of a medical crisis.

Travel insurance giant Allianz Global Assistance reports that 53% of all cruise-related "billing reasons" for claims are because of illness for the insured person, while 14% are for an injury. Another 8% are for the illness of a family member, 4% for the death of a family member and 4% for the illness of a traveling companion, among other reasons.

Those percentages include illness and accidents that happen to cruisers just before a trip, making travel impossible. But, in many cases, such claims result from illness and injuries that occur during voyages.

"People often take risks during vacation that they might not take back home, whether riding a jet ski, zipping around on a motorized scooter in a city they don't know well or hiking unfamiliar terrain," James Page, senior vice president and chief administration officer of AIG Travel, told TPG .

Some policies also cover the financial default of a travel provider. In such cases, if your cruise line goes out of business before you sail, you could get all — or at least some — of your money back.

Cruise travel insurance policies don't cover everything. For instance, standard travel insurers generally will not reimburse you for the cost of a cruise you cancel due to worries about an outbreak of an illness. That's true even if a U.S. government agency such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues a recommendation that you don't cruise due to an illness outbreak, as it did during the COVID-19 pandemic .

If you want the ultimate flexibility to cancel for such a reason or any other, you'll want to look into a more expensive cancel for any reason travel insurance upgrade.

Related: Avoiding outbreaks isn't covered by most travel insurance policies

Where to find a cruise travel insurance policy

You can buy a travel insurance policy directly from your cruise line when booking your trip or through your travel agent (if you're using one, which often is a good idea when booking a cruise). You also can go directly to a third-party travel insurance provider or a travel-insurance aggregator site, such as InsureMyTrip or TravelInsurance . Your credit card might even give you some travel protections.

Here's what you need to know about each type of cruise travel insurance.

Third-party insurance companies

Third-party insurance companies that specialize in writing travel insurance include AIG Travel, Allianz Travel Insurance, Travelex Insurance and American Express Travel Insurance.

One reason to use a travel agent or a travel aggregator: They can help you find a policy that offers added coverage specific to cruising.

Related: The Points Guy's guide to the best travel insurance companies

"Many plans now offer benefits that will specifically appeal to cruise travelers, such as missed connection, missed port-of-call and cruise disablement coverage," Stan Sandberg, cofounder of TravelInsurance.com, said.

Missed connection coverage reimburses cruisers for a set dollar amount if they need to rebook travel to catch up with their cruise at the next port. Missed port-of-call coverage pays a benefit if the cruise ship misses a scheduled port of call due to weather, a natural disaster or a mechanical breakdown.

Cruise disablement coverage pays a benefit if the traveler is confined on a ship for more than five hours without power, food, water or restrooms.

As noted, policies vary widely. It's a good idea to compare plans and make sure the one you buy has the elements that are most important to you. One size doesn't fit all.

Credit cards with travel benefits

Some premium credit cards offer valuable travel protections comparable to what you might get from a standard travel insurance plan. For example, the travel insurance provided when you pay for travel with select cards can reimburse you for expenses if your baggage is damaged, you're stranded overnight due to a flight delay or cancellation, or you have to return home to handle a family medical emergency.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card, for example, offers trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, emergency medical coverage and even medical evacuation coverage , among other benefits. And yes, cruise lines are considered common carriers just like airlines.

If you're planning to rely on a card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or The Platinum Card® from American Express * (among others) for travel insurance, just be sure to recheck your card's benefits and limits carefully against regular travel insurance. You must pay for at least part — and sometimes all — of the trip with that credit card to take advantage of its protections.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises

Find out if your credit card protection includes travel accident insurance or covers preexisting medical conditions, and figure out when it will pay you back. Other questions to ask: What are the coverage limits? Will you have to pay for a foreign hospital bill upfront and then seek reimbursement later?

Cruise lines

Cruise lines often ask consumers booking a cruise to buy the line's own protection at the time of purchase. If specifics about the coverage are lacking, always ask the line for details in advance, review coverage perks and limits; then, compare those to one or two independent travel insurance policies or your credit card's insurance benefits.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Cruise line travel insurance policies sometimes have quirks. Many cruise companies will only offer a travel voucher or credit for future use in the event of a covered cancellation, not an outright refund.

Also, financial default may not be a covered event in a cruise line-sold policy, but it's typically covered with plans from third-party travel insurance companies.

Cruise line policies also can be more restrictive.

"Cruise line insurance seems to have become better and has more widespread coverage than in the past, but it typically won't cover air or pre- and post-travel [arrangements] unless those elements are purchased through [the line]," said Debra Kerper, a Cruise Planners travel adviser from Carrollton, Texas, who books travel and sells private insurance. "This is when private insurance coverage becomes so very important."

How much does cruise insurance cost?

Expect to pay anywhere from 4% to 8% of your total prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses for a travel insurance policy. That's a wide range, we know, but it reflects the wide range of products out there.

You'll also find some basic plans that cost even less than 4% of your trip expenses, while some super-premium plans that cover just about any conceivable issue can cost as much as 12% of your trip expenses.

Related: What's included in your cruise fare?

All reputable insurance companies will offer a "free-look period" during which you can receive a 100% refund on your premium. This allows you to review the policy you've selected and return it for any reason within the period allotted — usually for a small administration fee of less than $10.

Under normal circumstances, you don't need to purchase a so-called "cancel for any reason" add-on to your cruise travel insurance policy unless you really need the flexibility. The upgrades are significantly more expensive.

You can receive a quote and purchase a policy online in minutes with any credit card. Although you may think travel insurance should code as "travel" when paid on a credit card and thus be eligible for bonus points on certain cards, that isn't always the case. Your points earnings will depend on the individual underwriter's merchant code. When in doubt, expect the purchase to fall under the insurance category for earnings.

Should I buy travel insurance for a cruise?

Whether you buy travel insurance is a personal decision that will depend on many factors. Would you be willing to absorb the loss of canceling a cruise on short notice due to an illness or accident? Could you afford an evacuation flight from a far-off port if you suddenly became seriously ill? Only you can answer those sorts of questions.

Here are some things to consider as you make that decision.

You might not be covered by regular medical insurance while cruising

If you're a U.S. citizen traveling internationally (which will be the case for most cruises), you may find that most private medical insurance plans in the U.S. won't cover you.

Additionally, Original Medicare only covers people traveling outside U.S. borders in limited circumstances.

While certain Medicare Supplement Plans do have some foreign emergency medical benefits, not all do. Be sure to talk to your Medical Supplemental Plan provider to see if you're covered, what's covered, what the limits are and how the bill is paid.

Also note that, in some countries (particularly those in Central and South America), travelers may not be discharged from a hospital until their bill is paid in full.

Related: Trip wrecked: 7 ways to prepare for any kind of travel disaster

Plus, if you have a medical incident overseas, you could find yourself stuck in a shared hospital room without air conditioning or a private bathroom. The level of care may not be what you expect.

"For people traveling internationally, it's crucial to know beforehand where to go for any treatment … and how they're going to pay for that treatment," Page said.

Getting evacuated for a medical condition is expensive

Most airlines won't accept seriously ill passengers, those carrying bulky medical equipment or those requiring a full medical team.

Even a low-cost weekend getaway on a cruise to the Bahamas out of Miami can turn costly if you suffer a serious accident or illness requiring medical treatment or an emergency medical evacuation.

Related: Do cruise ships have doctors, nurses, medical centers or hospitals?

Being flown back to the U.S. from a far-flung overseas location in a private, medically equipped aircraft, with a professional medical team on board, can run between $70,000 and $180,000, according to Mike Hallman, president and CEO of Medjet, a medical transport membership company.

"Domestic transports, which we cover as well, can cost upwards of $30,000," Hallman said.

Without proof of medical evacuation coverage, foreign providers will also want that money upfront. Hallman said that regular travel insurance will typically get you to an acceptable overseas hospital and even to a higher-level care facility if "medically necessary." Alternatively, medical evacuation coverage means you can fly home to your own hospital, doctors and family — without claim forms, cost caps on transports or surprise bills.

The tandem approach — buying both travel insurance and a separate medevac transport membership — is a good option, Hallman said.

"We always recommend travel insurance, as it covers trip interruption, which is important, as well as medical coverage for the hospital and treatment costs," he said. "We pick up where they leave off."

You can't predict the weather

Cruising is a great way to explore multiple destinations in one trip. But it's good to remember that unexpected delays, interruptions or cancellations due to weather can happen during cruises, particularly during hurricane seasons in places such as the Caribbean and Asia (where hurricanes are called typhoons).

During a typical hurricane season (June 1 to Nov. 30), Allianz pays about 6,000 claims from customers whose travel plans in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and southeastern U.S. are affected by the storms, according to a spokesperson for Allianz Global Assistance USA.

If you're hoping to insure against a storm-related disaster, it's good to buy travel insurance as early as possible. Once a storm or hurricane is named, it's too late to buy travel insurance to cover it.

Of course, cruise lines will move ships away from a weather threat. When the port lineup is adjusted or the cruise shortened, the company will offer the guest an onboard credit, onboard gift or future cruise credit rather than any refund. It depends on the circumstances of that specific voyage. You won't be able to make a claim on your cruise travel insurance policy just for a minor itinerary change .

Related: Everything you need to know about cruising during hurricane season

Costs can mount quickly when things go wrong

Even if the cruise line does provide a full or partial refund or cruise credit for an itinerary change or some other interruption, travelers could have to swallow the cost of other travel elements not purchased through the line. That could include nonrefundable flights , prepaid resort or hotel nights, nonrefundable tour fees and more.

Travel insurance can cover those, plus help with flight delays or cancellations, baggage loss or theft.

If a winter storm causes you to miss your flight to where the ship is boarding , "travel insurance could help you get to the next port to join the cruise, so you don't miss your entire trip," Page said.

In fact, 13% of "billing reasons" for claims to Allianz are for common carrier delays (such as a flight delay), while weather and natural disaster-related claims account for about 3%.

The government probably won't bail you out

While cruise ships have medical facilities, they're usually not equipped to treat serious illnesses. If you experience a serious medical problem on a vessel, you may have to get off the ship in a foreign port to seek treatment at a hospital. In such a case, if you don't have medical evacuation insurance, you may then find yourself stranded in that port awaiting a medical evacuation.

Don't expect Uncle Sam to step in and help foot the bill.

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs clearly states the importance of buying travel insurance.

"The U.S. government does not provide medical insurance for U.S. citizens overseas," the bureau says on the website. "We do not pay medical bills. You should purchase insurance before you travel."

You may need more assistance than you think

If you're injured or become severely ill during a cruise, especially in a foreign country, it may be difficult to access help without the assistance of trained professionals that comes with many insurance plans.

Many travel insurance companies provide around-the-clock assistance with locating overseas clinics and pharmacies, getting to a doctor or hospital, refilling lost or depleted prescriptions, assisting with up-front payments to hospitals, and arranging flight changes so you can get home.

Travel insurance companies also can arrange for an air ambulance, a nurse escort, oxygen and a lie-flat seat on a flight home if your medical condition warrants it.

You want to be careful if you have preexisting conditions

When you cruise, it's important to be fully covered, which means having comprehensive medical coverage that includes any preexisting conditions. Otherwise, if you head into a doctor's office overseas, have any tests completed, or visit an urgent care center or emergency room, you might not be covered.

Here, timing is extremely important. Cruisers seeking coverage of preexisting conditions, as well as cancel for any reason insurance, generally must book within seven to 21 days of the first payment they make for a trip. The timing varies by insurer.

Bottom line

Cruise insurance isn't for every traveler — or even for every sailing. It's not inexpensive. However, it can bring a lot of peace of mind if you're about to head out to sea. Do your homework, compare plans and always assess the risks.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

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Table of Contents

What to look for in cruise insurance

Factors we considered when picking the best cruise insurance companies, an overview of the best cruise insurance, best cruise insurance options, more resources for cruise travel insurance shoppers.

Cruising is back, but many travelers are still reluctant to board ships alongside thousands of other travelers. Cruise insurance has you covered if:

You need to be reimbursed for canceling your trip.

Your flight to the port gets delayed.

You need to pay for medical care if you get sick on board.

You need to fly home in case of an emergency.

