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How to File an International Travel Insurance Claim

What if you need your travel insurance to reimburse you? To do this, you need to file a travel insurance claim .

Learn how to claim travel insurance to get the best results and your reimbursement. Help your travel insurer help you with these travel claim tips.

How to Get Your Travel Insurance Claim Reimbursed Quickly

The first step to getting reimbursed is to file your claim. A claim is a form that tells your travel insurer what happened to you, why you need reimbursement, and how to pay you. With a claim, you also provide documentation to confirm your claim.

The best first step to preparing your travel insurance claim is to read the complete claim form. Note and prepare the documentation that the claim requires.

Most travel insurers allow you to submit a claim online, supported by live chat help. It’s helpful to do this from a laptop. You can also submit a claim from your smartphone. When you start to submit a claim online, be prepared to finish and submit the claim. You usually can’t save a half-completed claim to finish later.

Another way to submit a claim is by email or by physical mail. Each of these methods may take a little more time. If you need help for email or physical mail, you can call your travel insurer’s helpline with your questions.

Submit Your Travel Insurance Claim As Soon As Possible

The sooner you submit your travel claims, the sooner you will be reimbursed. For every provider, specific policies have claim deadlines. Check your travel insurance policy to see when you need to file a claim.  Here are some examples:

• Safe Travels Explorer with Trawick International – 7 days to file.
• Atlas Plans with World Trips – 30 days to file for most plans.
• Seven Corners – 90 days to file for most plans.
• World Nomads – file during your trip or after your trip concludes.

Before You Start Your Travel Insurance Claim, Get Your Documentation Together

How to file a travel insurance claim? Your claim form will tell you which documentation you need to submit your claim. You may have everything already. Or you may need a day or two to get items in writing.

Different claims will need different types of documentation.  Here are two examples of documentation needed for a claim.

For a trip cancellation, your claim form may ask for:

• Receipts or itineraries related to your original travel plans and to any updated travel plans
• Proof that a travel agent, cruise or tour company, or accommodation provider that they are declining to reimburse you, or proof of any partial refunds from them
• Confirmation from an airline that flights were changed, canceled, or are non-refundable, and proof of any partial refunds
• Receipts for any payments you made as a result of the documented changes to your travel plans.

For a medical claim for an accidental injury during a trip, you may need to provide:

• A statement from a physician
• Receipts for medical care related to the injury and only to the injury
• Signed forms requested by your insurer, including payment authorization, privacy disclosure, and possibly a subrogation form (with information about third parties involved) if your injury was the result of an accident.

The more complex your claim is, the more documentation you may need to provide. If you cancel a trip due to an injury, you need to provide both medical and trip information to your travel insurer.

Keep A Copy of Everything You File

Are you submitting online? Screenshot everything you submit, and note when you submitted it. Are you mailing in your claim? Photocopy everything first. Computers can glitch, mail can get lost, and documents can be misfiled. If you do not receive a response on your claim within a week, you will have all the backup information you need to follow up. For online and email submissions, you usually receive confirmation within 24 hours.

A tip: if you are sending electronic files, give each file a file name including your own name. Here is an example:

John.Doe_United_Air_Receipt_Booking_123_2022-12-31.pdf

This tip makes it easier for you and your insurance agent to organize these files.

Do You Have a Deductible, Co-Pay, or Other Cost-Sharing?

You may choose to buy a travel insurance policy with a deductible or co-pay. This makes a policy more affordable. If you place a claim, you acknowledge that you will pay costs for your loss up to your deductible or co-pay amount. Keep track of your deductible or co-pay and account for this as you complete your claim.

Read Also: Deductibles, Co-Pay and Out of Pocket Maximums

How Long Does It Take to Process A Travel Insurance Claim?

Complete claims are usually processed within 10 to 30 days. For example, World Nomads processes your claim within 20 days. The World Trips Atlas plan processes your claim within 30 days. Again, claim process time should be noted in your specific travel policy.

Your insurer will reimburse you faster when you fill out your forms properly and provide all documentation the first time you file.

If your claim is incomplete, it will take longer for you to get reimbursed. The insurer will contact you and tell you what you need to do. You may need to make corrections or provide more information. If you have physically mailed in your claim, you will also need to account for the time it takes for mail to be delivered.

What To Do if the Insurer Rejects Your Travel Insurance Claim

It is upsetting to submit a travelers’ insurance claim and have it questioned or rejected. But it does happen. In the UK, more than 15% of travel insurance claims are refused when they are first submitted . Stay calm and discuss the rejection with your insurer. You may be able to appeal the claim.

A good travel insurer will tell you why your claim was rejected. To appeal the claim, you will need to find out why it was rejected, use any required forms, and provide documentation to respond to the reason for rejection. If you contact customer service about a rejected claim, stay calm and work with customer service to problem-solve your claim.

With medical travel insurance claims, rejections can often be revised. Medical or hospitalization claims need lots of detail. Often, you just need to submit more details. If it was an emergency, you might not have had the opportunity to get a pre-authorization. You can send documents proving that you were not able to get a pre-authorization.

In the United States, you can also seek assistance from the National Association of Consumer Advocates or your state’s insurance regulator .

Top 3 Reasons Travel Insurers Reject Your Claim

Travel insurers note that there are common reasons why they reject claims. The main three reasons why travel insurers reject claims come from common mistakes or people not understanding a policy. See how you can prevent these from blocking your claim.

• Claim isn’t within the insured time period – Seven Corners notes that this is one of the most common reasons to deny a claim. To avoid this, make sure that your travel insurance covers the full time period of your travel, from the day and time you leave your home to the end of your last travel day when you return home.
• Missing or incomplete documentation – Travel insurers need complete documentation to help them avoid fraud. Be patient and cooperative, and work with your insurer to get documentation that they accept. Consider asking for an extension on filing a claim if you need to get specific documentation.
• Policy doesn’t cover it – Often people ask for more reimbursement than their policy covers. Pay attention to your policy’s limits and deductibles. a standard travel policy may not cover some items or activities. Adventure travel is one example that may need its own policy. Valuable items, like a ring or a watch valued at over $10,000, are another category to be aware of. Make sure that you have the coverage you need.

More Reasons Your Claim May be Rejected

You can prevent other reasons for claim rejection. Be honest about your pre-existing medical conditions. Don’t travel against World Health Organization or security advice. Don’t do adventure travel or sports without ensuring your policy covers these activities. Avoid reckless behavior, like excessive drug and alcohol use or traveling towards an oncoming hurricane to storm-watch.

Finally, don’t be tempted to pad a claim with inaccurate items to try and get extra money. Travel insurers scrutinize claim submissions for fraud. They want to keep costs affordable for those legitimately seeking coverage.

Four Travel Prep Tips to Make Travel Insurance Claims Easier

Before you travel, there are four things you can do to make your life easier if you need to place travelers’ insurance claims.

• Make sure you’re fully covered – Full coverage is for the complete time of your trip, from when you leave and return to your home, including all travel and activities. Sailing, scuba diving, or other adventure travel may require an additional travel policy.
• Keep copies of all travel documentation and receipts – This makes it easy to provide documentation if you make a claim. Experienced travelers create a file folder, sometimes in cloud storage, for this documentation.
• Document your luggage and valuables – Many travelers are now taking a flat-lay photograph of what they pack as proof they brought the items they are claiming for. Receipts are vital for insurance companies. It’s also your responsibility to check that your travel plan insures special valuables.
• Bring or have access to your travel insurance policy – This way, you can always check your policy and see if you are covered. When you are in trouble at midnight in an airport, it is easier to consult your policy than to make a phone call.

