Travel Insurance for COPD

Can you get travel insurance if you have COPD?

Many standard providers will turn you down, but you can find travel insurance for COPD. Choosing a medical specialist like JustCover makes the process simple. We can offer COPD travel insurance, even if you have multiple pre-existing medical conditions. We’ll consider patients with all types of COPD, including lung conditions like emphysema and chronic bronchitis. 

Travel insurance for COPD includes cover for:

• Emergency medical expenses: Including those linked to your pre-existing medical conditions. 
• Medical repatriation or evacuation: If you need to be flown home or to another location for treatment in an emergency. 
• Our 24/7 emergency medical helpline: There when you need it.
• Your medical aids and prescription medications: Cover if they’re lost, damaged or stolen.
• Unexpected cancellation due to your COPD: Cover for certain reasons listed in our Policy Wording. Get your partner, family or friends insured on the same policy, and you’ll all be covered if this happens. 

Why do you need travel insurance if you have COPD?

Travel insurance for COPD is essential when going away. When you’re on holiday, you’ll face situations that might aggravate your condition, such as travelling by plane or being in the sun. If you need emergency medical help, it can easily cost thousands of Euros. Money that will come from your own pocket without travel insurance. 

COPD travel insurance should be top of your to-do list:

• According to Nursing In Practice Ireland: “It is estimated that 500,000 people are living with the disease” in Ireland. They say: “Ireland has the highest rate of hospital admission with COPD” out of 100 countries in the OECD. Travel insurance for someone with COPD will protect you against emergency hospital bills while away. 
• The HSE advises that: “Periods of cold and hot weather and humidity can cause breathing problems if you have COPD”. As well as other situations you may experience while away, such as air travel, dusty hotel rooms and strong cleaning products. It’s important to be prepared if your condition flares up while you’re away. 
• COPD Support Ireland advises you to: “Contact your insurance provider to enquire as to what cover you may need when travelling”. Look for comprehensive travel insurance for COPD, including emergency medical expenses and repatriation. Along with cover if your medication, nebuliser or other medical aids are lost or stolen. 

Are all types of COPD covered?

Yes, at JustCover we can consider all types of COPD. Whether you’re looking for emphysema travel insurance or cover for chronic bronchitis. Simply declare all of your pre-existing medical conditions and answer our medical questionnaire. 

We consider travel insurance for COPD for:

• Emphysema: When your air sacs are damaged, you lose elasticity in your lungs and have difficulty emptying them. 
• Chronic bronchitis: A lung condition where you have long-term inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Symptoms include a persistent cough and increased mucus. 
• Chronic asthma and COPD: We may still be able to cover you if you’ve been diagnosed with Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS). 
• All stages of COPD (mild, moderate, severe and very severe): Based on the severity of your condition and how badly your airflow is obstructed. 

Do you have to declare COPD for travel insurance purposes?

You must declare COPD and any other pre-existing medical conditions to us. Do this in our medical questionnaire and answer our simple questions. You must do this even if your COPD or lung condition is mild. 

If you fail to declare any medical conditions, you may invalidate your travel insurance for COPD. This means any claims you make are rejected, even if they’re not linked to your COPD.  

A pre-existing medical condition is any condition that falls within the medical warranty. You must disclose to us if you or anyone else insured on this policy has: 

• In the last two years, taken any prescribed medication or received medical treatment or advice at a hospital, clinic, GP surgery or via remote consultation or received or been offered palliative care;
• Been placed on a waiting list that could cause you to cancel or curtail your trip; 
• Been advised of a terminal illness.

Read our COPD travel insurance Policy Wording for more information. 

How to get travel insurance if you have COPD

As medical specialists, we aim to make buying travel insurance for someone with COPD as simple as possible. We’ll consider all stages and types, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. 

All you need to do is declare all of your pre-existing medical conditions and answer our medical questionnaire accurately. We’ll use your answers to tailor your policy and quote to you. Once we’re done, you’ll get your quote. You can either save this for later or buy your policy straight away. 

What to expect in the medical questionnaire

When buying COPD travel insurance, we’ll ask you some questions, including: 

• When were you diagnosed with a lung condition, and which type/stage of COPD do you have? 
• Do you also have other pre-existing medical conditions? Such as diabetes, disabilities and high cholesterol.
• Which medications, treatments and medical aids do you use? 
• When did you last need emergency medical care unexpectedly? 
• Can you take a short walk on flat ground without needing assistance? 

How much does travel insurance for COPD cost?

Travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions will normally cost more than standard policies. That’s because you’re more likely to need emergency medical care or to cancel unexpectedly. This is usually the case with travel insurance for COPD. 

By answering our medical questionnaire accurately, we can tailor your quote to you. So if your COPD is mild and well-controlled, your policy will probably be less than for someone with severe symptoms. 

