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.
Quick Summary
- What a pre-existing condition waiver is and why it can benefit you
- How travelers can qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver
- What insurers typically consider a pre-existing medical condition
- The best travel insurance plans with pre-existing condition coverage
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.
Travel insurance with pre-existing condition waiver coverage could make it 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 Do You 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 travel 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 travel 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 before the policy application. This includes conditions, whether known or unknown, for which medication or treatment is currently being used to manage the condition.
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 travel insurance policy that offers a pre-existing condition waiver and meet the plan's qualifications for this waiver.
Best Travel Insurance Plans With Pre-existing Condition Coverage
Best Affordable Pre-Existing Condition Plans: Battleface Discovery
Best Pre-Existing Plan with High Limits: Pathway Premium
Best Travel Insurance with Pre-Existing Condition Coverage Overall: iTravelInsured Travel SE
- Pre-existing medical conditions are usually excluded from travel insurance coverage by default.
- A pre-existing condition waiver allows coverage for trip and medical-related incidents related to existing health issues.
- Travelers typically must purchase the policy within a short time frame after their first trip deposit and meet certain requirements to qualify for the waiver.
- Not all trip insurance plans offer a pre-existing condition waiver, so comparing policies is important.
A travel 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.
If you have any additional questions about pre-existing conditions coverage in trip insurance or need assistance finding the best travel insurance plan, our licensed insurance experts are ready to assist you.