Of course, there's much more than just this list that cruise insurance can cover.

No matter the reason you might be looking for coverage, here are some of the best cruise insurance companies available to help bring you peace of mind on your next experience at sea:

World Nomads .

Berkshire Hathaway .

Travelex Insurance Services .

Travel Guard by AIG .

When shopping for cruise insurance, make sure to look for coverage that offers the following:

Trip delay and cancellation.

Medical expenses, including emergency evacuation.

The option to cancel for any reason (including COVID-19).

Adventure activities if you’re planning certain onshore excursions.

Cruise insurance isn’t much different than traditional travel insurance. Any good travel insurance should cover cruises in addition to travel by air or car.

After our analysis, we've determined these are some of the best cruise insurance options available.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

We used the following factors to choose top insurance providers to highlight:

Specifics of coverage: Including what coverage plans include and whether they offer useful coverage and benefits for cruises specifically.

Amount of coverage: Including the maximum payouts for trip cancellation and trip interruption claims.

Cost: We compared prices to determine average costs across basic plans.

Customizability: We checked to see if policies allow users to customize options to suit their specific needs.

» Learn more: The guide to cruise travel insurance

We searched for quotes from several companies for a seven-day trip in February 2023 from the U.S. to Mexico. The traveler was 35 years old, from Georgia, and planned to spend $2,500 total on the whole trip, including airfare.

The average price of each company’s most basic coverage plan was $124. These policies didn't include optional add-ons, such as Cancel for Any Reason coverage or coverage for pre-existing medical conditions .

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

Here’s a closer look at our five recommendations for cruise insurance and what makes them unique.

Allianz Global Assistance

What makes allianz global assistance a top choice for cruise insurance:.

Multiple policies are available for international and domestic travel.

Plans offer trip cancellation and interruption coverage for COVID-19.

Offers emergency medical and transportation.

For our test trip, Allianz Global Assistance’s basic plan cost $106, slightly below average.

World Nomads

What makes world nomads a top choice for cruise insurance:.

Adventure activities like mountain biking and scuba diving are covered, perfect for land-based experienced (though which sports are covered varies from plan to plan).

Offers comprehensive travel insurance plans for domestic and international travel.

Larger-than-average coverage for baggage loss and delays.

For our test trip, World Nomad’s basic plan cost $63, well below average. But the actual trip cost isn’t taken into consideration for trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

What makes berkshire hathaway travel protection a top choice for cruise insurance:.

A wide range of comprehensive plans cover cancellation, emergency medical and transportation coverage, and emergency travel assistance.

A cruise-specific plan includes some compensation for cruise disablement and the most emergency medical and evacuation coverage of any of these plans.

There are many plans available, including plans that cover adventure activities.

A Berkshire Hathaway WaveCare cruise-specific plan was $202, quite a bit more than average, but with the most medical evacuation coverage.

Travelex Insurance Services

What makes travelex insurance services a top choice for cruise insurance:.

Three comprehensive plans are available.

Kids-included pricing is available with the Travel Select plan.

There's an option to add accidental death and dismemberment coverage to the basic plan.

The Travel Basic plan from Travelex Insurance Services cost $116 for our sample trip; just below the average for plans listed here.

Travel Guard by AIG

What makes travel guard by aig a top choice for cruise insurance:.

Cancel For Any Reason coverage is available as an optional upgrade on two plans.

A pre-existing condition waiver is also available as an add-on.

Travel Guard by AIG offers a basic Essential plan for $133, just a little higher than average, but adding coverage may raise that price.

Bookmark these resources to help you make smart money moves as you shop for cruise travel insurance.

The best travel insurance companies.

The best credit cards for cruises .

What is travel insurance?

Is travel insurance worth getting?

10 credit cards that provide travel insurance .

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Here are the 5 best cruise insurance plans

Cruise insurance can cover many situations, but you need to shop around to find the best coverage..

A cruise is an ideal vacation for anyone who likes the all-inclusive concept , where you pay one price and have just about everything taken care of, from accommodations to meals and activities. But they also aren't always cheap and a lot of things can go wrong. You could have a flight delay that causes you to miss your departure or be unable to sail because of a sickness. In these situations, cruise insurance can reimburse you for prepaid and non-refundable expenses.

CNBC Select analyzed 19 cruise insurance companies and selected the best plans for various situations. (See  our methodology  for more information on how we chose the best cruise insurance plans.)

Best cruise insurance

• Best overall: Nationwide Travel Insurance
• Best for affordable coverage : AXA Travel Insurance
• Best for adventure excursions: World Nomads
• Best for pre-existing conditions: Seven Corners Travel Insurance
• Best for cancel-for-any-reason coverage: Travel Guard Travel Insurance

Best overall

Nationwide travel insurance.

The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote

Policy highlights

Nationwide's wide coverage for travel insurance allows many different types of travelers to find coverage that fits their needs. Three levels of cruise insurance coverage gives extra options to cruise passengers.

24/7 assistance available

• 10-day review period on cruise insurance policies to make sure the plan meets your needs (not available in NY or WA)
• Most basic cruise plan doesn't offer CFAR coverage

Who’s this for? Nationwide is a top choice for many travelers due to its variety of cruise-specific coverage. The insurer offers three three tiers of cruise insurance, but its standard Universal Cruise Plan should meet many needs.

Standout benefit: Nationwide's cruise-specific plans can cover things like emergency accidents, sicknesses, itinerary changes, mechanical breakdowns and other trip interruptions or on-ship disruptions. The company also offers a 10-day review period on its cruise policies (not available in NY or WA), giving you extra time to look over the policy and ensure it’s a good fit. 

[ Jump to more details ]

Best for affordable coverage

Axa assistance usa travel insurance.

AXA Assistance USA offers several travel insurance policies that include travel interruption, trip cancellation, and the option of cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage.

• Three tiers of plans available
• Highly rated for financial strength
• Cancel for any reason only available on highest-tier coverage

Who’s this for? Budget-conscious cruisers should consider AXA . In our research, AXA's Silver Plan stood out as the top budget plan for its mix of affordable premiums and essential coverage. CNBC Select also named AXA one of the best overall travel insurance providers .

Standout benefit: AXA's Silver Plan includes the standard coverage you need to protect yourself from delays and cancellations, as well as employment layoff coverage. This benefit reimburses you for prepaid and nonrefundable travel costs if you cancel because of involuntary layoff or you are terminated from your job. You only need to have been at your current employer for one continuous year to qualify, which is generous compared to other plans that require at least three continuous years of employment for this coverage — if it's even included at all.

Best for adventure excursions

World nomads travel insurance.

World Nomads offers travel insurance for all sorts of travelers, from families to solo adventure travelers. Policies are underwritten by Nationwide and offer strong coverage of emergency accident and illness situations, as well as emergency evacuation scenarios.

• Affordable coverage for many travelers
• Coverage for adventure activities like scuba diving, bungee jumping and more
• Lower trip cancellation limits than other travel insurance we reviewed

Who’s this for? World Nomads offers insurance underwritten by Nationwide , geared specifically toward thrill-seekers. The World Nomads Explorer Plan covers over 200 adventure activities and sports. With this plan, you can take part in just about any excursion without fear of negating your coverage .

Standout benefit: The World Nomads Explorer Plan covers baggage and personal items for loss, theft or damage for up to $3,000 and $1,500 per item. Sporting equipment is included in this coverage, so you can bring your golf clubs along on your cruise without worry.

Best for pre-existing conditions

Seven corners travel insurance.

Policies provide missed and delayed tour/cruise connection coverage. Cancel for any reason coverage and pre-existing conditions waiver are also available if you buy your plan within the specified time. ***CFAR and IFAR are subject to certain eligibility criteria and are not available in all states

• High coverage limits available
• Offers group insurance (10+ people)
• Covers Covid-19 illness
• Pre-existing conditions waiver not available for the Economy plan
• Cancel for any reason not available for the Economy plan

Who’s this for? Seven Corners offers a standard Trip Protection Economy plan and a more premium Trip Protection Elite plan. The Seven Corners Trip Protection Elite plan stands out for offering generous coverage limits and an add-on option for cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage, which both pair well with its pre-existing conditions waiver.

Standout benefit: This plan's pre-existing conditions waiver for medical coverage applies to plans purchased within 20 days of booking and paying your initial trip deposit. That's a generous window compared to some plans which can require you to purchase insurance within seven to 14 days. If you don't purchase your coverage within the waiver window, this plan only considers conditions existing within the previous 60 days, whereas other plans may look back up to 120 days.

Best for cancel for any reason coverage 

Travel guard® travel insurance.

Travel Guard offers a variety of plans to suit travel ranging from road trips to long cruises. For air travelers, Travel Guard can help assist with tracking baggage or covering lost or delayed baggage.

• A variety of plans are available to help cover different types of trips
• Not all products are available for purchase online

Who’s this for? AIG's Travel Guard Preferred plan comes with a wide range of coverages and a variety of useful add-ons for an extra fee such as pet coverage , wedding coverage and cancel for any reason coverage (CFAR).

Standout benefit: The optional CFAR insurance for this plan begins at 12:01 a.m. on the day after you pay for coverage and ends two days before departure (or when the travel is canceled). This benefit reimburses up to 50% of the trip cost (up to $25,000 maximum), which includes reimbursement for:

• 50% of change fees
• 50% of cancellation penalties for unused travel
• 50% of award travel redeposit fees

More on our top cruise insurance plans 

Nationwide universal cruise plan.

Nationwide's standard Universal Cruise Plan will be more than sufficient for many cruisers. It offers strong coverage for many different scenarios, but if you're seeking higher levels of coverage or are taking a long cruise, you can opt for the Choice Cruise Plan, or the Luxury Cruise Plan, which offers the highest level of benefits.

Trip cancellation and interruption

The full trip cost (100%) is covered for both cancellations and interruptions. This includes canceling because of a Covid-19 illness .

Covered delays of six hours or more (or at least three hours for missed connections) are eligible for reimbursement of:

• Up to $500 per day
• $500 maximum

Medical coverage and evacuation and repatriation

• $75,000 in emergency accident and sickness coverage
• $250,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage
• $750 in emergency dental treatment coverage

Pre-existing conditions

No coverage for pre-existing conditions that fall within 60 days of your policy's start date.

Notable perks

All of Nationwide's cruise plans, including the Universal Cruise Plan, include cancel for work reason coverage, meaning you may be covered if you need to cancel because of work-related issues, as well as coverage for extension of the school operating session. The Universal Cruise Plan also provides coverage for delayed and lost baggage, which begins to kick in after delays of eight hours or more, as well as coverage for trip delays of three hours or more for missed connections or other trip delays of six hours or more. You can also get reimbursed if your trip is canceled or interrupted because of terrorism (foreign or domestic) or financial default of the travel provider (14-day waiting period applies). Itinerary changes that cause you to miss a pre-paid excursion are covered by up to $250.

[ Return to summary ]

AXA Silver Plan

AXA offers three insurance plans, with the Silver Plan being the most affordable. The Gold Plan has most of the same types of coverage with higher reimbursement limits. Meanwhile, the Platinum Plan is for anyone who prefers premium benefits, such as cancel-for-any-reason coverage.

The full trip cost (100%) is covered for both cancellations and interruptions. This includes canceling because of a Covid-19 illness.

After a 12-hour delay or more, you're eligible for:

• Up to $100 per day
• Primary medical coverage of $25,000 per (covers Covid-19)
• Evacuation and repatriation coverage of $100,000 per person

No coverage for pre-existing conditions that fall within this policy's 60-day look-back period.

AXA's Silver Plan comes with coverage for delayed and lost baggage, including $200 per person for covered delays of 24 hours or more and $750 per person ($150 per item) for lost baggage and items. You can also get reimbursed if your trip is canceled or interrupted because of terrorism (foreign only) or financial default of the travel provider (10-day waiting period applies). If a hurricane or bad weather causes your travel provider to cease services for at least 48 hours, you can be reimbursed for up to the full trip cancellation/interruption coverage. Notably, you must purchase the coverage before a storm is named.

World Nomads Explorer Plan

The Explorer Plan is World Nomads' premium travel insurance plan and covers a longer list of activities than the Standard Plan. You can review the list of covered activities here and decide if the more affordable Standard Plan works for you.

