travel insurance look back period

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.

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• 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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Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Travel Insurance: 5 Things Most People Get Wrong

Travel insurance that covers pre-existing medical conditions is one of the most sought-after components of a travel protection plan – and one of the most misunderstood.

It’s sought-after because many travel protection buyers have something in their medical history that might flare up or recur before or during their trip, forcing them to cancel or interrupt their travels.

It’s misunderstood because the devil’s in the details – in this case, the provider’s definition of a pre-existing condition and the requirements they place on getting coverage for medical conditions that a person had prior to traveling.

Let’s clear up some of the myths surrounding travel insurance with coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, and help you make the most of this valuable benefit.

Generali Global Assistance’s Premium Plan is able to cover your pre-existing condition! Learn more.

Things people get wrong about pre-existing conditions

All travel insurance plans cover pre-existing conditions.

Actually, some travel protection plans don’t even have medical or trip cancellation coverage, much less coverage for pre-existing conditions. For instance, many of the travel protection plans offered through credit cards lack medical coverage (see Why You Shouldn't Rely on Credit Card Travel Insurance ) . 

Beyond that, it’s not unusual to find a less expensive plan with medical coverage that lacks pre-existing condition coverage. (Generali Global Assistance has two – the  Standard   and  Preferred  Plans.)

Also read: Why You Might Need to Buy Medical Coverage Before You Travel

A condition that occurred at any time in the past can be defined as pre-existing

Most plans that cover pre-existing medical conditions have a “look-back” period. That means the plan looks back at your medical history for a time period that usually ranges from three to six months, but could be as long as 18 months.

For Generali, the look-back period is 180 days.* That means any medical condition you were treated for in that 180-day period will be considered pre-existing, and won’t be covered if it flares up while you’re traveling. This does not apply to a condition that is treated or controlled solely through the taking of prescription drugs or medicine and remains treated or controlled without any adjustment or change in the required prescription throughout the 180-day period.

See Generali’s definition of a Pre-existing Condition

If a travel-insurance plan covers pre-existing conditions, I can buy it any time before my trip and be covered

Almost all plans that cover pre-existing conditions require you to buy your travel insurance within a specific window after putting down your initial trip deposit or making your final trip payment.

Generali Global Assistance’s timeframe  is prior to or within 24 hours of your final trip payment. Other rules for securing coverage for pre-existing conditions are; you are medically able to travel at the time the plan is purchased, and all prepaid trip costs that are subject to cancellation penalties or restrictions have been insured.

Also read:  When to Buy Travel Insurance, Timing is Everything

Coverage for pre-existing conditions costs extra

Not so. In most cases, coverage for pre-existing conditions comes at no extra cost, as part of the overall travel protection package.

As mentioned earlier, travel protection companies often put restrictions around qualifying for pre-existing coverage or make it available only if a plan is purchased within a specified window, but it usually doesn’t cost extra.

With that said, coverage for pre-existing conditions is most often found on top-of-the-line plans, like Generali Global Assistance’s  Premium Plan , which has a wide range of upgraded and added coverages in addition to coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Also read:  How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

Recurrence of a pre-existing condition is a covered reason

It can be – but it depends on the condition and the situation. You may have a pre-existing condition that recurs when you’re traveling, and while it’s severe enough to require medical treatment, it’s not severe enough to warrant you ending your trip early.

On the other hand, there may be many circumstances where a flare-up would be enough to cause you to cancel your trip.

This is a long way of saying that the fact that a medical condition is pre-existing doesn’t automatically mean it’s severe, or severe enough to cause a traveler to cancel their trip. It’s completely dependent on the severity of the recurrence.

Also read:  10 Tips for Traveling With Medication

Does your travel insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

The best way to understand how pre-existing conditions are covered is to read your travel protection plan documents –  you can read all the fine print for our Premium plan , which is able to cover your pre-existing medical condition. Otherwise, you can  read a summary about how pre-existing conditions are covered.

The good news is that even if you have a pre-existing medical condition, you can get travel protection for your trip – and for the millions of travelers who fall into that category, that’s some very good news.

Travel Resources

*The pre-existing condition look-back period can vary, dependent upon your state of residence. B005542309

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Sometimes travel plans don’t go as expected. For this reason, many travelers purchase a travel insurance policy before a trip begins. Travel insurance can help you avoid losing money by reimbursing you for pre-paid travel costs for covered incidents when your travel plans get disrupted, and you qualify for a covered reason.

