Having a travel insurance policy is like having a supportive friend by your side throughout your trip.
However, since every travel insurance policy comes with a unique set of coverages, you need to be careful when you buy travel insurance.
Raising a claim for a situation that is not covered under your travel policy means you will not get any compensation, which could have drastic effects on your travel budget.
Pre-existing conditions are the most common exclusion people overlook while buying travel insurance. Let us explore this topic further.
What are Pre-Existing Conditions in Travel Insurance?
It is necessary to know all the features of travel insurance before you make a purchase. Coverage for pre-existing conditions is one thing you must check in your travel plan.
The term “pre-existing conditions” includes all those illnesses, ailments or injuries which you already have before buying the policy.
Some examples of pre-existing conditions are:
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Seizures
- Cancer, etc.
In general, a travel insurance policy does not provide financial coverage for pre-existing conditions and, hence, does not accept any claim request for such expenses. However, some specific travel insurance plans cover pre-existing conditions, which are discussed further.
Can You Get Compensation for Pre-Existing Diseases in Travel Insurance?
While basic travel insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions, you can get compensation for medical expenses incurred for the treatment of these diseases if you have:
- Student travel insurance
- Senior citizen travel insurance
- Schengen travel insurance
In addition, there are many other stipulations present in holiday insurance for pre-existing conditions One of them is that you will only be reimbursed in case of life-threatening situations arising from only disclosed pre-existing conditions.
Therefore, the declaration about the disease you are suffering from should be made when buying travel insurance. While it may affect the premium you will have to pay for the policy, it will reduce the chances of claim rejection due to non-disclosure.
How to Buy Pre-Medical Condition Travel Insurance?
- Choose a reliable travel insurance company and visit its website.
- Go to the travel insurance section and select the type of travel insurance with pre-existing illness, such as Schengen travel insurance, senior citizen travel insurance or student travel insurance.
- On selecting your chosen option, a new page will open.
- Select the travel type- individual or with family.
- Enter the duration of your trip, the place you are travelling to, your email address, phone number and date of birth.
- Check the quotes to see different pre-existing holiday insurance options suited to your needs.
- Select the one you find appropriate and make the payment using one of the available payment modes.
Why Buy Travel Insurance
There are many situations that you may encounter during your travels to another country and the cost of covering them can go out of your budget. Here, travel insurance comes to the rescue.
Moreover, travel insurance with pre-existing cover provides reimbursement for life-threatening medical situations, ensuring that you do not have to pay a huge amount of money out of your pocket to pay for your treatment.
Summary
Every travel insurance policy has a section that states what is included and excluded from the plan. Points like pre-existing conditions/diseases are critical as their presence provides added protection during a trip.
So, if you have a pre-existing disease, remember to ensure that you buy travel insurance with pre-existing conditions coverage to get reimbursement for medical expenses paid for the treatment of life-threatening situations.