Things that impact the cost of COPD travel insurance include: 

• How long you’re going for and where you’re off to: You’re more likely to make a claim on a month-long adventure than a weekend away. Plus, some countries like the USA have very expensive healthcare systems. This means claims can cost more. 
• The type and severity of your COPD: Emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome carry different risks and chances of making a claim. Plus, the severity of your COPD will also impact this. 
• Your age and other pre-existing medical conditions: If you’re a senior traveller or have other pre-existing conditions, this will raise the chances of a claim. 
• If you need extra cover: We have a whole range of optional cover, including golf holidays, cruises and gadgets. 

Why choose JustCover for your COPD travel insurance?

As Ireland's most trusted travel insurance provider³, we understand your world. Whether you’ve been turned down for COPD travel insurance by other providers, or you’re just starting to look. We’re here to help:

• 100% of our customers would consider buying from JustCover again⁴.
• Get up to €10,000 cancellation cover⁵.
• Plus up to unlimited cover for emergency medical expenses and repatriation.
• Get assistance from our 24/7 emergency medical helpline when you need it.
• 98% of our customers rate us as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Great’⁶.

Will an EHIC cover you for medical assistance for COPD while abroad?

Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will provide some cover in certain countries. These are mainly in the EU. It will only give you access to some state healthcare in an emergency and won’t always be free. It will be at the same price that locals would pay. 

Your EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance for COPD. Your EHIC won’t cover all costs, such as for medical repatriation. Which can cost tens of thousands of Euros. It’s important to take both your EHIC and travel insurance for COPD. 

Tips for travelling with COPD

It’s possible to have a relaxing, memorable holiday with COPD. However, you’ll need to do certain things to prepare if travelling with this lung condition. Here are our top tips:

• Give yourself plenty of time to prep: You must check in with your doctor well in advance of your trip and may need travel vaccinations, which can take 1-4 months. You’ll also need to speak to your airline, airport and medical equipment provider in advance. Find more information on flying with COPD below. 
• Speak to your medical team: It’s essential you check with your medical team to make sure you’re fit to travel. They will also give you advice and tips on preventing a flare-up. Make sure you know where to go if you need medical help on holiday. Check if there is somewhere nearby with the treatment you would need.
• Pick your destination carefully: Avoid places where you’ll need to walk a lot, especially hilly locations. Poor air quality, high altitude, heat, humidity and cold can also cause COPD to flare up. So avoid destinations where this may be a problem. The HSE has lots of information on this. 
• Speak to your holiday provider: Make sure they’re aware you have COPD and let them know any assistance you may need. If certain things aggravate your COPD, like walking far, dust or strong-smelling cleaning products. Speak to them about ways to avoid these. If you use a wheelchair or have accessibility needs, make sure your room and wider accommodation are suitable for you. 
• Carry helpful information with you: Take details of your medical history, any medications and your doctor. You may also need your prescription details. It’s smart to have a list of emergency contacts close to hand. 
• Take plenty of medication: Take enough for your trip, along with extra in case you’re delayed. Split it across different bags in case one is lost or stolen. COPD Support Ireland also recommends taking “a rescue prescription in case you need antibiotics or steroids when away from home”. 
• Prep your equipment: If you use a nebuliser, medical aids or oxygen, look into whether you should take back-ups or if you can get a replacement while you’re away if needed. Your airline, airport, accommodation and equipment provider might have rules against you carrying or using these on holiday. Always check in advance. 
• Plan plenty of breaks and chances to rest: Stay hydrated, be careful in the sun and make sure your itinerary isn’t too packed. You’ll need lots of time to recharge and rest. Avoid strenuous activities, tours and anything that might lead to a flare-up. Pick holidays with direct flights to make travel days easier. 
• Don’t forget your plug adapters: These are useful for any traveller, but when you rely on medical aids, they become essential. Look into what you’ll need and check in advance whether there will be enough plugs in your room. 
• Get travel insurance for COPD: The only way to make sure you’re protected against high hospital and repatriation bills. Buy yours up to 12 months before your trip, and you’ll be covered for unexpected cancellation for as long as possible. Read our Policy Wording for full details of what is and isn’t covered. You should also take your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) if you’re visiting a country covered by the scheme. 

Flying with COPD

COPD covers different lung conditions, and everyone’s health is unique. This means you must speak to your doctor to decide whether you’re fit to fly. They can also advise you on things to do to prevent a flare-up. Your airline may need a fit-to-fly certificate, so it’s important to speak to them in advance as well. 

COPD Support Ireland says: “COPD patients might expect to experience more shortness of breath whilst moving around inside a plane”. If you need a nebuliser, medical aids or oxygen, or your doctor has advised you to take supplementary oxygen, speak to your airline and airport. Each will have a different policy, and you may not be allowed to take your normal equipment. Your equipment provider may also have rules against taking their products abroad. So you might need to source alternatives before you go. 

Remember, we cannot cover you if a medical professional has advised against travel. So it’s important that you follow your doctor’s advice.