Update for 2025: Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Travel Insurance
Understanding Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Any medical problem you have past due before your travel insurance starts is considered pre-existing. This covers diagnosed ailments, including diabetes or asthma, diseases you are treating, or even symptoms you have had and visited a doctor about. Significantly, an illness is still pre-existing, whether stable or in remission. Given that 1 in 4 Americans have a pre-existing medical condition, according to a 2017 Gallup poll, this coverage is quite relevant.
How Travel Insurance Companies Define Pre-Existing Conditions
Every insurance company defines its policies somewhat differently; usually, this involves a "look-back period" between 60 and 180 days before policy purchase. If you had treatment, took medicine, or experienced symptoms that would have a reasonable person seeking medical attention, the ailment is usually deemed pre-existing during this period. For instance, even if it feels great now, a knee ailment you visited a doctor about three months ago would most certainly fit this description. Certain companies, such as Allianz Global Assistance, stretch this 120-day look-back time. This period can be significantly extended for travel medical insurance—sometimes three years.
Why Standard Travel Insurance Often Excludes Pre-Existing Conditions
Standard policies sometimes exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage because they pose more risk for the insurer. Claiming treatment connected to a pre-existing ailment might be costly, affecting the insurer's profitability. Emphasizing the need to know this element of travel insurance, a KPMG survey commissioned by the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada revealed that failing to meet policy criteria for pre-existing conditions is the second most common reason for claim denial.
The Pre-Existing Condition Waiver: Your Key to Coverage
Most complete travel insurance policies include a pre-existing condition waiver, eliminating the exclusion based on pre-existing conditions should you fit specific criteria. Usually, you must buy your policy 14 to 21 days before your first trip deposit and insure the whole, non-refundable trip cost. Certain carriers, such as Travel Insured International, provide a longer twenty-one-day window. You must also be medically able to travel on the insurance purchase date. Usually, this waiver comes free of charge.
What the Pre-Existing Condition Waiver Covers (and Doesn't)
Under a waiver, you can be covered for medical events connected to your pre-existing condition while traveling—including hospital stays, doctor visits, and even emergency medical evacuation. Generally speaking, though, regular maintenance, prescription refills, and preventative visits are not included. Usually excluded, even with a waiver, are some diseases, including Alzheimer's, mental health issues, and pregnancy (apart from some difficulties).
Finding the Right Travel Insurance with Pre-Existing Condition Coverage
Many carriers have policies with pre-existing condition waivers. Among the often-used choices are Trawick International, Generali Global Assistance, Seven Corners, Allianz Global Assistance, and Travel Insured International. Comparatively, sites like SquareMouth, InsureMyTrip, and TravelInsurance.com let you make side-by-side policy comparisons, screening for plans with pre-existing condition coverage and reviewing each policy's waiver requirements. Pay strict attention to policy maximums, particularly for medical bills and evacuation; these can vary greatly.
Tips for Seniors Traveling with Pre-Existing Conditions
See your doctor to be sure you are fit for travel and to obtain any required paperwork before your trip. Pack enough medications in your carry-on bag along with copies of your prescriptions and medical records—advance research of medical facilities at your location. Learn the specifics of your travel insurance policy and keep your policy readily available. Since they can offer insightful advice on locations, lodging, and insurance choices, think about working with a travel agent focused on travel for seniors with medical conditions.
| Provider | Plan Name | Pre-Existing Condition Coverage | Look-Back Period | Time Sensitive Purchase Period (after initial trip deposit) | Medical Coverage | Medical Evacuation | Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) | Other Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aegis | Go Ready Trip Cancellation | Covered | 180 days | 14 days | Not Covered | Not Covered | Optional upgrade | Trip Cancellation Only |
| Aegis | Go Ready Choice | Optional Coverage (add-on) | 90 days | 14 days | $50,000 (can increase to $500,000) | $250,000 | 75% (up to $7,500 limit, must purchase within 1 day of booking for CFAR) | No age limit |
| Aegis | Go Ready Pandemic Plus | Covered | 180 days | 14 days | $50,000 ($750 Dental) | $500,000 | 75% (must purchase within 14 days of first travel arrangements) | Specific pandemic coverage |
| Allianz Global Assistance | OneTrip Prime | Covered | 120 days | 14 days | $50,000 | $500,000 | 80% (must purchase within 14 days of initial deposit) | One child under 17 covered free per adult |
| Allianz Global Assistance | OneTrip Premier | Covered | 120 days | 14 days | $100,000 | $1,000,000 | 80% (must purchase within 14 days of initial deposit) | One child under 17 covered free per adult |
| Faye | Single-Trip Plan | Covered | 180 days | 14 days | $250,000 | $500,000 | 75% (must purchase within 14 days of initial deposit) | 100% digital claims, quick claims payouts, add-ons for pet care/rental damage |
| Generali Global Assistance | Premium | Covered | 180 days | Before final trip payment | $250,000 | $1,000,000 | 60% (restrictions apply, must purchase within 24 hours of initial deposit) | Rental car damage, optional Cancel For Any Reason |
| Seven Corners | Trip Protection Choice | Covered | 60 days | 20 days | Up to $50,000 | $1,000,000 | 75% (must purchase within 21 days of booking) | Coverage available up to age 99 |
| Travel Insured International | Worldwide Trip Protector Platinum | Covered | 60 days | 21 days | $500,000 | $1,000,000 | 75% (must be purchased within 21 days of initial trip payment) | Lower rates, job loss is covered reason for cancellation |
| Trawick International | Safe Travels Voyager | Covered | 90 days | 21 days and before final trip payment | Up to $250,000 | $1,000,000 | 75% (must purchase within 21 days of initial trip deposit and before final trip payment) | High medical limits, interrupt for any reason available |