Make Travel Insurance Claims Easier With a Reputable Insurer

It’s wise to get your travel insurance from a recommended travel insurer with a good track record of supporting policyholders.  Look for a travel insurer with a clear claims process and multiple ways to contact them. Ask questions about possible policies to ensure that they are responsive, and seek reviews online.

See The Top 10 Travel Insurance Companies for recommendations.

Related Articles

• Seniors Travel Insurance
• What to Do if You Experience A Natural Disaster Abroad

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Does Travel Insurance Cover Medical Expenses?

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Table of Contents

What types of travel insurance are available?

What does travel insurance generally cover, the one travel credit card with travel medical insurance, how travel insurance claims work, what costs should i expect, does travel insurance cover medical costs.

If you have a big trip planned in the U.S. or abroad, chances are you’ve considered travel insurance . However, many find the concept a bit confusing. For example, does travel insurance cover medical expenses? If so, how does it work? Is there a difference between the insurance offered with your travel credit card versus a policy that’s purchased separately?

We’ll break it down for you so you can travel with less worry.

Travel insurance policies vary widely depending on your age, destination, trip length and the type of coverage needed. And whether travel insurance is worth the cost can vary greatly depending on your situation.

Nevertheless, it is critical not to get mixed up between trip cancellation and travel medical insurance as they don’t offer the same benefits and protections. Generally, these two coverage types fall under the “travel insurance” umbrella.

Trip cancellation insurance protects you financially if the trip is canceled due to an extraordinary circumstance.

Travel medical insurance is a stand-alone policy that protects you financially in the case of illness or injury during your trip by providing reimbursement for emergency medical expenses, including medical evacuations.

Trip cancellation insurance is widely available — some airlines even offer you the option to purchase coverage during booking. Travel medical insurance can be purchased as a stand-alone policy.

» Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance

Travel insurance typically covers a range of situations and scenarios related to your financial investment in the trip itself. This can include flight cancellation, lost or delayed luggage, and even theft or damage.

But maybe, more importantly, it may also cover medical expenses abroad. So, for example, if you need emergency medical or dental care while traveling or an emergency evacuation to the nearest hospital or back home, travel insurance can cover the costs.

The types of medical expenses usually covered are:

Hospitalization.

Outpatient services for medical emergencies.

Prescribed medicines.

X-rays and laboratory tests.

Transportation home if deemed medically necessary.

Expenses usually not covered include:

Drug or alcohol-related incidents.

Injuries sustained from reckless behavior.

Non-emergency procedures.

Pregnancy-related expenses.

Psychological disorders.

Some plans also won’t cover accidents that happen while participating in adventure activities or expenses connected to pre-existing conditions, so if either of those applies to you, look for a plan that does include them. Also, check to see if your current health insurance covers medical expenses while traveling and, if so, what’s included.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

Does travel insurance cover COVID?

Typically, you won’t be covered for medical claims made when traveling to known high-risk regions. This includes locations that involve travel advisories and foreseeable or expected events, like epidemics. But some travel insurance providers have expanded their offerings to include epidemic-related coverage.

Suppose your plan does include this type of coverage. In that case, it will likely provide emergency medical care if you get COVID-19 while traveling, plus trip cancellation and interruption coverage if you or a travel companion gets sick before or during travel.

Just make sure to verify whether your coverage includes disease outbreaks at your intended destinations and what restrictions, if any, are relevant.

» Learn more: Does my travel insurance cover coronavirus?

Certain travel credit cards offer travel insurance to cardholders (provided you pay for all travel expenses with that credit card). The actual coverage will vary from card to card. Still, it can include compensation for trip delay, lost luggage, rental car coverage and even travel accident coverage (in the case of death and dismemberment while traveling). However, most cards don’t specifically offer assistance with medical travel expenses or medical coverage, except:

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Of the different travel credit cards with travel insurance protections, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® may offer the most comprehensive coverage , as it includes medical costs and emergency evacuation while traveling internationally. The card covers both emergency medical and dental expenses up to $2,500 (with a $50 deductible).

What’s more, if your doctor deems it necessary for you to rest and recover for a few days before traveling home, you may be eligible for an additional $75 a day to be used for hotel expenses for up to five days.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards

Understanding how travel insurance claims work can be tricky since different providers may use different systems. In most cases, you’ll pay for medical expenses out of pocket, then file a claim afterward. There is usually a window of time you have to file a claim, from either the date of care received or the date of your return. Check the benefits associated with your card for timelines and specific instructions, which can vary.

For example, with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , you have 90 days from the time you received medical care to contact your card’s benefit administrator. They will ask you to answer some questions, fill out some paperwork and send in receipts within 180 days of the medical care you received. If the care is covered, you’ll be reimbursed for up to the maximum coverage allowance.

» Learn more: Does travel insurance cover award flights?

Naturally, insurance for travel medical expenses isn’t free, but it’s also not usually prohibitively expensive. Some policies only cost a few dollars a day, while others may cost more for older travelers or more extensive benefits. You can use a site such as SquareMouth to compare the costs from different insurance providers.

Travel medical insurance doesn’t work like most traditional medical insurance, where you visit the doctor, maybe pay a deductible and then the remainder after the claim is filed. Instead, with travel insurance, you typically file a claim after you’ve paid the entire expense out of pocket. Then, if the claim is approved, you’ll be reimbursed. That said, in some emergency circumstances with certain providers, your expenses might be covered upfront.

Be sure to read the terms and conditions of your coverage carefully, so you know what is covered, what is required when paying medical fees, how to file a claim and provide receipts.

Pick a plan with 24/7 assistance. If a medical crisis does happen, you can reach out with questions at any time.

And can you claim medical travel expenses you incur abroad? In short, yes — as long you’ve purchased travel medical insurance instead of only trip protection or cancellation insurance. But no matter what type of travel insurance you buy, make sure to read through all the details and keep the company’s support number handy. Then travel with confidence, knowing you’re covered.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Key benefits of travel medical insurance

• Travel medical insurance coverage
• Who needs medical travel insurance?

Choosing the right travel medical insurance

How to use travel medical insurance, is travel medical insurance right for your next trip, travel medical insurance: essential coverage for health and safety abroad.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate travel insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

• Travel medical insurance covers unexpected emergency medical expenses while traveling.
• Travelers off to foreign countries or remote areas should strongly consider travel medical insurance.
• If you have to use your travel medical insurance, keep all documents related to your treatment.
• Compare travel insurance coverage options and rates with SquareMouth . 

Of all the delights associated with travel to far-flung locales, getting sick or injured while away from home is low on the savvy traveler's list. Beyond gut-wrenching anxiety, seeking medical treatment in a foreign country can be exceedingly inconvenient and expensive.

The peace of mind that comes with travel insurance for the many things that could ail you while abroad is priceless. As options for travel-related insurance abound, it's essential to research, read the fine print, and act according to the specifics of your itinerary, pocketbook, and other needs.

Travel insurance reimburses you for any unexpected medical expenses incurred while traveling. On domestic trips, travel medical insurance usually take a backseat to your health insurance. However, when traveling to a foreign country, where your primary health insurance can't cover you, travel medical insurance takes the wheel. This can be especially helpful in countries with high medical care costs, such as Scandinavian countries.

Emergency medical evacuation insurance

Another benefit that often comes with travel medical insurance, emergency medical evacuation insurance covers you for any costs to transport you to an adequately equipped medical center. Emergency medical evacuation insurance is often paired with repatriation insurance, which covers costs associated with returning your remains to your home country if the worst happens. 