Covered up to the trip cost with a $10,000 maximum.

Covered delays of six hours or more are eligible for reimbursement of:

• Up to $250 per day
• $3,000 maximum
• $100,000 in emergency accident and sickness coverage
• $500,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage

No coverage for pre-existing conditions that fall within 90 days of your policy's start date.

This plan includes $35,000 in rental car damage coverage (where it's valid) due to collision, theft or a natural disaster. And an accidental death and dismemberment benefit of $10,000. When your baggage is delayed for more than 12 hours, you can be reimbursed up to $150 a day ($750 maximum) for any necessary personal items you purchase.

Seven Corners Trip Protection Elite

The Seven Corners Trip Protection Elite plan has generous coverage limits for evacuation and repatriation and accident and sickness. Seven Corners Travel Insurance plans also cover Covid-related illnesses.

Trip cancellations are covered for 100% of the trip cost and interruptions are covered for 150% of the trip cost.

Trip delays of six hours or more can qualify for reimbursement of:

• Up to $300 per day
• $1,500 maximum
• $250,000 in emergency accident and sickness coverage
• $1,000,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage
• $750 in emergency dental coverage

Pre-existing conditions are covered if you purchase coverage within 20 days of making your initial trip deposit. If you don't qualify for the pre-existing conditions waiver, there is no emergency medical coverage for conditions existing within 60 days of your policy's start date.

This plan covers baggage delays of more than 12 hours for up to $600 and covers lost, damaged or stolen bags or personal items for up to $300 per item ($2,500 maximum). It also has missed cruise connection coverage of $150 per day for accommodations and meals ($1,500 maximum).

AIG Travel Guard Preferred

The CFAR coverage is available as an upgrade on Travel Guard's Preferred and Deluxe plans. If you don't need this optional upgrade, you could save money on your premium with Travel Guard's Essential plan.

Trip cancellations are covered for 100% of the trip cost (up to a max of $150,000) and trip interruptions are covered for 150% of the trip cost (up to a max of $225,000).

Trip delays of five hours or more can qualify for reimbursement of:

• Up to $200 per day
• $800 maximum
• $50,000 in emergency medical coverage
• $500 in emergency dental coverage

A pre-existing conditions waiver applies when you purchase coverage within 15 days of the initial trip deposit.

With this plan, you'll have coverage for lost, stolen or damaged baggage or travel documents for up to $1,000. You also receive baggage delay reimbursement for delays of more than 12 hours with a coverage limit of up to $250 per day ($300 maximum). If you miss a connection, you can be reimbursed up to $1,000 for unused prepaid or nonrefundable travel you missed and transportation expenses to rejoin your trip.

When should I buy insurance for a cruise?

It's usually best to purchase cruise insurance shortly after booking. This lets you take advantage of the protections sooner and qualify for certain benefits such as pre-existing condition waivers.

Is there a difference between travel insurance and cruise insurance?

Travel insurance typically covers cruises and other types of travel, whereas cruise insurance is designed to specifically protect you while cruising or getting to your cruise.

Does cruise insurance cover missed ports?

Cruise insurance may cover missed connections, but it's important to read your policy before you purchase it. Each policy has different limits on how much you'll be reimbursed and what exactly you'll be reimbursed for.

Bottom line

Cruise insurance plans protect you in all sorts of situations when something goes wrong while you're cruising. You can be covered for emergency medical expenses, trip delays, trip cancellations or interruptions and more. Shop around and compare providers to find the best cruise insurance policy for you.

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every cruise insurance   review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of travel insurance   products .  While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See  our methodology  for more information on how we choose the best cruise insurance plans.

Our methodology 

To determine the best cruise insurance plans,  CNBC Select  analyzed the offerings of 19 insurance companies and compared them based on various factors. These included the maximum coverage limits, optional coverages, types of coverage, premiums and what the policies cover. We also considered financial strength ratings from AM Best and Better Business Bureau ratings for customer satisfaction.

We based premium costs on a sample cruise with the following details (when applicable):

• 40-year-old male
• Living in New York, New York
• Sailing for seven days in April
• Total trip cost: $2,800
• Destination: Mexico
• Flying to the port of departure

Sample quotes assumed that payments were made on the date of quoting.

Note that the premiums and policy structures advertised for cruise insurance companies are subject to fluctuate in accordance with the company's policies.

Catch up on CNBC Select’s in-depth coverage of credit cards , banking and money , and follow us on TikTok , Facebook , Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

• What to do if you can't make your mortgage payments Kelsey Neubauer
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Understanding pre-existing conditions and travel insurance

Choosing the right insurance policy for pre-existing conditions, purchasing travel insurance with pre-existing conditions, pre-existing conditions and travel insurance faq, how to get travel insurance with pre-existing condition coverage.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

• 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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

Disclose your pre-existing condition during the application process by providing detailed and accurate medical information as required by the insurer.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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Travel Insurance

Medical travel insurance, seniors travel insurance, europe travel insurance, worldwide travel insurance, coronavirus travel insurance, cruise travel insurance.

• Unlimited medical emergency expenses¹
• Up to £10K cancellation cover
• 24/7 emergency medical helpline

Covered 27 million+ travellers

Trusted for 20+ years

24/7 emergency helpline

Whether you’re sailing on the seas or a river, we’ve designed our cruise travel insurance to keep you protected onboard and ashore. With no upper age limit and cover for pre-existing medical conditions, we cover potential issues that are specific  to cruise travel.

What is cruise travel insurance and do you need it?

Just as cruises provide a unique style of holiday, they can also potentially come with their own unique issues. For example, bad weather could mean missed excursions or, if you get particularly unwell on a cruise, it could cost tens of thousands of pounds to airlift you for medical treatment. That’s why our cruise travel insurance covers you for any cruise-specific issues you could encounter.

For example, cruise insurance means you’re financially protected for costs from:

• Missed departures. Traffic jams always happen when you need them least, but this shouldn’t hinder your holiday. Cruise insurance means we’ll compensate you if you miss your cruise departure.
• Cabin confinement for any reason. It’s tough enough being cooped up, let alone having to worry about the money you’ve already spent. Cruise cover means you’ll get some money back for every day you’re confined to your cabin. 
• Any money spent on unused excursions. If you miss an excursion for any reason, such as bad weather or illness, cruise cover means you’ll be compensated. 
• Flights back to the mainland in case of illness. A 2010 study found that more than 12% of injuries aboard cruise ships are reported as serious . If you suffer a serious injury, you want to make sure you are covered for medical transport to a hospital if needed
• Repatriation back to the UK. In extreme cases, you may need to be flown back to the UK for treatment, which can be costly. Cruise insurance policies will cover you for this.

Some cruise providers require you to have comprehensive travel insurance arranged to travel – just one more reason to make sure you’re fully covered.  To get cruise travel insurance, you’ll need to buy travel insurance and add the cruise cover option while you’re looking at the quote.

What does InsureandGo’s cruise travel insurance cover?

What’s covered.

• Cabin confinement : If you’re feeling a bit poorly and need to be confined to your cabin, make sure you confirm it with the ship’s medical officer so we can help with your compensation cover. We’ll pay £100 for each day you’re trapped inside, up to a limit of £1,000. If this confinement is due to a pre-existing illness you must have disclosed and discussed this with us before your cruise insurance purchase.
• Cruise interruption : If your cruise is interrupted because you need unexpected hospital treatment, we’ll cover up to £1,000 to help get you to the next port to rejoin the cruise and continue your holiday. Alternatively, our insurance for cruise holidays covers repatriation where necessary.
• Itinerary changes : If your cruise ship misses a port due to poor weather or timetable restrictions, our cruise insurance will cover you for up to £100 per port for up to 5 ports.
• Missed cruise ship on port : No one’s holiday deserves to be lost at sea! If you missed your cruise due to problems with public transport, experienced a vehicle breakdown or were affected by an accident-induced traffic jam en route to the port – we’ll cover up to £1,000 to get you to the next docking port point to meet your cruise.
• Unused excursions : If you missed out on some great activities or excursions that you’d booked and paid for before suddenly being taken ill and confined to your cabin, our cruise travel insurance will cover you up to £500.

(Note: The above is only available on our Silver, Gold and Black policies, and only when you pay the extra premium for cruise cover)

For more details on what you’re covered for, see our full cruise travel insurance policy breakdowns.

Anything else?

All our yearly holiday insurance policies include:

• Emergency medical expenses
• Cover for cancellation of your trip
• Personal belongings and baggage cover
• Personal money, passports and travel documents cover

The excess and amount of cover available varies depending on the level of travel insurance you buy. Make sure you have a look at our policy wording to see the full terms and conditions.

What’s not covered?

We aim to provide as much cover as we can on our policies. However, there are some situations no travel insurance will cover. For example:

• Events or reasons to claim which took place before you booked the trip or the insurance was purchased cannot be covered. Insurance exists to cover unexpected events outside of the insured’s control.
• Claims which are less than the excess for that section of cover. For example, you cannot claim a £40 lost item if your baggage excess is £60
• All of our cruise travel insurance policies include cover for cancellation of your trip, but there may be some exclusions. For example, you won’t be covered to cancel if you simply decide not to go.

Remember that to get cruise insurance, you need to book travel insurance and add cruise cover to that policy.

The best travel insurance for your cruise

Cruise insurance can be added to another type of travel insurance, and we have plenty of options to suit your holiday style. Wherever you’re travelling, and however long for, we’ll have a policy for you: 

• First time cruising? Simply add cruise cover to a single-trip insurance policy. Easy peasy. 
• Doing multiple holidays or cruises this year? It might work out better to get annual travel insurance and add cruise cover to that. 
• Enjoying later life? Cruise travel insurance can be added to plans that suit your needs better, whether that’s travel insurance for over 50s , or even travel insurance for over 80s .
• Have a pre-existing health condition? Make sure your medical travel insurance covers your cruise
• Cruising along multiple stops? Depending on your cruise destinations, you might need worldwide travel insurance or travel insurance for Europe .

Choose a cover level to suit your travel needs

Which destinations are covered by our cruise travel insurance.

Our travel insurance policies are based on the following four groupings:

• Europe (plus countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, plus Madeira and The Azores)*.
• Worldwide (except the USA , Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean).

*Europe includes: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores, Balearics, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia And Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madeira, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine.

If you’re already insured for a particular geographical group but want to make changes or add in new countries, we can always alter that for you. Just give us a ring, or send us an email .

How to buy travel insurance for cruises

We know your to-do list for your next trip can be a long one, so we make getting cruise insurance as simple as possible:

1. Let us know a little info

We need to know a bit about your cruise, who you want to cover and when you want the policy to start. We will also ask you for information regarding any pre-existing medical conditions so that we can ensure we provide you with the right level of cover. 

It’s quick and easy to give us this information, either online or by calling our team:

2. Get your quote

Once we have all the details we need, we will send you your quote. At this stage, you can go ahead and buy your policy, or save the quote for the future.

“Cruise cover is an absolute must-have for anyone taking a cruise because it covers for issues you might face, like a missed departure or being confined to your cabin. Regular travel insurance doesn’t cover these, so specific cruise cover is super important. Without it you won’t have any cover while on a cruise.” Russell Wallace – Travel insurance expert

Cruise travel insurance with pre-existing medical condition cover

We cover a wide range of medical conditions on our policies, including those with insurance for a cruise, and we will never refuse to cover a diagnosed pre-existing medical condition without prior consideration. 

We consider pre-existing medical conditions to be any illness or condition that has occurred before you take out an insurance policy, ranging from asthma to cancer . We can usually cover any medical conditions, often with no additional premium, and medical cover on your cruise holiday is no exception.

All you need to do is disclose your pre-existing condition during your quote, and we’ll sort the rest.

Frequently asked questions on cruise travel insurance

Why do i need special insurance for a cruise.

You need special insurance for cruises in case you run into any cruise-specific complications. These include things like cabin confinement if you are unwell, missed departures for any reason, and unused excursions, as well as typical holiday issues like delays or cancellations. 

Some normal travel insurance plans might cover some of these problems, like delays or cancellations, they won’t cover cabin confinement and might not cover repatriation.

