travel insurance with cancer australia

Travel Insurance for cancer patients in Australia

Yes, it's possible to find travel insurance if you have (or have had) cancer. but be sure to check if your specific condition is covered in each policy you compare..

We've found a host of brands that provide travel insurance for cancer patients in Australia, including one that considers any form and stage of cancer. Find quotes and compare policies from more than 25 brands, below.

Are there any travel insurance brands that offer cover for cancer patients?

Yes. For example, AllClear is a specialist medical travel insurer that considers all stages of cancer. Find out more about AllClear in our review .

Which Australian travel insurance providers cover you if you've had cancer?

We researched 25+ travel insurance brands and found that these can cover you if you've had cancer.

Note: This information was last updated August 2022

Finder survey: Which pre-existing medical conditions do Australians have?

Can you get travel insurance that covers cancer.

Yes. Anyone who has cancer can or has had cancer in the past can get travel insurance. However, whether or not you’ll be covered for the condition itself varies both from insurer to insurer and from person to person.

Typically, there are two types of insurers:

Specialist insurers

Brands like All Clear Travel Insurance specialise in medical travel insurance and are more likely to offer comprehensive cover, albeit for higher premiums. All Clear considers travellers at all stages of cancer for a range of cancer types including bowel cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma and prostate cancer.

In some cases, it will also provide cover for people with terminal conditions, so long as your prognosis is for six months or more, a doctor says you're "fit" to travel and your transport provider agrees to take you.

Non-specialist travel insurer

Most travel insurers outside of the specialist market fall into one of two categories; those that will provide travel insurance and cover cancer, and those that will provide travel insurance, but will not cover anything related to cancer.

1. For those that will cover incidents related to the cancer itself, cover is normally conditional based on the following:

• A medical assessment that determines that you’re fit to travel.
• Whether you’re in remission and how long that has been the case (6 to 12 months is often a minimum requirement).
• Whether you’re currently receiving treatment (in which case cover will usually not be provided).

Keep in mind . If you’re able to get cover, you will pay a higher premium due to the greater risk to the insurer.

2. Then, there are brands that won't provide any cover for claims arising from cancer. While these insurers won't cover you for your pre-existing condition they may still provide travel insurance that excludes your condition.

While any claim related to your pre-existing condition is not claimable, the policy still covers everything else. For example, if you were walking down the street and you were hit by a car, the policy would cover your medical costs because it’s unrelated to your cancer.

2 key questions to consider before settling on what's best for you

• Do you want to pay more to cover your pre-existing condition? If you answered 'yes', look at a travel insurer that specialises in medical cover or one that will consider people who already have cancer.
• Are you concerned about the high cost of travel insurance? Unfortunately, getting cover for a pre-existing condition can be costly. So, if you don't want to spend all that money and are okay with not having cover for your pre-existing condition, you can take out travel insurance. However, you will need to cover the costs if something happens overseas due to your pre-existing condition.

Do travel insurance providers need to know I've had cancer?

Yes, it's essential to disclose your cancer to your insurer that you have had cancer at the time of applying for your policy.

If you have had cancer at any time in your life, it is considered a pre-existing medical condition. Letting them know ahead of time will save you the hassle (and, potentially, a lot of money) later on should something go wrong.

Insurers generally have a list of pre-existing conditions they automatically cover in their product disclosure statement (PDS). Cancer isn't usually included, so if you're seeking the maximum insurance then you'll want to look for special cover where available.

What happens if the insurer won’t give me cover?

In general, insurers are not allowed to discriminate against people with cancer under Australian law. However, according to the Cancer Council of Victoria :

“An exemption under the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 allows insurers to refuse insurance or change the terms of an insurance policy for a person affected by cancer so long as this decision is supported by statistical or actuarial data or other reasonable evidence.”

What will I be asked for on my medical questionnaire?

The medical questionnaire varies between insurers but you can expect to be asked:

• What type of cancer do you (did you) have?
• When was it diagnosed?
• Have you received treatment for your cancer?
• When was the last time you received treatment?
• Are there any future treatments planned?
• What stage is the cancer?
• What grade is the cancer?
• Has the cancer spread from another section of the body?
• Has the cancer been removed or destroyed?
• Are you taking any medication such as painkillers?

Outside of these general questions you may also be asked more specific questions related to a particular type of cancer and also to provide supporting documentation from your treating physician.

Tips for travelling with cancer-related medical conditions

Cancer treatments can compromise your immune system, so you will need to take special precautions when travelling. These include:

• Keeping your medication close by (in your carry-on luggage, not under the plane).
• Carrying a letter from your doctor detailing your condition.
• Practising good hygiene including regularly washing hands and only drinking bottled water.
• Being sun smart, as chemotherapy and radiation make you more sensitive to UV rays.
• Ensuring plenty of downtime between activities, as you may feel fatigued more often.

Compare your travel insurance options: In summary

Obtaining travel insurance for a pre-existing condition like cancer isn't easy. However, it's not impossible either. The best way to go about it is to declare your condition upfront and to shop around to find the insurer most sympathetic to your needs.

Picture: GettyImages

Richard Laycock

Richard Laycock is Finder’s insights editor after spending the last five years writing and editing articles about insurance. His musings can be found across the web including on MoneyMag, Yahoo Finance and Travel Weekly. Richard studied Media at Macquarie University and The Missouri School of Journalism and has a Tier 1 Certification in General Advice for Life Insurance. See full bio

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4 Responses

Can I get travel insurance with myeloma that is diagnosed for abt 6 years with no treatment except a blood test every month and a intragram transfusion once a month . The consultation with the specialist every 3 months. I am approaching 74 years of age. I am on no other medication

Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. :)

Yes, you can still get a travel insurance given with your condition. However, you need to remember a few points.

Insurers have their own way of determining which situations they will consider as a pre-existing condition.

Depending on the nature of your condition, the company will either automatically provide cover, provide cover at an additional rate or apply exclusions for the condition. If you do not declare your condition, it is likely the policy will be void in the event of a claim.

You may want to start comparing your options from our travel insurance for cancer patients page. Use our table to conveniently compare policies. Once you find the right one for you, click on the “Get Quote” button to learn more.

I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.

Have a wonderful day!

Cheers, Joshua

G’day, my son is getting married in Vietnam in November and I am in 2 and half years in remission of Multiple Myeloma. My Specialist is going to do up a letter explaining my medication and my current condition.

My question is, can I get Travel insurance or do I just get ordinary Travel Insurance and inform them of my Pre-existing Cancer (leukaemia – Multiple Myeloma)?

It is recommended that you take a travel insurance designed for those patients who have been diagnosed with cancer.

We advise that you study especially their pre-existing clauses and get a quote from more than one insurer for price comparison.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Jonathan

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A Guide to Travel Insurance for Cancer Patients

When you have cancer, what can travel insurance cover?

The benefits you receive depends on the type of plan you buy. You can see all available travel insurance plans here , or get a quote to easily compare plans and pricing. That being said, here are some of the situations in which travel insurance can protect cancer patients.

• You have to cancel your trip because of your cancer diagnosis. Trip cancellation benefits can reimburse you for pre-paid, nonrefundable travel expenses if you must cancel your trip for a covered reason. One common covered reason is when you or your travel companion suffer an illness, injury, or medical condition that’s disabling enough to make a reasonable person cancel their trip. Remember that a doctor must advise you (or your traveling companion) to cancel your trip before you cancel it — or, if that’s impossible, within 72 hours of the decision to cancel.
• You have to cut your trip short because your illness gets worse. If you’re already on your trip, and you become too ill to travel, trip interruption benefits can reimburse you for your unused, pre-paid and nonrefundable travel expenses. This benefit can also pay reasonable transportation expenses to continue your trip or return home. It can even pay additional accommodation and transportation expenses (up to the stated limit) if the interruption forces you to remain at your destination for longer than you’d planned.
• You suffer an unexpected medical emergency while traveling. Emergency medical/dental benefits can reimburse you for the cost of emergency medical care you receive while traveling for a sudden, unexpected illness, injury, or medical condition that could cause serious harm if it is not treated. The key words here are sudden and unexpected . Travel insurance can’t cover your medical emergency if it’s an expected complication of your cancer diagnosis or treatment.

Also, please understand that travel insurance can’t pay for planned medical expenses if you travel overseas to obtain treatment for cancer (or any other condition). Travel insurance will not pay for any non-emergency care, elective care, long-term care or experimental treatments, among other exclusions listed in your policy.

How can travel insurance help if a family member is diagnosed with cancer?

What if someone in your family is diagnosed with cancer right before you’re about to leave on a week-long vacation? There’s no way you’re going to leave their side — but your resort’s cancellation policy says clearly that no refunds will be given.

In situations like this, travel insurance can help. If a family member who’s not traveling with you develops an illness, injury, or medical condition that’s considered life-threatening or requires hospitalization, that can be a covered reason for trip cancellation. The same is true for trip interruption — if you’re already on your trip when a family member becomes seriously ill, then trip interruption benefits can pay for your transportation home, as well as reimbursing you for unused trip costs.

Read more: How Travel Insurance Covers Family Members

What if you’re diagnosed with cancer after you purchase travel insurance?

Let’s say you book a Mediterranean cruise for yourself and your spouse to celebrate your 25th wedding anniversary. You also purchase travel insurance to protect the trip. Six months later, a routine mammogram detects a lump in your breast, and you’re diagnosed with stage-2 breast cancer. You must undergo surgery and radiation, which means you won’t be able to go on your long-awaited cruise.

Travel insurance with trip cancellation benefits can be invaluable in situations like this, when you’re facing a cancer diagnosis. If your symptoms (or the side effects of treatment) are disabling enough to make you cancel your trip, and if your doctor advises you to cancel it, then trip cancellation benefits can reimburse you for your prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses. That way, you can reschedule the cruise for after you’ve recovered — and the sea breezes will be even sweeter.

Related Articles

• Travel Emergency Medical Insurance Explained
• Travel Insurance with Emergency Medical Benefits
• Travel Insurance 101: Covered Illnesses

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Does travel insurance cover cancer?

Whether you're recovering from your latest round of chemotherapy, need a bit of R&R or are celebrating an ‘all clear’ cancer prognosis, a holiday can be just the ticket.

However, finding travel insurance when you have cancer can be tricky!

Whilst most policies will usually cover pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma and osteoporosis; conditions like cancer, mental illness and heart conditions are more commonly not covered.

The general rule of thumb is that insurers do not cover conditions that already exist before your trip and many will require a medical evaluation before they give the ok. Additionally, most policies WILL NOT cover cancer due to the heightened risk that sufferers may fall ill, cancel their holiday, or cut their trip short.

The Good News

The travel insurance industry has heard you and is responding. Up until recently, finding travel insurance that covered cancer was an exercise in frustration. However, there are now a few insurers that have added certain cancers to their list of conditions covered following assessment.

Insurers such as Covermore (underwritten by Zurich) may cover a range of cancers including breast, prostate, kidney, bowel, brain and skin cancer. Additionally, AAMI (underwritten by Suncorp) may insure travellers with breast or prostate cancer (under certain conditions).

Other Reasons To Buy Travel Insurance

Although your health is top priority (especially now) there are other huge factors that make travel insurance a must for all travellers. Although most insurers won’t list cancer as a covered illness, they will still cover the following and more.

Lost and stolen luggage and personal belongings: When you’re dealing with huge life transitions, the last thing you need is the extra financial stress of a lost suitcase or stolen wallet. Travel insurance will cover you for any lost, stolen or damaged items, provided you look after them.

Cancellations and emergencies: Should your flight be delayed for more than 24 hours, your travel insurance provider will cover any costs you’ve accrued. You’ll also be covered should you miss a flight due to any type of motor vehicle accident or natural disaster.

Rental car excess: Planning a bucket list road trip? Your travel insurance will usually cover rental car excess, so you can cruise on, worry-free.

Personal liability: Travel insurance will cover you in the event that you are responsible for another person’s injury. Most comprehensive policies will cover you for up to $2 million in personal liability fees.

Note: Even if your insurer will not cover cancer you may still take out insurance to cover other health and travel-related issues. However, if you are currently receiving medical treatment or have a shortened life expectancy, things get a little complicated. Under these circumstances you will most likely not find health cover for anything cancer-related, including cancelled or delayed flights due to illness or treatment and medical costs while overseas.