While travel insurance can be beneficial, you may wonder, can you cancel travel insurance and get a refund if you change your mind? In some situations, you may be able to cancel your travel insurance policy and get an insurance premium refund. We’ve outlined the essential details below so you know what to expect if you need a refund.

» Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance

Can you get a travel insurance refund?

Yes, getting a travel insurance refund is possible, depending on when you cancel the policy. To qualify for a premium refund, most insurance companies require the policy to be canceled during the review period outlined in the policy terms.

Otherwise, you won’t be eligible for a refund on your travel insurance. That’s why paying attention to this timeline is essential when buying coverage.

Some insurers call this timeframe a money-back guarantee period, while others call it a review or free look period. The timing varies by policy and insurer, but it’s often between 10 to 15 days.

This period gives travelers time to review the policy documents to ensure it meets their coverage needs. If your travel insurance policy has a money-back guarantee or review period, you can cancel for any reason and receive a full refund within the timeframe if you haven’t filed a claim or departed for your trip yet.

But you won’t get a premium refund if you cancel your policy after the review period. Reviewing the policy terms before purchasing a travel insurance policy is recommended so you know what to expect before buying coverage. You can find details regarding this review timeline in the policy paperwork.

To qualify for a refund when canceling your policy during the review period outlined in your travel insurance policy, you must not have filed a claim or started your trip yet.

» Learn more: What is travel insurance?

Do you qualify for a refund if your trip is delayed or canceled?

You may wonder, is travel insurance refundable if the trip is canceled? Many comprehensive travel insurance policies include trip delay, trip interruption and trip cancellation coverage.

You must meet the conditions of the coverage outlined in your policy and have a covered reason to qualify for reimbursement for prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs or additional trip expenses that occur due to covered delays, interruptions, and cancellations. But you won’t be eligible for a refund of travel insurance policy premiums.

» Learn more: Trip cancellation insurance explained

CFAR travel insurance add-on offers greater flexibility

If you want a more flexible solution, you may want to add Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance (CFAR) coverage to your travel insurance policy.

Some travelers prefer the added protection that CFAR coverage offers. This supplemental coverage costs extra but provides more flexibility for cancellations. However, not every insurance company offers it. You should also be aware that many insurance providers require this coverage to be purchased within a set number of days of making your initial trip payment.

CFAR coverage can provide a partial refund for eligible nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses. You can cancel for any reason, as the name suggests, but you must cancel within the timeframe listed in your policy.

Canceling the day of, for example, is usually not allowed. Many insurers require travelers to cancel at least two days before their trip to qualify for a partial refund.

» Learn more: The guide to Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance

Reasons why a traveler might cancel their travel insurance policy

Some travelers cancel their travel insurance policy because it doesn’t meet their needs. During the review period mentioned above, travelers should review the terms and conditions to ensure the chosen policy meets their expectations and is a good fit for their trip.

But that’s not the only reason a traveler might consider canceling their policy. Some travelers may wish to cancel their insurance policy if they’ve decided they no longer want to take a trip due to work schedule changes, sickness or other personal reasons.

To cancel and be eligible for reasons like sickness or job schedule changes, travelers need CFAR coverage in their travel insurance policy to receive a partial refund for eligible prepaid trip costs.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

How to cancel a travel insurance policy

Contact your insurance company directly to cancel your travel insurance policy. Some insurance providers allow you to cancel your coverage online or by phone. But some insurers require policyholders to cancel their insurance policy in writing. Your best bet is to check with your insurer to learn more about the cancellation process.

Final thoughts regarding a travel insurance refund

If you plan to purchase a travel insurance policy for your next trip, review all policy terms so you can decide early on if it’s the right coverage for you. You will also want to know the outlined timeline to cancel if necessary.

If you want to boost your coverage and be eligible for a partial refund if you get sick or change your plans before departing for your trip, you may want to consider adding CFAR coverage to your policy. Doing this can give you greater peace of mind and more flexibility.

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.

Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions – Best Plans

Home | Travel | Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions – Best Plans

When traveling abroad, get a policy from one of the  best travel insurance companies . Y ou can get a  5% discount   on Heymondo , the only insurance that pays medical bills upfront for you, HERE!

Travel insurance for a pre-existing medical condition can be an absolute lifesaver. After all, plenty of travelers have pre-existing conditions that they understandably want to have covered while they travel. That way, if something goes wrong, they’re not stuck paying for exorbitant medical bills out of their own pocket.