Do you need travel insurance for a domestic cruise?

Whatever the destination of your cruise, you will need to add cruise cover to your travel insurance – even if it’s a cruise around the UK. Cruise travel insurance makes sure you’re fully covered and includes elements of cover that are specific to cruises, such as being airlifted to the mainland.

While typical UK travel insurance usually covers land-based holiday issues, they won’t cover many of the issues you could face on a domestic river or sea cruise holiday.

Can I buy travel insurance after booking a cruise?

Some travel operators may require you to buy your insurance at the same time as booking your cruise holiday. Others are more flexible as long as you purchase your cruise travel insurance before you set sail.

It is a good idea to check with your cruise provider before booking insurance. Some cruise providers have specific requirements for travel insurance, such as having a certain amount of medical and COVID-19 cover.

How much is cruise insurance?

Insurance for a cruise doesn’t have to be expensive. The price you pay will depend on where you’re going, how long for, and whether you have any medical conditions. Choose either a single-trip or annual multi-trip policy and you’ll be given the chance to add cruise travel insurance to your policy.

Will my EHIC or GHIC cards cover my cruise?

The GHIC, or EHIC as it was previously known, does not cover specific costs that you might encounter when on a cruise, and it does not cover repatriation costs either. 

Although the GHIC covers some of the medical costs when travelling in Europe, the UK Government website recommends that all UK travellers take out appropriate travel insurance when travelling abroad. It’s also important to note that the GHIC will not cover other cruise-specific issues, such as missing the departure or cabin confinement.

Does regular cruise insurance cover medical expenses?

Our cruise travel insurance covers emergency medical bills, as well as other complications, like delays, cancellations and missed departures. 

 Be sure to check the wording on your policy to find out exactly what is covered and what is not.

Who can buy an InsureandGo cruise insurance policy?

All our annual travel insurance policies are available to UK residents. This means:

• Someone who has been living in the UK or the Channel Islands for at least six of the last 12 months
• They must be in the UK at the time of buying
• All trips must start and end in the UK

Unfortunately, we can’t provide cover to anyone who doesn’t fit this description. 

Get a quote online or browse our policy documents for more information. To choose the right cruise travel insurance policy for you, get a quote online or read our policy documents for more information.

Frequently asked questions

If you’ve got more questions about how our cruise travel insurance works, or more general travel insurance queries, have a read through our FAQs .

Travel advice

Our travel advice section offers handy tips and guides to specific countries, from what documents you need to what you might visit while you’re there.

Travel insurance reviews

If you want to know what our customers think of us, and why they rate us so highly, have a read through some of the reviews they’ve left us.

• Unlimited emergency medical expenses available on Black level policies.
• Based on 2,050 responses, correct as of 22/01/2024

• Pre-Existing Condition

What is Pre-Existing Condition travel insurance?

Traveling with a pre-existing medical condition can be a costly and stressful endeavor. Pre-Existing Condition travel insurance is a type of coverage designed to provide protection to individuals traveling with a medical condition that existed before purchasing a policy.

Common examples of pre-existing medical conditions could include chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, or asthma, as well as previous injuries or surgeries.

Most standard travel insurance plans typically exclude pre-existing injuries and illnesses from coverage. However, many travel insurance companies offer plans that include a Pre-Existing Condition waiver that extends valuable medical coverage benefits for the duration of a traveler’s trip.

Pre-Existing Condition coverage is time-sensitive, meaning it is typically only available for 14-21 days after a traveler makes their initial trip deposit. Pricing, exclusions, lookback periods, and eligibility requirements can vary from one travel insurance provider to the next.

Under most travel insurance policies, pre-existing medical conditions are often excluded from coverage. However, qualifying travelers can opt for a plan that includes a Pre-Existing Condition Waiver which removes this exclusion from their policy.

With a Pre-Existing Condition Waiver, travelers with existing health conditions may be protected in the following ways:

• Medical Coverage: This includes coverage for medical treatment, hospital stays, and medication related to pre-existing conditions during the trip.
• Trip Cancellation: If the pre-existing condition worsens unexpectedly before a trip and results in a cancellation, this coverage can provide reimbursement for non-refundable trip costs.
• Trip Interruption: If a traveler experiences a flare up or medical emergency relating to their pre-existing medical condition during a trip, this coverage can provide reimbursement for any unused non-refundable costs.
• Emergency Medical Evacuation: If necessary, the policy may cover medical expenses relating to an emergency evacuation due to a pre-existing condition exacerbation if deemed necessary by an attending physician.

Not all travelers with a pre-existing medical condition qualify for travel insurance coverage.While eligibility requirements can vary from plan to the next, most travel insurance companies will consider the following:

Time of Purchase

If you want to buy travel insurance that covers a pre-existing medical condition, it’s best to act sooner rather than later. Pre-Existing Condition coverage is time-sensitive, and most plans require you to purchase a plan within 14-21 days after your initial trip payment.

For most travelers, their first trip deposit is typically airfare, a hotel reservation, or cruise booking. Waiting too long to purchase a policy could impact your eligibility.

Medical History

In order to qualify for a Pre-Existing Condition Waiver, your health must be stable at the time of your policy’s effective date. Your travel insurance provider may require a note from your doctor or other healthcare professional that indicates you clear to travel.

Many travel insurance providers also impose a lookback period, which is a time-frame that they can look back through your medical records to ensure your condition hasn’t worsened. This period can range between 60-180 days, depending on the policy.

In order to be eligible for Pre-Existing Condition coverage, you must insure 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs. This includes airfare, accommodations, tours, excursions, rental cars, and other bookings you may have made.

Before you purchase travel medical insurance, it’s important to note that a Pre-Existing Condition Waiver does not cover all pre-existing medical conditions. Even if you meet a policy’s eligibility requirements, most providers won’t offer coverage if you file a travel insurance claim for the following medical issues:

• Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
• Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions
• Alcohol or drug-related medical conditions

For specific exclusions, we recommend contacting your travel insurance provider directly or reading the fine print in your travel insurance policy’s details.

Please be aware that coverage and eligibility requirements for this benefit differ by policy. The tables below show the providers that offer Pre-Existing Condition coverage.

Looking for a policy with Pre-Existing Condition coverage?

Enter your trip information on our custom quote form . Once you receive your results, select the Pre-Existing Condition filter to find the best policy for your trip with the coverage that you need.

Pre-Existing Condition by Provider

• Travel Delay
• Hurricane & Weather
• Missed Connection
• Cancel For Any Reason
• Cancel for Covid-19 Sickness
• Trip Cancellation
• Trip Interruption
• Financial Default
• Employment Layoff
• Cancel For Medical Reasons
• Cancel For Work Reasons
• Interruption For Any Reason
• Medical Coverage for Covid-19
• Emergency Medical
• Co-Insurance
• Medical Deductible
• Home Country Coverage
• Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
• Non-Medical Evacuation
• Extension Of Coverage
• Baggage Delay
• Baggage & Personal Items Loss
• 24 Hour AD&D
• Flight Only AD&D
• Common Carrier AD&D
• Sports & Activities
• Sports Equipment Loss
• Sports Equipment Delay
• Sports Weather Loss
• Search & Rescue
• Sports Fees
• Rental Car Damage
• Money Back Guarantee
• 24 Hour Assistance Service
• Identity Theft
• Renewable Policy
• Maximum Trip Length
• Maximum Number of Trips
• Additional Benefits

Additional Information

• AM Best Ratings

• Travel Insurance

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How To Get Pre-Existing Conditions Covered By Travel Insurance

Updated: Oct 4, 2023, 7:04am

Table of Contents

What is a pre-existing condition for travel insurance, how to get coverage for a pre-existing condition, which travel insurance companies offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, pre-existing conditions not eligible for a coverage.

You’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe with your parents to celebrate their 40th anniversary. You know that travel insurance is important in case of a medical emergency, but you’re worried about getting coverage for your father because of his diabetes. You’ve been told that most standard travel insurance policies won’t offer coverage for this and other pre-existing medical conditions unless he meets certain requirements.

While your father’s diabetes is controlled, you know it’s risky to purchase a policy knowing his diabetes might not be covered if he requires treatment while travelling and you need to file a claim.

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Rest assured, there are options for travellers with pre-existing conditions to ensure they are eligible for reimbursement if they encounter health issues during your trip.

In general, a pre-existing condition is defined as any sickness, injury or medical condition that existed before the start of your coverage, whether or not diagnosed by a physician, that you showed signs or symptoms of or received medical attention for.

Each insurance company will have its own requirements, typically of seven, 30, 80, 180 or 365 days, that your condition must remain “stable” or unchanged before your coverage takes effect. This is either the day you leave on your trip (for emergency medical or trip interruption) or the day your policy takes effect (for travel coverage, such as trip cancellation).

While each insurer has its own definition, essentially a medical condition or injury is considered “stable” when all of the following are true:

• There has been no deterioration of the medical condition.
• There have been no new symptoms or more frequent symptoms.
• There has been no change in treatment or alteration of medication.
• There has been no treatment received, prescribed or recommended by a physician or other registered medical practitioner.
• There is no pending lab results or diagnostics.
• There has been no hospitalization or referral to a specialist.

Travel insurance companies normally exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage, which ranks among the most frequent reasons for denial of travel insurance claims. What’s more, you don’t need an official diagnosis from a health care professional to have something designated a pre-existing condition for travel insurance purposes. If your medical record reveals you reported symptoms of a condition that was later diagnosed, that is enough to have that condition deemed ineligible for coverage.

To determine what qualifies as a pre-existing condition, a travel insurance company can review your medical records for the stipulated number of days before the day the policy was purchased. 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.

For example, say you were diagnosed with and prescribed medication for high blood pressure on January 15 and you plan to take a trip to Mexico on March 19, or 63 days later. Based on your age, your travel insurance provider requires a 30-day stability period before you leave on your trip for your condition to be covered for emergency medical insurance. As long as your symptoms and treatment of your high blood pressure do not change during that time, it should be covered by your medical insurance.

However, if, for example,  you receive a change of dosage of medication, either an increase or decrease, during those 30 days, your condition is now not considered stable and will be ineligible for reimbursement without additional coverage. Keep in mind that you are still eligible for medical treatment if something else happens on your trip even with a medical exclusion. For example, if you fall down some stairs and break your wrist, those medical expenses are covered.

Without pre-existing condition coverage, a travel insurance company won’t pay for medical bills or claims related to your recent medical history if you require emergency treatment due to that condition.

But don’t panic. If you’re looking for travel insurance that offers comprehensive coverage regardless of your medical history, there are several coverage options for travellers with a pre-existing conditions. Keep in mind that not all insurers offer these options.

Pre-existing medical condition waiver : If you purchase your policy within a set timeframe, you insure the full nonrefundable costs of the trip and you’re able to travel on the date of purchase, this waives any pre-existing condition exclusions. There is typically no extra cost for the waiver.

Individual underwriting: Some insurance companies offer a separate and personalized individual underwriting application option where you complete a more detailed medical questionnaire and then the medical underwriter reviews your responses and, if approved, you are provided with  customized travel insurance coverage.

Reduction of stability period: Typically sold as an add-on (also known as an endorsement or rider), this option reduces the amount of time that your pre-existing condition needs to be considered stable before being eligible for coverage. There is typically a maximum benefit amount that is lower than the emergency medical benefit payout. For example, AMA Travel Insurance offers $5 million in emergency medical, but a maximum of $200,000 in coverage for the pre-existing conditions rider.

Pre-existing condition exclusion: A pre-existing condition can push up the price of your insurance significantly. In addition to a reduction of stability period option, Tour+Med offers an innovative Optional Exclusion option where you can  exclude an organ or complete system that’s affected by the pre-existing condition in return for a lower premium. For example, if you have asthma that does not meet the “stable and controlled” conditions, you can choose to have your asthma excluded, which would also exclude the entire respiratory system. So if you were to get sick with bronchitis, that also would not be covered.

Personalized pre-existing conditions packages : Some insurers feature customized packages for travellers (often over a certain age) with coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. Rather than purchase this as an add-on to an existing insurance policy, this is a separate policy, such as Manulife’s TravelEase insurance coverage or RBC Insurance’s TravelCare package.