Tips For Travelling With Cancer

Travelling with a compromised immune system means taking greater care and minimising your risks whilst on-the-go. The following tips will help keep you in good nick whilst you’re away:

Talk to your medical team: It’s a good idea to chat to your medical team and debrief them on all your travel plans before you book your trip. Get your doctor to write a comprehensive letter detailing your condition, treatment and medication and keep it with you at all times.

Get organised: Take any necessary medical contact phone numbers and a list of all the medications you are currently taking. Pack your medications in your carry-on luggage as they are less likely to go missing than in your stowed luggage.

Make provisions: Need extra legroom on your flight or handicap facilities in your hotel? Call ahead to ensure all your travel requirements are set. A bit of pre-planning will minimise all the usual travelling inconveniences.

Be sun savvy: Chemotherapy and radiation can increase sensitivity to the sun so be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen and protective gear along for your trip.

Take it easy: Feeling unusually fatigued? Accept that you will have good and bad days and give yourself ample amounts of downtime in between activities.

Stay safe: Good hygiene practice is essential when your immunity is low. Wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer whenever appropriate. Avoid uncooked food and drink bottled water only.

What’s Next?

Having cancer shouldn’t deter you from taking that long-awaited holiday. Once you’ve researched your options, spoken to your insurance provider and taken all the necessary precautions there’s nothing left to do but focus on enjoying your trip. Have fun!

Are You A Mature Traveller?

If you’re over 50, finding travel insurance can be a daunting task. Need help? We’ve put together a clear and comprehensive guide to seniors travel insurance to clear up any grey areas.

General Advice Warning: The contents of this article were accurate at the time of writing. Insurers change their policies from time to time, so some information may have changed. You should always read the Product Disclosure Statement of your chosen insurer to understand what is covered and what isn't. The information provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account any personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your personal circumstances.

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With a research and journalism background, and certified in Tier 2 General Insurance General Advice, Crystal is passionate about investigating customers’ tricky travel questions and helping them find the answers they’re looking for. A writer and filmmaker whose favourite trips have been to film festivals in Cuba and South Korea, and campervanning around the USA, she loves getting to know new people and seeing a glimpse of the world through their eyes.

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Travel insurance for a pre-existing medical condition

How to secure cover for your next trip if you're dealing with existing medical conditions..

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Need to know

• You must declare a pre-existing medical condition if you want it covered by insurance
• Insurance cover for pre-existing medical conditions varies widely
• You may have to pay more to get cover for your pre-existing medical condition

Travel insurance is essential in the case of illness or injury while travelling. Overseas medical costs can be extortionate, and if you have an existing medical condition, it increases the chance you may need medical attention on your trip – that's why insurers charge you extra. 

So if you can get cover for your pre-existing medical condition, it'll take a bit of worry out of your trip. But even if you're willing to pay extra, getting cover for an existing condition isn't always easy.

On this page:

What is a pre-existing medical condition?

What's covered, and what's not, comprehensive policies that may cover your pre-existing medical condition, travel insurance for seniors with pre-existing medical conditions, pregnancy and travel insurance, credit card travel insurance and pre-existing medical conditions,  what to do if you can't get cover for a pre-existing medical condition.

A pre-existing medical condition is a medical condition that you had before you bought your travel insurance.

Different travel insurers will have their own specific definitions, but it's usually a diagnosed medical condition that you've had or received any form of medical advice, treatment or medication for, in a specified time period before you bought your policy.

Most insurers would cover a condition if it hadn't led to treatment in the one to two years before you booked your trip, but others may specify five years or longer

The 'specified time period' wording is worth paying attention to. If, for example, your condition last showed symptoms 18 months ago, but the time period specified by the insurer is 12 months, then you'll be covered subject to the other conditions of the policy.

The insurance contract regulations set the time period as six months by default. Unfortunately, insurers can get around this six-month rule and exempt themselves simply by burying an exclusion or limitation in the product disclosure statement (PDS).

Insurers' definitions vary as to what the specified time period is. Most insurers would cover a condition if it hadn't led to treatment in the one to two years before you booked your trip, but others may specify five years or longer.

There are often a lot of hoops to jump through to get cover for pre-existing conditions. 

Insurers can:

• exclude pre-existing medical conditions altogether
• include a list of accepted pre-existing medical conditions (specified in the PDS)
• restrict cover for generally accepted conditions depending on other conditions you might have, or only cover some symptoms (for example, allergies may be covered, but not anaphylaxis)
• subject you to an assessment for cover of your medical condition and charge a fee to complete this assessment (whether you get cover or not)
• deny you cover for a medical condition on application.

Even if you survive that minefield, you may then have to fork out several thousand dollars for the privilege of getting cover for your condition.

Below is a list of conditions that might usually be covered, with specific restrictions. 

• Allergies 
• Blindness and low vision
• Corneal graft
• Coeliac disease
• Ear grommets
• Gastric reflux
• Hiatus hernia
• High cholesterol/hypercholesterolaemia
• High blood pressure/hypertension
• Hip replacement
• Knee replacement
• Macular degeneration
• Underactive thyroid/overactive thyroid
• Chronic lung conditions
• Cardiovascular disease
• Reduced immunity
• Cancer (some policies automatically cover skin cancer but not melanoma)
• Heart-related medical conditions
• Medical conditions you're travelling to seek medical treatment or review for
• Conditions involving drug or alcohol dependency
• Conditions for which you're awaiting surgery, treatment, investigation or procedures
• Conditions with a terminal prognosis

This also includes any travel booked or undertaken against the advice of a medical practitioner.

Check the insurer's PDS for a specific list of conditions. If a condition is not listed as automatically covered, then you may be able to apply to the insurer to cover your condition.

For the specified time period, the lower the number, the better. Read on below the table for more information.

* The time period before booking your trip that a medical condition, that isn't specifically excluded, would be covered if it has not given rise to symptoms or required medication or treatment. 

If your medical condition is on the insurer's 'Covered Conditions' list, then the time period might be longer than what's specified above. 

For example, Go Insurance's specified time period is 90 days (3 months), but if your condition is on their 'Covered Conditions' list, and you've been hospitalised for that condition within 24 months of booking the trip, then it may not be automatically covered. You'll need to fill out a form to apply for cover.

CHOICE tip: Filling out assessment forms for your medical condition can be time-consuming and frustrating, but try at least three different insurers because premiums and cover vary widely.

How you're assessed for a pre-existing medical condition

Many Australian insurers use a 'black box' risk rating system to assess your condition, such as that provided by insurance technology firm Verisk.

The systems may contain a list of health conditions, each of which is assigned a risk factor. Depending on how high this risk factor is, the insurer can choose to rule out cover, or offer cover for an extra premium.

Older and wiser travellers with pre-existing medical conditions can still get travel insurance for their international travel. The drawback is that you'll have fewer policies to choose from, and you'll pay more for it. 

Many travel insurance policies have age limits, over which they either don't offer cover, or they may offer restricted cover with lower benefit limits or a higher excess. 

Cost of travel insurance for seniors

Our analysis of premiums across age groups shows that an older single traveller going to Bali for around 11 days to two weeks will on average pay more for their cover as they age, with premiums generally increasing more noticeably from age 50. 

Travellers aged over 70 could pay up to 3.5 times more for their travel insurance than people in their 60s

In particular, travellers aged over 70 could pay up to 3.5 times more for their travel insurance than people in their 60s, prior to further underwriting and premium adjustments by insurers for coverage of pre-existing medical conditions.

Visit our travel insurance comparison and use the filter to find travel insurance policy options for people across a range of ages up to 100 or even unlimited.

Pregnancy cover will protect you in circumstances such as if you need to cancel your trip due to doctor's advice, or if you're on holiday and incur medical costs that are a result of unexpected complications (something that you weren't already being treated for or had no history of).

Note that travel insurance won't usually cover you for childbirth or for medical costs relating to your newborn if you give birth while on holiday.

Different policies will cover you up to different stages of your pregnancy, so which provider you go with will depend on when you plan to travel (and return home). Not all policies will cover IVF or similar medically assisted pregnancies.

CHOICE tip: Check with your airline before you travel – many airlines will only let you fly up to a certain stage in your pregnancy, and may require medical certificates or other documentation.

Some credit cards come with travel insurance policies that may cover pre-existing medical conditions. 

However, policies that come with credit cards vary just as much as standalone travel insurance policies, so you need to read the terms and conditions carefully to understand whether you're automatically covered, whether you need to apply for cover, or if there's no cover at all for pre-existing medical conditions.

Bear in mind that some credit card travel insurance policies require you to activate your insurance before you leave. Some people may find this a bit of a pain, but with pre-existing medical conditions it may actually be an advantage, since it will prompt you to check your cover.

If you're denied cover for your pre-existing medical condition, or if you can't afford the extra premium, you may still be able to buy a travel insurance policy. 

You'll need to declare your condition to your insurer. They may then offer you travel insurance cover, but will issue a certificate that says you won't be covered for any claim that arises because of your pre-existing medical condition.

Stock images:  Getty, unless otherwise stated.

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What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is designed to cover you for a range of unexpected events that could happen when you’re travelling overseas or in Australia. Allianz Travel Insurance can cover costs like travel delays or emergency medical treatment, or the cost of replacing items that were lost or stolen during your trip. 1

We have Basic, Comprehensive, Domestic, and Multi-Trip Plans to choose from, with varying levels of cover to help you when you need it most. Our plans are available for singles, duos or families. Read through our Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for detailed information about our plans to see which level of cover is right for you.

Find the right cover for your trip

Basic Travel Insurance

• Overseas emergency assistance 1
• Overseas medical and hospital expenses 1
• Personal Liability 1

Comprehensive Travel Insurance

• Overseas emergency assistance, medical and hospital expenses 1
• Unexpected trip cancellation 3
• Loss of or damage to luggage and personal effects 1
• COVID-19 benefits 2

Domestic Travel Insurance

• Travel delay expenses 1
• Rental vehicle excess 1

Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

Additional cover options.

For an additional premium, you can choose to add an Adventure Pack, Cruise Pack, or Snow Pack to eligible plans. Increased Item Limits Cover can also be added to insure your luggage, personal effects or valuables should something happen to them while travelling.

You have the option to vary the base excess when you buy your policy (premium adjustment will apply depending on the excess selected). The choice is yours.

Website review and travel remediation

Choose what suits your needs, single cover, family plan, ready to get started, frequently asked questions.

Without travel insurance, you run the risk of incurring some significant expenses that may take years to pay off.

If you’re travelling overseas, travel insurance is an important consideration for unexpected medical bills and hospitalisation. Other unforeseen expenses could include the replacement of lost or stolen luggage, delays or cancellations to your trip, and many other unfortunate scenarios.

We don’t cover medical expenses under our Domestic Travel Insurance policy. However, you may wish to take out insurance for domestic flight changes or cancellations, lost or stolen baggage, or rental vehicle excess. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for more information.

Travel insurance may cover you for a range of unexpected events that may affect your trip, such as emergency medical assistance if you become ill or injured while travelling overseas, including arranging your evacuation if needed.

Other incidents that travel insurance may cover include costs due to unexpected delays and cancellations, rental vehicle excess, and personal liability. You also have the option to purchase additional cover for activities such as adventure sports or skiing, although this isn’t available on all plans.

Cover limits vary from insurance provider to insurance provider, as do policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions, so it’s important to read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure you fully understand what’s covered, the limits applying to the policy, and to make sure the policy is appropriate for your needs.

The length of your Travel Insurance policy is largely dependent on the travel dates you supply. When obtaining a quote, or buying a policy, you’ll be prompted to enter in your departure and return dates – this will be the period of cover for all benefits except the cancellation benefit, which begins from the date your policy is issued.

The period of cover is also shown on your Certificate of Insurance, which is sent to you at the time of purchase. You may want to extend the length of your holiday abroad (and therefore need an extension of your period of cover) and you may be able to do this within specified timeframes.

If you think you may travel more than once a year, you may wish to consider a Multi-Trip policy . Different start and end dates apply, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement for full details.

It’s up to you when you buy Allianz Travel Insurance, however, keep in mind these three things:

• You can buy our Travel Insurance up to 12 months in advance.
• You must buy Allianz Travel Insurance before you start your journey. Your journey starts when any traveller named on the Certificate of Insurance leaves home or work in Australia to begin travel.
• Depending on the plan you choose you may have trip cancellation cover, which covers unexpected trip cancellation, rescheduling or shortening from the date your Certificate of Insurance is issued. So, consider buying our Travel Insurance as soon as you’ve booked and paid for some or all your trip as you may be covered for such events before you depart.

