Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions – Best Plans

Travel coverage for a pre-existing medical condition can prove to be lifesaving. After all, many explorers have pre-existing conditions that they understandably want covered while they travel. That way, if something goes amiss, they’re not stuck paying for exorbitant medical bills from their own funds.

Fortunately, even though not every travel insurance provider covers pre-existing medical conditions abroad, many companies still do offer this type of travel insurance.

It is important to note that having a pre-existing medical condition alone does not automatically guarantee coverage for that condition when purchasing travel insurance. Instead, meeting certain criteria will need to be fulfilled, such as purchasing the plan within a defined number of days after the initial trip payment was made, to qualify for coverage of pre-existing conditions.

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 compiled 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 constitutes a pre-existing medical condition?
• What medical conditions are protected by travel coverage?
• Preexisting medical conditions travel insurance comparison
• Most suitable travel medical insurance for pre-existing health conditions

Now let`s dive in !

What is a pre-existing medical condition?

Of course, before purchasing travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions, you need to understand how insurance companies define a pre-existing condition.

A pre-existing medical circumstance refers to any injury, illness, or health condition that necessitated medical attention, induced symptoms, or required prescribed medication (unless this prescription manages the condition or symptoms, and the prescription has not altered) within the 60 to 180 days prior to purchasing travel insurance.

These 60 to 180 days prior to purchase are known as a lookback window and indicate the number of days an insurance company is permitted to inspect your medical records to establish if your claim is related to a pre-existing medical condition. Ultimately, each travel insurance provider covering pre-existing conditions determines its own lookback period.

Importantly, 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 .

What medical conditions are covered by travel insurance?

Fortunately, insurance covering pre-existing medical situations covers many health conditions, like diabetes. Provided you fulfill the requirements for and obtain a waiver for pre-existing medical issues, you`ll be entitled to payment for treatment gotten while abroad, even if it`s for a (covered) pre-existing issue.

There are a few circumstances, however, that usually aren’t insured by even the travel coverage for pre-existing conditions: Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, anxiety, depression, and typical pregnancy.

It is important to carefully review the specifics of your pre-existing medical condition travel insurance plan to determine which ailments are covered. Doing so will prevent wasting time and money on a policy that ultimately does not apply to your health issues .

Pre-existing medical conditions travel insurance comparison

Acquiring voyage insurance with a pre-existing circumstances isn’t requisite to be perplexing or costly. Ultimately, the monetary value of your travel coverage for a preceding medical condition will rely on your age, nationality, itinerary, and length as well as price of your journey.

To provide an estimate of how much insurance coverage for pre-existing medical conditions may cost, I generated quotes from five insurance carriers that offer policies for travel with pre-existing conditions so you can compare pricing. I used the scenario of a 30-year-old American resident of Pennsylvania traveling to Mexico for one week whose trip expenses total $2,500 to obtain these rates.

* cost utilized as an example

Best travel insurance for pre-existing conditions

In essence, these organizations provide the optimal insurance coverage for previous medical conditions:

1. IMG, the preferred insurance provider for preexisting medical conditions when traveling
2. Travelex, a travel insurance that covers medical conditions with a brief lookback timeframe
3. Trawick International, a inexpensive travel medical insurance for pre-existing medical conditions
4. AIG Travel Guard, a reliable provider of pre-existing condition travel medical insurance
5. Tin Leg, another travel protection with pre-existing conditions coverage

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

If you seek the leading travel insurance for pre-existing health issues, look no additional than IMG. The iTravelInsured Travel SE strategy delivers a high level of protection in all medical- and travel-relevant types while still being affordable. Even better, various other IMG plans present pre-existing condition protection, so you’ll have numerous choices.

On top of that, IMG offers a short retrospective 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 coverage of pre-existing conditions, travelers must also be medically able to travel at the time of purchasing their plan.

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

Another useful option for pre-existing health conditions is Travelex Travel Select plan. It provides decent protection across all categories except medical costs and only looks back 60 days for prior issues.

Travelers seeking pre-existing condition insurance coverage must purchase their plan within 15 days of their initial trip payment, a reasonable duration. Travelers must select coverage equaling all trip costs at purchase, add any other costs within 15 days, be medically able to travel when purchasing, and ensure the trip cost doesn`t surpass Trip Cancellation`s maximum limit.

While Travelex does offer dependable travel coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, you can in fact obtain similar or superior coverage across all categories for a lower cost through IMG. Ultimately, if you prefer having a greater amount of protection and saving money, IMG is a preferable choice.

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

Trawick International’s Safe Travels Explorer Plus plan is the ideal choice for travelers who seek low-cost travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions. It’s the most affordable plan out of all the pre-existing condition travel insurance policies I’ve examined, and provides good coverage across all categories, except for emergency healthcare expenses.

While Trawick’s lookback period of 90 days for reviewing medical histories is longer than those of IMG and Travelex, it remains a relatively brief timeframe. The true limitation of Trawick`s travel insurance that covers medical conditions, however, is requiring the plan to be bought within 7 days of putting down an initial trip deposit as well as within 7 days of any subsequent travel payments to qualify for a waiver of pre-existing conditions. This short window does not provide much leniency.

Extra criteria must be met to qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver on Trawick`s plan including covering all travel costs and being medically capable of traveling when purchasing the policy. Ultimately, the plan provides adequate protection for those seeking an affordable pre-existing medical condition travel insurance option, but for higher coverage limits and if willing to pay a bit more, choose 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 except emergency medical expenses.

While the plan provides coverage retrospectively for quite some time at 180 days, you will get 15 days after initially paying for your trip to purchase the plan and qualify for coverage of pre-existing medical issues. You also need to ensure all trip costs are paid and that you are medically fit to travel when buying the plan in order to qualify for a waiver of pre-existing conditions.

Regrettably, if seeking the best value for funds spent, further searching will be necessary. The Essential plan represents the priciest of all the pre-existing medical condition travel coverage plans evaluated, and its low sum insured for medical costs is particularly disappointing given the plan`s high price tag. For a higher insured sum for medical bills at a lower cost, consider IMG.

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

If you’re intending a voyage filled with numerous daring activities, Tin Leg’s Standard plan has what`s required, since this condition for visitors already existing includes coverage for sports and activities. In terms of other coverage, the plan presents a low amount of protection for healthcare costs in emergencies, specifically for its cost, but good protection otherwise.

Regrettably, Tin Leg`s assessment period is quite extensive at 180 days or 6 months, meaning medical history from that duration would factor into any claims. However, plans can be purchased within 15 days of the initial trip payment, allowing decent time for selection.

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

Which travel insurance is best for medical conditions?

As you’ll likely have seen, there is no necessity to permit a pre-existing medical condition to impede voyaging around the world. The numerous alternatives for travel insurance that addresses medical conditions imply that, whichever plan you opt for, you can rest assured that any financial costs you incur abroad will be dealt with.

With regard to the best travel protection for preexisting health conditions,IMG represents the optimal selection if maximum coverage and good value are priorities. Alternatively, if affordable travel protection still providing sound coverage is preferable, Trawick constitutes the better choice.

It is hoped that this article has responded to all of your queries regarding travel insurance for a pre-existing medical condition. However, feel free to leave a comment below if you have any additional questions.