While pre-existing conditions are an exclusion for all standard travel insurance policies, these travel insurance companies offer the following coverage options:

• AMA Travel Insurance : Pre-Existing Condition Rider that offers up to $200,000 in emergency medical coverage and reduces the stability period to seven days.
• BCAA Travel Insurance : Optional Pre-Existing Condition coverage that offers up to $300,00 in emergency medical coverage and reduces the stability period to seven days.
• Pacific Blue Cross : Optional Pre-Existing Condition Benefit offers coverage for pre-existing conditions and reduces the stability period to seven days.
• CAA Travel Insurance: Pre-Existing Condition Rider that offers up to $200,000 in emergency medical coverage and reduces the stability period to seven days.
• Desjardins Travel Insurance : Stable for 3 Months add-on reduces your stability period from 182 days to 90 days.
• Goose Travel Insurance : Unstable Pre-Existing Medical Condition endorsement shortens your stability period to seven days.
• Manulife Financial: TravelEase insurance package covers many fully disclosed pre-existing medical conditions with up to $5 million in benefits.
• Medipac Travel Insurance : Individual Underwritten Application for travellers who do not otherwise qualify for standard coverage.
• RBC Travel Insurance : For travellers over age 75, the TravelCare package may cover pre-existing conditions, depending on your answers to a medical questionnaire.
• Scotiabank Travel Insurance : Individual Medical Underwriting Plan for travellers of any age who would like their pre-existing medical conditions covered with no stability requirements.
• Tour+Med : For travellers under 86 years old, a Reduced Stability Period option reduces the stability period from three months to 30 days before departure (for travellers under age 69) and from six months to 30 days (for travellers 70 to 85 years old). There’s also an Optional Exclusion option to remove an organ or complete system from coverage.
• Travel Guard : Pre-existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver that waives any pre-existing medical condition exclusion if the policy is purchased within 15 days of the initial trip payment, any additional payments are insured within 15 days of purchase and you are medically able to travel when you pay your premium.
• TravelSafe : Pre-existing Medical Condition Exclusion waiver that waives any pre-existing medical condition exclusion if the policy is purchased within 21 days of the initial trip payment, all prepaid costs are insured and any additional payments are insured within 21 days of purchase and you are medically able to travel when you pay your premium.
• TuGo : Unstable Pre-Existing Medical Condition add-on that can be purchased in addition to the emergency medical insurance plan that provides coverage for a pre-existing medical condition that was not stable up to seven days before your departure date.

The terms and conditions vary by company, so be sure to read your policy carefully. Most insurers offer a minimum 10-day right to examine period where you can review your policy to ensure it meets your needs and cancel for a full refund if you’re not completely happy.

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

• Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
• Anxiety, depression or other mental health disorders
• Complication-free pregnancy or childbirth
• Illness or injury related to alcohol or drug abuse
• Heart conditions treated with nitroglycerin
• Lung conditions treated with prednisone or prednisolone

In addition, some insurance companies have a list of medical conditions that make you ineligible for coverage, especially over a certain age. For example, travellers over age 55 hoping to get Blue Cross Travel Insurance are ineligible for coverage if they:

• Have received medical advice not to travel
• Suffer from a medical condition in a terminal stage
• Suffer from kidney failure treated with dialysis
• Have been diagnosed with or treated for metastatic cancer in the last five years
• Have been prescribed or treated with home oxygen in the past 12 months

The Bottom Line

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

Also, even if you’re worried about not being offered coverage due to a pre-existing condition, be sure to answer the medical or health questionnaire completely, honestly and accurately. Most travel insurance companies reserve the right to deny or limit your coverage reimbursement if you are found to have lied or omitted information on your questionnaire.

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Fiona Campbell is a Staff Writer for Forbes Advisor Canada. She started her career on Bay Street, but followed her love for research, writing and a good story into journalism. She is the former editor of Bankrate Canada, and has over 20 years of experience writing for various publications, including the Globe and Mail, Financial Post Business, Advisor’s Edge, Mydoh.ca and more.

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When Does Travel Insurance Cover Existing Medical Conditions?

Travel insurance is more than a perk or a “nice to have.” A  travel insurance plan  can save your travel investment if you must cancel your trip for covered health reasons caused by pre-existing medical conditions. But in order for this to happen, you’ll need to select a plan that offers a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver, and also meet specified conditions. Additionally,  emergency medical coverage  can reimburse you for the costs of getting covered medical treatment domestically or overseas.

What is a Pre-Existing Condition?

We know this can seem complicated. We’re here to help. Before we jump into the details of how you can obtain a travel insurance plan that can cover a pre-existing condition, let’s define exactly what we’re talking about. Quite simply, a pre-existing condition is an injury, illness or medical condition that caused someone to seek treatment, presented symptoms, or required medication. This may have taken place anytime within 120 days prior to and including the plan’s purchase date. Note that you don’t even need an official medical diagnosis from a physician for something to be considered a pre-existing condition.

How to Meet Conditions for a Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Waiver

We know that the term is a mouthful, but the conditions needed to qualify for a Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Waiver are fairly straightforward.

First and foremost, you must insure your full nonrefundable trip costs. From there, if you insure the full cost of your trip within 14 days of paying your first trip deposit, and you're medically able to travel when you do so, you can be covered for most existing medical conditions. We’re going to cover each of these conditions a bit more in depth below.

Note that all travel insurance plans cover existing medical conditions. Certain travel insurance products from Allianz Global Assistance do — but specific requirements apply. Below are three hypothetical examples to help you understand how to make sure your existing medical condition is covered.

For travel insurance to cover your pre-existing condition, you must be medically able to travel on the day you purchase your plan.

After suffering debilitating pain in your left knee for three years, you've finally scheduled a total knee replacement. You get the procedure done and find that your recovery goes more swiftly than expected. After two weeks of physical therapy, your doctor says she's amazed at your progress. Heartened to hear this, you book a cycling trip through the French Alps for the fall and you purchase travel insurance to protect it. If you suffer knee problems and you have to cancel the trip, are you covered?

With a pre-existing medical condition, the safest course of action is to get your physician's certification that you're fine to travel before you book your trip. Allianz Global Assistance’s travel insurance requires you to be medically able to travel on the day you buy your  plan. It doesn't matter if you expect to be able to travel in the future, or if your doctor says you should be able to travel by the time you're scheduled to leave.

Let's say you book that cycling trip and your travel insurance 12 weeks after your surgery, when you're feeling pretty good and you can take long walks around the neighborhood. Don't assume you're medically able to travel. If you end up making a travel insurance claim related to your knee, Allianz Global Assistance may review your medical records and talk to your physician to determine your condition at the time you bought insurance.

One more important thing to understand: the "medically able to travel" only applies to the people named in the insuranceplan . If your mother has uncontrolled diabetes, for instance, you need existing medical condition coverage in case you need to cancel your trip because she's in the hospital. But your mother does not need to be medically able to travel in order for you to be covered.

For a pre-existing medical condition to be covered, you must insure your full nonrefundable trip costs.

You just booked the trip of a lifetime, a two-week European river cruise with your sister. You hold out on buying your plane ticket, however, because you're hoping airfares to Paris will drop. A few weeks later, you grab that cheap ticket — whew! — but you forget to update your plan by adding the airfare cost to your coverage. Then, a week before departure, your sister (who has long suffered from hypertension) has a major change in her medication and her doctor won’t let her travel. Will travel insurance cover your trip cancellation?

Your travel companion's condition would have been considered a covered reason for trip cancellation if you had insured your full trip costs. Because you didn't, your travel insurance plan would not cover cancellations caused by pre-existing medical conditions. If you had to cancel for another covered reason — because the covered cruise operator went out of business, for instance — your travel insurance would cover the trip cancellation.

Travel insurance only covers pre-existing medical conditions if you buy your plan within 14 days (depending on your plan) of making your first trip payment or deposit.

You and your husband are both nature lovers, and to celebrate your 25th anniversary you're planning a two-week stay at a luxury eco-resort in Costa Rica. You buy travel insurance to protect your trip investment, but not until  three weeks  after the trip purchase. Because you waited, pre-existing medical conditions aren't covered. No problem, you think. You're both fit and healthy. Except your husband has had some urinary problems over the past few months, so you make him go to the urologist before the trip. Bad news: he has a prostate condition that will keep him grounded. It's treatable, but you'll have to cancel the trip. Is this trip cancellation covered?

For Allianz Global Assistance travel insurance plans, an existing medical condition is defined as an illness or injury that exhibited symptoms or was treated any time 120 days prior to purchasing your plan. In this instance, your trip cancellation due to an existing medical condition would have been covered if you had bought travel insurance within  14 days  of paying your first trip deposit.

Three more things you need to know about travel insurance and existing medical conditions

• Certain pre-existing medical conditions are excluded from Allianz Global Assistance’s travel insurance coverage, such as mental and nervous health conditions, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer's disease.
• There's a cap on trip costs when you're buying travel insurance with pre-existing medical condition coverage, so be sure to know the amounts.
• You must be a U.S. resident to buy travel insurance with existing medical condition coverage.

We encourage customers to contact our insurance advisers at 1-866-884-3556. They'll answer your questions and help you find the travel insurance plan that's best for your unique needs. Safe travels!

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Cruise Holiday Insurance

Compare cruise travel insurance cover from as little as £20.02*.

Tommy has over 15 years experience within the insurance industry, and his primary focus is helping travellers find the right cover for their medical conditions.

A cruise holiday is an exciting prospect: visiting all those amazing destinations and relaxing on a wonderful ship with a collection of incredible amenities. The last thing anyone wants to think about is insurance. However, travel insurance can provide peace of mind and make sure that you can relax on your holiday.

Have you been asking yourself, ‘do I need cruise cover on my travel insurance?’ or are you unsure if you need to purchase specialist cruise holiday insurance? If so, you are in the right place as we are here to answer all your questions about travel insurance for cruises. Read on for all the details and helpful information.

What is cruise travel insurance for pre-exisiting medical conditions?

Cruise travel insurance with medical conditions is an additional cover for cruise holidays - and it can be added to a single trip or annual multi-trip policy if required. 

When you are planning to embark on a cruise, we can search over 30 specialist medical travel insurance providers to help you find the perfect policy that not only includes cover for pre-existing medical conditions but also specifically insures you against specific cruise-related issues that you wouldn’t normally get protection for with standard cover.

It’s all fairly self-explanatory, but if you’re curious to get fully up to speed with all things concerned with cruise travel insurance - you’ve certainly come to the right place!

Specialist Medical Cover

We only work with providers who specialise in covering pre-existing conditions.

No discounts. No pressure. We’ll always show you the best prices from providers.

Do I need specialist cruise travel insurance?

Standard travel insurance is not a legal requirement, and neither is cruise travel insurance. However, you will find that some cruise ships and UK travel agents require you to have adequate cover before you can board your cruise. Making sure that you have suitable cruise insurance in place is the best way to ensure that your holiday gets off to a smooth start.

Whether you’re taking a short cruise around the UK, treating yourself to a Caribbean adventure or perhaps even a luxury worldwide cruise, the cost of your holiday is unlikely to be cheap.

So, for starters - you will probably require a higher level of cancellation and curtailment (which means having to end your trip early) cover to ensure the cost of your holiday and any pre-paid excursions can be recouped in the event of being unable to travel.

You will also want adequate medical and personal liability cover to ensure you're not out of pocket in the event of you requiring medical treatment which forces the cruise ship to dock or for you to be airlifted to the nearest hospital.

When comparing cruise ship travel insurance quotes, it’s important to check the level of cover offered is enough to fully protect you.

What does cruise-specific travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance for cruises includes all the regular benefits of standard travel insurance but also some important items that are specific to a cruise holiday. They are things you won’t want to miss out on, giving you peace of mind should the worst happen. For example, you can be covered for:

• Missed port departure
• Cabin confinement for medical reasons
• Airlifting from the cruise ship should you need to be hospitalised
• Cruise interruption
• Change of itinerary
• Cover of unused excursions
• Cruise cancellation

Whereas standard travel insurance only provides for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost or stolen luggage
• Holiday cancellation

As a result, you can see why having cruise-specific travel insurance would be very helpful.