Yes, if you change your mind after you buy your Travel Insurance policy, you may cancel it within 14 days of your Certificate of Insurance being issued.

You’ll be given a full refund of the premium you’ve paid, provided you’ve not started your journey and don’t intend to make a claim or exercise any other right under your policy.

When considering which policy is right for you, make sure you consider your needs, as well as your financial situation. Reading the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination (TMD) is a good place to start as they will give you more detail, so you can decide if the plan is right for you.

Allianz Travel Insurance offers a number of travel insurance plans – Basic , Comprehensive , Domestic , Non-Medical or Multi-Trip Travel Insurance . You can see more detailed information on our Compare Cover Options page .

This product has a general exclusion, with limited exceptions, against epidemics and pandemics. That means we don’t cover claims that arise from, or are related to, an epidemic or pandemic.

However, you’re covered under selected benefits in this product if, during your period of cover, you’re positively diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, such as COVID-19.

Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement to see which benefits offer cover in the event that you contract a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, and the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions that apply.

Note: There is no cover under any benefit of this policy if your claim arises because you did not follow advice or a warning that has been issued by the Australian Government or a reliable mass media source. This applies even if an Australian government has given you permission to travel, or you fall under a specific exemption where there is otherwise a travel ban in place.

If you have any questions call us on 13 1000 .

If you need to shorten your journey while travelling, or are prevented from travelling due to a COVID-19 border closure or mandatory quarantine period, you may be entitled to receive a partial or full refund on your premium. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement for more information.

Eligibility criteria applies. Contact us on 1800 440 806 or email us .

There is no cover under any benefit of this policy if your claim arises because you didn’t follow an advice or warning that a reasonable person would have been aware of, that has been issued by the Australian government (when a ‘reconsider your need to travel’ or ‘do not travel’ alert is in place), which can be found on Smartraveller ; or which was published in a reliable mass media source.

Before buying travel insurance, and while you’re travelling, check Smartraveller and Allianz Partners for travel alerts or advisories for your intended destination(s).

Note: This applies even if an Australian government has given you permission to travel, or you fall under a specific exemption where there is otherwise a travel ban in place.

Tip: Subscribe to Smartraveller to get travel alerts and advisory updates by email.

Refer to General Exclusions in the Product Disclosure Statement for a full list of exclusions.

If you have any questions, call us on 13 1000 .

A general exclusion, sometimes referred to as a policy exclusion or exclusion, is an exclusion that applies to all policy benefits.

Should a general exclusion apply, your travel insurance policy won’t provide cover for the specified event, activities or circumstances.

Refer to General Exclusions in the Product Disclosure Statement provided at the time of purchase for a full list of exclusions.

We're here to help

Give us a call, or send us a message, follow us on, *conditions apply.

• Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement for full details.
• Policy terms, conditions, limits, exclusions, and sub-limits apply to particular types of losses, premium refunds (full or partial) or claims. This product has a general exclusion, with limited exceptions, against epidemics and pandemics. That means we don’t cover claims that arise from, or are related to, an epidemic or pandemic. However, you’re covered under selected benefits in this product if, during your period of cover, you’re positively diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, such as COVID-19. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement to see which benefits offer cover in the event you contract a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, and the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions that apply.
• Terms, conditions, limits, exclusions and sub-limits apply. Cancellation cover is only available on Comprehensive, Domestic and Multi-Trip Plans. Refer to Cancellation and General Exclusions sections of the Product Disclosure Statement for full details.
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Any advice here does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply. Before making a decision about this insurance, please consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)/Policy Wording and Supplementary PDS (if applicable). Where applicable, the PDS/Policy Wording, Supplementary PDS and Target Market Determination (TMD) for this insurance are available on this website.

Travel Insurance is issued and managed by AWP Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 177 AFS Licence No. 245631, trading as Allianz Global Assistance (AGA) as agent of the insurer Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFS Licence No. 234708 (Allianz). Travel Insurance is underwritten by the insurer Allianz. Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply.

We don’t provide advice based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision, please consider the Product Disclosure Statement available on this website. If you purchase this insurance, AGA will receive a commission that is a percentage of the premium. Ask us for more details before we provide you with any services on this product.

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• Can you get Travel Insurance if you have Cancer?

Finding travel insurance after a cancer diagnosis can be difficult, but doesn’t mean you have to stop travelling. This is your ultimate guide to finding the right travel insurance policy.

The following information applies to policies purchased from 30th October 2023 onwards. For policies purchased prior to 30th October 2023: you can find the PDS relevant to you in your policy confirmation email, by logging into MyPolicy , or you can contact us for assistance.

According to cancer research by the Australian Government , one half of all Australian men and women are estimated to develop some form of cancer by their 85 th birthday.

In many cases a cancer diagnosis won’t put a stop to your travel plans, but it can make it more difficult to find a travel insurance policy that will cover you.

This guide will outline the options for travel insurance that can provide cover to cancer patients. There are a number of options to choose from, but keep your personal requirements in mind so that you can find the policy that is best suited to your treatment plan.

Can I get travel insurance if I have cancer?

Depending on the policy that you choose, it would be likely that c ancer is considered a pre-existing medical condition , so it may not be covered in your travel insurance policy. 

Different travel insurers have different definitions including time frames of what would be considered a pre-existing medical condition, and many even have different terms to define a pre-existing medical condition . A pre-existing medical condition will often include is any condition that has been diagnosed, is being treated, or that you exhibit symptoms of at the time of purchasing your travel insurance policy.

Travel insurers may fall into one of these categories:

1) Medical cover for cancer may be included after completing a medical assessment

Some travel insurance companies may be able to provide you with cover if you complete a medical screening . If they agree to cover your cancer , you may have to pay an extra premium on your travel insurance policy, and depending on the travel insurer and how they note it, it will be likely be listed on your certificate of insurance as a covered condition . This means that  cover cover will be available for potential emergencies including medical and hospital expenses related to cancer while travelling, subject to the policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations .

Fast Cover is able to provide medical screening for your cancer diagnosis. Their Medical Conditions page can give you more information about medical screening for your medical condition, including information about the General Exclusions that may apply and what timeframe that they need you to consider before declaring your cancer diagnosis.

2) Medical cover for unrelated emergency expenses is provided, but cover for any expenses related to cancer is excluded.

If a policy does provide you with medical cover but excludes expenses under the policy related to the cancer, you may still receive certain cover under some of the policy’s benefits.

Some of the other benefits you may find in a policy can include:

• Cover for emergency medical expenses unrelated to your pre-existing medical condition, for example, food poisoning or breaking a bone from a bad fall.
• Cancellation cover where the cause of cancellation is unrelated to your pre-existing medical condition. For example, if you were involved in a car accident before your trip and become injured, or because your parents or children become severely unwell.
• Cover for the loss or damage of your belongings, including mobile phone, camera, travel bag and travel documents.
• Travel delay expenses cover.
• Rental vehicle insurance excess cover.

What conditions are there to get cover for cancer-related emergencies while travelling?

Some travel insurers will offer cover for cancer, provided you meet a few conditions.

These conditions can include:

• A medical assessment, so the insurer knows that you’re fit to travel.
• Whether or not you are in remission and how long you’ve been in remission.
• Whether you are currently receiving treatment. Cover is often excluded if you’re currently undergoing treatment for cancer.

Conditions and exclusions may differ depending on your travel insurance provider and policy type. Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or ask if you're not sure before purchasing a policy.

How do I know if a travel insurer provides cover for cancer?

Some travel insurers have a list of pre-existing medical conditions that they provide cover for in their PDS,   which is usually available to view or download online. If you have a pre-existing medical condition that isn’t included in the covered list, it's likely that it's not covered, however, you should check the Product Disclosure Statement for full details on what the policy does and doesn't cover, and a lways ask if you’re unsure.

Whilst Fast Cover does not have a list of covered existing medical conditions, they may be able to provide you with cover for your cancer if you complete a medical screening with them.  Check out their  Medical Conditions page for more information about medical screening for cancer, including information about the General Exclusions that may apply*.

Do you need to tell your travel insurer that you have, or have had, cancer?

You should never lie to your insurer about a pre-existing medical condition. Lying does not mean you’ll be provided with cover and the travel insurer will likely find out about your medical history when assessing any future travel insurance claims.

It’s important to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions when purchasing a policy so that you know whether you have cover for the condition, just in case you have any health complications overseas.

Would I be covered for a secondary cancer if it was diagnosed after purchasing a policy?

This would depend on the travel insurance company that you go with, the terms, conditions and exclusions of their policy .

Fast Cover needs you to complete another medical screening for the secondary cancer after you purchase your policy and before your trip departure date. This may be the case even if you completed a medical screening for your primary cancer when you purchased your policy and your primary cancer is listed as a covered condition on your certificate of insurance. If cover for your secondary cancer is approved, an additional premium will likely apply.  Check out their  Medical Conditions   page for more information about medical screening for cancer, including information about the General Exclusions that may apply*.

You may be able to submit a claim for your trip cancellation or rescheduling expenses if you're not able to travel as a result of your secondary cancer diagnosis, or if we cannot cover you for the change in health, if your policy included cover for trip cancellation expenses and your trip has not started.

Check our your policy for terms, conditions, exclusions and limits that apply as everyone’s situation is different. We will always assess any claim on a case by case basis.

Please note: Any advice provided is general advice only. You should read the PDS as policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. As everyone’s circumstances are different, you can submit a claim and our claims team will assess your claim on a case by case basis.

Travel insurance for cancer patients

Whether you’re recovering from treatment, taking a much-needed break, or celebrating the all-clear, a holiday overseas can be just what the doctor ordered.

Finding travel insurance can be a bit more difficult when you have or have had cancer, but it is possible. Remember to always read the Product Disclosure Statement to understand what cover you’ll have for emergencies, particularly medical emergencies, and ensure you purchase the right policy for your trip.  

Tips for travelling with cancer

The below is general advice only and is not intended to replace the advice from a medical practitioner or health care professional.

Cancer treatment can compromise your immune system.

Remember to make the necessary preparations before you travel and take extra care of your health while you’re away.

1) Stock Up On Medication

Stock up on any regular prescription medication before you leave. Make sure you have enough for your trip, plus some spare in case you're delayed getting home.

2) Organise Treatment Notes

Carry information about your condition and the treatment that you have received in case you have to go to hospital or see a doctor overseas.

3) Avoid Sunburn

Practice sun safety with sunscreen. Wear a hat and long, loose clothing to cover your skin as much as possible. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.

4) Save Emergency Contacts

Understand what your travel insurance provides cover for and carry the emergency assistance team contact details with you at all times just in case!

If you need assistance finding a travel insurance policy which covers your condition, you can contact the Insurance Council of Australia . 

*Stories are fictitious examples drawn from the experiences of Fast Cover travellers and staff. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

^ Source: https://canceraustralia.gov.au/affected-cancer/what-cancer/cancer-australia-statistics

About the author

Laura is a content writer at Fast Cover. Fuelled by a passion for adventure travel and inspired to learn more about the world, she specialises in writing about travel insurance and health topics which are published across numerous travel forums and websites.

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Getting travel insurance

Travel insurance is very important for people who have or have had cancer. 

You have travel insurance to help you get compensation for anything that might go wrong with your travel. This usually means anything from having to cancel your trip, to losing your suitcases. But the most important part is the medical expenses cover.

Suppose you’re going to a country with high medical costs and you need to be flown back in an emergency. Without medical expense cover, the cost to you could be huge.

On this page we look at:

Why is it so hard to get travel insurance?

Travel insurance for people with cancer.

Travel insurance if you have had cancer

Destinations and costs

Finding insurance

Healthcare abroad

Tips on what you need to know

Getting travel insurance when you have or have had cancer can be difficult.  

Insurance companies only make money from people who don't claim. Because you’ve been ill, they think you’re more likely to claim. For example, you might need to cancel your trip or have medical treatment abroad. This makes you a bigger risk to the company, and they can refuse to give you travel insurance.

But finding travel insurance is getting easier. Many insurance companies now look at individual cases rather than refusing everyone who has had cancer.

Some travel insurance companies will give you medical cover if you have a doctor’s letter saying you’re fit enough to travel. But other companies might only insure you for treatment that isn't to do with your cancer. 

So although you'll have travel insurance, it won't cover any treatment you might need because of your cancer. You'll have to pay for that yourself. 

