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Travel Insurance with Medical Conditions

Finding suitable holiday insurance with pre-existing medical conditions doesn't have to be hard. At Holiday Extras, we consider all medical conditions, including asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, and many more. Additionally, all Holiday Extras Bronze, Silver, and Gold Travel Insurance policies include emergency medical cover for when you're on holiday.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, this will need to be declared when you book so that we can make sure it's covered whilst you're away.

What counts as a pre-existing medical condition when it comes to travel insurance?

A pre-existing medical condition is defined as an illness, injury or condition that exists before, or at the time, you take out an insurance policy. Even if some conditions have resolved, or you feel well, we may still need to assess them. This is so that we can provide you with the right level of cover.

Other things you may be asked about include whether you are taking any prescription medication, are awaiting investigation, or are suffering from any kind of psychological condition.

Some common conditions that will need to be declared when you buy insurance can include:

We cannot cover:

  • A terminal illness without prior approval from our underwriter
  • Any pre-existing condition and/or new symptoms not declared/ disclosed
  • Travelling to receive medical attention/treatment abroad
  • Travelling against medical advice
  • You if your doctor declares you unfit to travel


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Need Medical Help Abroad? Here's What to Do

If you need emergency medical attention, please make sure you call local emergency services before anything else.

Use Reciprocal Health Agreements:

  • If your destination has a health agreement with the UK, you can use your EHIC or GHIC card to access medical treatment. This may help cover some or all of your medical expenses.

Contact the Assistance Team:

If you're admitted to hospital, call our assistance team as soon as possible.

When to Call: After you've been admitted but before paying for any medical treatment.

Why It's Important: Not contacting the team could limit your coverage, even if your claim is valid.

Emergency Assistance Contacts (24/7):

Our team is here to help, wherever you are:

Outside the USA, Canada, or Mexico: +44 (0) 1403 788 718
In the USA or Canada (toll-free): +1-844-780-0494
In Mexico: 00 1 819 780 0494


Important: Save Your Documents

Keep all receipts and doctor's notes safe – they'll be needed for your insurance claim. For more details, visit the official guidance on medical attention abroad.



Unable to get cover?

If you are unable to get cover due to pre-existing medical conditions the Money Help Directory can help you find specialist providers who can give you a quote for travel insurance.

What is the Money Help Directory?

Money Helper is run by the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS). MaPS is a free and impartial money advice service, set up by the Government to provide information and guides to help improve your finances. The Money Helper travel insurance directory has been created for people who have:

  • Been refused cover
  • Had exclusions applied to their policy
  • Received high additional premiums due to medical conditions

All providers listed on the directory are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Holiday Extras Cover Ltd are proud to have passed the rigorous selection process and feature as one of the travel insurance providers listed in the directory.

How can I access the Money Helper Directory?

By Phone – 0800 138 7777 (Monday – Friday: 8am to 6pm)

Online – Visit the Money Helper Directory for a full list of participating travel insurance brands.

By Email – traveldirectory@maps.org.uk



Compare travel insurance cover levels

Choose from three different levels of cover, each with its own cover limits. Ranging from a simpler 'Bronze' plan to a higher level 'Gold' plan, you can tailor your policy to suit your needs. Take a look at our cover-level table to see what's covered, and read through the Policy Documents for more detail on cover.



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What questions are in the medical declaration?

After you have filled in your travel details in the booking form at the top of this page, we will ask you a brief series of questions to determine whether your insurance will be with medical conditions or not. It's crucial to answer the questions to ensure your policy provides appropriate cover. Below, we've clarified key terms and examples to help you accurately declare any pre-existing medical conditions.




If you answer "yes" to any of the above questions, someone on the policy has a medical condition that must be declared. You or another policyholder will need to complete a discreet and confidential medical screening process. This process ensures your insurance is tailored to your specific needs, offering peace of mind while travelling.

It's important to note that not all medical conditions are covered. The screening process may exclude certain conditions or treatments. If you're unsure whether your condition is covered, please contact us for more information.



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Alice Lawson, Associate Director of Holiday Extras Cover

"We believe that having a medical condition shouldn't stop you from finding travel insurance easily. Here at Holiday Extras, we consider all medical conditions and offer different cover levels to ensure your needs are met."

Katherine Hill, Holiday Extras Insurance Expert




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Last updated: 10th Feb 2025

Holiday Extras Travel Insurance is sold and administered by Holiday Extras Cover Limited, registered office address: Ashford Road, Newingreen, Hythe, Kent CT21 4JF.

Holiday Extras Cover Limited is an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, registration number 828848. You can check this by visiting the Financial Services Register

Holiday Extras™ is a Trading Name of Holiday Extras Cover Limited. The insurance is underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited. Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 13436330 and whose registered office address is 10 Fenchurch Avenue, London, United Kingdom, EC3M 5BN.

Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Firm Reference Number 955859. You can check this by visiting the Financial Services Register