These benefits are for worst-case scenarios, but they might be more necessary depending on the type of trips you take. Emergency medical evacuation insurance is helpful if you're planning on traveling to a remote location or if you're traveling on a cruise as sea to land evacuations can be costly. Some of the best travel insurance companies also offer non-medical evacuations as part of an adventure sports insurance package.

It's also worth mentioning that emergency medical evacuation insurance is required for international students studying in the US on a J Visa. 

Types of coverage offered by travel medical insurance

The exact terms of your coverage will vary depending on your insurer, but you can expect most travel medical insurance policies to offer the following coverages.

• Hospital room and board
• Inpatient/outpatient hospital services
• Prescription Drugs
• COVID-19 treatment
• Emergency room services
• Urgent care visits
• Local ambulance
• Acute onset of pre-existing conditions
• Dental coverage (accident/sudden relief of pain)
• Medical care due to terrorist attack
• Emergency medical evacuation 
• Repatriation of mortal remains
• Accidental death and dismemberment

Travel medical insurance and pre-existing conditions

Many travel insurance providers will cover pre-existing conditions as long as certain conditions are met. For one, travelers need to purchase their travel insurance within a certain time frame from when they placed a deposit on their trip, usually two to three weeks. 

Additionally, travel insurance companies usually only cover stable medical conditions, which are conditions that don't need additional medical treatment, diagnosis, or medications.

Who needs travel medical insurance?

Even the best-laid travel plans can go awry. As such, it pays to consider your potential healthcare needs before taking off, even if you are generally healthy. Even if well-managed, preexisting conditions like diabetes or asthma can make a medical backup plan even more vital.

Having what you need to refill prescriptions or get other care if you get stuck somewhere other than home could be essential to your health and well-being. That's without counting all the accidents and illnesses that can hit us when away from home.

Individuals traveling for extended periods (more than six months) or engaging in high-risk activities (think scuba diving or parasailing) should also consider a solid medical travel plan. Both scenarios increase the likelihood that medical attention, whether routine or emergency, could be needed.

In the case of travel via the friendly seas, it's also worth considering cruise trip travel insurance . Routine care will be available onboard. But anything beyond that will require transportation to the nearest land mass (and could quickly become extremely expensive, especially if you're in another country).

Like other types of insurance, medical travel insurance rates are calculated based on various factors. Failing to disclose a preexisting health condition could result in a lapse of coverage right when you need it, as insurers can cancel your policy if you withhold material information. So honesty is always the best policy.

Even the best-laid travel plans can go awry. As such, it pays to consider your potential healthcare needs before taking off, even if you are generally healthy. Making the right choice when shopping for travel medical insurance can mean the difference between a minor hiccup in your travels and a financial nightmare. 

When a travel insurance company comes up with a quote for your policy, they take a few factors into consideration, such as your age, your destination, and the duration of your trip. You should do the same when assessing a travel insurance company. 

For example, older travelers who are more susceptible to injury may benefit from travel medical insurance (though your premiums will be higher). If you're traveling for extended periods throughout one calendar year, you should look into an annual travel medical insurance plan . If you're engaging in high-risk activities (think scuba diving or parasailing), you should seek a plan that includes coverage for injuries sustained in adventure sports.

In the case of travel via the friendly seas, it's also worth considering cruise trip medical travel insurance. Routine care will be available onboard. But anything beyond that will require transportation to the nearest land mass (and could quickly become extremely expensive, especially if you're in another country).

Travel medical insurance isn't just for peace of mind. If you travel often enough, there's a good chance you'll eventually experience an incident where medical treatment is necessary.

Before you submit your claim, you should take some time to understand your policy. Your travel medical insurance is either primary (you can submit claims directly to your travel medical insurance provider) or secondary (you must first submit claims to your primary insurance provider). In the case of secondary travel medical insurance, a refusal notice from your primary insurance provider, even if it does not cover medical claims outside the US, is often required as evidence of protocol.

On that note, you should be sure to document every step of your medical treatment. You should keep any receipts for filled prescriptions, hospital bills, and anything else documenting your medical emergency.

As many people have found out the hard way, reading the fine print is vital. Most travel insurance policies will reimburse your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if you fall ill with a severe condition, including illnesses like COVID-19. 

Still on the fence about whether or not  travel insurance is worth it ? It's worth noting that many travel insurance plans also include medical protections, so you can also protect against trip cancellations and other unexpected developments while obtaining travel medical insurance.

While short, domestic trips may not warrant travel medical insurance, it may be a good idea to insure longer, international trips. You should also consider travel medical insurance for trips to remote areas, where a medical evacuation may be expensive, and more physically tasking trips.

While shopping for travel medical insurance may not be fun, a little advance leg work can let you relax on your trip and give you peace of mind. After all, that is the point of a vacation. 

Medical travel insurance frequently asked questions

Trip insurance covers any unexpected financial losses while traveling, such as the cost of replacing lost luggage, trip interruptions, and unexpected medical expenses. Travel medical insurance just covers those medical expenses without the trip interruption or cancellation insurance.

Travel insurance companies usually offer adventure sports as add-on coverage or a separate plan entirely. You'll likely pay more for a policy with adventure sports coverage. 

Many travel medical insurance policies now include coverage for COVID-19 related medical expenses and treat it like any other illness. However, you should double-check your policy to ensure that is the case.

• Main content

Making a claim on your travel insurance

This advice applies to England. See advice for See advice for Northern Ireland , See advice for Scotland , See advice for Wales

Travel insurance can give you extra protection if your holiday doesn't go as planned. This is very important if you are travelling independently because you may find yourself stranded with no way to get home and no rep to help sort out your holiday problem.

Read this page to find out more about what you need to do if you have to make a claim on your travel insurance policy.

Remember to take your travel insurance policy number and emergency contact telephone number with you when you travel

if a problem happens while you're away, keep receipts for everything you need to buy to support your claim

if possible, get your insurer to agree to medical treatment before it's carried out

always tell your insurer about an existing health problem before you take out insurance, or you may not be covered

report lost or stolen belongings to the local police within 24 hours of them going missing. If this isn't possible tell the person in charge where they went missing.

Making a claim while you're travelling

Make sure you take your insurance policy number and the emergency contact details away with you. This is so you know exactly who to speak to first if you have a problem and it can be dealt with as quickly as possible. If you're travelling abroad, check you've got the right phone number.

Making a claim when you get home

If you need to make a claim on your travel insurance policy when you get home, check the following things before you send off your claim:

you're within the time limits for making a claim

you're covered for what you're claiming for

how much the excess is. The excess is the amount of money that your insurer will take off the claim. It may not be worth making a claim if the amount you're claiming for is less than this

the small print . Make sure there's nothing in the terms and conditions that prevents you from claiming

whether it's a new for old policy. If it isn't, the amount you get for items you're claiming for will be less than the cost of replacing them. This is because the insurer takes off money for wear and tear.

Contact your insurer as soon as possible and ask them to send you a claim form. They may be able to email this to you to speed things up. Complete the claim form carefully and keep a copy for yourself.

You'll need to include copies of all paperwork that will help your claim, including receipts or medical certificates. You should also keep copies of the originals in case your claim is queried or refused.

Your insurer may ask if you have other insurance that may cover the claim. You'll need to let them know if you have other insurance that may also offer cover, for example, home contents insurance.

Making a claim for lost, stolen or damaged items or luggage

You're expected to take reasonable care of your belongings while you're travelling. The insurer will want to see evidence that you did this.

If your belongings are lost or stolen, you should tell the local police within 24 hours of the items going missing. If this isn't possible, tell someone else such as your tour rep, hotel manager or transport provider and get a written report.