What are the different levels of cruise travel insurance cover?

Broadly speaking, coverage can vary - and the level you choose might normally be dictated by the cost of your cruise.

Therefore, when comparing quotes, please pay careful attention to the level of cancellation cover provided, especially as the last thing you want to do is underinsure your cruise. 

Don't be tempted to select a policy that offers a lower level of cover than what your cruise is costing, because this could invalidate your policy altogether.

The cover limits on a policy are per insured person, so for example, if there are two of you travelling on the policy and the total of your cruise is costing £3,000, then you would need a policy that provides a minimum cancellation cover up to £1,500 per person.

Optional extras

In addition to cruise cover, there are also other optional extras you could add to your policy. 

Gadget cover is there for all your electronic devices, and if you’re swapping the ship for a pair of ski boots at any point during your cruise - you might want to consider winter sports cover , too.

Can I get cruise insurance if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

Yes - for those with pre-existing medical conditions, having travel insurance for your cruise is definitely advised. Should you become ill or need treatment during your trip, cruise travel insurance will mean that you are covered.

You just need to declare your pre-existing conditions when applying for your insurance. You’ll also be asked a few questions to get a better understanding of the nature of your condition. This helps travel insurance providers work out the type of medical coverage you’ll need. Here at Medical Travel Compared, we can compare the best quotes that cover any conditions you have been diagnosed with.

How many days can cruise travel insurance cover me for?

You can typically be covered for up to 45 days with single trip cover – perfect for the vast majority of cruises. Some providers will even cover up to 94 days but either way, whether you are heading on a short cruise around the Med or are looking for world cruise travel insurance, you should be just fine.

If you are planning multiple trips throughout the year, you can also be covered via annual multi-trip insurance. While there will be a maximum number of days you are covered for each trip, it’s a great option to consider for frequent travellers.

How much does cruise insurance cost?

The price of cruise insurance will depend on a number of different factors that are unique to your own situation. For example, the cost will change depending on the destinations you are visiting, the length of the cruise, your pre-existing medical conditions, and your age.

Comparing the prices of cruise travel insurance is a good idea as different providers will quote you different prices. They are all competing with each other so take the time to shop around for the best price.

Is travel insurance more expensive for a cruise?

Cruise insurance does tend to be more expensive than standard travel insurance. This is because the cost of medical expenses, should you become ill at sea, are normally higher, thus resulting in a more expensive policy. Just think about it, a regular ambulance can take you from the hotel to the hospital but on a cruise ship, a much more expensive helicopter will have to be used.

Further still, travel insurance is more expensive for a cruise holiday because it covers more than a standard travel policy. As you can claim for things that will only take place on a cruise, such as missed port or cabin confinement, the insurance premium will be naturally higher.

You can reduce the cost of your cruise insurance by choosing a policy that covers fewer items, only opting for one that covers the essentials of medical expenses but, of course, the peace of mind you get from full cover might be something you will miss.

Is there cruise travel insurance with COVID cover?

Yes, you can purchase cruise travel insurance with COVID cover . When you compare cruise travel insurance with us, we will only show you quotes that will cover emergency medical expenses and repatriation to the UK if you catch COVID while on holiday. Some insurance providers will also be able to provide cancellation cover should you contract the virus before you are due to depart.

What is the best cruise travel insurance to get?

The best cruise insurance in the UK is a policy that will cover you for cruise-specific eventualities, such as cabin confinement and missed ports of call, as well as any pre-existing medical conditions. Other factors to consider are the amount of money you are covered for, how much the excess is, and, of course, the price of the policy itself.

In order to help you determine the best UK cruise insurance, our comparison tool will provide you with a selection of quotes to choose from. Take your time and make sure that everything you want is covered.

How do I buy cruise travel insurance?

The best way to buy cruise travel insurance is by comparing the different options that are currently available. This is easy to do with us here at Medical Travel Compared. With our quick online comparison tool, you can compare quotes in no time at all.

• Click the ' Get a quote ' button to get started.
• Choose ‘single trip’ or ‘annual trip’ travel insurance and add ‘cruise cover’ when applying.
• Select all the countries that you will be travelling to on your cruise.
• Let us know when you are going and when you are coming back.
• Decide how many people you want to be covered.
• Provide a few personal details, such as any pre-existing medical conditions.

Once you have filled in the form, you can start browsing the quotes and decide which policy is right for you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

No. We can search for travel insurance quotes for all ages. However, the number of annual multi-trip quotes for older travellers may be limited due to age restrictions imposed by the providers that we search. If you are unable to get an annual trip quote, try a single trip quote instead.

If you have to cancel your cruise, your insurance provider may be able to cover the cost of your pre-booked excursions and this will usually be up to a certain amount. We'll show you whether this is covered before you buy your policy.

Single trip cover usually can cover you for up to 45 days, but a few providers may be able to cover you for up to 94 days. If you are getting annual trip cover, there will be a maximum number of days that you are covered for any one trip, but we'll let you know what this is for your quote!

A pre-existing condition is a diagnosed medical condition that existed before taking out a policy. We'll ask a series of questions about the medical history for you and any travellers on your quote. If you answer yes to any of these, you will need to tell us about the traveller's conditions. This could be a condition that a traveller has now or has had in the past. If you are not sure what conditions you need to declare, we have online support available to help you 24/7!

You can send your question to  our team , or visit our Cruise Cover help centre.

* Price is based on one traveller aged 61, with no medical conditions and is travelling to Spain for seven nights with cruise cover. The price is correct as of April 2024. Prices may vary according to your individual requirements.

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Travel Insurance Guide For Pre-Existing Condition Medical Coverage (2024)

Planning to travel but have a pre-existing condition? Get travel medical coverage with a top provider below.

in under 2 minutes

Sarah Horvath is one of the home service industry’s most accomplished writers. Her specialties include writing about home warranties, insurance, home improvement and household finances. You can find her writing published through distributors like HouseMethod, Architectural Digest, Good Housekeeping and more. When not writing, she enjoys spending time in her home in Orlando with her fiance and parrot.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

Traveling with a pre-existing medical condition can add stress to the trip-planning process, especially if you suffer from a chronic condition that affects your daily life or have symptoms that can influence your plans. While most travel insurance policies exclude pre-existing conditions from medical expenses and evacuation coverage, you may be able to obtain coverage with a pre-existing conditions waiver.

A pre-existing conditions waiver extends your travel medical insurance to include conditions and illnesses present when you enrolled in coverage. This type of coverage is a bit more expensive but can provide you with peace of mind when traveling. Read on to learn more about pre-existing medical conditions travel insurance and which top providers offer coverage.

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What Is a Pre-Existing Condition for Travel Insurance?

Although each travel insurance company has its own definition, a pre-existing condition refers to a medical condition you have before leaving for a trip. Your malady may not have to be formally diagnosed to qualify as pre-existing. You may have a pre-existing condition if you’ve sought treatment, had symptoms or taken medication within a few months before your trip for an injury, illness or medical situation.

For example, say you see your doctor for an annual physical two months before your trip to Spain . At your appointment, the doctor checks your blood pressure and diagnoses you with hypertension. Your doctor prescribes medication to lower your blood pressure. Most travel medical insurance companies consider high blood pressure a pre-existing condition.

Other common pre-existing conditions include:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Chronic illnesses, such as lupus

Medical travel insurance can be an important protection if you or a loved one plan to travel with one of these conditions — or some other pre-existing medical condition. A pre-existing condition could put you at higher risk of other medical issues. For example, if you have an autoimmune disorder, you’re likely at higher risk of contracting diseases while traveling.

How To Get a Waiver for Pre-Existing Conditions

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, it’s important to purchase travel insurance shortly after making your initial trip payment. Based on our quote collection process, we found that you usually need to be within 10 to 21 days of your first trip payment to qualify for a pre-existing conditions waiver. If you buy your travel insurance after this point, you usually will not qualify for pre-existing conditions coverage.

Depending on the insurance provider, you may need to meet additional conditions beyond your purchase date for pre-existing medical conditions coverage. Additional stipulations you may need to meet include:

• Trip coverage: In most cases, you’ll need to insure 100% of your trip cost and add medical coverage to your policy to receive a pre-existing condition waiver. This means that policies that offer pre-existing conditions waivers are usually more expensive. However, these policies also include more extensive coverage, which can be helpful in the event of an emergency.
• Health status: While most travel insurance companies do not require you to undergo a medical exam before buying coverage like with life insurance, your health condition can still play a role in your ability to qualify for a waiver. You might need to answer a health questionnaire before purchasing coverage, or you may need to list any medical diagnoses within the previous 60 to 90 days. If you have a major medical condition with active symptoms, like cancer or Alzheimer’s disease, you may be denied coverage.

If you qualify for coverage, your insurance provider will include the waiver with your coverage at no additional cost. Be sure to review the details of your coverage after you’re approved so you fully understand the terms and conditions.

How To Qualify for a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver

To qualify to get a pre-existing conditions waiver, you’ll need to meet a few conditions related to the policy-buying process and determine the right coverage for your health.

You cannot purchase travel insurance that covers pre-existing conditions at any time — most policy providers require you to be within 14 to 21 days of your initial trip deposit to qualify. For this reason, we suggest you consider travel insurance as you’re comparing other travel bookings like hotels, airfare and event tickets. This will allow you to purchase insurance shortly after booking, giving you access to more policies with coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Choose the Right Plan

Next, compare the coverages included with each policy offered by your preferred travel insurance provider and identify those that include pre-existing conditions waivers. Most travel insurance companies limit waivers to policies with more inclusive coverage terms and 100% cancellation insurance. If a provider does not offer pre-existing conditions coverage, request quotes from a different company.

Review Coverage Limitations

If you qualify for a pre-existing conditions waiver, your insurance provider will include it under your coverage terms. Review your coverage and any excluded conditions. Contact a representative from the insurance company if you have questions about coverages and limitations.

Documentation Needed for a Pre-Existing Conditions Waiver

Depending on your coverage provider, you may need to submit a letter from your doctor confirming you’re medically fit to travel. This is especially true if you need coverage for a chronic condition under control by medication or if you’ve recently had corrective surgery. Documentation requirements vary by provider, so be sure to review your specific coverage terms to learn more.

Travel Insurance Companies That Cover Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Not every travel insurance provider offers pre-existing conditions waivers and those that do have varying policies regarding the timeline for enrollment in order to qualify. The following are a few of our recommended travel insurance providers covering pre-existing conditions and how you can qualify for coverage.

• Nationwide: Nationwide offers customers an option to qualify for pre-existing conditions coverage across multiple plans. While many insurance providers limit pre-existing conditions waivers to only the most expensive policy, Nationwide allows you to qualify for pre-existing conditions coverage 10 days from your initial purchase with the Essential Policy. You may also qualify up to 21 days after your initial trip payment with the Prime Plan. Read our full review of Nationwide travel insurance .
• Trawick: Trawick offers six unique policies with the option to include coverage for pre-existing conditions, which is more than most other providers. This range of options can make Trawick a strong choice for customers looking to customize their coverage. You must add coverage no more than 14 to 21 days after your initial trip payment, depending on your selected plan. Read our full review of Trawick travel insurance. 
• Seven Corners: To qualify for pre-existing coverage with Seven Corners, you’ll need to opt for the Trip Protection Choice, which includes benefits like 150% trip interruption coverage and up to $2,000 in trip delay benefits. You must buy this coverage no less than 20 days after your initial trip payment. Read our full review of Seven Corners travel insurance .
• Generali Travel Insurance: While Generali does not offer the longest purchase period for pre-existing conditions, travelers looking for concierge-level benefits may want to consider the company. To qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver, you must be within 24 hours of your initial trip payment, which means most shoppers will need to consider insurance as they’re actively planning a vacation to qualify. Read our full review of Generali travel insurance .

Types of Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

There are four main types of travel insurance:

• Trip cancellation
• Baggage coverage
• Medical travel insurance
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Trip cancellation insurance is a type of travel insurance that helps cover nonrefundable costs if your trip gets canceled due to an unexpected or uncontrollable event. For example, a trip cancellation policy might cover nonrefundable costs if you find out right before your trip you’ve been summoned for jury duty. Or, say you have to cancel a trip due to an unexpected storm that interrupts your flight. Travel insurance will reimburse you for the flight and any corresponding lodging costs.