Travel insurance that covers cancer related treatment

For emergency medical problems relating to your cancer while you’re travelling, you'll need an insurance policy that covers you for this. So you must tell the insurance company about the cancer when you apply for cover.

Whether you can get insurance, and how much it costs, will depend on your cancer type.

When you apply for travel insurance, be prepared for questions about:

• your cancer type
• how big your cancer is or was at diagnosis and whether it had spread (stage)
• the grade of your cancer
• the treatment you are having or have had
• your outlook (prognosis)
• follow up care you are having

It’s best if you have these details before you apply. Ask your doctor or specialist nurse if you're unsure about anything. They can answer your questions.

Some insurance companies specialise in policies for people with pre existing medical conditions. This includes cancer. It's worth shopping around. Try insurance brokers as well as travel insurance companies. 

Travel insurance for people who have had cancer

Many travel insurance companies will give you medical cover if you have a doctor’s certificate saying you no longer have cancer and are fit enough to travel. 

Some companies won’t offer you insurance until you’ve been cancer free for some months or even years. Be prepared for the cost to be higher if you finished treatment recently. Prices generally go down the longer you’re cancer free. 

You need to be able to claim for emergency medical care abroad. This includes treatment related to your previous cancer.

To be covered for this, you need a policy that says the insurance company will pay for emergency medical problems that are related to your cancer. Again, you must tell the insurance company your full medical history when you apply for cover. They must pay according to the policy if they agreed to cover you.

The policies of travel insurance companies vary a lot. Some offer more suitable cover than others. Be sure to shop around and check your policy carefully.

Whether you have had cancer or not, travel insurance costs vary depending on where you want to go.

The UK has mutual agreements with some countries that are not in the European Economic Area (EEA). So they may provide medical care at a lower cost or in some cases free. The NHS website has a list of these countries. It also explains briefly what:

• you’ll need to pay
• documents you need
• Find out more at the NHS website

Medical costs in the USA are very high. So it’s hard to get cover if you’re planning a holiday there.

You may not be able to get insurance for the USA if you have incurable cancer, particularly cancer that has spread. So you may need to rethink your holiday plans.

Finding travel insurance

There are different ways to look for travel insurance including:

• contacting an insurance broker
• comparison websites
• contact the money advice service

Insurance brokers An insurance broker can try to arrange a policy for you. Or they can give you a list of insurance companies with special policies for people with cancer or other medical conditions. 

Brokers make a service charge. So it’s always best to make an informal approach to a few brokers before you make a decision. Make sure you feel happy that they know what's available for people with cancer.

The British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) can suggest brokers. They can look for travel insurance policies for people with cancer.

• The British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) website

Comparison websites Other ways to look for policies would be to use comparison websites such as:

• Money Super Market
• Confused.com
• Compare the Market

Money Advice Service

Another way is to contact the Money Advice Service. They can direct you to specialist travel insurance firms that cover serious medical conditions. 

• Go to Money Advice Service

Information the travel insurance companies and brokers might want to know

Being ready with answers to questions the companies might ask will help when you contact them. They will ask about your cancer and about your holiday. 

Questions about your cancer might include:

• when you were diagnosed
• what type of cancer it is
• how advanced it is and whether it is terminal
• what treatment you have had or are having, or if you are due to start treatment
• any medicines you are taking
• any appointments you have with your GP or specialist
• symptoms you have

Questions about your holiday:

• where you want to go
• how long for
• who will be travelling with you

Questions you might want to ask include:

• How much does the insurance cover you for?
• What is the excess? Does it vary depending on what you are claiming for, for example a medical claim or lost luggage
• Are you and whoever you are travelling with covered if you cancel?
• Is there anything it doesn’t cover?
• Depending on the situation some people might want to know if it would cover them if they died and their family wanted to get them home to bury them
• How much is the travel insurance policy?

Healthcare in Europe

The UK has now left the European Union (EU). This means there are changes to the healthcare agreements between the UK and EU countries.

To be able to receive state provided healthcare when visiting an EU country . You should hold either a: 

• UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
• UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

These cards mean you can get necessary healthcare free or at a reduced cost in the EU country you are visiting. This is healthcare that cannot wait until you get home. It means you’ll have the same care as a citizen of the country you’re visiting. Remember, the cards might not cover everything you'd get in the NHS. This is because each healthcare system is different.

Ask where you are being referred to. Sometimes people are sent to a private practice or hospital. If this happens, you may not be covered for the costs of care unless you have travel medical insurance. If you have insurance, check the terms and conditions of the policy before agreeing to any treatment.

If you still hold a valid EHIC card you can use this until it expires. You will then need to apply for a UK GHIC. The EHIC will still be around but will only apply to some UK residents and is now replaced with the new UK EHIC card. To see if you should apply for a new UK EHIC card find out more on the NHS website.

• Visit the NHS website for information about the new UK EHIC card

The guide below gives you information on the different healthcare arrangements and systems in countries abroad.

• Guide to healthcare in countries abroad

The UK EHIC and UK GHIC doesn't cover the cost of any medical treatment that you planned in advance, only for unexpected needs. But if you need continued treatment for an ongoing illness while you're abroad, such as regular injections, the UK EHIC or UK GHIC covers this.

The UK EHIC or UK GHIC doesn’t always cover the full cost of treatment. For instance, it won’t cover the cost of getting you home in an emergency. So it’s important to have the right travel insurance even when travelling in the EU.

You still need a UK EHIC or UK GHIC because your insurance company might not cover the cost of treatment that the card covers. If you try to claim in full, they might say you should have had the UK EHIC or UK GHIC. 

It does not cover you if you are on a cruise. And it doesn’t cover the cost of flying you home.

Visiting Ireland

If you're a resident in the UK, you can get healthcare that cannot wait until you get home (necessary healthcare) from state healthcare services in Ireland during your visit. This includes medically necessary treatment for a pre-existing or chronic condition. Some treatments will need to be pre-arranged with the relevant healthcare provider in Ireland, for example chemotherapy. But you will still need travel insurance.

• Guidance on how to get healthcare when visiting Ireland

Europe beyond the EU:

Some countries within the European region do not accept the UK EHIC or UK GHIC, these are:

• the Channel Islands, including Guernsey, Alderney and Sark
• the Isle of Man
• the Vatican
• Guidance for Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

The UK has an agreement with a number of non-EU countries so that people from the UK can receive urgent care. Usually, only immediate medical treatment is free of charge. This includes places such as:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Faroe Islands
• Isle of Man
• Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Isle of Man and Jersey

Medical care on cruise ships is quite expensive. You should have travel insurance to cover any medical care costs. If you require additional medical care that cannot be provided on board the ship, you will be transferred to medical facilities on land. What you are covered for depends on the country the cruise ship drops you in. So, it is not a good idea to rely on the UK EHIC or UK GHIC. You need medical care cover for anywhere that the ship could stop in. This includes unscheduled stops.

• Apply for the new UK-issued EHIC or UK GHIC online

Tips on what you need to know before you look for insurance

• Many insurance companies have exclusions on their policies for people who have medical conditions such as cancer.
• If you had cancer in the past, you still need to tell the insurance company about it. You must declare all existing and pre existing conditions. Otherwise the insurance company might say you misinformed them and may not pay out.
• Regular high street travel insurance companies will not cover you if you have a terminal illness or if you aren't fit to travel.
• Get a letter from your doctor saying that you are fit to travel, even if you haven’t had any treatment for some time. It’s always best to get advice from your doctor before going abroad.
• You’ll need an updated doctor’s certificate every time you travel if you have an annual or multi trip policy.
• Start by making informal enquiries. Some companies might ask if you’ve been refused insurance before. If you’ve only made informal enquiries, this won’t affect any applications you make.
• As a condition of covering you, some insurance companies insist that you also get their travel insurance for everyone travelling with you.
• Always check a policy carefully. Make sure it covers everything you might need. Such as getting you home if you become unwell whilst abroad.
• Check the cost of insurance (premium) as well as the excess and whether there is a separate excess for everyone travelling.

Related links

Travelling abroad.

Travelling abroad when you have cancer might not affect where or how you travel. But sometimes you could have a few extra things to think about.

Coping practically

Get information on coping with practical matters such as money and travel, as well as treatment for overseas visitors.

Travel tips

Plan a safe and pleasant journey with these travel tips for people who have cancer, are having treatment, or are recovering from treatment.

Travelling with cancer main page

Travelling when you have cancer or treatment might need some extra planning. Find out how cancer can affect travelling in the UK and abroad and get plenty of tips to make it easier.

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Travelling with cancer: A checklist

Cancer is many diseases. Even people with the same type of cancer can experience a very different journey through illness and treatment.

So, when it comes to overseas travel, deciding on what is feasible (and what’s not) requires some very personal considerations. Most people with cancer travel without problems and a holiday relaxing or visiting family and friends overseas is often just the tonic they need.

But, some shouldn't travel by air while undergoing treatment because of dangers associated with deep vein thrombosis or changes in the pressure or oxygen concentrations in the plane's cabin. More later on some of the factors that could make international air travel not advisable.

Planning for healthy overseas travel is smart for anyone – sick or well – but particularly for someone with cancer or recovering from it. And, preparations should start early, allowing enough time to cover the steps suggested in this checklist.

Get expert advice

The first step – before you book airfares or accommodation – is to talk to your oncologist and a doctor experienced in travel medicine to check that you are fit to fly. Depending on your condition, you may be advised to (a) stay in this region of the world rather than undertake a long-haul flight, (b) choose a developed country rather than a developing one, or instead (c) forego overseas travel and choose a domestic destination where medical help is more readily available and covered by Medicare.

Plan well ahead

Allow plenty of time – at least 6-8 weeks, longer if possible – in case you need to overcome any complications or to make special arrangements to protect your health, such as vaccinations and medical documentation (see more below).

Pick the right place

Places you’ve visited before may not be suitable now. A better choice may be somewhere that has facilities you may need close to your accommodation – especially if you tire easily and can’t walk long distances. (Some travel companies and resorts have medical officers who can provide practical advice, as well as arrange early boarding, wheelchairs, special diets, oxygen etc. Be clear about what they can supply and the cost, and what you will need to arrange separately. Prices can vary widely, so shop around.)

Discuss vaccinations

Vaccinations are often recommended for international travel to prevent common infectious diseases that occur at a destination. What vaccines are recommended will depend on where you want to go, how well you are, and the demands of your current treatment regime.

Not all vaccines are made the same way and ‘live’ vaccines may not be recommended for someone if their cancer has weakened their immune system or they are taking certain cancer medications, are undertaking or have recently undertaken chemotherapy. Generally, cancer patients can receive inactivated vaccines, which contain a ‘killed’ virus or bacteria, although these may not be as effective as when your immune system is working normally. Inactivated vaccines that are safe for cancer patients include: Diphtheria, tetanus and polio (only available as a combined vaccine for adults), flu, hepatitis A and B, rabies, cholera, injectable typhoid, meningococcal meningitis, tick-borne encephalitis, and Japanese encephalitis (Jespect rather than Imojev).

However, live  vaccines contain a small amount of live virus or bacteria that has been altered to prevent infection. They’re fine if your immune system is strong, but they can be harmful for someone with a weakened immune system and therefore not recommended for a cancer patient while undergoing chemotherapy, or for at least 6 months afterwards depending on the type of treatment they received. (Autologous stem cell/bone marrow transplants can mean no live vaccines for up to 2 years post treatment.)

If you have a weakened immune system you should not have the following live vaccines: rubella (German measles), measles or MMR (Measles, mumps and rubella), chickenpox, BCG (Tuberculosis), yellow fever, oral typhoid, shingles (Zostavax), and Imojev (the live attenuated Japanese encephalitis vaccine).

NOTE: Sometimes proof of vaccination is required to enter or return from certain destinations, notably Yellow fever for many African and South American countries. If your doctor determines that this live vaccine could compromise your condition or treatment, customs officials will usually accept a letter from your doctor exempting you from having the vaccine; however it is best to check this with that country’s embassy or consulate.)

Malaria prevention medicine

If you are travelling to a malaria-infected country and there’s a risk of exposure to the disease, you may be advised to take malaria prevention drugs. Having cancer doesn’t preclude these medications and your travel doctor will determine which anti-malarials are suitable for the destination, ensuring that they won’t interact with other drugs you may be taking. It’s also important to take measures to avoid mosquito bites , especially as mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika virus are also likely to pose a risk in tropical and sub-tropical regions.

