Medical Travel Insurance FAQ
We at Medical Travel Insurance understand that travel insurance can be complicated, and that you may have questions - especially when it comes to pre-existing medical conditions! Well, here we'll try to answer a few of the most common questions we're asked.
Quick Q&A
Why do I need medical travel insurance?
Emergency medical expenses while you’re abroad can easily reach the thousands, if not hundreds of thousands. You could be charged for consultations, testing, scans, x-rays, prescriptions, hospital stays, transport, and any other services a hospital or clinic might provide. That’s why it’s important you have a financial backup, to cover unexpected medical costs associated with unexpected medical assistance.
Bear in mind, if you need assistance for a pre-existing medical condition that you have not declared on your policy, you may have to cover those costs yourself.
Do you cover pre-existing medical conditions?
Yes, our policies are designed to cover your pre-existing medical conditions alongside cancellation, baggage cover, travel disruption, and more. This includes emergency medical expenses for the conditions declared on your policy, as well as unforeseen illnesses and injuries.
A pre-existing medical condition is a condition, injury, illness, or set of symptoms you are aware of at point of purchase. If you have visited a medical professional, received treatment/medication, or been to A&E, we would likely need to know about this when you fill out your medical declaration.
Of course, we wouldn’t expect to know every medical issue there has ever been in your life, but it’s important that you answer the questions regarding pre-existing medical conditions honestly and accurately.
What is a pre-existing medical condition?
A pre-existing medical condition is a condition, injury, illness, or set of symptoms you are aware of at point of purchase. If you have visited a medical professional, received treatment/medication, or been to A&E, we would likely need to know about this when you fill out your medical declaration.
Of course, we wouldn’t expect to know every medical issue there has ever been in your life, but it’s important that you answer the questions regarding pre-existing medical conditions honestly and accurately.
How do I declare my medical conditions?
We use a medical screening system from Verisk to record your medical conditions; they conduct 33 million risk assessments every year and provide cover based on a quick and easy online process.
It’s a series of questions to filter out which conditions need to be declared and made clear to your insurer, and which medical conditions don’t. Some of these questions are ‘have you ever’ questions, which means ‘ever in your lifetime’. Some of the questions only ask you to declare conditions ‘in the last 2 years’. Once you have answered these questions, you will need to begin screening each medical condition - this is just a case of putting in the name of the condition (not the symptom, procedure, or medication), and answering the further, more detailed questions that follow.
If you’re not sure of the name of your medical condition, or need clarification around certain answers, we would always suggest checking your medical records online/via an app, or speaking to your GP receptionist to relay those records.
Should I get annual cover or a single trip policy?
That really depends on the kind of policy which suits you best.
An annual multi-trip (AMT) policy is designed for those intending to take more than 2 or 3 holidays a year - this can sometimes work out cheaper than buying multiple single trip policies, depending on where you’re travelling and for how long. With an AMT your policy is live for 365 days, covering you from the date you decide, for all travellers on the policy regardless of solo or group travel.
A single trip, on the other hand, is for just one trip. You’re covered for cancellation from the day of purchase, and you need to input specific travel dates. Your policy then ends when you return to the UK.
Bear in mind that either of these policies can have restrictions around trip duration and destinations, dependent on medical declaration and other factors such as age.
Can you cover winter sports and activities?
We can indeed! All you need to do is let us know what you’d like cover for before purchase. While activities like winter sports are well-known and widely covered, other activities might need referring to our underwriters for prior approval.
Am I covered if there were to be a terror-related attack?
Our policies do not include cover for terrorism, however should you be injured in a terror attack whilst abroad, all of our policies would offer emergency medical and repatriation cover as standard. We would always ask you to refer to your Policy Wording for full terms and conditions. Alternatively, please call our customer service team, who will be happy to assist.
When does travel insurance need to be purchased?
It's up to you when you decide to purchase your travel insurance, however most people take it out as soon as they've booked their trip, in order to cover them for cancellation.
If you are looking for a single trip policy, you're covered for cancellation from the day of purchase, and you need to input specific travel dates to indicate when you're away.
With an annual multi-trip however, your policy is live for 365 days, covering you from the date you decide. This means that your policy doesn't need to begin on the day of purchase if you don't want/need it to.
We would always recommend making sure you select the correct start date to be fully covered for cancellation.
Detailed questions
For more complicated questions with longer answers we have separate dedicated pages.
- Who counts as a UK resident?
- What medical conditions can be covered?
- What region is best for me?
- I'm over ... years old, can I still get cover?
- Is it possible to extend the trip duration on an annual policies?
- Am I covered to drive abroad?
If your question is still unanswered you could try contacting us. If we get enough of the same or similar questions we may add it here.
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In need of assistance?
Our UK-based customer service team is ready to help if you have any questions regarding the quote process. Call or email us using the information on our contact page.
