Pre-existing Condition
A pre-existing condition is any health issue you had before your insurance policy or trip began.
A pre-existing condition is any health issue you had before your insurance policy or trip began.
Also known as
Prior condition, Existing medical condition, Declared condition, Pre-ex
Why travellers need to know
Pre-existing conditions are the most common reason travel insurance claims are denied. Many travellers don't realise that conditions they consider minor or well-managed (asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety) still count as pre-existing. The solution is straightforward: declare all conditions when buying insurance, even if they seem irrelevant. Most insurers will cover declared conditions for a small additional premium.
Real-world example
You have well-controlled asthma and buy travel insurance for a trip to Peru. At altitude in Cusco, your asthma flares and you need hospital treatment costing $1,200. Your insurer reviews your claim and declines it because asthma is a pre-existing condition and you didn't declare it when purchasing the policy. You pay the full $1,200 yourself.
Country-specific notes
🇺🇸 United States
ACA prohibits pre-ex exclusions for domestic plans only
The Affordable Care Act prohibits US health insurers from excluding pre-existing conditions, but this only applies to domestic plans. Travel insurance and international health insurance can still exclude or surcharge pre-existing conditions.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
NHS treats everyone regardless of pre-existing conditions
The NHS does not consider pre-existing conditions for emergency treatment. A&E will treat any condition regardless. However, UK-based travel insurance for trips abroad will apply pre-existing condition exclusions unless you declare and they agree to cover.
Use comparison sites that specialise in pre-existing condition travel insurance (e.g., AllClear, InsureandGo). Standard policies from supermarkets often exclude automatically.
🇦🇺 Australia
Australia's travel insurance market is competitive for pre-existing conditions — several specialist insurers cover conditions others exclude
Insurers like Cover-More and InsureandGo specialise in pre-existing condition cover at competitive rates. The Australian government's Moneysmart website provides a comparison tool specifically for this need.
Compare specialist Australian insurers against mainstream policies — some cover diabetes, heart disease, and cancer in remission that mainstream policies exclude automatically.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a pre-existing condition for travel insurance?
Any condition you have been diagnosed with, received treatment for, or taken medication for before your policy started. This includes chronic conditions (diabetes, asthma), mental health conditions, ongoing investigations, and conditions you were born with. Even conditions you consider resolved may count if treatment was recent.
Can I get travel insurance with a pre-existing condition?
Yes. Most specialist travel insurers cover pre-existing conditions for an additional premium. You must declare all conditions honestly during the application. The insurer may exclude specific conditions, cover them with conditions, or cover them fully at a higher price. Never travel without declaring.
Your Nomedic health record documents your conditions with dates and treatment history, giving insurers exactly what they need to cover you properly.