Avoid blood clots

Some people with cancer have a higher risk of developing blood clots ( deep vein thrombosis or DVT ) because they have more of the proteins and cell fragments (platelets) that help the blood to clot. Other reasons why people with cancer may be at higher risk include: the type of cancer they have, certain cancer drugs or hormone therapies like tamoxifen can raise the risk, surgery within the last few months, they’re less mobile or active, they smoke, or are taking the contraceptive pill. Sitting for long periods increases the risk of developing a blood clot, regardless of whether you are travelling by plane, train, coach or car. Your doctor may suggest blood thinning drugs before and after some journeys. On plane trips, walk up and down the aisle every hour and/or exercise your lower legs with a few minutes of foot extensions. Compression socks or stockings are widely available but they must be correctly fitted to be effective. Read more on ways of preventing blood clots.

Traveling with medication

Plan how much medication you need to take with you and get those prescriptions filled well before you go. You may need to check with the consulate of the destination country regarding restrictions on the medication you wish to take abroad. If you’re taking any controlled drugs, such as morphine-based painkillers, you may need to make special arrangements – apart from the letter from your doctor listing the drugs you require regularly. If in doubt, check with the consulate of the destination country regarding restrictions on the medication you wish to take abroad. Take a copy of your prescriptions with you in case your medicines are lost or stolen and need to be replaced. The Australian Government’s smartraveller website has more advice on taking medicines abroad and other information, including the reciprocal health care available to Australian travellers.

Arranging oxygen supplies

In-flight oxygen is available from most airlines, but charges vary widely. Oxygen should be requested well in advance and is typically available only in 2- or 4 litre flow. Most airlines will also require a letter of medical clearance from your doctor at least 48 hours before the flight. US carriers will require a prescription for oxygen. If you need oxygen during your stay, make arrangements for a supply from your resort or hotel. I would advise against international travel for anyone requiring oxygen therapy unless the trip is essential.

Insurance is a must

Travel insurance is absolutely essential for someone with cancer. Hospital treatment and repatriation to Australia can be extremely expensive – six figure bills are not uncommon. To cover your fitness to travel, you will usually have to supply your insurer with a letter from your cancer specialist. It pays to shop around – and check the fine print. It can be particularly difficult to get insurance for some places, such as the USA, because of their high medical costs. Cancer Council Victoria has a handy handout, Travel Insurance for People with Cancer. Prepared by a legal firm, it outlines types of travel insurance, what you're covered for (or not), and what to do if you're refused travel insurance due to your illness. You can call the council’s Cancer Helpline on 13 11 20 and request a copy, and find more information on insurance from smartraveller website or cancerresearchuk .

Things that my prevent travel

You should always get advice before booking air travel if you’ve had:

RECENT SURGERY: You should not fly within 10 days of bowel, chest or brain surgery because you may have air trapped in your body, which can expand and cause an increase in internal pressure. The air should have been absorbed into your system after 10 days– less for keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery.

BONE MARROW OR STEM CELL TRANSPLANT: These procedures often leave the recipient at higher risk of an infection. Regular check-ups and blood transfusions are commonplace in the 6 months following the operation. Your doctor may advise against travel during this period anyway, or until your blood counts return to normal, which can take up to 12 months.

A LOW PLATELET COUNT: Platelets are the cells in blood that help it to clot. Cancer treatment can lower your platelet count. To fly safely, your platelet count should be above 40,000 per cubic ml of blood.

BREATHLESSNESS: Your cancer or your treatment can cause breathlessness. Lower air pressure during a flight means lower oxygen levels in the cabin, which can make breathing difficult. The solution may be a supply of oxygen during the flight (see above).

For a cancer patient or anyone with a chronic medical condition, seeking expert advice well before departure will help to ensure the trip is both healthy and stress free.

More information on this and other related health tips will be available during your Travelvax consultation. Call 1300 360 164 for the location of your nearest clinic

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Table of Contents

Can travel insurance cover people with cancer?

Who needs a pre-existing medical condition waiver, how to choose among travel insurance companies, companies that offer travel insurance with cancer coverage, other tips for getting insurance for your trip, travel insurance for cancer patients recapped.

Most plans with pre-existing medical condition coverage require purchase within 20 days of an initial trip deposit.

Generally, non-emergency care and/or expected complications as a result of your diagnosis won’t be covered.

Different companies sell plans with different coverage limits. Read the fine print.

Finding the best travel insurance for your trip can be tricky, even more so if you’re planning a trip and have a pre-existing medical condition like cancer, as some plans don’t cover issues that might arise as a result of this diagnosis (or may limit coverage to specific situations).

Fortunately, you can still enjoy the peace of mind that travel insurance offers, even if you have a medical condition.

Here’s what to know about travel insurance for cancer patients, including what it covers, how it works and which insurance companies have suitable plans.

» Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance

Travel insurance protects against financial losses and other risks from unexpected events that occur when traveling. Policies cover the expenses and inconveniences incurred from delayed flights, canceled reservations, lost or delayed luggage, injuries and even illness.

That said, not every illness is covered, as not every policy offers protection for those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Within the umbrella of coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, cancer patients are wise to scout out policies that cover cancer-related treatment during a trip. In the off chance that you need unexpected care because of your condition — or perhaps you need to cancel your trip or cut it short due to medical reasons — you want to be able to be reimbursed for all the payments you've made so far.

Most of the time, non-emergency care and/or expected complications that are a result of your diagnosis won’t be covered.

Without coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, companies will not likely reimburse you for emergency expenses, medical care, last-minute flights home or any other trip interruptions/cancellations due to your medical status.

Understanding how this sort of coverage works is important because not every traveler qualifies for a pre-existing medical condition waiver when it comes to obtaining travel insurance with cancer.

Requirements vary from one insurance company to another, so always make sure to read the fine print and details of your particular policy before purchasing.

But in general, you’ll likely need to meet at least one of these conditions:

You’ve had to seek medical care and/or received a diagnosis or treatment within a certain number of days before purchasing your policy.

You’re taking doctor-prescribed medication.

You’ve exhibited symptoms.

As far as the policy itself is concerned, a few more limitations may apply to qualify for the waiver, such as:

Your policy must cover the full purchase cost of your trip.

You bought your policy within a certain number of days of making your first paid booking or reservation (the exact number varies from company to company).

You were OK to travel, medically speaking, when you purchased the policy. 

» Learn more : Can I get travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions?

When it comes time to purchase a travel insurance plan, start by comparing options from multiple companies. If in doubt, reach out to the company’s customer service team for clarification. Each company is different and has different requirements and limitations.

» JUMP to learn more about companies to consider

Once you've generated a quote, peruse individual plans from each company, focusing primarily on the details of pre-existing condition coverage. Also consider other helpful protections like cancellation coverage, trip delay or interruption coverage, lost luggage insurance and more.

When comparing policies, pay attention to coverage amounts to make sure what’s offered is enough to bring you peace of mind.

Make sure to start your search for travel insurance early, ideally within a few days of making your first booking, since pre-existing condition waivers often require early purchase — if you don’t buy a plan within a set amount of time (usually 14-20 days) after your initial trip booking, you may not qualify.

» Learn more: Trip cancellation insurance explained

To compare plans, we searched for coverage for a 45-year-old traveler from New York planning a weeklong trip to Portugal.

Travel Guard by AIG

• Offers last-minute coverage.
• Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Exclusion Waiver available at all plan levels.
• Plan available for business travelers.
• Cancel For Any reason coverage only available for higher-level plans, and only reimburses up to 50% of the trip cost.
• Trip interruption coverage doesn't apply to trips paid for with points and miles.

NerdWallet analysis found Travel Guard by AIG offers top-notch coverage for travelers with pre-existing medical conditions.

Provider overview:

A pet bundle may be available as an upgrade if you’re traveling with a furry companion.

Cancel For Any Reason coverage is offered as an optional add-on, but only for some plans, and it only covers 50 percent of your trip cost (versus the more typical 75%).

» Learn more : AIG Travel Guard insurance review: What to know

Allianz Travel

• Annual or single-trip policies are available.
• Multiple types of insurance available.
• All plans include access to a 24/7 assistance hotline.
• More expensive than average.
• CFAR upgrades are not available.
• Rental car protection is only available by adding the One Trip Rental Car protector to your plan or by purchasing a standalone rental car plan.

For pre-existing conditions to be covered with Allianz Travel plans, you’ll have to purchase one within 14 days of your first trip-related payment.

Most plans include pre-existing medical conditions automatically.

Emergency medical transportation is a separate benefit from emergency medical, which may be beneficial if costly air or ground transport is required to get you to a hospital.

Plans include coverage to help cover redeposit fees if you booked travel with points or miles and had to cancel travel for a covered reason. 

Emergency medical coverage is low, comparatively speaking, considering the cost of plans.

» Learn more : Allianz Travel insurance review: Is it worth it?

Seven Corners

• Annual, medical-only and backpacker plans are available.
• Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available for the cheapest plan.
• Cheapest plan also features a much less costly Interruption for Any Reason add-on.
• Offers only one annual policy option.

With high coverages for accident and sickness medical expenses in a premium plan, this insurance is a good option for those worried about bills they may rack up if they need to seek medical care abroad. You will need to purchase coverage within 20 days of your first trip booking to qualify for pre-existing condition coverage.

Provider overview :

Offers an annual multi-trip plan that includes coverage for pre-existing conditions after it’s been active for 60 days.

Several other plans offer coverage for pre-existing conditions automatically: Trip Protection Elite, Trip Protection Choice and Trip Protection U.S.A.

Cancel For Any Reason coverage is also available as an add-on with the Trip Protection Elite plan.

More budget-friendly economy plans don’t include pre-existing conditions waivers or CFAR upgrades.

» Learn more : Seven Corners travel insurance review: Is it worth the cost?

Travelex Insurance Services

• Top-tier plan doesn’t break the bank and provides more customization opportunities.
• Offers a plan specifically for domestic travel.
• Sells a post-departure medical coverage plan.
• Fewer customization opportunities on the Basic plan.
• Though perhaps a plus for domestic travelers, keep in mind the Travel America plan only covers domestic trips.

While Travelex Insurance Plans plans that cover pre-existing conditions may be more expensive than some of the options listed here, plans tend to be comprehensive. Plus there are plenty of add-ons available that may help build the perfect protection for you and your trip. You must purchase your policy within 15 days of your first travel booking and payment (three days for US-based travel).

Children accompanying you on your travels are included in the pricing of the Travel Select plan.

You have the option to double your medical coverage with a Medical Expense Coverage upgrade.

You can upgrade your plan to include an adventure sports package.

Not all policies include coverage for pre-existing conditions.

» Learn more : Travelex travel insurance: What to know

Before you start packing, here are some other tips for procuring travel insurance for those with cancer:

Check to see if you already have a credit card that offers trip insurance . While your pre-existing condition may not be covered via your card, you could potentially pair your card's existing coverage with a more basic/economy third-party plan that includes pre-existing conditions coverage.

Even if you don’t have the whole trip booked and paid for, make sure you purchase coverage in the amount of everything you’ve paid for so far within the purchasing window for pre-existing coverage. If you make more reservations later, you’ll have to update your policy coverage amount at that time, usually within a set amount of days. Read your policy info for time limits.

Choose the best policy for you based on not just the policy cost, but also what you need and what is covered.

If you have cancer, travel insurance can seem complicated. Indeed, it’s important to make sure the coverage you select will take care of you should you need it. As long as you understand the requirements of selecting a plan and what it does and doesn’t cover, you can still find a policy that works for you.

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: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit 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.

Other ways to donate

Information, news & events, get involved.

Travel with metastatic breast cancer

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• Domestic travel
• International travel and travel insurance
• International travel tips

Helpful resources

Things you can do now, topics in this article.

Want to learn more?

1800 500 258.

For some people, knowing they have metastatic breast cancer sparks a desire to fulfil lifelong dreams of travel. For others travel is a longer-term goal that people look forward to working towards. If you are thinking about travelling, you will have a few extra things to consider.  

Domestic travel  

If you are planning to travel within Australia, your doctors may be able to suggest options for medical support that make it easier for you to continue with your regular treatment, or simply provide some peace of mind.

If you are booking airfares that must be pre-paid, try to book a fare that is flexible in case you have to make last minute changes or delay your trip.

You may also want to check the cancellation policy of the accommodation that you are booking to make sure you can have as much leeway as possible should your travel plans need to change around your health. 