Luckily, even though not all travel insurance companies offer pre-existing condition travel insurance , there are still numerous companies that do.

Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions – Best Plans & Cost

You should keep in mind, however, that you are not automatically guaranteed pre-existing condition coverage when you purchase travel insurance. Instead, you’ll have to meet certain requirements, such as buying your plan within a certain number of days after your initial trip payment, in order to qualify for pre-existing condition coverage.

Still, whether you want travel medical insurance or comprehensive travel insurance with pre-existing conditions coverage , having some kind of coverage while you travel is worth it. That’s why I’ve curated a list of the top companies that offer travel insurance for pre-existing conditions so you can easily find and select a plan that will work for you. This article also includes the following information:

What is a pre-existing medical condition?

What medical conditions are covered by travel insurance?

• Preexisting medical conditions travel insurance comparison

Best travel insurance for pre-existing conditions

Let’s get into it !

Of course, before you can purchase travel insurance for pre-existing conditions , you’ll need to know exactly how insurance companies define a pre-existing medical condition.

A pre-existing medical condition is any injury, illness, or medical condition that required medical attention, caused symptoms, or required prescribed medication (unless this medication controls the condition or symptoms, and the prescription has not changed) within the 60 to 180 days prior to the purchase of travel insurance.

These 60 to 180 days prior to purchase are known as a lookback period and indicate the number of days an insurance company is allowed to look back at your medical records to determine if your claim is related to a pre-existing medical condition. Ultimately, each pre-existing condition travel insurance company determines its own lookback period.

Crucially, an injury, illness, or medical condition does not have to be formally diagnosed by a medical professional for it to be considered a pre-existing medical condition .

Fortunately, travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions covers a multitude of medical conditions, including diabetes. As long as you qualify for and receive a pre-existing medical condition waiver, you’ll be entitled to reimbursement for medical treatment you receive while abroad, even if it’s for a (covered) pre-existing condition.

There are a few conditions, however, that aren’t generally covered by even the best travel insurance for pre-existing conditions : Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, anxiety, depression, and normal pregnancy.

In any case, be sure to always check the fine print of your pre-existing condition travel insurance policy to determine which conditions are covered. That way, you won’t have to waste time and money on purchasing a plan that ultimately doesn’t cover your medical issues .

Pre-existing medical conditions travel insurance comparison

Getting travel insurance with a pre-existing condition doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Ultimately, the price of your travel insurance for a pre-existing medical condition will depend on your age, nationality, destination, and the length and cost of your trip.

To help you get an idea of how much travel insurance for pre-existing conditions might cost, I’ve generated quotes from five pre-existing condition travel insurance companies so you can compare prices. I’ve used the example of a 30-year-old American from Pennsylvania who is traveling to Mexico for a week and whose trip costs $2,500 to obtain these quotes.

* price used for example

In short, these companies offer the best travel insurance for pre-existing conditions :

• IMG , the best travel insurance for pre-existing conditions
• Travelex , a travel insurance that covers medical conditions with a short lookback period
• Trawick International , a cheap travel insurance for pre-existing conditions
• AIG Travel Guard , a solid pre-existing condition travel insurance
• Tin Leg , another travel insurance with preexisting conditions coverage

1. IMG , the best travel insurance for pre-existing conditions

If you want the best travel insurance for pre-existing conditions , look no further than IMG . The iTravelInsured Travel SE plan provides a high amount of coverage in all medical- and travel-related categories while still being affordable. Even better, multiple other IMG plans offer pre-existing condition coverage, so you’ll have plenty of options.

On top of that, IMG offers a short lookback period of 60 days for pre-existing medical conditions, so only the past two months of medical history will be examined when assessing insurance claims. Best of all, customers have 20 days after their initial trip payment, the longest amount of time out of all the pre-existing condition travel insurance plans I compared, to purchase their travel insurance plan and qualify for a pre-existing medical condition travel insurance waiver .

To qualify for pre-existing condition coverage, they also need to be medically able to travel at the time they purchase their plan.

2. Travelex , a travel insurance that covers medical conditions with a short lookback period

Yet another good travel insurance for pre-existing conditions is Travelex . Their Travel Select plan offers a solid amount of coverage in all categories other than medical expenses and has a short lookback period of 60 days.

