Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions
Don't assume you're covered.
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For information relating to policies purchased prior to 17 June 2021, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For policies purchased from 17 June 2021 please see below.
Don't assume you're covered
Having a pre-existing medical condition isn't a reason to stop travelling, but it can affect your travel insurance and what you’re covered for. Whether you're travelling off the grid or blogging in it, it's best to know if we can cover your pre-existing medical condition(s) before your travel, so you're not caught unawares.
What is a pre-existing medical condition?
The following can help determine if you, your travel companion, a close relative or someone upon whom your trip depends has a pre-existing medical condition, as defined in our Policy Wording. If any of the following exist at the time you buy your policy, start your trip, extend your policy or resume your trip after returning home early, then we’ll consider that you have a pre-existing medical condition:
- A medical or dental condition or related complication for which advice, treatment or medication has been prescribed by a medical practitioner, dentist or a chiropractor within the 180 days, and of which you are aware, before: (a) purchasing your policy; (b) starting your trip; (c) extending your policy; or (d) resuming your trip after returning home early; or
- Ongoing medical or dental condition, or related complication you have, the symptoms of which you are aware at the time of (a) purchasing your policy; (b) starting your trip; (c) extending your policy; or (d) resuming your trip after returning home early; or
- Ongoing medical or dental condition, or related complication which is currently being or has been investigated by a medical practitioner, dentist or a chiropractor; and of which you are aware at the time of (a) purchasing your policy; (b) starting your trip; (c) extending your policy; or (d) resuming your trip after returning home early.
In addition, if you took out cover after you left home, there is a time excess (waiting period) of 72 hours before the insurance takes effect and only for events first occurring after those 72 hours. Any illness or injury that occurs during this waiting period will be considered a pre-existing medical condition.
How are pre-existing medical conditions covered by travel insurance?
Our policies still cover many events for travellers with pre-existing medical conditions, as long as they don’t occur as a result of the pre-existing medical condition(s). These include cover for:
- Baggage and personal belongings
- Medical expenses – for unexpected serious illness and accidental injury, including evacuation and repatriation home
- Natural catastrophe
- Lost or damaged passport, licence or other travel documents
- Travel delay
- On our Explorer Plan, the section Coronavirus Travel Costs covers some Coronavirus related events.
You can check out our Coronavirus cover article which has all of the details, including benefit limits and exclusions.
When may a pre-existing medical condition be covered?
We do not cover any claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions.
Our policy covers cancellation if, after you’ve purchased the policy and before you start your trip, you, your close relative or a member of your travelling party suffers a serious illness or accidental injury or unexpectedly dies.
The policy isn’t designed to cover everything so take the time to read the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions in the Policy Wording for full details, so there are no surprises if you need to use it. If you’re not sure if something is covered get in touch.
Find a travel insurance provider if you have a serious medical condition
If you’re concerned our plans do not provide cover for a pre-existing medical condition that you have, you can visit the Money and Pensions Service’s travel directory (MaPS) which lists providers specialising in offering travel insurance to people with serious or life-threatening medical conditions.
If you're not worried that your pre-existing condition(s) isn't covered you can still purchase a policy online through World Nomads. Just be aware there's no cover for any claim made as a result of this condition(s).
New Diagnosis in Mexico.
I realized I had forgotten a medication (clonazepam) which I take for insomnia. I visited a doctor in Mexico City the next day and got a prescription for the medication. However, he also diagnosed me with a condition that I was not aware of (hyperthyroid) and suggested that the medication would help with the condition on a short-term basis. He suggested that I get a blood test for hyperthyroid, which I just did in Boston.
J Davis. US Nomad in Mexico.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: £5,000
- Standard Plan: £3,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Abroad Medical Expenses
Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling abroad.
- Explorer Plan: £10 million
- Standard Plan: £5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transport
Expenses included in Emergency Medical limits.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Cover your lost, stolen or damaged gear and tech.
- Explorer Plan: £2,000
- Standard Plan: £1,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Baggage & Personal Belongings
- Cancellation
- Trip Curtailment
- Personal Accident
- Loss of Passport or travel documents
- Personal Liability
- Legal Expenses
You can still purchase a World Nomads policy if you have a Pre-Existing Medical Condition (PEMC) – whether it is serious or not – but we won’t cover any claim/s made by any traveller under the policy as a result of this condition (this includes if you’re on separate or joint policies). This exclusion can’t be removed from the policy.
The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has a travel insurance directory on its Money Advice Service website, or you can contact the service on 0800 138 7777. This service provides details on what may be considered a PEMC, and travel insurance providers that may cover serious PEMCs, which may assist travellers wanting cover for these conditions.
24/7 emergency assistance
If you need medical assistance or emergency medical evacuation our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
For policies purchased on or after 1 September 2021:
+44 (0) 2030931750 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)
For policies purchased before 1 September 2021:
Phone: +353 21 237 8005 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)
Phone: +61 2 8263 0470 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)
Wherever you are, whatever has happened, our multi-lingual assistance teams are here to help you and your family.
Emergency Assistance, World Nomads
Travel insurance. Simple & flexible.
Travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.