Waiver for Pre-existing Conditions
An insurance feature that waives the standard exclusion for pre-existing conditions, so claims related to them are covered.
An insurance feature that waives the standard exclusion for pre-existing conditions, so claims related to them are covered.
Also known as
Pre-existing Condition Waiver, PEC Waiver
Real-world example
You have controlled asthma. Standard travel insurance excludes claims tied to your asthma — including a hospitalisation abroad. A waiver (purchased within days of your initial trip deposit) removes that exclusion for a small premium increase.
Country-specific notes
🇺🇸 United States
Waivers are common in US-sold policies.
Allianz, Travel Guard, and IMG Global offer PEC waivers on most trip insurance packages if purchased within 14–21 days of the initial trip payment.
Age caps often apply — waivers may not be available for travellers over 75.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Declaration, not waiver.
UK insurers more commonly underwrite pre-existing conditions individually — disclose everything and pay a higher premium rather than buy a blanket waiver.
Undisclosed conditions void the policy entirely, even for unrelated claims.
🇪🇺 European Union
Varies by country.
Some EU markets (DE, FR) rely on medical questionnaires with surcharges; others (ES, IT) resemble the US waiver model.
Get a copy of what you declared — insurers will request it at claim time.
Frequently asked questions
When do I have to buy the waiver?
Typically within 10–21 days of your first trip deposit. Missing the window forfeits the waiver option permanently for that policy.
Does a waiver cover everything?
Most waivers require you to be "medically stable" for a defined period (usually 60–180 days) before the trip. Recent changes in treatment or medication can disqualify you.
Your full medication and condition list lives in Nomedic — reference it when completing insurance declarations so nothing slips.