For travelers to qualify for pre-existing condition coverage, they must purchase their insurance plan within 15 days of their initial trip payment, which is a fairly generous amount of time. Travelers must also select an amount of coverage that is equal to all of their trip costs at the time of purchase, add any other trip costs within 15 days of paying for them, be medically able to travel when they purchase their plan and ensure that their trip cost does not exceed the maximum limit for Trip Cost under Trip Cancellation.

While Travelex does offer reliable travel insurance with pre-existing condition coverage , you can actually get similar or better coverage in all categories for a lower price with IMG. Ultimately, if you’d prefer to have a higher amount of coverage and save money, IMG is a better choice.

3. Trawick International , a cheap travel insurance for pre-existing conditions

Trawick International ’s Safe Travels Explorer Plus plan is the perfect option for travelers who want cheap travel insurance for pre-existing conditions . It’s the most affordable plan out of all the pre-existing condition travel insurance plans I’ve compared, and provides good coverage in all categories, except for emergency medical expenses.

Trawick’s lookback period of 90 days is longer than IMG’s and Travelex’s, but overall, it’s still a relatively short lookback period. The real limitation of Trawick’s travel insurance that covers medical conditions , however, is that the plan must be purchased within 7 days of your initial trip deposit and within 7 days of all other subsequent travel payments in order to qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver, which doesn’t give you much time.

Additional pre-existing condition waiver qualification requirements include insuring all trip costs and being medically able to travel when you purchase the plan. Ultimately, Trawick’s plan provides sufficient coverage for those looking to get a good deal on pre-existing condition travel insurance , but if you want a higher amount of coverage and you’re willing to shell out just a bit more, opt for IMG .

4. AIG Travel Guard , a solid pre-existing condition travel insurance

Take advantage of the AIG Travel Guard Essential plan’s pre-existing medical condition travel insurance coverage and enjoy solid coverage in all categories other than emergency medical expenses.

Although the plan has a long lookback period of 180 days, you’ll get 15 days from your initial trip payment to buy the plan and qualify for pre-existing condition coverage. You must also ensure all your trip costs and be medically able to travel when you purchase your plan if you want to qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver.

Unfortunately, if you want the best value for money, you’ll have to keep looking. The Essential plan is the most expensive of all the pre-existing condition travel insurance plans I’ve compared, and its low amount of medical expense coverage is especially disheartening considering how pricey the plan is. If you want a higher amount of medical expense coverage for a lower price to boot, go with IMG .

5. Tin Leg , another travel insurance with preexisting conditions coverage

If you’re planning a trip filled with tons of adventurous activities, Tin Leg ’s Standard plan has got you covered, since this pre-existing condition visitor insurance includes coverage for sports and activities. In terms of other coverage, the plan offers a low amount of emergency medical expense coverage, particularly for its price, but good coverage otherwise.

Unfortunately, Tin Leg has a very long lookback period of 180 days, or 6 months, which means quite a bit of your medical history will be assessed if you file a claim. On the other hand, you do have 15 days from your initial trip payment to buy a plan, which is a fair amount of time.

Other than buying your plan within 15 days of your initial trip payment, to qualify for pre-existing condition travel insurance coverage , you must cover all trip costs within 15 days of purchasing your Tin Leg plan, your overall trip cost must not exceed the cost limit for Trip Cancellation, and you must be medically able to travel when you purchase the plan.

Which travel insurance is best for medical conditions?

As you’ll have seen, there’s no need to let a pre-existing medical condition prevent you from traveling the world. The numerous options for travel insurance that covers medical conditions mean that, whatever plan you choose, you can rest assured that any medical bills you incur abroad will be covered.

In terms of the best travel insurance for pre-existing conditions , IMG is the best choice if you want a high amount of coverage and good value for money. On the other hand, if you’d prefer to get cheap travel insurance that still offers solid coverage, Trawick is your best bet.

Hopefully, this article has answered all of your questions about travel insurance for a pre-existing medical condition , but if you have any more, feel free to leave a comment below.

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• 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
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June 1, 2020

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Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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Pre-existing Medical Condition Coverage

This coverage addresses the needs of travelers who have pre-existing medical conditions. The coverage is actually in the form of an exclusion waiver because travel insurance plans automatically exclude coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.

Let us tell you a story

Michael was traveling to Mexico to learn to surf. Months before his trip, he’d suffered through a cluster of migraine headaches, but he’d been treated by his doctor, prescribed medicine, and was considered fully recovered. When Michael landed in Mexico, he was surprised by a severe headache followed by nausea and dizziness.