If you have to replace essential items, such as toiletries or emergency clothing, ask for receipts to send as evidence with your claim.

Making a claim for medical emergencies and personal injury

If you need medical treatment while you're away, try to contact your insurer straightaway and get them to agree to the treatment. You should do this before it's carried out, although this may not be possible in an emergency.

You may have to pay up-front for medical treatment and claim it back when you get home. Always make sure you get receipts for any treatment or medication you're given.

If you did not tell your travel insurer about an existing health problem before you took out the insurance, you may not be covered if you need treatment  for this while you're away.

You may not be able to claim for the cost of any medication that you usually need and may have to take while you're travelling.

If you're a UK resident and have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you can still use it to get healthcare in EU countries until it expires.

If you don't have an EHIC or it has expired, you can apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) on the NHS website. You can use a GHIC to get healthcare in EU countries at a reduced cost or sometimes for free.

If you’re visiting Norway you can use your UK passport to get medically necessary healthcare there. Some countries have agreements with the UK to give free emergency treatment.

Travel insurance should cover you for pregnancy if you are in normal health. However, some airlines won't let you fly if your baby is due within a few weeks.

Making a claim if you have to cancel or shorten your trip

If you need to make a claim because you've cancelled or shortened your trip, your insurer will only accept your claim if you have a good reason for doing this. Reasons may include:

unexpected death, illness or injury of you, your partner or people travelling with you

a fire, burglary or unexpected damage happens to your home

you're made redundant

you're pregnant and are advised not travel after you took out the insurance

you're called for jury service or as a witness in court.

If you have to come home early, your insurer will usually only refund any extra travelling costs and the cost of any unused time in your holiday accommodation.

If you need more help

Other useful information

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Free Spirit

Medical Travel Insurance With No Age Limits

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What You Need to Know About Travel Insurance Claims

Travel insurance claims and the stories behind them usually appear in the media when a traveler comes into difficulty after setting out without suitable insurance.

These stories make it clear how vital it is to ensure we have suitable insurance to cover a trip.

Are you aware of the types of things that can invalidate a travel insurance claim?

To assist, we’ve provided an insight into our claims process from start to finish. We’ll cover what you need to include on your claims form and what may affect it before sending it off. We also have some insider tips to share – so if you ever need to make a claim, it will assist in avoiding unnecessary delays and communication.

Will my travel insurance claim’s history affect the price of my policy?

No. It’s not like car insurance. When you purchase a travel insurance policy from the same or a different insurance company, we don’t request information about any previous travel insurance claims.

If you take out travel insurance regularly you may notice that the price of your policy can go up, which is primarily due to the number of claims and their value that an insurer has received when compared to the premium received.

Recently, due to the consequences of the Coronavirus pandemic, the cost of overseas medical claims has increased, leading to a significant rise in premiums.

What types of claims can I make?

If you refer to our Free Spirit Travel Insurance Policy , under each section, you can see what the cover limits are and what travel insurance claims you can make if you’re insured on the policy.

When taking out a quality travel insurance policy, you should be able to claim for the following:

• Cancellation or cutting short your trip.
• Delayed flights, missed departures, or connections.
• Medical expenses.
• Loss of Baggage, Personal Money and documents.
• Claims on gadgets.

Also, before purchasing any travel insurance policy, pay particular attention to what it won’t cover by referring to the benefits, exclusions, coverage limits plus any required waiting times under trip or baggage delay.

If you require a greater range of cover or cover for an activity not included in a Free Spirit policy, contact our team who can suggest a suitable policy for your trip.

Is there a time limit on making a travel insurance claim?

Some policies require you to claim within 48 hours of returning home. Be sure to check the time limit for making a claim by reading your policy post-purchase. Also, it’s advisable to keep all receipts and reports as you might need to submit this as evidence with your claim form.

How do I claim my travel insurance?

Free spirit’s claims process.

• Visit Free Spirit’s making a claim page.
• Download and print the right claims form.
• Complete your claim form in full.
• Identify and locate the correct documents you’ll need to send to the claims handler.
• Send the correct documents and form to the relevant address.

Our Free Spirit policy has two Claims Handlers you’ll need to contact.

• Roger Rich & Company looks after most claims. These include medical, cancellation claims and more (Cover Sections A-M).
• The Bastion Davis Group manages the gadget claims.

What happens when the form reaches the Claims Handler?

• Additional information may be requested from you in support of your claim.
• A claim will either be paid in accordance with policy terms or declined.

What information do I need to provide a Claims Handler?

The information you need to provide will depend on the type of claim you wish to make. Providing as much information as possible will help to speed up the claims process.

Cancellation claims require:

• A cancellation invoice to illustrate that the trip was cancelled or cut short. This could come from your travel agent, hotel, airline, or tour operator.
• Evidence of any refund or credit, that the supplier has given you as part of your reimbursement .

Quite often, the supplier may refund a portion of your costs. However, your insurer needs to see evidence of what the supplier has (or hasn’t) refunded you.

Medical claims require:

• All receipts and/or invoices for medical expenses.
• Your medical certification.

If you need medical treatment, contact your 24-hour Medical Assistance Company as detailed in the policy immediately to ensure they’re happy to cover the treatment and you are getting treatment from the appropriate facility.

All claims require:

• Evidence that the trip took place to confirm all costs, this includes the trip booking.
• All receipts and/or invoices that relate to the claim.
• The travel insurance policy schedule (single or annual) will provide the date the trip started and finished.

What can cause a travel insurance claim to be declined?

1. non-disclosure..

Which is industry jargon for not telling us all the information we have asked for. This is especially important when it comes to providing details of any existing medical conditions.

2. Not being able to provide evidence of the loss.

For example, if you have lost your luggage during your trip and you have not logged this with the relevant authorities/airline.

3. Travelling to a destination not covered by your policy.

For instance, if you buy a policy to cover Worldwide destinations excluding the USA, Canada etc, an insurer will not pay a claim if you travel to a destination outside of this geographical area. The exception to this is if you are transiting through a country to get to your destination. Stopover rules will vary from policy to policy, so it’s important to check the rules on this.

4. Exceeding your trip limits.

An insurer won’t expect you to be completely T-total on holiday. However, a claim could be refused if an incident has occurred because you have had too much alcohol by exceeding the policy limit.

5. Not following the rules and laws of the country you are visiting.

This is an obvious one, but it’s important to check that you are aware of the laws and local customs. Refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website to review up-to-date travel advice for each country around the world.

6. Staying overseas for longer than the period of insurance covered by your policy.

7. private facilities..

Travellers should be aware that the policy might not cover treatment in private facilities if there were medically capable public facilities available. If it’s possible, you should contact the medical assistance team before undergoing any treatment as they will be able to tell you where the nearest suitable facility is located. A tour operator, your hotel, or the taxi company might try and direct you to a private facility, so be sure to check this!

8. Expensive items.

If you take an expensive item that exceeds the maximum amount you may not be able to claim on your policy. To cover this item, you might need to source a policy with increased baggage cover or check whether your home contents insurance covers this. Our F ree Spirit Super Duper Policy covers gadgets up to £1,500. Plus, £3,000 worth of cover if personal possessions are lost, stolen, or damaged. However, cover for a single article, pair, or set limit is only £500.

Why would a travel insurance claim be thrown out?

A claim could be rejected if there is evidence of fraud, dishonesty, or misrepresentation.

What are the most frequently seen travel insurance claims?

Cancellation claims.

Cancellation claims are quite common on travel insurance. Usually the closer you are to your departure date, the less chance there is of you needing to make a cancellation claim. So this might be reflected in the price of the policy.

What cancellation claims would be valid? 

