Pre-existing medical conditions shouldn’t keep you from travelling, as long as you’re cleared by a doctor and are medically able to travel, of course. With a Travel Guard travel insurance plan, you may be eligible to receive medical expense coverage while on your trip depending on a few factors like your age and current health status. Read on to see if travel insurance for pre-existing conditions is right for you.

Most travel insurance plans include restrictions or exclusions that pertain to an individual’s pre-existing medical condition(s). These restrictions or exclusions may affect your eligibility for all coverage under the policy, including any trip cancellation and emergency medical expense coverage.  This means that if you had to cancel your trip due to a pre-existing medical condition or if you had to seek emergency medical attention while on your trip, the expense you incur may not be covered under the policy.

A pre-existing medical condition is typically considered to be a health-related medical condition. It is usually defined as a medical condition that you have had symptoms of, or received treatment for, or that has deteriorated. The definition also includes medical conditions for which you have had a change of medication type or dosage, or a medical condition which you have consulted a medical professional. Travel insurance may not provide coverage for medical conditions and/or symptoms that existed before your trip. It is important that you read and understand your travel insurance plan as your coverage may be subject to certain limitations or exclusions.

Your eligibility for coverage may depend on such things as your age, the answers you provide to a medical questionnaire and how long your medical condition has been stable and controlled. The terms and conditions of each travel insurance plan will include specific exclusion wording that may affect your coverage. For example, you may not be eligible for trip cancellation coverage if the reason you need to cancel your trip is due to a pre-existing medical condition, and the pre-existing medical condition has not been stable and controlled in the 90-day period immediately preceding your policy purchase date. Or if you are on your trip and suffer a medical emergency related to your pre-existing medical condition, you may not be eligible for emergency medical expense coverage if your pre-existing medical condition has not been stable and controlled in the 90-day period immediately preceding your departure date. The terms and conditions of the policy will outline the required stability period and include a definition of what the insurer considers “stable and controlled.” You should carefully read and understand the terms and conditions of the travel insurance product you are considering to ensure it meets your specific needs. If you have questions or require assistance, you can contact us for help. There are some travel insurance plans that may include or offer a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver. This means that if you meet the conditions of the waiver, the insurer will waive certain coverage exclusions relating to your pre-existing medical conditions under the policy.

A plan with the pre-existing conditions waiver covers more than just your pre-existing conditions.
Look for a Travel Guard plan with the coverages and benefit limits you need. Popular plan features include:

• Trip cancellation/interruption coverage
• Emergency medical coverage for injury or sickness
• Missed flight connection 
• Baggage coverage 
• Emergency medical and emergency travel assistance – specialized representatives are available to help 24/7

While it may not be a requirement for your destination, you may want to ensure you have emergency medical expense coverage for your pre-existing condition. Your provincial or territorial health care plan may not provide any coverage outside of your home province in Canada. The pre-existing conditions waiver may make you eligible for coverage under the travel insurance policy for expenses if you suffer an emergency related to your pre-existing medical condition. A travel insurance plan may provide reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses you incur that you would otherwise be responsible for if something happens on your trip.