Michael had purchased trip insurance coverage and paid for the pre-existing condition waiver, so he felt comfortable visiting a local medical facility. Because Michael had been medically stable with no changes in his health condition and no new medications for the duration of his policy’s look-back period, the costs for his treatment were covered.

What does the Pre-existing Condition Waiver cover?

Travel insurance plans have an automatic exclusion for pre-existing conditions, which means they do not cover costs related to a pre-existing condition.

A  pre-existing condition  is any injury, illness, disease or other medical condition that occurs prior to the travel plan’s effective date and for which you had symptoms and sought diagnosis, medical treatment, and/or new prescription medications or a change in your current prescription.

Some travel insurance plans cover medical costs relative to pre-existing conditions by offering a waiver to the exclusion. Having pre-existing coverage means that the medical coverage provided by your policy is in effect because the pre-existing exclusion is waived.

What is the ‘Look-back Period’ and ‘Medically Stable’?

The  look-back period  is the amount of time prior to your travel policy’s effective date that the insurance company will review for pre-existing conditions if you end up filing a claim. If you were medically stable during the look-back period, it is not considered a pre-existing condition.

The term  medically stable  means that you’ve had no new medical condition and no prescription medication changes during the look-back period. You must be medically stable when you purchase the travel plan and if a claim is made.

The amount of time in the look-back period varies from plan to plan, but is typically between 60 and 180 days. Any medical condition that existed during the look-back period is considered a pre-existing condition if you had symptoms and/or were treated or had a change in your prescription medications.

Pre-existing condition examples

If a medical condition is defined as a pre-existing medical condition and you don’t purchase the pre-existing condition exclusion waiver, you will have no effective medical coverage for losses caused by the pre-existing condition on your trip (ther medical losses would be covered if unrelated to the pre-existing condition). In addition, you won’t have trip cancellation or trip interruption coverage if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to the pre-existing condition.

So, what qualifies as a pre-existing condition?

Important notes about this coverage

• You must purchase an amount of coverage that equals all pre-paid non refundable payments applicable to the trip.
• Your health must be medically stable when you purchase your travel plan.
• Nearly all plans require you to purchase your travel insurance soon after making your first trip payment. If you buy it early and the trip is fully insured, there is often no extra charge.
• You must cover the full length of your trip (not just a portion of it).
• Emergency Medical Evacuation
• Repatriation
• Baggage and Baggage Delay
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Collision Damage waiver

You may be asking,  “What happens if I book a trip that starts within that 10-14 day time frame?”  That’s OK too as long as the window from the purchase of your trip insurance doesn’t exceed the time limit, the pre-existing medical condition coverage will apply.

What type of policy covers this?

Travel insurance medical plans adhere to the first rule that coverage automatically excludes pre-existing conditions. Only travel insurance package plans offer the ability to waive the pre-existing condition exclusion as long as the insured follows the rules for purchasing it within the appropriate time frame and covering the full length and cost of the trip.

How much coverage does each company provide?

* Subject to your state of residence.

• No travel plan covers pre-existing conditions, but you can purchase a package plan that offers an exclusion waiver
• You must purchase your plan within a certain number of days of the initial trip deposit (typically 14-21 days) or final payment (in some cases), and you must insure the full cost and length of the trip
• You must be medically stable when you purchase the travel plan and if a claim is made, the travel insurance provider will examine your health records over the look-back period

DamianTysdal

Damian Tysdal is the founder of CoverTrip, and is a licensed agent for travel insurance (MA 1883287). He believes travel insurance should be easier to understand, and started the first travel insurance blog in 2006.

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Travel with peace-of-mind... Compare quotes for free

Politics latest: Next Scottish FM tipped to be 'crowned with no contest' after Yousaf quits

Humza Yousaf has announced his resignation as SNP leader and Scotland's first minister following the fallout from his decision to end the SNP's powersharing agreement with the Scottish Greens. Former SNP leader John Swinney is an early favourite for the job.

Monday 29 April 2024 21:55, UK

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• Yousaf quits as Scottish FM after ending powersharing deal
• Outgoing SNP leader admits he 'underestimated' hurt caused
• Next SNP leader tipped to be 'crowned with no contest'
• The contenders who could replace him in Scotland's top job
• Analysis: The biggest political miscalculation of Yousaf's career
• Explained: How did we get here - and what happens next?
• Daily podcast: Does this spell end for Scottish independence?
• Live reporting by Faith Ridler and (earlier)  Samuel Osborne

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf has resigned – days after he cut the SNP's powersharing deal with the Scottish Greens.