• When a trip has to be cancelled due to a family bereavement.
• If you had to cancel a trip because you became unwell due to an unexpected illness.
• If you’re suddenly called for jury service.
• In the event you’re made redundant.

Medical claims

Medical claims relating to treatment that you need on holiday, whether that’s inpatient or outpatient treatment. However, pre-existing conditions must be declared and screened or they may not be covered (and a claim may be refused).

Always remember: Travel insurance covers unexpected and unforeseen risks. 

Baggage claims

This covers lost passports, lost bags, and missing items.

See the pie chart below which illustrates the percentage of claims Free Spirit received between the 1st of January 2023 to July 30th, 2024. As you can see the most frequent travel insurance claims received are cancellation claims followed by medical expense claims.

(Data sourced from Roger Rich claims log)

Travel insurance claims are paid out

Despite the media coverage, there is evidence of travel insurance claims paying out when a valid claim has been made.

Here are some figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) that were released in April 2023, which gives some examples of the different claims that insurers have paid:

• One traveller needed extensive medical treatment due to a serious blood infection while in Thailand. Their insurance covered the £250,000 medical bill plus, their air ambulance back to the UK.
• An insurer met medical costs of £92,000 after a traveller suffered a heart attack during a Caribbean cruise.
• To treat a kidney infection in Spain the cost was £15,000. Thankfully this was paid for by travel insurance.

Overall in 2022, travel insurers paid out £352 million .

Purchase a Free Spirit Travel Insurance Policy with confidence

After discussing the claims process with our Claims Manager and Product Manager, and referring to a few sources above, we have hopefully helped to give you a clear and thorough understanding of how the claims process works.

If you have recently returned from a trip and wish to claim on a Free Spirit policy proceed to our making a claim page .

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• Travel Advice
• General Information

Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions — Everything You Need to Know

Last Updated: August 16, 2024 August 16, 2024

Traveling with pre-existing conditions can be challenging, but the right travel insurance can offer peace of mind and financial protection. At Squaremouth, we understand the importance of finding the perfect travel insurance coverage that caters to your unique health needs.

This guide includes everything you need to know about securing travel insurance for pre-existing conditions , eligibility, and what health conditions are covered.

What Are Pre-Existing Conditions?

Before we dig in too deeply, let’s define pre-existing health conditions. These are any health conditions you had before purchasing your travel insurance policy, like high blood pressure, hypertension, heart disease, or heart attacks. Pre-existing health conditions can also include chronic illnesses that have flare-ups, Crohn’s Disease, asthma, injuries, ailments, or any other health issues you’ve been diagnosed with or require medical care.

Why Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions Matters

Buying travel insurance with this benefit is crucial for anyone with pre-existing conditions because it ensures coverage for medical emergencies or treatments related to them while traveling. Without proper coverage, you could face significant out-of-pocket expenses that could ruin your trip and rack up unnecessary medical expenses.

Most plans don’t include travel medical insurance coverage for pre-existing health conditions, so they won’t cover flare-ups or medical emergencies, so, buy travel insurance that offers this waiver to ensure you’re protected.

How to Choose the Right Policy

Check out our tips to help guide you through selecting the right travel insurance to guarantee pre-existing condition coverage:

• Look for a Waiver: Many travel insurance policies offer a pre-existing condition waiver. This means the insurance will cover your condition if you meet specific criteria, such as buying the policy within a particular time frame after your initial trip deposit.
• Understand the Look-Back Period: The insurer reviews your medical history to identify pre-existing conditions and determine how much travel insurance for pre-existing conditions will impact any claims you may need to make. The look-back period typically ranges from 60 to 180 days. So, if insurers see that your health has worsened or changed leading up to the trip, they may not cover your claim. Knowing this helps you choose a plan that fits your medical history, and a pre-existing conditions waiver prevents an insurance company from looking back into your medical history.
• Compare Plans: Not all travel insurance plans are created equal. Use comparison tools like ours to evaluate different policies, coverage limits, and costs. Look for plans that explicitly cover your condition and offer adequate medical coverage, to ensure you have the best travel insurance for your needs.
• Read the Fine Print: Understanding what isn’t covered is essential. For example, dementia, mental health disorders, pregnancies, and drug-related conditions are typically not covered. So, review the policy details regarding the effective date, exclusions, qualifying circumstances, whether medical bills are included, and whether they need to see medical records.

How to Qualify for a Pre-Existing Condition Waiver

Many travel insurance companies have policies with a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver, but there are specific requirements you must meet:

• Timely Purchase: Buy your travel insurance policy shortly after making your initial trip deposit, usually within 14-21 days.
• Complete Coverage: Insure your entire trip cost from the first trip deposit date to protect your nonrefundable costs.
• Stable Condition: Your pre-existing condition must be stable at your policy’s effective date . You may be asked to provide a note from your doctor or healthcare professional that indicates you’re clear to travel.

By meeting these criteria, you can often secure a waiver covering your pre-existing conditions.

Tips for Traveling with a Pre-Existing Condition

• Carry Your Medical Documents: Bring copies of your doctor’s notes, important contact information, and other relevant medical documents. This helps in emergencies and when dealing with medical professionals abroad.
• Plan: As you build your travel plans, ensure you have enough medication for your entire trip, plus a little extra in case of travel delays . Familiarize yourself with the local healthcare system and locate nearby hospitals or clinics.
• Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on any health advisories or necessary vaccinations for your destination. Being prepared helps you manage your condition effectively.

Types of Coverage Available

When shopping for travel insurance with pre-existing conditions, in addition to the Pre-Existing Conditions waiver, look for policies that offer comprehensive coverage, including:

• Emergency Medical: This covers the cost of medical treatment for your pre-existing condition while traveling.
• Medical Evacuation: Covers transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility or back home.
• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Coverage: Reimburses your prepaid, non-refundable trip payments if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip due to a covered reason related to your pre-existing condition.

The Truth About Disclosure

Honesty is the best policy when it comes to travel insurance. Always disclose your complete medical history, including all conditions and treatments, because if something happens while you’re traveling, that wasn’t shared beforehand, it could affect your travel insurance claim and any reimbursements.

If you’re unsure whether something counts, mentioning it to the insurance provider you’re evaluating could help you determine if it’s the right fit and if they offer coverage for those needs.

Common Questions About Health Insurance When Traveling

Q: Can I get travel insurance if I have a severe pre-existing condition?

A: Yes, many insurers offer plans that cover severe conditions. It’s crucial to find one that suits your specific needs. Compare different policies and check for waivers.

Q: Will my travel insurance cover routine check-ups?

A: Travel insurance typically covers emergencies and unforeseen medical issues. Routine check-ups are usually not included, so plan accordingly.

Q: What happens if I cancel my trip due to my condition?

A: If you have a policy with a pre-existing condition waiver and meet the criteria, you may be reimbursed for nonrefundable trip expenses. Always check your policy details.

Bottom Line: Traveling with a pre-existing medical condition doesn’t have to be stressful. You’ll confidently enjoy your trip with the right travel insurance policy that protects you and your travel companion.

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How to Start a Travel Insurance Claim

Your travel insurance claim is very important to us. Generali Global Assistance is committed to providing prompt, fair and equitable claims service. Claims must be submitted within one year after a covered loss, but should be submitted as soon as possible in order to expedite resolution.

1. Start a claim

Start your claim by visiting our eClaims portal and entering your policy number.

If you have questions, FAQs can be found at the eClaims portal.

Our Claims Department pledges the following to all insured travelers:

• On receipt of your completed claims form, it will be assigned to a representative who will manage the file to resolution.
• Claims are processed in a timely manner.
• Phone calls are returned within one business day (most calls are returned on the same day they are received).