Trip cancellation insurance usually does not cover changes in pre-existing medical conditions. If your arthritic knees cause pain that makes you cancel your trip two weeks out, the insurance company may deny your claim. However, you may qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver to use for trip cancellation coverage.

Baggage Coverage

Baggage insurance generally covers the loss, theft, delay, or damage to baggage and personal belongings while traveling. For instance, your luggage is stolen from your hotel room while you’re at dinner. Depending on your policy, your baggage insurance could help pay to replace necessary items, like clothing and shoes. Other policies will ensure the full value of items in your bags, with certain restrictions.

Baggage insurance can offer peace of mind that you can replace your belongings if they’re lost, stolen, or damaged. Pre-existing conditions don’t affect baggage insurance coverage.

Medical Travel Insurance

Medical travel insurance is one of the most common types of travel insurance. A medical travel policy helps pay for emergency medical care when traveling. Say you fall ill with a fever and need to go to the emergency room while abroad. Your medical travel insurance generally covers the cost of treatment up to your plan’s limits.

If you’re considering travel health insurance plans and have a pre-existing condition, you’ll want to carefully read the fine print of your policy. In most cases, you’ll need to obtain a pre-existing conditions waiver before traveling. Without a waiver, your policy may not cover medical expenses you incur while traveling.

Cancel for Any Reason Insurance (CFAR) Coverage

With a few exceptions, CFAR travel insurance lets you cancel a trip for a partial refund of prepaid, nonrefundable expenses outside the reasons listed in your policy. Common reasons to use a CFAR policy include a family member getting sick, fear of illness at your destination or your new passport doesn’t arrive in time to travel. Unlike regular trip cancellation or medical travel insurance, CFAR coverage does not require a pre-existing conditions waiver for coverage. That means if your chronic condition flares up before your trip and you decide to cancel within the effective date of coverage, you could get a partial refund (typically between 50%-75%) of your nonrefundable trip expenses.

Although CFAR coverage is a good way to secure pre-existing medical insurance for travel cancellation or interruption, it’s not usually offered as a stand-alone policy. You typically have to add CFAR coverage to your standard travel insurance policy for an extra cost.

How Much Does Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions Cost?

Generally, adding pre-existing conditions coverage will not increase your policy cost if you qualify for a waiver. Based on our research, a travel insurance policy costs between $160 to $300 , depending on your chosen coverage and provider. In our review, we found that the average couple will pay about $221 for a travel insurance policy from one of our recommended travel insurance providers.

How To File a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Travel Insurance Claim

If you have to file a travel insurance claim for a pre-existing condition that your policy covers, you can improve your chances for reimbursement with strong documentation. Whether you must cancel your trip at the last minute or you need coverage for an emergency room visit while on vacation, the process of filing a travel insurance claim is generally the same. The claims process typically looks like this:

• File your claims form, which will commonly ask for your name, policy number, the reason for the claim and other important details.
• Submit your claims form with all necessary documentation, such as a doctor’s note, flight delay or baggage notices, police reports, and any other related documents.
• Your travel insurance company reviews your claim and supporting documentation. The insurance company may request more details or documents supporting your claim.
• If the company approves your claim, you’ll receive reimbursement, up to your policy limits.

The claims process is straightforward, but missing documents or lack of evidence could lead to the insurer denying your claim. Having the right documentation is more important if you’re filing a medical claim and have a pre-existing condition. The insurance company will want to confirm you have a pre-existing condition waiver on file before approving a claim. The company likely will ask for specific written documentation relating to your claim from a doctor.

For example, say you have a respiratory disorder managed by daily medication and receive a pre-existing condition waiver for a trip. While traveling, you get into an accident requiring emergency medical care. When you file a claim for medical travel insurance, you’ll want to make sure you have the right documents, including:

• Proof of your trip and insurance
• Written documentation from your attending physician
• Copies of your medical file and bill from the emergency care

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

Can you get travel insurance with pre-existing conditions.

Yes, you can get travel insurance with pre-existing conditions. The key to getting travel insurance coverage with a pre-existing condition is to apply for a pre-existing conditions waiver or exclusion waiver. This waiver includes notice from your doctor that you’re fit to travel and prevents the travel insurance company from using your pre-existing condition to exclude you from coverage.

What is a waiver of lookback in travel insurance?

A waiver of lookback is another name for a pre-existing conditions waiver for travel insurance. The lookback period of a travel insurance policy refers to the time before the trip in which the insurance company might look back at your medical history if you file a claim.

For example, say you have an unexpected medical condition that forces you to cancel your trip. You file a claim for trip cancellation insurance and your insurance company can review your past medical records (usually up to 60 to 180 days, depending on the policy). If the company finds a record of your pre-existing condition, such as a doctor’s visit to change medications, it could deny your claim. A waiver of lookback prevents the insurance company from doing this.

What counts as a pre-existing condition?

Every travel insurance company defines pre-existing conditions differently, but there are a few common factors. A pre-existing condition for travel insurance usually refers to any medical condition, illness or injury that you have before your trip. You may not have to be diagnosed for the condition for it to be considered pre-existing. But if you seek treatment for a condition, take medications or suffer symptoms, then it’s usually considered pre-existing.

What is the difference between a pre-existing condition and a chronic condition?

Pre-existing conditions are any injury, illness, or medical condition that existed before you sought insurance. A chronic condition is different. Chronic conditions are ongoing health conditions or illnesses that are long-term. Doctors manage chronic conditions with medication or regular treatments, but these conditions aren’t curable. For travel insurance, almost all chronic conditions are considered pre-existing conditions.

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Travel insurance for a pre-existing medical condition

How to secure cover for your next trip if you're dealing with existing medical conditions..

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Need to know

• You must declare a pre-existing medical condition if you want it covered by insurance
• Insurance cover for pre-existing medical conditions varies widely
• You may have to pay more to get cover for your pre-existing medical condition

Travel insurance is essential in the case of illness or injury while travelling. Overseas medical costs can be extortionate, and if you have an existing medical condition, it increases the chance you may need medical attention on your trip – that's why insurers charge you extra. 

So if you can get cover for your pre-existing medical condition, it'll take a bit of worry out of your trip. But even if you're willing to pay extra, getting cover for an existing condition isn't always easy.

On this page:

What is a pre-existing medical condition?

What's covered, and what's not, comprehensive policies that may cover your pre-existing medical condition, travel insurance for seniors with pre-existing medical conditions, pregnancy and travel insurance, credit card travel insurance and pre-existing medical conditions,  what to do if you can't get cover for a pre-existing medical condition.

A pre-existing medical condition is a medical condition that you had before you bought your travel insurance.

Different travel insurers will have their own specific definitions, but it's usually a diagnosed medical condition that you've had or received any form of medical advice, treatment or medication for, in a specified time period before you bought your policy.

Most insurers would cover a condition if it hadn't led to treatment in the one to two years before you booked your trip, but others may specify five years or longer

The 'specified time period' wording is worth paying attention to. If, for example, your condition last showed symptoms 18 months ago, but the time period specified by the insurer is 12 months, then you'll be covered subject to the other conditions of the policy.

The insurance contract regulations set the time period as six months by default. Unfortunately, insurers can get around this six-month rule and exempt themselves simply by burying an exclusion or limitation in the product disclosure statement (PDS).

Insurers' definitions vary as to what the specified time period is. Most insurers would cover a condition if it hadn't led to treatment in the one to two years before you booked your trip, but others may specify five years or longer.

There are often a lot of hoops to jump through to get cover for pre-existing conditions. 

Insurers can:

• exclude pre-existing medical conditions altogether
• include a list of accepted pre-existing medical conditions (specified in the PDS)
• restrict cover for generally accepted conditions depending on other conditions you might have, or only cover some symptoms (for example, allergies may be covered, but not anaphylaxis)
• subject you to an assessment for cover of your medical condition and charge a fee to complete this assessment (whether you get cover or not)
• deny you cover for a medical condition on application.

Even if you survive that minefield, you may then have to fork out several thousand dollars for the privilege of getting cover for your condition.

Below is a list of conditions that might usually be covered, with specific restrictions. 

• Allergies 
• Blindness and low vision
• Corneal graft
• Coeliac disease
• Ear grommets
• Gastric reflux
• Hiatus hernia
• High cholesterol/hypercholesterolaemia
• High blood pressure/hypertension
• Hip replacement
• Knee replacement
• Macular degeneration
• Underactive thyroid/overactive thyroid
• Chronic lung conditions
• Cardiovascular disease
• Reduced immunity
• Cancer (some policies automatically cover skin cancer but not melanoma)
• Heart-related medical conditions
• Medical conditions you're travelling to seek medical treatment or review for
• Conditions involving drug or alcohol dependency
• Conditions for which you're awaiting surgery, treatment, investigation or procedures
• Conditions with a terminal prognosis

This also includes any travel booked or undertaken against the advice of a medical practitioner.

Check the insurer's PDS for a specific list of conditions. If a condition is not listed as automatically covered, then you may be able to apply to the insurer to cover your condition.

For the specified time period, the lower the number, the better. Read on below the table for more information.

* The time period before booking your trip that a medical condition, that isn't specifically excluded, would be covered if it has not given rise to symptoms or required medication or treatment. 

If your medical condition is on the insurer's 'Covered Conditions' list, then the time period might be longer than what's specified above. 

For example, Go Insurance's specified time period is 90 days (3 months), but if your condition is on their 'Covered Conditions' list, and you've been hospitalised for that condition within 24 months of booking the trip, then it may not be automatically covered. You'll need to fill out a form to apply for cover.

CHOICE tip: Filling out assessment forms for your medical condition can be time-consuming and frustrating, but try at least three different insurers because premiums and cover vary widely.

How you're assessed for a pre-existing medical condition

Many Australian insurers use a 'black box' risk rating system to assess your condition, such as that provided by insurance technology firm Verisk.

The systems may contain a list of health conditions, each of which is assigned a risk factor. Depending on how high this risk factor is, the insurer can choose to rule out cover, or offer cover for an extra premium.

Older and wiser travellers with pre-existing medical conditions can still get travel insurance for their international travel. The drawback is that you'll have fewer policies to choose from, and you'll pay more for it. 

Many travel insurance policies have age limits, over which they either don't offer cover, or they may offer restricted cover with lower benefit limits or a higher excess. 

Cost of travel insurance for seniors

Our analysis of premiums across age groups shows that an older single traveller going to Bali for around 11 days to two weeks will on average pay more for their cover as they age, with premiums generally increasing more noticeably from age 50. 

Travellers aged over 70 could pay up to 3.5 times more for their travel insurance than people in their 60s

In particular, travellers aged over 70 could pay up to 3.5 times more for their travel insurance than people in their 60s, prior to further underwriting and premium adjustments by insurers for coverage of pre-existing medical conditions.

Visit our travel insurance comparison and use the filter to find travel insurance policy options for people across a range of ages up to 100 or even unlimited.

Pregnancy cover will protect you in circumstances such as if you need to cancel your trip due to doctor's advice, or if you're on holiday and incur medical costs that are a result of unexpected complications (something that you weren't already being treated for or had no history of).

Note that travel insurance won't usually cover you for childbirth or for medical costs relating to your newborn if you give birth while on holiday.

Different policies will cover you up to different stages of your pregnancy, so which provider you go with will depend on when you plan to travel (and return home). Not all policies will cover IVF or similar medically assisted pregnancies.

CHOICE tip: Check with your airline before you travel – many airlines will only let you fly up to a certain stage in your pregnancy, and may require medical certificates or other documentation.

Some credit cards come with travel insurance policies that may cover pre-existing medical conditions. 

However, policies that come with credit cards vary just as much as standalone travel insurance policies, so you need to read the terms and conditions carefully to understand whether you're automatically covered, whether you need to apply for cover, or if there's no cover at all for pre-existing medical conditions.

Bear in mind that some credit card travel insurance policies require you to activate your insurance before you leave. Some people may find this a bit of a pain, but with pre-existing medical conditions it may actually be an advantage, since it will prompt you to check your cover.

