Travel insurance and pre-existing conditions: What you need to know

Travellers who fail to declare pre-existing conditions risk denied travel insurance claims and costly overseas medical bills. Honesty and upfront disclosure are essential for proper coverage.

Tales of travellers stranded abroad in overseas hospitals facing huge medical bills may have come across your newsfeed lately.

These stories usually follow a similar pattern: tourists are unable to afford their emergency medical costs due to a lack of travel insurance and are then forced to request donations through crowdfunding websites, adding grave insult to injury.

In some cases, travellers may be denied cover for failing to declare a pre-existing condition, leaving them to shoulder treatment costs alone. Insurers only cover unforeseen medical issues, unless you have declared an existing condition upfront. When in doubt, declare it.

What defines a pre-existing condition?

A pre-existing condition refers to a medical or physical condition, defect, disease or illness of which you may be aware of, and for which treatment, medication, investigation, surgery or advice has been received. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, most Australians (61%) fall under this category.

While policies differ, travellers should declare any condition they've sought treatment for in the past 12 months, as well as any chronic or major health issues from earlier in life. If in doubt, speak with your insurer and seek medical advice before you travel.

How much can I expect to pay?

The cost to cover your pre-existing condition will vary greatly, depending on the severity and complexity of the condition itself.

For example, a reader in their twenties enquiring about cover for endometriosis would likely pay a relatively low premium to have the condition included. By contrast, an older traveller with a heart condition heading to the US can expect significantly higher costs, depending on the specifics of their condition.

Can I choose not to cover my condition?

If you're upfront about your condition, you'll usually be given options. In some cases, you can choose to opt out of cover, which means any claims related to that condition won't be paid. For more serious health issues, insurers may require you to opt in and pay an extra premium to make sure you're protected.

Lastly, honesty is the best policy. If you knowingly withhold information, your insurer may decline you cover when you need it most.

Travellers are expected to be transparent about their medical history so insurers can assess their risk fairly and ensure they're properly protected. When in doubt, be upfront to ensure you have the right safety net in place.

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