My husband says ‘let’s do that trip around Australia we’ve always talked about’ but I’m scared in case something happens. I need to be close to hospitals and family and all that support. But the thing is I’m well now and maybe we should be taking advantage of that.

International travel and travel insurance  

International travel is more complicated because you’re not covered by Medicare once you leave the country, and it is unlikely that your private health insurance will help with any medical costs.

Reciprocal health care

Australia has reciprocal health care agreements (RHCAs) with New Zealand, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Belgium, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Slovenia, and Malta.

When you’re travelling in these countries any medical care you need will be covered by the local public health system, to varying degrees. For more information about reciprocal health care agreements, see  Services Australia .  

After all the hassle of getting the drugs organised, doctors’ letters and trying to organise the insurance that I couldn’t get anyway, I finally went overseas. I didn’t have one day of illness. Why did it take me six months to do that trip? It’s the uncertainty, isn’t it? And we are all living with that.

Most international travellers take out travel insurance to cover things like lost luggage, accidents and medical cover. There are some travel insurance policies that will cover you for these incidentals but unfortunately you are unlikely to be able to obtain cover for medical costs related to your cancer. This is because it is viewed as a ‘pre-existing condition’.

Sometimes people decide to travel without insurance to countries that don’t have a reciprocal agreement. This is a personal decision, and for many people, it is a matter of weighing up the risk of needing medical attention against the possible cost.

Some travel insurance companies may be more flexible about covering people with breast cancer. You may need to consult a travel agent or specialist travel insurance consultant to find out what is available.  

International travel tips  

If you are planning an overseas trip, talk with your medical oncologist before you make any payments. It may be better to hold off making payments on a trip until as late as you can.

When travelling overseas, make sure you take a letter from your oncologist detailing any medications you are carrying and the reasons you have them and keep your medications in their original packaging. It is also important to ensure you have enough of your prescription medication to cover you for the entire time you are away.

Ask your oncologist to also provide you with a brief summary of your breast cancer history, and treatments you have had in the past. Store this information somewhere safe when you travel and leave a copy with family or friends back home.

Check in with your oncologist or GP just before you travel and make sure you act on any symptoms that are suddenly new, before you head away.

Travelling overseas can be complicated but with some forward planning you can reduce your risks of having an experience that leads to trouble when you are away.  

My family have allowed me the dignity of risk. I have just returned from travelling overseas with the encouragement of my oncologist, but without insurance.

I had really wanted to travel to the USA but when I realised I wouldn’t be covered for hospital costs I just wasn’t prepared to take that risk.

I know that when I decided to go ahead with our trip, the fact that I was able to access medical care in the United Kingdom was one of the things that helped me decide to go. As it turned out I did need treatment while I was away. I did not have to pay a cent for this treatment or medication and I was treated with the utmost care and consideration. The small hiccup of my stay in an Edinburgh hospital pales into insignificance when compared with the memories of our time in Europe and the UK, which will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

Compare Travel Insurance (1300 659 411)

This company provides comparative quotes and detailed information on a range of insurance providers for overseas travel, including insurance providers that may offer some degree of cover for people with cancer.

OTIS Foundation (03 5444 1184)

The OTIS Foundation offers retreats in selected locations, available free of charge for people with breast cancer, and their families. Located in Victoria, NSW, NT Qld, SA and Tasmania, they offer a place to take time out to relax, contemplate and regroup. Each retreat is located in a beautiful environment, allowing guests to draw on nature for strength and comfort.

Corporate Angel Network of Australia

The Corporate Angel Network of Australia includes corporations and individuals in hospitals, cancer and leukaemia support groups, aviation companies and businesses who work together to assist patients affected by cancer, and their families.

• Read BCNA’s fact sheet  Travel insurance with metastatic breast cancer  

Visit My Journey , BCNA’s online tool for information tailored to your diagnosis. 

Join our Online Network  if you think that talking to others online and sharing experiences will help.  

Contact BCNA’s Helpline on 1800 500 258 between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm AEST Monday to Friday, for information about the services and support that may be available for you and your family. 

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Travel and holidays

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Having cancer doesn't always stop you from travelling or taking holidays. However, there are things you should consider.

Before you make plans to travel, ask your doctor for advice.

Planning to travel

If you are planning a holiday, plan it early and consider the following things:

• Find out if your doctor thinks you are fit enough to travel.
• Make sure that going away won’t interfere with your treatment.
• If you are having treatment, think about any side effects you have, and how they could affect your trip.
• Ask your doctor whether you have an increased risk of blood clots.
• Find out what medical care is available where you are going, and what the standard of care is.
• Find out if you need vaccinations for where you want to travel.
• Think about how much walking or other exercise you will need to do.
• Tell the travel agency or airline if you need organise things like a wheelchair, oxygen or a special diet,

You will also need travel insurance. This can be difficult to get following a cancer diagnosis. It may help to get a letter from your specialist to give the insurance company. Make sure you find out what the insurance company will and won’t cover.

While you are away

Things you may need to think about are:

• Have a letter from your specialist outlining your condition and plan of care, including what medications you are taking.
• Make sure you have enough of your regular medication for while you are away, and some to spare.
• Take medication with you to help with any side effects you may get, like pain, nausea, constipation or diarrhoea.
• Avoid the risk of infection, especially if you are having treatment or have recently completed it.
• Protect yourself from the sun as your skin may be more sensitive than usual.
• Be aware that you may feel tired and fatigued, and plan for rest times.

If you have a choice of holiday locations consider these issues when deciding on where to go.

book Other resources we recommend

You may also be interested in, where to get help.

There are people you can talk to for more information or support.

• Cancer Council Mon-Fri 9am-5pm 13 11 20
• Travelvax Mon-Fri 9am-6pm 1300 360 164

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Essential cover designed for Australian travellers on a budget.

Pre-trip cover if you're diagnosed with COVID-19

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Extensive cover and benefit limits to provide extra financial protection.

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Everything our Comprehensive Plan includes and more + higher benefit limits.

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Up to $25,000 luggage cover*

Business trip benefits

* Item limits apply.

~ Cover will not exceed 12 months from onset of the illness, condition, or injury.

^ For cruise-related expenses, Cruise Cover must be included in the policy. There is no cover for cabin confinement related to COVID-19.

^^ Policy availability subject to age, trip duration and area of travel. Policies may not be available to all travellers.

# Up to $5,000 per policy (or the amount chosen if this is less) applies to International Comprehensive Plan and Comprehensive+ Plan policyholders with Amendment or Cancellation Costs cover included. You must be diagnosed with COVID-19 and certified by a qualified medical practitioner as being not fit to travel for cover to apply.

## Up to $5,000 per policy (or the amount chosen if this is less) applies per policy for policyholders with Amendment or Cancellation Costs cover included. You must be diagnosed with COVID-19 and certified by a qualified medical practitioner as being not fit to travel for cover to apply. A special excess applies.

Searching for COVID-19 cover?

To help you explore the world with confidence, our travel insurance provides cover for COVID-19-related:

Overseas medical costs*~#

Amendment and cancellation costs*^

Additional expenses*#^

*Limits, sub-limits, conditions, and exclusions apply.

~Medical cover will not exceed 12 months from onset.

#Cover for medical costs related to COVID-19 is not available on our Domestic Plans.

^A special excess will apply.

Holiday hasn't  gone to plan?

You can submit a Cover-More travel insurance claim online at any time – and from anywhere.

Get emergency support, fast. We're here 24/7.

When adventure awaits... we can help provide cover.

Setting sail for two or more nights? You'll need to let us know and Cruise Cover will be added to your policy.

Snow Sports

Hitting the slopes? Consider protecting your winter getaway with one of our two levels of Snow Sports Cover.

Adventure Activities

Planning on engaging in extreme activities? We've got two additional Adventure Activities Cover options for you.

Motorcycle & Moped

Want to take to the road on two wheels? See if one of our Motorcycle/Moped Riding Cover options is right for your trip.

We're by your side when you need us most

We've been protecting Australian travellers for over 35 years. Read our customers' Cover-More travel insurance reviews to discover how our expert team provides exceptional care during uncertain times.

Mosquito bite in Bali

Shannon was bitten by a mosquito in Bali, which caused Dengue Fever.

"Cover-More were absolutely fantastic. I wasn't responding well to medical treatment, so they flew in a specialist from Singapore to accompany me all the way home. I'm so glad I had Cover-More travel insurance."

Boat crash in Thailand

Natalie was involved in a speedboat crash in Thailand, which resulted in a fractured pelvis and a brain haemorrhage.

"Luckily I had Cover-More insurance. They took care of everything and made sure we had the best medical treatment available."

Accidental fall in Poland

Irene was visiting family in Poland when she had a fall, which resulted in a bad fracture and extensive medical costs.

"Amazing. I can't praise them highly enough. Wonderful, wonderful people... Nobody should travel without insurance."

Protect your trip with us - get a free travel insurance quote now.

How can we help you travel smarter.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or a first-timer, we’re here to help you feel empowered to travel further, safely.

Finding cover for Existing Medical Conditions (EMCs)

Have an EMC? We can provide cover for various conditions to help keep you exploring, safely.

7 ways COVID-19 has changed the way we travel

Worried about travel risks during COVID-19? Discover how you can help ensure a safer trip.

What you should know before you hit the slopes

Planning a ski trip at home or abroad? Don't depart without reading our expert advice.

Got a question about travel insurance? We're here to help

What is travel insurance.

Travel insurance is a specific type of insurance that helps cover several costs and disruptions when travelling both domestically and overseas. Levels of cover differ per plan; however, travel insurance typically protects against trip cancellation, delays, lost luggage and personal belongings, overseas medical expenses and repatriation, and personal liability.

Most travel insurance providers offer single or multi-trip policies, which can cover multiple countries within a specific timeframe. Things like the destination, length of trip, optional additional cover for specific activities and pre-existing medical conditions all help determine the cost of a travel insurance policy.

How much does travel insurance cost?

The cost of a travel insurance policy varies from traveller to traveller because various factors affect the amount payable.

At Cover-More, we consider a number of factors when calculating the total amount payable. The following is a guide on these key factors, how they combine and how they may impact the assessment of risk and therefore the premium paid:

• Area: higher risk areas cost more.
• Departure date and trip duration: the longer the period until you depart and the longer your trip duration, the higher the cost may be.
• Age: higher risk age groups cost more.
• Plan: International Comprehensive+, which provides more cover, costs more than International Comprehensive or Domestic.
• Excess: the higher the excess the lower the cost.
• Cruise cover: additional premium applies.
• Cancellation cover: on some policies you can choose your own level of cancellation cover. The more cancellation cover you require, the higher the cost may be.
• Adding cover for Existing Medical Conditions and pregnancy (where available): additional premium may apply if a medical assessment is completed and cover is accepted by us.
• Options to vary cover (where available): additional premium applies.

While a cheaper policy cost upfront may seem appealing, always read the Product Disclosure Statement to ensure your needs are adequately covered should an incident occur.

How does travel insurance work?

Travel insurance protects you when travelling domestically or internationally by providing coverage against unforeseen circumstances that may impact your travel plans. By purchasing travel insurance with cancellation cover prior to departure, your policy can help by providing cover for the costs of trip cancellations should you no longer be able to travel, as well as the costs of overseas medical treatment, lost passports, and personal items while you’re travelling.

The customer usually pays for these costs upfront, before being reimbursed by the travel insurer upon claim approval. To approve a claim, travel insurers require documentation such as medical reports, itemised medical bills or police reports to confirm the incident occurred.

However, at Cover-More, if our customer becomes ill overseas, they can also contact our 24-Hour Emergency Assistance team for support and to seek approval for expensive medical bills to be paid directly by us to the medical care provider/s instead.

Always read the Product Disclosure Statement before purchasing a travel insurance policy to ensure it provides adequate coverage for your circumstances.

What does – and doesn’t – travel insurance cover?

Unfortunately, travel insurance can’t cover absolutely everything. This highlights the importance for travellers to read the  Product Disclosure Statement  before purchasing to avoid becoming frustrated if claims are unsuccessful. It will contain details on the situations you likely won’t be covered in, including cancellation, pre-existing medical conditions, theft or loss of belongings, adventure sports, COVID-19 scenarios and more.

For full details of the exclusions within our Cover-More travel insurance plans, consult the  Product Disclosure Statement  .

When is the best time to purchase travel insurance?

