As you shop around for a trip insurance plan, it’s important to consider your own health and whether or not you have pre-existing conditions, such as hypertension or diabetes. If you do have pre-existing conditions, it may be wise to look for a trip insurance plan that offers a pre-existing condition waiver.
Without a pre-existing condition waiver, most insurance providers will deny claims for trip cancellation, trip interruption, or medical expenses related to pre-existing medical conditions.
What Is a Pre-existing Condition Waiver?
A pre-existing condition exclusion waiver is a benefit offered by some trip insurance plans in which if you meet certain requirements, the insurer will waive their pre-existing condition exclusion.
With a pre-existing condition waiver on your trip insurance policy, it may be possible to be covered for some trip-related expenses or emergency medical expenses for certain situations that may be caused by pre-existing health conditions.
How To Qualify for a Pre-existing Condition Waiver
Depending on the trip insurance plan you choose, requirements for the pre-existing condition exclusion waiver may vary.
Here are some of the most common requirements for a trip insurance pre-existing condition waiver:
- You need to purchase your travel insurance policy very shortly after you make your first trip deposit in order to qualify, often within 14-21 days.
- You must insure all pre-paid trip costs that are subject to cancellation penalties or restrictions.
- You must be medically able to travel when you purchase your trip insurance policy.
What Is Considered a Pre-existing Condition?
When it comes to pre-existing conditions, each trip insurance provider will have their own definition of what is considered pre-existing. However, it generally refers to an ongoing medical condition that existed in the policyholder with reasonable medical certainty prior to applying for a policy, whether known or unknown, for which medication or treatment is taken to keep the condition under control.
Do You Need a Pre-existing Condition Waiver?
If you are purchasing a trip insurance policy and currently suffer from an active medical condition, one that has been active or treated within the look-back period of the insurance policy, it may be in your favor to purchase a plan that offers a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver.
However, if you have a pre-existing medical condition that is considered stable and you aren’t taking medication for it or haven’t received treatment for it within the look-back period of the insurance policy, then you may not need a plan with a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver.
If you are unsure whether or not you need this waiver and know that you do or have suffered from a medical condition, it may be in your best interest to purchase a plan that offers a pre-existing condition waiver and meet the plan’s qualifications for this waiver.
Trip Insurance Plans With Pre-existing Condition Waivers
A trip insurance pre-existing condition exclusion waiver can help give peace of mind to those travelers who have medical conditions. It’s important to do your research and select a plan that offers the benefits you need to secure your travels.