2. Provide supporting documentation

In addition to submitting your claim, we require supporting documentation in order to prove your loss. You will receive detailed instructions in the eClaims portal about what documents are required and how to upload documents directly to that site. Required documentation varies depending upon the type of claim you're filing and depending upon the event that resulted in your loss. 

We encourage you to provide as much supporting documentation as soon as possible once you file your claim. Doing so will minimize the need for your dedicated claims team member to contact you to request additional information at a later date and may expedite the resolution of your claim. 

3. Stay tuned

Once you've initiated your claim, your case will be assigned to a dedicated claims team member who will manage your claim from start to finish. Your dedicated claims team member will contact you if they have any questions or if any additional information is needed in order to finalize your claim.

You can monitor the status of your claim at the eClaims portal .

Should you have any questions about completing your forms or the process in general, start with our Chatbot available at the eClaims Portal.

Thank you for visiting csatravelprotection.com

As part of the worldwide Generali Group we have rebranded our travel protection plans to Generali Global Assistance, offering the same quality travel insurance, emergency assistance and outstanding customer service as you've come to rely on for the last 25 years. Welcome to our new website!

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Travel Insurance Guide For Pre-Existing Condition Medical Coverage (2024)

with our partner, Faye

Sarah Horvath is a finance writer and researcher based in New York City. She specializes in writing about home warranties, insurance and home financial protection.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the best travel insurance companies

Traveling with a pre-existing medical condition can add stress to the trip-planning process, especially if you suffer from a chronic condition that affects your daily life or have symptoms that can influence your plans. While most travel insurance policies exclude pre-existing conditions from medical expenses and evacuation coverage, you may be able to obtain coverage with a pre-existing conditions waiver.

A pre-existing conditions waiver extends your travel medical insurance to include conditions and illnesses present when you enrolled in coverage. This type of coverage is a bit more expensive but can provide you with peace of mind when traveling. Read on to learn more about pre-existing medical conditions travel insurance and which top providers offer coverage.

What Is a Pre-Existing Condition for Travel Insurance?

Although each travel insurance company has its own definition, a pre-existing condition refers to a medical condition you have before leaving for a trip. Your malady may not have to be formally diagnosed to qualify as pre-existing. You may have a pre-existing condition if you’ve sought treatment, had symptoms or taken medication within a few months before your trip for an injury, illness or medical situation.

For example, say you see your doctor for an annual physical two months before your trip to Spain . At your appointment, the doctor checks your blood pressure and diagnoses you with hypertension. Your doctor prescribes medication to lower your blood pressure. Most travel medical insurance companies consider high blood pressure a pre-existing condition.

Other common pre-existing conditions include:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Chronic illnesses, such as lupus

Medical travel insurance can be an important protection if you or a loved one plan to travel with one of these conditions — or some other pre-existing medical condition. A pre-existing condition could put you at higher risk of other medical issues. For example, if you have an autoimmune disorder, you’re likely at higher risk of contracting diseases while traveling.

How To Get a Waiver for Pre-Existing Conditions

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, it’s important to purchase travel insurance shortly after making your initial trip payment. Based on our quote collection process, we found that you usually need to be within 10 to 21 days of your first trip payment to qualify for a pre-existing conditions waiver. If you buy your travel insurance after this point, you usually will not qualify for pre-existing conditions coverage.

Depending on the insurance provider, you may need to meet additional conditions beyond your purchase date for pre-existing medical conditions coverage. Additional stipulations you may need to meet include:

• Trip coverage: In most cases, you’ll need to insure 100% of your trip cost and add medical coverage to your policy to receive a pre-existing condition waiver. This means that policies that offer pre-existing conditions waivers are usually more expensive. However, these policies also include more extensive coverage, which can be helpful in the event of an emergency.
• Health status: While most travel insurance companies do not require you to undergo a medical exam before buying coverage like with life insurance, your health condition can still play a role in your ability to qualify for a waiver. You might need to answer a health questionnaire before purchasing coverage, or you may need to list any medical diagnoses within the previous 60 to 90 days. If you have a major medical condition with active symptoms, like cancer or Alzheimer’s disease, you may be denied coverage.

If you qualify for coverage, your insurance provider will include the waiver with your coverage at no additional cost. Be sure to review the details of your coverage after you’re approved so you fully understand the terms and conditions.

How To Qualify for a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver

To qualify to get a pre-existing conditions waiver, you’ll need to meet a few conditions related to the policy-buying process and determine the right coverage for your health.

You cannot purchase travel insurance that covers pre-existing conditions at any time — most policy providers require you to be within 14 to 21 days of your initial trip deposit to qualify. For this reason, we suggest you consider travel insurance as you’re comparing other travel bookings like hotels, airfare and event tickets. This will allow you to purchase insurance shortly after booking, giving you access to more policies with coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Choose the Right Plan

Next, compare the coverages included with each policy offered by your preferred travel insurance provider and identify those that include pre-existing conditions waivers. Most travel insurance companies limit waivers to policies with more inclusive coverage terms and 100% cancellation insurance. If a provider does not offer pre-existing conditions coverage, request quotes from a different company.

Review Coverage Limitations

If you qualify for a pre-existing conditions waiver, your insurance provider will include it under your coverage terms. Review your coverage and any excluded conditions. Contact a representative from the insurance company if you have questions about coverages and limitations.

Documentation Needed for a Pre-Existing Conditions Waiver

Depending on your coverage provider, you may need to submit a letter from your doctor confirming you’re medically fit to travel. This is especially true if you need coverage for a chronic condition under control by medication or if you’ve recently had corrective surgery. Documentation requirements vary by provider, so be sure to review your specific coverage terms to learn more.

Travel Insurance Companies That Cover Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Not every travel insurance provider offers pre-existing conditions waivers and those that do have varying policies regarding the timeline for enrollment in order to qualify. The following are a few of our recommended travel insurance providers covering pre-existing conditions and how you can qualify for coverage.

• Nationwide: Nationwide offers customers an option to qualify for pre-existing conditions coverage across multiple plans. While many insurance providers limit pre-existing conditions waivers to only the most expensive policy, Nationwide allows you to qualify for pre-existing conditions coverage 10 days from your initial purchase with the Essential Policy. You may also qualify up to 21 days after your initial trip payment with the Prime Plan. Read our full review of Nationwide travel insurance .
• Trawick: Trawick offers six unique policies with the option to include coverage for pre-existing conditions, which is more than most other providers. This range of options can make Trawick a strong choice for customers looking to customize their coverage. You must add coverage no more than 14 to 21 days after your initial trip payment, depending on your selected plan. Read our full review of Trawick travel insurance. 
• Seven Corners: To qualify for pre-existing coverage with Seven Corners, you’ll need to opt for the Trip Protection Choice, which includes benefits like 150% trip interruption coverag e and up to $2,000 in trip delay benefits. You must buy this coverage no less than 20 days after your initial trip payment. Read our full review of Seven Corners travel insurance .
• Generali Travel Insurance: While Generali does not offer the longest purchase period for pre-existing conditions, travelers looking for concierge-level benefits may want to consider the company. To qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver, you must be within 24 hours of your initial trip payment, which means most shoppers will need to consider insurance as they’re actively planning a vacation to qualify. Read our full review of Generali travel insurance .