It followed a bitter row over the SNP's climbdown on climate targets as he said the agreement between the parties had "served its purpose".

As a result, his former Green allies teamed up with the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats to get behind two no-confidence motions, one in himself as leader of Scotland and another regarding the entire Scottish government.

Now attention turns to another SNP leadership contest and what the divisions in Scottish politics could mean for the future of the independence campaign.  

On the Sky News Daily , Matt Barbet speaks to Paul Hutcheon, political editor of the Daily Record, and Shona Craven, from The National, about how the SNP can move on after Mr Yousaf's resignation.

Plus, Connor Gillies , our Scotland correspondent , explains how the leadership election will unfold.  

Humza Yousaf has quit as Scotland's first minister and leader of the SNP.

We take a look back at how the 39-year-old rose through the ranks to become Scotland's top politician.

Mr Yousaf - the MSP for Glasgow Pollok - was born in the city on 7 April 1985 to a Pakistani father and Kenyan mother.

He was privately educated at Hutchesons' Grammar School in Glasgow and became interested in politics during his youth.

He went on to study the topic at the University of Glasgow, graduating in 2007 with an MA.

During his time at university, he joined the SNP. He was also president of the Muslim Students Association and was involved in the Students' Representative Council.

It was straight to Holyrood for Mr Yousaf, taking a job as a parliamentary assistant to the SNP's Bashir Ahmad - Scotland's first Muslim MSP.

After Mr Ahmad's death two years later, he carried on the role and worked as an assistant for a number of MSPs, including Nicola Sturgeon and the then-first minister Alex Salmond, solidifying his place in the party.

Read more about Mr Yousaf's life in politics from our Scotland reporter Jenness Mitchell here:

The Sky News live poll tracker - collated and updated by our Data and Forensics team - aggregates various surveys to indicate how voters feel about the different political parties.

With the local election campaign well under way, Labour is still sitting comfortably on a roughly 20-point lead, averaging at 43.5% in the polls, with the Tories on 23.2%.

In third is Reform UK on 12.4%, followed by the Lib Dems on 9.5%.

The Green Party stands at 6.2%, and the SNP on 3.0%.

See the latest update below - and you can read more about the methodology behind the tracker  here .

With a general election looming, what counts as gains and losses for the main parties in next week's locals? 

Sky's election analyst Michael Thrasher tells us what to look out for:

By Jenness Mitchell , Scotland reporter

John Swinney is a name that has kept coming up since Humza Yousaf announced his resignation as SNP leader and Scottish first minister today.

He's received the backing of party heavyweights like Stephen Flynn and Ian Blackford, and was the first to announce he's giving "very careful consideration" to running for the leadership.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Swinney said: "I'm giving very careful consideration to standing to be the leader of the SNP.

"I've been somewhat overwhelmed by the requests that have been made of me to do that, with many, many messages from many colleagues across the party."

There and back again?

Mr Swinney stood down as deputy first minister following Ms Sturgeon's shock resignation in 2023.

The former SNP leader, who resigned from that post in 2004 following poor European Parliament election results, is clearly tempted to once again step into the spotlight following his year on the backbenches.

The MSP for Perthshire North, who was finance secretary under Alex Salmond's government, has the experience to hold the fort following Mr Yousaf's departure.

He ruled himself out of the 2023 leadership race, citing that he had to put his young family first.

Mr Swinney said he's got "lots of things to think about".

He added: "There's the whole question of my family. And I have to make sure that I do the right thing by my family, they are precious to me.

"I have to do the right thing by my party and by my country. So, there's lots to be thought about, and I'll give all of that consideration in the days to come."

By  Jennifer Scott , political reporter

For the DUP's Carla Lockhart, the death of her father gave her a different view.

He died last year aged 66 after suffering from cancer for almost five years, and she said due to his faith "he never feared dying because he knew he was going to his heavenly home". 

Speaking at Westminster Hall's assisted dying debate today, Ms Lockhart said her father's cancer was "absolutely horrendous" and "caused him immense pain and suffering".

Despite that, she said he "knew that there was an appointed time for his home calling, and it wasn't for him or any other to decide in that time". 

