How Travel Insurance Covers Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

You are at a higher risk of needing medical intervention when you have a pre-existing condition while traveling. Travel insurance with  pre-existing conditions covers medical expenses incurred while you vacation domestically or internationally. in another country. Here is all you need to know about travel insurance that covers pre-existing conditions.  

Does Travel Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?

Before understanding the scope of travel insurance, pre-existing medical conditions need a proper definition. A pre-existing condition is an ailment or injury a person seeking insurance has before or when their health care plan goes into effect. Commonly declared conditions before applying for travel insurance include cancer, diabetes, Chron’s disease, cardiovascular illnesses, asthma, cystic fibrosis, allergies, back pain, and joint issues.

Travel insurance with pre-existing conditions covers medical expenses when you need medical services in transit and during your vacation if you have pre-existing medical conditions. It also provides added protection in case of trip cancellation because of sickness. Furthermore, for pre-existing medical conditions, travel insurance also covers disabilities and injuries that increase a person’s need for medical services.

Travel insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions. Insurers have a look-back period, a recent snapshot of your medical history, typically between 60 and 180 days. The only conditions considered to be pre-existing are ones that have been treated within that timeframe before purchasing their policy. However, if that time period has been free of any doctor’s visits, treatments, or procedures, including cancer (controlled or in remission), back and joint issues, and other medical conditions, they are not considered pre-existing for the purpose of travel insurance.

Thankfully, travelers can get a waiver for their pre-existing conditions that lets them recoup expenses from nonrefundable travel reservations if they were forced to cancel or interrupt their trips due to a flare-up of their pre-existing condition. In addition, the pre-existing condition waiver will allow their benefits to cover emergency medical costs including evacuations as well as travel expenses if they have to leave the trip prematurely.

How Do You Get a Travel Insurance Pre-Existing Condition Waiver?

The waiver of pre-existing medical conditions only applies if you qualify for it. Therefore, there are no extra costs for someone to acquire it, nor is it an option in your travel insurance plan. The travel insurance pre-existing medical condition waiver is a feature in comprehensive travel policies, and each insurance policy has its own qualification requirements. 

Aegis Travel Insurance for Pre-existing Conditions

Most Aegis Insurance policies provide medical and travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions if you purchase the policy within 14 days of your initial trip payment. The traveler should pay the initial deposit and meet other requirements for their health condition and trip. The look-back period is between 90-180 days depending on the Aegis plan purchased.

For Aegis Insurance, you can acquire the pre-existing condition insurance waiver if you purchase the coverage before or within 24 hours of your last trip payment. As with all travel insurance plans, you should have the medical ability to travel when buying the policy. 

Aegis Insurance does not require medical underwriting for your pre-existing condition. For many insurers, medical underwriting is a letter and proof of ailment provided by your physician to the insurer. The insurer ascertains the validity of the information through their medical experts before you get qualified for the policy.

Thankfully, with Aegis Insurance plans you only need to:

• Purchase the policy within 14 days of your initial trip payment on most plans 
• Be medically fit to travel on the day you purchase your policy

Other Travel Insurance Companies

For other companies, the pre-existing medical condition travel insurance waiver comes with plenty of additional requirements. The processes are time-consuming and may make your preparation more burdensome. Medical underwriting is costly and requires extra time to process and verify the information.

Travel insurance can also befoul travel timelines with their requirements. There is a short period for handing documents, verification, and payment. Any delays can have a ripple effect on your travel itinerary. Choose a policy provider that does not burden you with requirements while planning to travel. A little goes a long way in identifying and determining pre-existing conditions.

How Travel Insurance Defines “Medically Fit to Travel”

“Medically fit to travel” means that, at the time you purchase your travel insurance and begin your trip, a medical professional has not advised against travel, and you are not actively experiencing symptoms or complications that would reasonably prevent you from traveling.

Travel insurers use this definition to determine eligibility for certain coverages, especially when it comes to pre-existing medical conditions. If you were recently hospitalized, awaiting test results, or undergoing a major treatment change at the time of purchase, you may not be considered medically fit.

