A travel insurance policy usually won’t pay for medical bills or claims related to your past medical history. But if you have a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver, you can be covered for problems related to pre-existing conditions during your trip. This waiver is an important consideration when you’re buying travel insurance.
What Is Considered a Pre-Existing Condition for Travel Insurance?
A pre-existing condition for travel insurance refers to an injury, illness or medical condition that prompted you to seek treatment, experience symptoms or take medication before buying the travel insurance policy, according to Allianz Travel.
To determine what qualifies as a pre-existing condition, a travel insurance company looks back 60 to 180 days before the day the policy was purchased. If you had any changes in your medical status during that period, such as a new diagnosis, a decline in health or the addition of new prescription medication, the condition will be considered pre-existing.
For example, let’s say you suffer from a seizure during your trip. If a doctor diagnosed you with epilepsy a few weeks before your trip, this would be considered a pre-existing medical condition.
Allianz Travel notes that you don’t always need an official diagnosis from a healthcare professional to have something designated a pre-existing condition for travel insurance purposes.
What Is a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver?
A pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver lifts the exclusion of pre-existing conditions for travel insurance medical claims and related coverage.
With the exclusion waiver, a travel insurance company can’t examine your recent medical records when it’s reviewing a medical-related claim.
Here are three possible scenarios where a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver could be used:
- You have pre-existing arthritis that brings a halt to your trip plans.
- You suffer a mild heart attack while on your trip after being diagnosed with coronary artery disease.
- You experience a flare-up of pre-existing lupus while you’re on a cruise.
How to Get a Waiver for a Pre-Existing Condition
You can generally get a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver only within 14 to 21 days of making your initial deposit for a trip and only if you insure the full nonrefundable costs of the trip. So it’s really best to buy your travel insurance immediately after booking your trip and make sure the policy includes the exclusion waiver. There is typically no extra cost for the waiver.
If you meet the eligibility requirements for a waiver, such as being “medically able” to travel when your policy is purchased, the insurance company won’t charge extra for a waiver. And most travel insurance policies don’t impose an age limit for getting the exclusion waiver.
Claims that may be tied to pre-existing conditions include those filed for:
- Travel medical insurance
- Emergency medical evacuation travel insurance
- Trip cancellation insurance
- Trip interruption insurance
What Documents Are Needed for a Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Waiver?
The specific documents you need may need to get the waiver vary by travel insurance company, but you will likely need to provide a letter from your physician saying you’re medically able to travel at the time you purchased the policy. For example, a doctor’s note saying you are expected to be well enough to travel by the time of your trip may not qualify.
What Pre-Existing Conditions Are Not Covered by a Waiver?
Even with a waiver, some conditions likely won’t be covered by travel insurance, such as:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Anxiety
- Complication-free pregnancy or childbirth
- Dementia
- Depression
- Illness or injury related to alcohol or drug abuse
Additionally, some medical conditions that aren’t being controlled by treatment or medication may not qualify for a waiver.
Some high-dollar trips (perhaps $50,000 or more) also may be ineligible for pre-existing condition waivers.
Be sure to carefully read your travel insurance policy to see what’s covered and what’s not when it comes to pre-existing conditions, or ask your travel insurance agent for help.
Also, be aware of the policy’s limits for travel medical insurance and medical evacuation coverage, to avoid any surprises.
Related: Travel Insurance Considerations For Those With Disabilities
Qualifying for a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver
Travel insurance companies have limitations on what’s covered by pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers and you also must meet some criteria to get one.
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How Much Does a Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Waiver Cost?
There is typically no extra cost for a pre-existing medical condition waiver. You’ll want this waiver to maximize your benefits, as travel insurance policies normally exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage.
Best Travel Insurance For Pre-Existing Conditions
Here are the top-rated policies from our rankings of the best travel insurance companies and the tim -frame you have to qualify for pre-existing condition coverage.
| Travel insurance company | Forbes Advisor rating | Policy name | Number of days from the first trip deposit you have to buy a policy to get a waiver |
|---|---|---|---|
 | iTravelInsured LX | Up to your final trip deposit | |
| | Cruise Luxury | 14 days | |
| | Atlas Journey Elevate | 21 days | |
 | Cruise Insurance | 20 days | |
| | Premier | 14 days | |
| | Premium | Up to or within 24 hours of your final trip deposit | |
| | TripProtector Preferred | 21 days | |
| | Luxe | 21 days | |
 | Ultimate | 21 days | |
| | Safe Travels Voyager | 21 days |
How to Find Specifics About Pre-Existing Condition Coverage
Many travel insurance companies offer pre-existing medical condition waivers, but not always on every policy they sell. That’s why it’s important to look at the policy’s list of benefits on the company website or tell your travel insurance agent that you want a waiver.
Waiver specifics vary by company, so check the policy wording to learn what’s considered a pre-existing condition and what time frame you have to qualify. Many policies say you must buy a policy within 14, 15 or 21 days of your first trip deposit to be eligible for a waiver. Others say “within the time-sensitive period.”
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Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get travel insurance with pre-existing conditions?
Yes, you can buy travel insurance if you have pre-existing medical conditions, but they probably won’t be covered unless you have a waiver. You can generally get a waiver if you buy your travel insurance policy within 14 or 21 days of booking your trip, are medically able to travel and insure 100% of your non-refundable trip costs.
How do you file a pre-existing medical condition travel insurance claim?
Filing a travel insurance claim for a pre-existing medical condition covered by your policy is the same process as filing a claim for travel medical insurance expenses. Contact your insurance company or go online to find the forms you need to fill out.
Be sure you have the required documentation. This can include itemized medical bills, receipts, accident reports and proof of any payments you made. Submit your claim forms with your documentation. You typically have 90 days to file a claim, so be sure to do it as soon as possible so your claim isn’t denied.
What is a waiver of lookback in travel insurance?
A waiver of lookback is the same thing as a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver. Travel insurance companies have a look back period, usually 60 to 180 days. Medical conditions you’ve been treated for or diagnosed with during this time will be considered pre-existing conditions and be excluded from coverage. A waiver of lookback means the company doesn’t review your medical status and pre-existing conditions are covered.
What should senior travelers look for when buying travel insurance?
If you’re looking for senior travel insurance, consider policies that provide a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver, travel medical benefits of at least $250,000 and medical evacuation benefits of at least $500,000.
You may also benefit from a policy that has primary coverage for medical expenses. That means you file a medical expense claim with your travel insurance company first, whether or not you have other insurance that might cover your treatment.