The best time to purchase travel insurance is as soon as a trip is booked, as this can increase protection. When purchased ahead of time, a Cover-More customer can cancel their travel insurance policy for a full refund within the 21-day cooling-off period. If the policy is purchased before departing on the trip, claims for rearrangements and cancellations caused by unforeseen circumstances can also be made where cancellation cover is added to the policy.

AAA Travel Insurance Review

• Plans Available
• How to Purchase and Manage Your Policy
• Customer Service and Support Experience 

AAA Travel Insurance vs. Its Competitors

• Why You Should Trust Us

AAA Travel Insurance Review 2024: Coverage, Benefits, and Expert Insights

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 insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

It's impossible to predict the future, especially when you're traveling. That's why travel insurance is often a wise investment. You want to protect yourself and your money in case something goes wrong. Business Insider compared AAA travel insurance to the best travel insurance companies and found it to be above an average, especially if you're traveling with kids. 

The American Automobile Association is a national organization with over 61 million members and offers comprehensive travel insurance plans. AAA policies are supplied by Allianz Global Assistance , one of the world's top travel insurance providers.

AAA Travel Insurance  makes it easy to get coverage for an upcoming trip. You can get a quote, compare plans, and purchase a policy online. 

The plans from AAA travel insurance are extensive, covering the following:

• Trip cancellations
• Trip delays
• Trip interruptions
• Trip changes
• Emergency medical transport
• Lost baggage
• Lost or stolen travel documents

AAA travel insurance plans are competitively priced and give you the flexibility to pay for only the amount of coverage you need. For instance, if you're traveling with one small piece of luggage, you could opt for a more basic plan with less baggage coverage, saving you money in the process. Kids 17 and under are also covered for free when they travel with parents or grandparents, making it a good choice for travel insurance for families . 

One downside to AAA travel insurance is that the website is not as user-friendly as its competitors. Requesting a AAA travel insurance quote and comparing plan options can be more challenging than on some other travel insurance platforms. Additionally, it's coverage limits on emergency medical insurance is on the lower side, topping out at $75,000.

AAA Travel Insurance Plans Available

AAA travel insurance offers several plans, each with its own price and level of coverage. Plan availability depends on where you live. 

Travelers from most U.S. states will have the following plan options:

• TripProtect Select II. This is the simplest, most affordable plan. Among its many benefits, AAA offers trip cancellation insurance up to $50,000, emergency medical up to $25,000, and lost baggage coverage up to $1,000.
• TripProtect Cancel Anytime . This provides the same coverage as TripProtect Select II, but allows travelers to cancel their trip for "almost any unforeseen reason" not already covered in the Select plan. Cancellations that fall under this category are eligible for 80% reimbursement of nonrefundable fees.
• TripProtect Deluxe II. This plan covers the same categories as the Select II plan, but increases the coverage amount in most categories. For example, the baggage coverage extends up to $2,000 and travel medical insurance extends to $75,000.
• Rental Car Damage Protector. This is a plan specifically for protecting you if your rental car is damaged. It doesn't cover standard travel-related categories, but it does cover trip interruptions related to a rental car, rental car damage (up to $50,000), and baggage loss related to a rental car. 

Travelers from New York and Washington have access to the TripAssist plans (instead of the TripProtect plans outlined above). The scope of coverage with TripAssist plans is quite similar. 

Keep in mind that AAA travel insurance could deny coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions. That said, it's possible to secure insurance, even with a pre-existing condition. You will have to buy a plan that can provide a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver and buy your policy within a specified purchasing window.

In AAA's case, all its policies, excluding its rental car damage protector, offers pre-existing condition waivers. To qualify for the waiver, you'll need to purchase your policy within 14 days of your initial trip deposit.

Additional Coverage Options Offered by AAA Travel Insurance (Riders)

AAA travel insurance doesn't allow for add-ons or riders. With each AAA travel insurance plan, what you see is what you get. Only the people named on the policy are covered. So, if you're traveling with family members or friends who want coverage, be sure to include them when requesting a quote. However, note that kids 17 and under can be covered for free.

You also need to be aware of exclusions. Exclusions are certain expenses that aren't covered by the travel insurance policy.

Common exclusions with AAA travel insurance include:

• Pre-existing medical conditions
• "Normal" pregnancy and childbirth
• Fertility treatment or elective abortion
• Alcohol or drug use
• High-risk or extreme sports (bungee jumping, skydiving, etc.)
• Criminal acts
• War or war-related activity (including terrorism)

Before purchasing a policy, make sure you're aware of the specific exclusions for your chosen plan.

How Much Does AAA Travel Insurance Cost? 

The cost of a AAA travel insurance plan depends on several factors, including:

• Your home state
• The number of travelers 
• The age of the travelers
• Your destination
• The length of your trip
• The total cost of your trip

When you request a quote on the official AAA travel insurance website, you'll provide all of this information. That way, AAA can quote you an accurate price.

For a general idea of typical costs, here's how much the TripProtect Select II plan would cost in certain situations:

• $152 – A 23-year-old from Illinois taking a week-long, $3,000 trip to Italy
• $186 – A 30-year-old from California taking a two-week trip to Japan for $4,000
• $434 – A Texas family (two 40-year-old parents with a 10-year-old and 4-year-old) taking a two-week trip to Australia for $20,000
• $418* – A 65-year-old couple from New York taking a $6,000 trip to Mexico for two weeks

*This quote is for the TripAssist Family Care plan, which is currently only available in New York and Washington. 

How to Purchase and Manage a AAA Travel Insurance Policy

AAA Travel Insurance provides affordable, user-friendly policy options. You can purchase a AAA travel insurance policy online by going to the official AAA travel insurance website and follow the following steps:

• Enter information about your upcoming trip, including your state of residence, the total trip cost, destination, travel dates, and the ages of all travelers.
• Choose from the available plans (and then click "Buy Now").
• Provide additional information (name, address, and flight information).
• Enter your credit card information.
• Click "Complete Purchase."

The entire process should only take a few minutes. Just make sure you carefully look at each available plan before making your decision. Additionally, consider whether you need the pre-existing condition waiver. To qualify, you'll need to purchase your policy within 14 days of your initial trip deposit.

How to file a claim with AAA Travel Insurance

The easiest way to file a claim is to do it online.

Go to the travel insurance page of the AAA website and click "File or check a claim." In the next window, click "File a claim." This will take you to the Allianz Insurance Claims Center (remember, Allianz is the supplier of AAA travel insurance). 

You can also go directly to the Allianz Insurance Claims Center. 

Within Allianz's online claims system, you'll follow a basic three-step process:

• Provide some details about what happened in an online form.
• Upload supporting documentation (incident reports, proof of payment, trip itineraries, receipts, etc.)
• Continue to check your claim status online through the Allianz Insurance Claims Center.

If you prefer not to file a claim through the Allianz website, you can use one of these alternative methods:

• The Allyz TravelSmart mobile app (available for iOS and Android)
• Email via [email protected]
• Fax to 804-673-1469
• Mail to the following address: 

Allianz Global Assistance

P.O. Box 71533

Richmond, VA 23255-1533

Whichever filing method you choose, remember that Allianz can't accept a claim without proof. So, make sure you include all the documents necessary to show that the incident occurred. If Allianz needs more documentation, they'll ask for it – but the request is likely to slow down the claim process. 

AAA Travel Insurance Customer Service and Support Experience 

AAA travel insurance is provided by Allianz, a reputable insurance provider based in Germany. In online reviews, Allianz customers report an overall positive support experience. 

Allianz gets an average of 4.2 stars from users on the popular review site Trustpilot. People frequently comment that the claims process goes smoothly and takes less time than expected. Customers also praise the staff for being truthful and responsive.

AAA Travel Insurance isn't the only option for travelers who want coverage. Here's how AAA stacks up against the competition. 

AAA Travel Insurance vs. Nationwide

Unlike AAA, which is a nonprofit motor club organization that offers travel insurance on the side, Nationwide is an actual insurance company. That means they have a wider variety of travel insurance plans to choose from. 

Along with single-trip insurance, Nationwide Travel Insurance offers annual multi-trip plans and special cruise plans. 

Annual travel insurance can be cost-effective if you take multiple trips in a year. So, if you're a frequent traveler, getting an annual plan from Nationwide could be better than using AAA to buy multiple single-trip plans.

Read our Nationwide travel insurance review .

AAA Travel Insurance vs. Faye

Faye Travel Insurance is an app-based travel insurance provider that offers highly customizable plans. With Faye, you can choose to add coverage for vacation rental damage, extreme sports, and even pet care. This flexibility, along with the app-based interface, makes it a great option for young, adventurous travelers. 

Faye doesn't let you choose between different coverage amounts for included categories. This is different from AAA travel insurance, where you can select between a basic plan with lower coverage amounts and a more comprehensive plan with higher coverage amounts. So, if you're hoping to match your coverage to your level of risk tolerance, AAA could be better.

Read our Faye travel insurance review .

AAA Travel Insurance vs. Cat 70

Operated by travel insurance aggregator SquareMouth, Cat 70 Travel Insurance provides $500,000 in emergency medical coverage. That's significantly more than AAA travel insurance, which only covers up to $75,000 in emergency medical expenses. That makes Cat 70 a better option for older travelers or anyone who worries they could suffer a medical emergency.

However, the signup process for Cat 70 is relatively confusing compared to AAA's system. You have to go through SquareMouth, instead of requesting a quote from Cat 70 directly. So, if your goal is to simplify the process, AAA is better. 

Read our Cat 70 travel insurance review .

AAA Travel Insurance FAQs

All AAA travel insurance plans cover trip cancellation, with the exception of the specific rental car damage plans.

AAA travel insurance covers trip cancellations, trip interruptions, medical emergencies, lost baggage, and lost or stolen travel documents. It can also cover pre-existing medical conditions, but only if you secure a waiver ahead of time. The exact coverage will depend on the specific AAA travel insurance plan.

Yes, Allianz provides the travel insurance that AAA offers. This means that if you purchase an AAA travel insurance plan and have to file a claim, you'll file it with Allianz.

AAA membership does not include travel insurance for seniors or anyone else. For an AAA member to get travel insurance through the organization, they have to pay for it separately.

Why You Should Trust Us: What Went into Our AAA Travel Insurance Review

To evaluate AAA travel insurance, we reviewed the variety of options it offers, coverage limits, benefits, add-ons, flexibility, protocols, claims process, and affordability. We pay attention to any savings opportunities travelers can take advantage of, like discounts for children. We also look at how travel insurance companies handle pre-existing medical conditions.

We'll also consider how customers rate a travel insurance company. After all, it doesn't matter if a travel insurance company offers great coverage if it's not going to follow through on payouts if a covered event occurs.

Read more about our  travel insurance ratings methodology  here.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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• Main content

Global tech outage hits airlines, banks, health care and public transit

In the u.s., hundreds of flights were canceled friday morning and some public transit systems reported impacts..

A defective update from U.S. cybersecurity software company CrowdStrike crashed Microsoft Windows systems around the globe Friday . The tech outage disrupted operations across industries such as banks, hospitals and 911 call centers, plus grounded flights and hampered public transit systems and. Although a fix was deployed to restore most systems by the afternoon to return to normal, ripple effects may be felt throughout the weekend, experts warn. 

CrowdStrike , which advertises being used by over half of Fortune 500 companies, said one of its recent content updates had a defect that impacted Microsoft's Windows Operating System, adding the incident was "not a security incident or cyberattack."

"Earlier today, a CrowdStrike update was responsible for bringing down a number of IT systems globally," a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement on Friday afternoon. "We are actively supporting customers to assist in their recovery."

The company's CEO, George Kurtz, apologized for the disruptions in a post on X, noting the issue has been identified and isolated and a fix has been deployed. CrowdStrike is "working with all impacted customers to ensure that systems are back up and they can deliver the services their customers are counting on." Meanwhile, Microsoft said, "the underlying cause has been fixed" and impacted Microsoft 365 apps and services have been recovered, though the company continues to monitor the issue.

Kurtz went on to warn in his statement, "We know that adversaries and bad actors will try to exploit events like this. I encourage everyone to remain vigilant and ensure that you’re engaging with official CrowdStrike representatives."

In the U.S., thousands of flights were canceled Friday morning . American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines were among those who grounded flights less than an hour after Microsoft said it resolved a cloud-services-related outage that impacted several low-cost carriers.

“Every line is long,” said Chance Ortego, 31, whose flight to New York was canceled Friday morning.