In short, being medically fit to travel means you’re stable, cleared by your doctor, and not anticipating the need for urgent medical care during your trip. This helps ensure that any new or unrelated emergencies that arise while you’re away can be covered, as long as they’re not linked to a condition that made you unfit at the time of booking.

Travel Insurance for Disabled Travelers

Insurance with pre-existing conditions also includes traveling with a disability. Therefore, stating your disability to your insurance agent so they can help you choose the right policy is vital. For example, you may need to travel with a mobility aid or other medical equipment. You may also need medical attention while in transit or at your travel destination.  

Despite laws and regulations against discrimination, disabled travelers brace themselves for ill-treatment in many travel destinations. Disabled travelers also face a lot of discrimination and accommodation difficulties. Travel insurance is a form of disability travel support that eases the financial burden of disability travel.

Coverage for Mobility Aids and Medical Equipment

Comprehensive travel insurance can include coverage for loss, theft, or damage to essential mobility aids and medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, walkers, CPAP machines, or prosthetics. If your equipment is delayed or damaged en route, Aegis travel insurance plans can help arrange replacements or repairs and reimburse associated costs. Some coverage options also assist in coordinating equipment rentals at your destination when necessary.

How Travel Insurance Can Support Accessibility Needs

Travel insurance may assist if you encounter accessibility-related issues that disrupt your trip, such as being denied a reserved accessible hotel room, finding that transportation can’t accommodate your wheelchair, or facing challenges during boarding or deplaning. While not all plans include specific accessibility guarantees, Aegis’s concierge-style support team can often help resolve these challenges and reduce disruption to your trip.

Travel Insurance for Disabled Seniors

Disabled seniors often face a higher risk of medical complications while traveling, which makes having the right travel insurance essential. Our insurance plans offer high medical and evacuation coverage limits, pre-existing condition waivers, and support for mobility equipment, making them a strong option for seniors with chronic health issues or limited mobility. 

Travel Confidently with Aegis Travel Insurance

Whether you’re managing a long-term disability, traveling with medical equipment, or planning a bucket-list adventure as a disabled senior, Aegis travel insurance provides the flexibility, protection, and peace of mind you need. With plans that include coverage for pre-existing conditions, emergency medical care, and assistance with accessibility challenges, we’re here to support every traveler, every step of the way. Explore Aegis family travel insurance plans today and get the protection your next trip deserves.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What does a “look-back period” mean in travel insurance?

A look-back period is the time frame before your policy goes into effect, during which the insurance company checks your medical history to identify any pre-existing conditions. If a condition was diagnosed, treated, or showed symptoms during this period, it may be excluded from coverage unless you have a waiver.

Does having a pre-existing condition make travel insurance more expensive?

Typically, it does not. With most Aegis plans, pre-existing coverage can be gained by simply purchasing your policy within 14 days of the first dollar you spend towards your trip. Some plans offer pre-existing coverage as an optional upgrade. Meanwhile, others may allow you to gain pre-existing condition coverage if you missed the 14-day deadline. However, those kinds of plans will usually be a bit more expensive.

Can I still get pre-existing condition coverage if I didn’t buy more policy on time?

With most companies, you cannot. However, Aegis offers a plan that still allows you to gain pre-existing condition coverage if you buy the policy within 1 day after making the final payment for your trip.

Can I still get coverage if my condition is stable but not cured?

Yes. If your condition is stable and has not changed during the look-back period, and you purchase a plan with a pre-existing condition waiver within the required timeframe, it can be covered, even if the condition is not cured.

What happens if my pre-existing condition flares up during my trip?

If you have a policy with a pre-existing condition waiver, treatment for the flare-up is likely covered. Without the waiver, expenses related to pre-existing conditions are typically excluded.

Are disabilities treated the same as pre-existing medical conditions?

No. Disabilities are not automatically considered pre-existing conditions. Only medical conditions associated with the disability that required treatment during the look-back period would be reviewed for coverage.

How far in advance should I buy travel insurance if I have a pre-existing condition?

You should buy travel insurance within 14 days of your initial trip deposit to be eligible for a pre-existing condition waiver under most Aegis plans.