If you're denied cover for your pre-existing medical condition, or if you can't afford the extra premium, you may still be able to buy a travel insurance policy. 

You'll need to declare your condition to your insurer. They may then offer you travel insurance cover, but will issue a certificate that says you won't be covered for any claim that arises because of your pre-existing medical condition.

Stock images:  Getty, unless otherwise stated.

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Cruise Travel Insurance

Cruise insurance designed for people with pre-existing conditions by medical travel insurance experts.

£10,000,000 Medical Cover

£10,000 Cancellation Cover

£2,000 Baggage Cover

from £50 Policy Excess

Cover limits are per person, per trip.

View our policy wording and full list of cover benefits

Home » Travel Insurance » Cruise Travel Insurance

Cruise travel insurance covering pre-existing medical conditions

If you're planning a cruise holiday, we have a specialist policy extension to ensure you are fully covered which includes a range of cruise specific benefits. Cruises are covered as standard on our policies however you can add the cruise extension to gain additional cover benefits if your trip is under 60 days in duration or if you're purchasing annual cover.

Our single trip cruise extension will cover trips of any duration, to both European and Worldwide destinations. The available single trip duration will vary depending on age, full details of which can be found in our policy wording .

If you have multiple trips planned, including a cruise, our annual multi-trip policies might be the best option for you. They will cover you for unlimited travel up to 31 days per trip, or 45 days if the trip extension is also selected from our policy options.

If your trip is eligible, cruise cover will be presented and should be added during the quote journey once you reach the options page. This will then be displayed on your policy schedule. If you already have a Freedom policy and wish to add the cruise extension, you can do so by phoning us on 01223 446 914.

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Add the cruise option to your Freedom policy to gain additional cover benefits

Cruise travel insurance benefits

What does the cruise extension cover?

- If you miss your port we will cover up to £1,500

• We will pay up to the amount shown in the summary of cover for each missed port in the event of cancellation of a scheduled port visit due to adverse weather or timetable restrictions. 

- If you are unable to participate in your planned excursions we will cover up to £1,500

• We will pay up to the amount shown in the summary of cover for the cost of pre-booked excursions, which you were unable to use as a direct result of being confined to your cabin by the ship’s medical officer for medical reasons.

- If you are confined to your cabin we will cover up to £1,000

• We will pay up to the amount shown in the summary of cover for each 24-hour period that you are confined to your cabin for medical reasons on the advice of the ship’s medical officer.

- If you miss your departure we will cover up to £1,500

• We will pay up to the amount shown in the summary of cover for necessary additional travel and accommodation (room only) expenses required to reach your booked cruise at the next embarkation point, if you are late arriving for your scheduled departure time at the first international departure point as a result of any scenario outlined in the policy wording.

Excess amounts will vary depending on the level of cover chosen. Visit our policy wording for further details. 

Cruise cover trusted by thousands

"Excellent company and great service. I have used Freedom for many years. Peace of mind that we are covered for medical conditions and can enjoy our holiday. Very easy to use, online quotes and staff on the phones are very helpful, thanks."

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Applying for cruise travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions

You can apply here online or over the telephone; it’s quick, simple and totally confidential. To provide you with a quote, you’ll need to let us know where you are travelling to, and for how long. Make sure to declare all your pre-existing medical conditions for all travellers.

You will be guided through a medical screening questionnaire, where a series of relevant questions will be asked to assess your health and each individual condition. These questions should be answered accurately and to the best of your knowledge.

You will then be presented with available policy options at which point you will need to select the cruise extension for your Freedom policy to cover cruising.

Our team of friendly, medically aware travel insurance agents are here to help

Adding the cruise extension

If you're travelling on a cruise, be sure to select the cruise extension on the options page. This cover can be added to retrospectively by calling the team on 01223 446 914 

Cover your whole trip

You need to cover your whole trip, taking into account the day that you arrive back in the UK

Destination

On a single trip we are able to rate on the country that you are travelling to, which enable us to offer a fairer price

Medical travel insurance frequently asked questions

Generally, Freedom is unable to offer cover for people on a waiting list for surgery but there are exceptions to the rule. Talk to the Freedom Call Centre on 01223 446 914 where we can look if there are any options available , it may be that we can find you a policy that excludes cover for the medical condition relating to the pending surgery.

Should your pre-existing medical conditions, directly or indirectly disrupt your holiday plans, maybe causing you to cancel or possibly resulting in emergency medical treatment abroad, providing you have told us about your medical conditions and cover has been agreed, you will be able to recover your expenses (excesses may apply).

You'll be presented with the cruise extension during our quote journey. Be sure to select this if you'd like to gain additional and cruise specific cover benefits for your trip.

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FinanceBuzz

8 Reasons It’s Worth It To Buy Travel Insurance (And 6 Times To Skip It)

Posted: July 12, 2023 | Last updated: April 7, 2024

Life is full of unexpected events and complications, and that doesn’t stop just because you’re traveling. If anything, travel may have even more surprises than your day-to-day life at home.

Travel insurance can help you avoid wasting money if you have to cancel a trip due to illness, need medical coverage while you’re traveling, or send you home for medical reasons.

However, it may not always be necessary and can sometimes be a waste of money. Keep reading to learn when you should and shouldn’t opt for travel insurance.

Compare the best travel credit cards for nearly free travel

Safety net for international travel

The number one reason people buy travel insurance is to cover an expensive trip. And if you’re traveling overseas, chances are your travels will cost a lot of money.

In addition, there are potential complications when it comes to international travel, from losing luggage during connecting flights, missed or canceled flights, sickness, and more.

And if something catastrophic happens in a foreign country, travel insurance provides evacuation so you can get home safely.

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Medical coverage

Getting sick or injured is unpleasant enough when you’re in the comfort of your home, but it’s a new beast entirely when you’re abroad.

Generally, you can expect basic medical expenses to be covered through your travel plan, often including dental. Medicare will not cover medical expenses in a foreign country. If you’re traveling overseas, travel insurance for potential medical costs is worthwhile.

Cover rental car mishaps

Renting a car is a great way to get around when traveling because you can explore a place on your own. Using taxis or ride-share services may cost more money. However, even the best drivers make mistakes, and no one can protect themselves from reckless drivers.

Your U.S. car insurance won’t cover you when driving in a foreign country. So choosing the car-rental insurance option when you buy travel insurance may be a good move.

Be aware that most travel insurance rental-car plans cover collisions and may not cover medical expenses, damages to other cars or property, or personal property damage or loss.

7 Nearly Secret Things to Do If You Fly Southwest

Pre-existing conditions often aren’t covered

Unfortunately, as with many health insurance plans, travel insurance often won’t cover pre-existing conditions. Travel health insurance is usually meant for unforeseen illnesses or injuries instead of complications due to an existing medical issue.

Even travel insurance companies that cover pre-existing issues often only cover physical maladies and exclude mental conditions and typical pregnancy-related symptoms and complications.

Protect lost luggage

A big fear for travelers is losing their luggage, either having it not arrive at the destination or stolen during their trip. Most airlines will offer reimbursement for luggage they lose, but it can take quite a while for this to process.

Travel insurance will cover the cost of replacing your clothing and other items while you wait for your luggage to be located and can also cover theft and damage.

Cover valuable items and gear

You should consider buying travel insurance if you’re traveling with valuables, including expensive jewelry, art, or even pricey sporting or adventure gear.

You’ll need to talk to the insurance agency specifically about covering your valuables, as they may need to be insured separately. Depending on your homeowners insurance policy, your jewelry may be covered even when you travel.

Sporting goods, including golf clubs, will not be covered by your homeowners insurance if you’re traveling, so you will need travel insurance to replace them if they’re lost, damaged, or stolen.

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Emergencies happen

While we do our best to prepare for the worst-case scenario, we can’t stop life from happening. Things like medical emergencies, a death in the family, or other catastrophes can halt your travel plans.

If you have travel insurance, rescheduling or cancellation fees will be covered, allowing you to deal with the emergency at your own pace. You won’t have to worry about losing the money spent on the trip and subsequent fees.

Natural disaster coverage

Are you planning a fall trip to the Gulf Coast or Florida? Consider your travel destination and the time of year you're going.

If you’re visiting someplace prone to natural disasters, especially seasonal occurrences like tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and such, travel insurance can help you recoup your money should these events interrupt your travel plans.

Similarly, if a natural disaster occurs during your trip, often, insurance will pay to move you to a more secure location.

Extreme adventures may not be covered

Your insurance will most likely cover typical travel-related injuries but don't expect your medical bills to be covered if your itinerary involves extreme adventures or dangerous exploits.

Surfing, sailing, kayaking, bungee jumping, scuba diving, skiing, snowboarding, and other extreme sports do not fall into everyday illnesses or injuries. For these activities, consider getting a specific plan for adventure activities.

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Shaky travel companies

If you booked your trip through a travel company and it goes bankrupt, travel insurance may provide a safety net to ensure you get your money back.

Airlines, cruise ships, travel companies, and other travel-related businesses suffered during the pandemic, and many may not be on solid financial ground yet.

This may not be covered in a basic insurance plan, so make sure your agent adds financial default coverage if you are concerned about the health of your travel provider. 

In the situation any company or organization closes or is otherwise inoperable during your trip, you’ll be covered.

Now let’s look at times you may not need travel insurance.

Your credit card offers travel protections

Before purchasing travel insurance, consider which credit card you have. Many of the top credit cards  offer travel protections.

Some protections you may already have include lost luggage, rental car insurance, trip delay, and trip interruption or cancellation.

Credit card programs often don’t cover medical or other interruptions, so consider your priorities before choosing this option.

You have a domestic trip

If you’re traveling within the U.S. and its territories, travel insurance may not be necessary. For example, you won’t need medical coverage as your health insurance should be honored nationwide.

Domestic travel is also usually much less expensive. If you’re taking a cheap, last-minute, or nonstop flight and staying at an inexpensive hotel or rental, the cost of travel insurance may not be worth it.

One exception might be a family trip to Disney World. The estimate for a trip for a family of four in 2023 is more than $6,000, so travel insurance might be money well spent in this case.

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Don’t add expense to cheap trips

Not all travel is planned. Whether traveling for work, a family emergency, or just a last-minute vacation, you likely don’t need insurance in these circumstances. Odds are, you’re packing light, and both your flight and hotel are relatively inexpensive.

In these scenarios, the things insurance covers won’t be relevant, including baggage loss, flight cancellations, hotel issues, and so on. 

Not only will these costs likely be minimal, but they can be disputed with your airline or hotel, although it may take a little while to get your money back.

The airline has a flexible rebooking policy

If you’re buying travel insurance to cover the cost of rescheduling a flight, you’re better off purchasing a refundable ticket at a higher price. And some airlines have more flexible policies now.

Many airlines allow last-minute ticket changes and will even help you reschedule your flight within a specific timeframe. The timeframe and policy vary by airline, and you may be subject to a nominal cancellation or rebooking fee, but it will be significantly less than insurance.

Insurance will not cover political unrest

One emergency situation insurance probably won’t cover is war or political unrest. If you’re visiting a location with political tensions and your trip is canceled as a result, don’t expect your insurance to cover the costs.

Insurance companies generally follow the travel advisories the U.S. State Department issued for medical and political situations.

Similarly, insurance won't cover these costs if you have to leave your trip early for safety concerns. Consider your destination's political environment before booking your travel or buying insurance.

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Your hotel may cover cancellations

Many hotel cancellation policies have tiers depending on the booking you make. For example, some may have free cancellation within a specific period, while others charge different rates for rooms booked as non-refundable or partially refundable.

If your sole reason for purchasing insurance is hotel flexibility, consult with the hotel before you book. They may have a policy as flexible as your insurance or can work with you should something unexpected arise.

Penalty-free cancellations for major hotels tend to be around 24-48 hours prior to arrival.

Bottom line

Travel insurance may be pricey, but it’s a lifesaver in many situations. However, in others, it’s overkill and a waste of money.

Every travel situation is different, so consider your specific needs when purchasing. And, if you want more money to cover your insurance, consider these ways to make extra cash for travel funds.

More from FinanceBuzz:

• 7 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially.
• 12 legit ways to earn extra cash.
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