Types of Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

There are four main types of travel insurance:

• Trip cancellation
• Baggage coverage
• Medical travel insurance
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Trip cancellation insurance is a type of travel insurance that helps cover nonrefundable costs if your trip gets canceled due to an unexpected or uncontrollable event. For example, a trip cancellation policy might cover nonrefundable costs if you find out right before your trip you’ve been summoned for jury duty. Or, say you have to cancel a trip due to an unexpected storm that interrupts your flight. Travel insurance will reimburse you for the flight and any corresponding lodging costs.

Trip cancellation insurance usually does not cover changes in pre-existing medical conditions. If your arthritic knees cause pain that makes you cancel your trip two weeks out, the insurance company may deny your claim. However, you may qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver to use for trip cancellation coverage.

Baggage Coverage

Baggage insurance generally covers the loss, theft, delay, or damage to baggage and personal belongings while traveling. For instance, your luggage is stolen from your hotel room while you’re at dinner. Depending on your policy, your baggage insurance could help pay to replace necessary items, like clothing and shoes. Other policies will ensure the full value of items in your bags, with certain restrictions.

Baggage insurance can offer peace of mind that you can replace your belongings if they’re lost, stolen, or damaged. Pre-existing conditions don’t affect baggage insurance coverage.

Medical Travel Insurance

Medical travel insurance is one of the most common types of travel insurance. A medical travel policy helps pay for emergency medical care when traveling. Say you fall ill with a fever and need to go to the emergency room while abroad. Your medical travel insurance generally covers the cost of treatment up to your plan’s limits.

If you’re considering travel health insurance plans and have a pre-existing condition, you’ll want to carefully read the fine print of your policy. In most cases, you’ll need to obtain a pre-existing conditions waiver before traveling. Without a waiver, your policy may not cover medical expenses you incur while traveling.

Cancel for Any Reason Insurance (CFAR) Coverage

With a few exceptions, CFAR travel insurance lets you cancel a trip for a partial refund of prepaid, nonrefundable expenses outside the reasons listed in your policy. Common reasons to use a CFAR policy include a family member getting sick, fear of illness at your destination or your new passport doesn’t arrive in time to travel. Unlike regular trip cancellation or medical travel insurance, CFAR coverage does not require a pre-existing conditions waiver for coverage. That means if your chronic condition flares up before your trip and you decide to cancel within the effective date of coverage, you could get a partial refund (typically between 50%-75%) of your nonrefundable trip expenses.

Although CFAR coverage is a good way to secure pre-existing medical insurance for travel cancellation or interruption, it’s not usually offered as a stand-alone policy. You typically have to add CFAR coverage to your standard travel insurance policy for an extra cost.

How Much Does Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions Cost?

Generally, adding pre-existing conditions coverage will not increase your policy cost if you qualify for a waiver. Based on our research, a travel insurance policy costs between $160 to $300 , depending on your chosen coverage and provider. In our review, we found that the average couple will pay about $221 for a travel insurance policy from one of our recommended travel insurance providers.

How To File a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Travel Insurance Claim

If you have to file a travel insurance claim for a pre-existing condition that your policy covers, you can improve your chances for reimbursement with strong documentation. Whether you must cancel your trip at the last minute or you need coverage for an emergency room visit while on vacation, the process of filing a travel insurance claim is generally the same. The claims process typically looks like this:

• File your claims form, which will commonly ask for your name, policy number, the reason for the claim and other important details.
• Submit your claims form with all necessary documentation, such as a doctor’s note, flight delay or baggage notices, police reports, and any other related documents.
• Your travel insurance company reviews your claim and supporting documentation. The insurance company may request more details or documents supporting your claim.
• If the company approves your claim, you’ll receive reimbursement, up to your policy limits.

The claims process is straightforward, but missing documents or lack of evidence could lead to the insurer denying your claim. Having the right documentation is more important if you’re filing a medical claim and have a pre-existing condition. The insurance company will want to confirm you have a pre-existing condition waiver on file before approving a claim. The company likely will ask for specific written documentation relating to your claim from a doctor.

For example, say you have a respiratory disorder managed by daily medication and receive a pre-existing condition waiver for a trip. While traveling, you get into an accident requiring emergency medical care. When you file a claim for medical travel insurance, you’ll want to make sure you have the right documents, including:

• Proof of your trip and insurance
• Written documentation from your attending physician
• Copies of your medical file and bill from the emergency care

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

Can you get travel insurance with pre-existing conditions.

Yes, you can get travel insurance with pre-existing conditions. The key to getting travel insurance coverage with a pre-existing condition is to apply for a pre-existing conditions waiver or exclusion waiver. This waiver includes notice from your doctor that you’re fit to travel and prevents the travel insurance company from using your pre-existing condition to exclude you from coverage.

What is a waiver of lookback in travel insurance?

A waiver of lookback is another name for a pre-existing conditions waiver for travel insurance. The lookback period of a travel insurance policy refers to the time before the trip in which the insurance company might look back at your medical history if you file a claim.

For example, say you have an unexpected medical condition that forces you to cancel your trip. You file a claim for trip cancellation insurance and your insurance company can review your past medical records (usually up to 60 to 180 days, depending on the policy). If the company finds a record of your pre-existing condition, such as a doctor’s visit to change medications, it could deny your claim. A waiver of lookback prevents the insurance company from doing this.

What counts as a pre-existing condition?

Every travel insurance company defines pre-existing conditions differently, but there are a few common factors. A pre-existing condition for travel insurance usually refers to any medical condition, illness or injury that you have before your trip. You may not have to be diagnosed for the condition for it to be considered pre-existing. But if you seek treatment for a condition, take medications or suffer symptoms, then it’s usually considered pre-existing.

What is the difference between a pre-existing condition and a chronic condition?

Pre-existing conditions are any injury, illness, or medical condition that existed before you sought insurance. A chronic condition is different. Chronic conditions are ongoing health conditions or illnesses that are long-term. Doctors manage chronic conditions with medication or regular treatments, but these conditions aren’t curable. For travel insurance, almost all chronic conditions are considered pre-existing conditions.

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Travel insurance

How travel insurance works for baggage

Erica Lamberg

Alyce Meserve

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Heidi Gollub

Published 4:24 p.m. UTC Aug. 21, 2024

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• Baggage insurance is considered a post-departure travel insurance benefit that can reimburse you for lost, stolen or damaged luggage and personal belongings.
• Reimbursement levels will depend on your policy’s per-item reimbursement caps, exclusions from coverage and depreciation. Read your travel insurance policy documents for the scope of coverage.
• Documentation is required to file a claim. Be sure to get a loss report, airline incident report or receipts regarding your baggage delay circumstances. 

When you travel, your baggage and personal effects are a vital part of your vacation experience. A comprehensive travel insurance policy generally includes coverage for trip cancellation, trip delay and trip interruption, medical expense, emergency medical evacuation and baggage loss protection. Baggage loss benefits provide a safety net if your baggage and belongings are lost, stolen or damaged. Here’s how your baggage protection is covered by travel insurance .

How baggage insurance works

If you arrive at your destination and your bags don’t, it can really put a damper on your experience.

“While minor delays are manageable, going 24 hours or more without your bags can seriously impact your trip,” said Daniel Durazo, spokesperson with Allianz Partners US. “Travel insurance can reimburse you for lost or stolen bags and also provide money to buy the essential items you’ll need while your bags are delayed.”

Your baggage is also covered beyond airport hassles. “Whether misplaced by a travel carrier or stolen from your rental car, your personal effects and baggage can be protected by a travel insurance policy,” said Durazo.

Keep in mind that deductibles and certain exclusions may apply, and all losses also must first be reported to the airline, airport, police or other appropriate authority, he said. This documentation will be requested when you file your claim.

What does baggage insurance cover?