She added: "The palliative care and cancer care was exceptional. With further investment, it could be even better. 

"So I speak today, not as someone who hasn't experienced a loved one who has suffered with terminal illness. I know the journey. But I also know the one thing these people don't need is the law telling them their lives aren't worth living or that they are costing too much. 

"We need to tell such people they are valued, they are important, we care for them no matter the cost, and we must put our money where our mouth is and ensure that all those who need it can access high quality specialist palliative care."  

By Jennifer Scott , political reporter

MPs crammed into Westminster Hall today to discuss the contentious issue of assisted dying after a petition - sparked by the campaign of Dame Esther Rantzen to change the law - came to the floor.

Conservative Simon Jupp told the story of how one of his own constituents made his mind up on the issue.

They met when he was walking past the elderly man's garden, where he was pruning on his wife's behalf as she was now in a local care home.

"At this point I could see he wanted to cry," said Mr Jupp. 

"In a very British way he apologised and went on to explain… his dear wife, the love of his life, is terminally ill, has no quality of life, lives in constant pain and can't leave her bed.

"He visits her everyday and every single day she tells him she doesn't want to be here any more. It was clearly breaking his heart."

The man asked the MP if he supported assisted dying.

"The look of relief when I said yes was palpable, and we shared a moment together," said Mr Jupp. "And I will never forget that conversation."

Our deputy political editor Sam Coates is now joining Sophy Ridge, and he comes prepared with some new polling on the Tees Valley mayoral election.

Ben Houchen has a seven-point lead on 51% of the projected vote, he says, with Labour's candidate trailing behind with an estimated 44% and the Liberal Democrats with 5%.

"It's not a massive lead," Sam stresses. "It's down from 73% when this seat was last fought, he's dropped to 51%, but a clear lead over Chris McEwan the Labour candidate and the Lib Dems far behind there."

He adds that he was "really ahead" in the over-65s category.

Turning to the West Midlands, a YouGov poll has put Conservative candidate Andy Street two points ahead of Labour.

"YouGov say these figures are essentially too close to call… actually you can see the Lib Dems, Reform, Green and the independent George Galloway-backed candidate totalling much more than the 2%.

"If you squeeze these, then that might just turn the outcome."

Sam says that Thursday - the day of the local elections - could well be a "red letter day" for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

This would be the case "if he loses half of his local councillors" and mayoral elections. 

"But this polling suggests that Rishi Sunak is in with a chance of holding on" in Tees Valley and the West Midlands.

If he does that, Sam says, "could it be Labour who have been ramping up expectations, then end up having to do some explaining?"

As a reminder, here are the candidates for the Tees Valley mayoral election:

• Ben Houchen, Conservatives; 
• Chris McEwan, Labour; 
• Simon Thorley, Lib Dems.

And for the West Midlands:

• Siobhan Harper-Nunes, Greens; 
• Richard Parker, Labour; 
• Andy Street, Conservatives; 
• Sunny Virk, Lib Dems; 
• Elaine Ruth Williams, Reform; 
• Akhmed Yakoob, independent.

That wraps up tonight's Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge , but we'll have all the latest from Westminster and beyond throughout the night.

The week has kicked off with a huge political story - the resignation of Humza Yousaf - and will end with another, as voters across England and Wales turn out for the local elections.

Sky's political reporter Alexandra Rogers   has looked ahead to a potentially defining night for Rishi Sunak's premiership, when hundreds of council seats, police and crime commissioner jobs, and mayoral posts will be up for grabs.

Read her full explainer below:

We're turning briefly to the diplomatic row which has erupted between the UK and Irish governments over Rishi Sunak's Rwanda policy.

Dublin has claimed that the threat of being sent to Rwanda has led to some migrants crossing from Northern Ireland into Ireland, and that it would introduce emergency legislation to send them back to the UK.

Our Ireland correspondent  Stephen Murphy  says some refugees in the country feel like they are being used as "pawns in a much wider political game".

He says he has spoken to five or six people that have attributed their journey from Britain to Northern Ireland, and subsequently to Ireland, as directly due to the Conservatives' Rwanda scheme.

There is "reality" in the Irish government's claims, Murphy says - but he adds the suggestion migrants from Northern Ireland make up 80% of those seeking support is "also just an estimate".

"It is a political row, but it's hard sometimes to remember at the heart of all this is people, and the people here that we spoke to, they really do feel they're now being used as pawns in a much wider political game."

Read more on this below:

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