Public transit systems in the U.S. also reported temporary impacts, but for the most part, trains and buses were running as scheduled. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in Washington, D.C., said its "website and some of our internal systems are currently down," but trip-planning applications were later restored. In New York City, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority also said some of its MTA customer information systems were temporarily offline until around 5:30 p.m.

Around the world, the outages disrupted London's Stock Exchange, caused major train delays in the U.K., sent British broadcaster Sky News off air, forced medical facilities in Europe and the U.S. to cancel some services and caused disruptions at airports in Europe, Singapore, Hong Kong and India.

Widespread economic impact from the outage is expected to be small, even though many companies were still trying to resume full operations by the time the stock market closed.

Travel disruptions: Over 2,000 US flights canceled amid global IT outage

Developments:

◾ More than 5,000 flights were canceled globally as of 3:30 p.m. Eastern, about 4.6% of all scheduled commercial flights for the day, according to aviation analytics company Cirium.

◾ Some U.S. border crossings saw impacts amid the outage: Traffic stalled on the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Detroit with Windsor, Ontario, Canada, as well as at the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, the Detroit Free Press reported . CBP One, the Customs and Border Patrol app, and the agency’s border wait times website, each appeared to experience outages.

◾ U.S. stocks closed lower on Friday, in the wake of the outage. CrowdStrike shares closed down 11.1% at $304.96, with analysts predicting the outage would cost the company money to fix and restore trust with its customers. It was the lowest close for the shares since May 2. Microsoft shares fared better, closing down only 0.74% at $437.11.

◾ Krispy Kreme gave away free doughnuts  Friday due to the global tech outage.

◾ Some Starbucks locations were reportedly taking only cash Friday, and customers reported being unable to use the coffee chain's mobile app.

◾ Some had a sense of humor through it , with workers who had to muddle through expressing their wishes for a digital snow day from the office − "Knock Teams out" − as the outage didn't equate to a work stoppage for all.

◾ Dubai International Airport said on X it was operating normally following "a global system outage that affected the check-in process for some airlines." It added the affected airlines "promptly switched to an alternate system, allowing normal check-in operations to resume swiftly."

CrowdStrike impact: How a global IT outage unraveled the world's tech

How the CrowdStrike outage played out throughout the day:

Portland issues emergency declaration

Portland, Oregon, Mayor Ted Wheeler issued an emergency declaration Friday over the tech outage, with a statement noting the outages are affecting city servers, employee computers and emergency communications.

Meanwhile, the Maryland Department of Emergency Management increased its state activation level from "normal" to "partial," citing the tech outage. A post on X says a "partial" activation is for incidents that require "significant monitoring or resources," with additional emergency operations staffing from other agencies, functions and supporting organizations.

- Bailey Schulz

What is CrowdStrike?

CrowdStrike is a popular cybersecurity software company created in 2012 by CEO George Kurtz, along with Dmitri Alperovitch, and Gregg Marston.

According to its website, CrowdStrike has the "world's most advanced cloud-native platform that protects and enables the people, processes and technologies that drive modern enterprise."

Alperovitch, CrowdStrike's former Chief Technology Officer, is a member of the Biden administration's Homeland Security Advisory Council , which is meant to provide advice and expertise to support decision-making "across the spectrum of homeland security operations."

- Gabe Hauari , Bailey Schulz

What caused the CrowdStrike outage?

According to an alert sent by CrowdStrike to its clients and reviewed by Reuters, the company's "Falcon Sensor" software caused Microsoft Windows to crash and display a blue screen, known informally as the "Blue Screen of Death." 

Kurtz said "there was an issue with a Falcon content update for Windows Hosts" but customers “remain fully protected,” according to a post on X . He also reiterated that Friday's outage "was not a security or cyber incident."

Anne Neuberger, deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology, said she spoke to Kurtz Friday and confirmed the incident did not appear to be related to a cyber attack.

“At this point, we believe that it is an IT-related patch, an issue with that patch,” she said while speaking at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado. "I think they're determining what went wrong there."

‘I’m just hoping to make it onto a flight’

Chance Ortego had reached the finish line of a nearly two-week work trip when he saw the news all air travelers dread: his flight was delayed. 

Ortego was in the AirTrain en route to his flight from San Francisco International Airport when he heard other travelers discussing the outage. After checking the status of his 7:05 a.m. Delta Air Lines flight to New York – which was pushed back nearly three hours – he rebooked another flight at 9:15 a.m. 

He later learned his original flight had been canceled. Ortego was among the thousands of passengers around the world facing delays, cancellations and problems checking in as airports and airlines were caught up in a massive IT outage that grounded U.S. flights early Friday. 

“I was already planning to sleep,” said Ortego, who works in health care. “Now I'm just hoping to make it onto a flight.” 

Inside the airport, there was more chaos than a typical travel day as airlines recovered from the outage. Many screens were blank except for an error message and airport personnel made announcements directing questions about flights to airlines.

All U.S. airlines issued travel waivers for those affected to easily rebook their plans. Those who opted to cancel can rest easy knowing the Department of Transportation classified the cancellations and delays as controllable, thus airlines are responsible for upholding the commitments they've made to customers when it comes to policies like rebooking or hotel and meal vouchers as the mess gets sorted out. 

- Nathan Diller

Impact on the economy

The outage isn’t expected to have any effect on the broader economy unless it persists for days.

“At this point, the IT outage is more a nuisance than an economic event,” says Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics. “If it drags on into early next week, the economic damage will begin to mount.”

If the outage is limited to a day or two, canceled flights can be rebooked and banking transactions can be completed later.

“There is plenty of time for activity to be recovered over the remainder of the month,” says Jonathan Miller, senior U.S. economist at Barclays.

- Paul Davidson

Outage impacts US public transit websites, ticketing

Major cities were generally able to keep trains and busses running, but tech issues have been causing problems with ticketing and other tech systems, leading to delays in some cases.

The Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area Transit Authority reported website and other tech issues, but said trains and buses were running as scheduled.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City reported problems with "customer information systems" but said it's buses and trains were unaffected. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said it was not affected but urged riders who might be using public transit to any area airports to check with their airlines before traveling for updates.

New Jersey Transit said some of its ticketing machines may have been impacted but its buses and trains were, for the most part, running on time. Some trains were out of operation Friday due to repairs that had to be made because of the intense heat that blanketed the region all week.

The Chicago Tribune reported Friday morning that commuter rail lines were affected, though it noted traffic is typically lighter on Fridays than other days. Delays on some lines were as long as 45 minutes, the Tribune reported. Chicago Transit bus and rail service was not affected but some CTA customers were unable to add value to their payment cards via the app or machines overnight, but the issue has been resolved.

Some transit systems, including Metro Transit in Minneapolis and Cincinnati Metro reported temporary disruptions to websites, trip planners, social media and other applications but no impact to its bus or trains.

- Phaedra Trethan

Despite summer break, schools disrupted by IT issues

The CrowdStrike outage crashed some computers at colleges Friday and hampered a popular software for enrolling students in K-12 schools for the fall.

The University of Rochester, a private school in New York, told students to keep rebooting their systems until the problem was fixed. The University of Alabama’s technology office said its campus computers using Microsoft Windows crashed. Rutgers University and the University of Kentucky also reported disruptions. 

Despite the summer break, K-12 schools in Maryland and Kansas said they were having problems with PowerSchool, a widely used software for grading and student enrollment. An update posted to the company’s webpage Friday morning said the outage was impacting all its major products, including its enrollment feature. 

- Zachary Schermele

911 call centers disrupted

State and local law enforcement agencies across the country reported disruptions to 911 services after the outage hit.

National reports of 911 outages peaked at more than 100 on Friday just before 3 a.m. according to Downdetector .

Agencies in at least seven states reported temporary outages, including the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office and Faribault Police Department in Minnesota, 911 systems New Hampshire , Fulton County, Indiana , and Middletown, Ohio . 

Non-emergency and 911 calls to multiple dispatch centers in Alaska "were not able to be answered" for around seven hours overnight, Austin McDaniel, communications director for the Alaska Department of Public Safety, told USA TODAY in an email.

"Dispatch centers switched to analog phone systems or to partner dispatch centers that were not impacted to continue taking calls," he wrote. Systems in the state were back up as of 4:23 a.m. local time.

The Phoenix Police Department was also impacted ‒ 911 call centers could take calls, but had to dispatch officers manually, the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported .

The Federal Communications Commission said in an email to USA TODAY that it was aware of reports of disruptions to 911.

"We’re closely working with other federal agencies to provide assistance and determine the extent of these service disruptions.”

- Cybele Mayes-Osterman

Biden briefed on global outage as federal agencies assess impacts

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the CrowdStrike outage and his team is in touch with the cybersecurity firm, as well as with impacted companies and agencies, according to the White House. Biden will receive "sector-by-sector updates throughout the day and is standing by to provide assistance as needed," the White House added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement it is working to "fully assess and address system outages."

DHS added it's working alongside the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency as well as CrowdStrike, Microsoft and federal, state, local and critical infrastructure partners to get a grasp on the incident and its impacts.

Over 2K US flights canceled amid outage

Several U.S. carriers, including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, issued ground stops for all their flights early on Friday due to communication problems, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA said operations were no longer impacted as of 10:53 a.m. ET, but it continues to monitor the situation and warned the global IT issue could continue to affect flights this weekend.

There were more than 2,500 U.S. flights canceled and more than 7,900 delays as of 3:25 p.m. EDT, according to flight-tracking website  FlightAware .

Most airlines were able to resume operations as the morning progressed, but many said they expected disruptions to continue throughout the day.

Read more about the outage's travel impacts

Hospitals cancel nonemergency services

Hospitals across the U.S. and overseas were impacted by the outage, which forced some to cancel elective surgeries and halt visitations as well as outpatient services.

Mass General Brigham in Boston canceled previously scheduled nonurgent surgeries, procedures and medical visits, according to a statement sent to USA TODAY. In the same area, Tufts Medical Center told media outlet WHDH it’s still assessing the outage’s effect on clinical and surgical operations.

In Texas, Ben Taub Hospital and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital suspended "hospital visitation and patient information," citing a "Microsoft Windows failure," according to a statement from Harris Health System . Cincinnati Children's Hospital said many of its Microsoft-based computer systems are down because of the outage, which forced the hospital to cancel early morning appointments.

"We are in touch with the hospital field and the federal government and monitoring the situation closely to better understand its scope and impact," said John Riggi, the American Hospital Association's national adviser for cybersecurity and risk. 

Two hospitals in northern German cities canceled elective operations scheduled for Friday but continued to provide patient care and emergency services.

Outages exposes fragility of internet infrastructure

While there were reports of companies gradually restoring their services, analysts weighed the potential of what one called the biggest-ever outage in the industry and the broader economy.

"This is a very, very uncomfortable illustration of the fragility of the world’s core Internet infrastructure," Ciaran Martin, Professor at Oxford University's Blavatnik School of Government and former head of the U.K. National Cyber Security Centre, told Reuters.

"IT security tools are all designed to ensure that companies can continue to operate in the worst-case scenario of a data breach, so to be the root cause of a global IT outage is an unmitigated disaster," said Ajay Unni, CEO of StickmanCyber, one of Australia's largest cybersecurity services companies.

Outages ripple far and wide

From the United Kingdom to Singapore, the effects of tech outages were far-reaching on Friday.

British broadcaster Sky News went off-air and train companies in the U.K. reported long delays. Departure boards at several U.K. airports appeared to freeze, according to passengers who posted reports on social media.

London's Stock Exchange reported experiencing disruptions. Some hospitals also reported difficulties processing appointments and several chain retail stores said they couldn't take payments. The soccer club Manchester United said on X that it had to postpone a scheduled release of tickets.

In Australia, media, banks and telecoms companies suffered outages.

There was no information to suggest the outage was a cybersecurity incident, the office of Australia's National Cyber Security Coordinator Michelle McGuinness said in a post on X.

New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority said some of its systems were offline due to a worldwide technical outage, but have since been restored. It said MTA train and bus services were unaffected.

Spanish authorities reported a "computer incident" at all its airports.

Berlin's main airport said check-ins were delayed because of a "technical fault."

Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline by passenger numbers, warned passengers of potential disruptions which it said would affect "all airlines operating across the Network." It did not specify the nature of the disruptions.

There were reports a shipping terminal in Gdansk on Poland's Baltic coast was not operating normally.

NetBlocks, a digital-connectivity watchdog, said that the outage reported by global airlines, corporates and infrastructure services firms and others was having "minimal" impact on global Internet connectivity.

Contributing: Reuters