While trip cancellation insurance and medical coverage typically get the spotlight, Durazo said baggage coverage does the heavy lifting of financially protecting your property while traveling. “Baggage coverage is the unsung hero of travel insurance,” he said.

Baggage insurance covers the loss, damage or delay of a traveler’s luggage and its contents by an airline, hotel or tour operator. It also may cover the theft of your travel documents and possessions from your person or vehicle, added Durazo.

Baggage loss coverage

When you choose a travel insurance plan that includes baggage benefits, you can file a claim for the loss or theft of your baggage and personal effects while traveling, as long as your claim meets the parameters of your travel insurance plan. Once you file a claim, this benefit may reimburse you for your missing or damaged items, up to the maximum amount outlined in your plan documents.

You will need supporting documentation including a report from local authorities, your hospitality provider and receipts for the items for which you are submitting claims. Factors like per-item limits and depreciation can affect your reimbursement amounts, and certain items like cash, heirloom jewelry, artwork and antiquities are generally excluded from coverage. Your policy documents will outline these topics.

Baggage delay benefits

Your travel insurance policy’s baggage delay benefit can ease the financial strain if your bag doesn’t arrive when you do. Your policy may provide reimbursement for the purchase of reasonable essential items while you wait to be reunited if your baggage goes on vacation without you, but take note of policy specifics.

“Be sure to read your plan documents to understand the time threshold needed to activate delay coverage, what items are covered, and the maximum limit of the policy,” stated Durazo 

There could be a waiting period of between three to 12 hours before your baggage delay benefits kick in. So, when researching a policy, it may be worthwhile to seek out a plan with a delay wait time of less than six hours if possible. This benefit can cover some personal necessities and a change of clothes. For any outlays, be sure to hold on to the receipts which will need to be provided at the time you file a claim to recover these expenses.

What baggage insurance doesn’t cover?

The baggage benefits of a travel insurance policy do not cover pre-existing damage to your luggage or irreplaceable items packed inside, according to Durazo. 

“Damage and loss claims are easier to process when original receipts are submitted to document the value of personal items,” he said. “For claimed items without an original receipt, your baggage loss/damage benefits may cover up to 75% of the actual cash value of your possessions.”

Also, like most insurance policies, travel insurance plans have exclusions. “It’s important for travelers to understand the exclusions in their policy, so they won’t be surprised if they need to use it,” said Christina Tunnah, spokesperson with World Nomads. “For example, cash, documents, glasses, hearing aids and orthodontic devices may be excluded from coverage, so those are things a traveler would want to take with them in their carry-on.”

Other situations, like unattended baggage, are generally not covered, she said. “There is not likely to be coverage if a traveler leaves their baggage in a car (whether locked or not) or leaves their day pack or purse in a café while they run to the restroom and their stuff gets stolen,” she said.

Finally, travel insurance also has per-item limits, so it’s a good idea to leave flashy jewelry and expensive handbags — which are also some of the things that make travelers a target for theft — at home, Tunnah said.

How much does baggage insurance cost?

Typically, luggage insurance benefits are included in a travel insurance policy with coverage limits that vary by the type of policy you select. “Consumers should budget between 5% and 10% of their non-refundable trip costs for travel insurance coverage,” suggested Durazo.

How to get baggage insurance

Most comprehensive travel insurance plans include baggage insurance, but it’s important to confirm this benefit before purchasing a policy if it’s important to you. 

Review all available post-departure benefits as you choose a travel insurance policy for your next trip. These include benefits that apply after you leave on your trip, such as baggage damage, loss and delay. Your policy documents will outline coverages, limits and exclusions. “Examine the limits for each type of coverage to confirm it meets your individual needs,” said Durazo.

Your travel advisor may be able to select appropriate coverage to complement your travel plans. You can also compare options online or call a travel insurance carrier for guidance.

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How much baggage insurance do I need?

Baggage insurance coverage can range from $500 to $3,000, depending on the policy you choose. 

When researching travel insurance plans, Durazo recommends considering how much luggage you plan to carry and what type of items you’ll pack for your vacation to ensure you select the right coverage level for your personal travel plans. 

Baggage benefits and reimbursement caps

While you await the safe return of your baggage, Durazo said your travel insurance policy may reimburse you for reasonable essential items up to the policy’s limit. For instance, Allianz plans that include SmartBenefits can provide a fixed inconvenience payment of $100 per insured traveler, per day, due to a covered baggage delay. “No receipts are required to receive this benefit, just proof of a covered delay which is made easier by automated flight monitoring of travel schedules associated with your plan,” he said.

However, baggage delay benefits vary by product, and specific limits are assigned to individual plan elements.

Primary vs. secondary coverage

Baggage insurance is typically secondary coverage, which means you’ll have to seek compensation from other parties — such as the airline that lost or damaged your bag or your homeowners insurance company if your laptop was stolen — first. Only then can you turn to your travel insurance company for reimbursement.

“After filing a claim with the airline, you also can file a travel insurance claim for any difference between the airline’s payout and the full value of your lost or damaged possessions,” noted Durazo.

Travel insurance plans with primary coverage for baggage insurance are harder to find, but they do exist. Policy documents for the iTravelInsured Travel SE plan, for instance, state that the “insurance provided by this policy for all benefits will be paid on a primary basis, regardless of any other coverage.” But the insurer does state that it reserves the right “to recover from any other insurance carrier with which You may be covered” and “seek to recover any payments made by a Third Party.”

How to file a claim for lost luggage

As soon as you discover your bag has been lost or stolen, you will need to file a report, said Tunnah, with World Nomads. “That means a police report in case of theft, or a property irregularity report in case of loss by an airline or travel supplier.”

And, if you are using a secondary insurance policy, you’ll need to file a claim first with their airline or other travel supplier.

“Once that claim has been processed, they’ll file a claim with their travel insurance company, submitting the travel supplier paperwork as supporting documentation,” said Tunnah.

When making a claim, a traveler will need the police or property irregularity report and proof of ownership, including receipts if they have them. She said it’s a good idea to take photos of luggage and its contents before a trip.

When you’re ready to file a baggage claim, you can typically do so online, by phone, in an app or by mail. You will need your travel insurance policy number, your personal information and documentation supporting your claim. Be sure to get a report from your airline regarding the incident and also be ready to provide any receipts for outlays you incurred.

Travel insurance for baggage FAQs

Yes, a comprehensive travel insurance policy typically includes coverage for baggage damage and will reimburse you for lost, stolen or damaged belongings, according to the policy’s terms.

Understand your policy: What travel insurance covers

Baggage insurance covers the financial loss of lost, stolen or damaged belongings during a trip and reimburses for affected items. Check your policy for per-item, per-day and maximum limits as well as excluded items.

Baggage insurance may also include baggage delay benefits, reimbursing you for the purchase of personal items to tide you over until your baggage arrives.

Travel insurance provides many valuable benefits both before and during a trip. One post-departure benefit is baggage protection.

“The comfort and peace of mind that comes with protecting your personal possessions while traveling makes baggage insurance an essential component of travel planning,” said Durazo of Allianz. “Should you become separated from your luggage, having the financial backing to quickly resupply essential items can allow you to get on with your vacation and minimize your worries while you wait for it to be returned to you.”

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Erica Lamberg is a regular contributor to Fox News, Fox Business, Real Simple, Forbes Advisor, AAA and USA TODAY. She writes about business, travel, personal finance, health, travel insurance and work/life balance. She is based in suburban Philadelphia.

Alyce Meserve is an experienced insurance, personal finance and travel writer. Alyce is a licensed insurance professional in life, health and property and casualty, and holds an Executive Certificate in Financial Planning from Duke University.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

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Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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