Can you get travel insurance if you have gallstones?
Yes. JustCover can consider travellers who have gallstones, have had gallstones in the past, or have had treatment such as gallbladder surgery.
Our gallstones travel insurance takes your medical history and travel plans into account. To get a quote, tell us about your gallstones and complete our simple medical questionnaire. If your condition is accepted for cover, your policy can help with costs linked to your gallstones, including emergency medical treatment abroad, cancellation and emergency repatriation.
Gallstones often cause no symptoms, but they can sometimes lead to pain or complications that can disrupt your holiday. Understanding the condition can help explain why suitable medical cover matters:
- Gallstones are very common. According to the HSE, around 1 in 10 adults has gallstones, although most people have no symptoms and may not know they have them.
- Pain can last for several hours. The HSE explains that a gallstone blocking a bile duct can cause sudden, severe abdominal pain. These episodes, known as biliary colic, usually last 1 to 5 hours.
- Some complications need hospital treatment. Gallstones can cause inflammation of the gallbladder, known as acute cholecystitis, which usually requires treatment in hospital.
If you need unexpected treatment while abroad, suitable travel insurance can help with covered medical costs and provide access to emergency assistance.
Why do you need travel insurance for gallstones?
Gallstones can disrupt your holiday if you need unexpected treatment or have to cancel your trip. Travel insurance that covers your gallstones can help protect you against these costs:
- Emergency medical treatment: Help with covered treatment and hospital costs if you become unwell with gallstones abroad.
- Cancellation and curtailment: Protection for covered, non-refundable holiday costs if your gallstones mean you unexpectedly need to cancel or cut your trip short.
- Emergency repatriation: Cover for returning you to Ireland if this is medically necessary following a covered medical emergency.
- Wider travel protection: Your JustCover policy can also cover insured events such as lost or stolen baggage and personal belongings.
Declare your gallstones and any other medical conditions during medical screening. Check that they have been accepted for cover, and read your Policy Wording for the benefits, limits and exclusions that apply.
What does JustCover's travel insurance for gallstones cover?
Get protection for emergency medical treatment abroad, repatriation and unexpected cancellation, with your gallstones declared and accepted for cover. The exact amount of cover depends on the plan you choose.
Always check the Policy Wording before you buy so you know what is and is not included.
What's covered
Emergency medical expenses and repatriation costs – May be available for treatment for gallstone attacks, complications, and related emergency surgery abroad, depending on your policy. Repatritation can be available for transport back to Ireland if local treatment isn't adequate.
Cancellation – Cover for flight and accommodation costs if an unexpected event means you have to cancel your trip before you go.
Curtailment – Cover if you need to return home early following an emergency.
Travel delays – If your flight is delayed, we’ll compensate you for the time.
Personal belongings – You’ll be covered if your baggage or its contents are lost or stolen.
Personal liability – Cover for your legal expenses and any liability due if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property while you’re away on holiday.
Legal protection cover – Provides cover for your legal expenses if you have to claim compensation or damages due to something that happened while you were away on holiday.
What's not covered
Planned or elective surgery – Any routine gallbladder surgery you choose to have while abroad.
Trips outside the region of cover – If you go somewhere not covered in your policy documents.
Non-emergency care – Routine check-ups or ongoing treatment while travelling
Medical conditions you don’t declare – You need to declare all of your pre-existing medical conditions.
Choosing not to travel – We know that sometimes plans change, but you’re only covered for cancellation where the reason falls within the policy terms and conditions.
Treatment against medical advice – Travelling when your doctor has advised against it.
Choose the right level of cover
We offer different levels of cover to make your Travel Insurance as cost-effective as possible.
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Find suitable travel insurance for gallstones
Planning one holiday or several trips? Choose Single Trip or Annual Multi-Trip travel insurance, with your gallstones declared and accepted for cover.
Annual multi-trip travel insurance
More holidays on the horizon? Get cover for multiple trips over 12 months with one convenient policy. Declare your gallstones when getting a quote, and check the trip length limits.
Single trip travel insurance
One holiday to look forward to? Get cover for your chosen destination and dates, with your medical history taken into account. Tell us about your gallstones to get your tailored quote.
Why choose JustCover for gallstone travel insurance?
At JustCover, we understand that travelling with gallstones can need a little more planning. We specialise in travel insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions.
Here’s what makes us different:
- Specialist expertise: We consider over 1,300 pre-existing medical conditions, including gallstones.
- Comprehensive protection: Cover includes eligible emergency medical costs, cancellation and other insured travel risks.
- 24/7 emergency support: Access to our emergency medical helpline while you are abroad.
- No upper age limit: Our travel insurance has no upper age limit for travellers applying for cover
- Customer confidence: 98% of our customers rate JustCover as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Great’¹.
With JustCover, you get specialist support from an award-winning² team that understands travelling with medical conditions.
Do you have to declare gallstones when purchasing travel insurance?
Yes – tell us about your gallstones when getting a quote and answer all medical screening questions fully and accurately, including any questions about previous symptoms or treatment.
Leaving out information we ask for could affect your cover or lead to a claim being declined.
Our simple medical questionnaire helps us understand your health and assess the cover we can offer, so you can focus on planning your holiday.
What might be asked in the medical questionnaire?
During your medical screening, we may ask you about:
- When you were diagnosed with gallstones
- Any recent symptoms or gallstone attacks
- Medication or treatment you currently receive
- Whether you are waiting for surgery
- Any complications or hospital stays linked to your gallstones
Answer each question accurately so your quote reflects your current health.
Can gallstone symptoms or waiting on surgery be covered by holiday insurance?
If you have gallstone symptoms or are waiting for treatment, tell us during your JustCover medical screening. This helps us understand your current health and show you the cover available.
You should declare if you have or are:
- Recently diagnosed with gallstones
- Taking medication for gallstone symptoms
- Experiencing ongoing pain or discomfort
- Waiting for gallbladder surgery
- Had recent scans or investigations
- Been given medical advice about managing your condition
Being on a waiting list does not automatically stop us from considering you for cover. We look at your medical information, current symptoms and treatment plans as part of the screening.
Give complete and accurate information when you apply so your policy reflects your health and travel plans.
How much does travel insurance cost for people with gallstones?
The cost depends on your medical history and travel plans, so there isn’t one fixed price for everyone with gallstones. A personalised quote shows you the cover available and how much it will cost.
Factors that can affect your price include:
- Your medical history: We’ll ask about your gallstones, recent symptoms, treatment and any other medical conditions.
- Your age: Your age helps us calculate your premium, although JustCover has no upper age limit for travellers applying for cover.
- Your destination: Medical treatment costs vary between countries, which can affect the price of your insurance.
- Your trip length: How long you’ll be away matters, as does choosing cover for one holiday or multiple trips.
- Your chosen cover: Your cover level and optional extras, such as cruise cover, can affect your premium.
Your answers help us calculate a personalised price based on your medical history and travel plans. To find out your exact price, use our quick online quote form. You’ll answer some questions about your health and get a quote straight away.
Clear prices and cover
Before you buy, we’ll show you the price, what’s covered and what isn’t. You can compare our cover options and choose one that suits your holiday and budget.
Tell us about your gallstones when getting a quote so we can explain the level of cover we can offer you.
Specialist travel insurance for gallstones
Seniors travel insurance
No upper age limit means older travellers can still be considered for cover, including gallstones.
Pre-existing Medical Conditions
JustCover cover 1,300 medical conditions and tailors your quote around your health needs.
Family travel insurance
Going away together? JustCover family policies can cover eligible relatives and medical conditions.
Cruise travel insurance
Get protection for the unique problems you might face on a cruise, including cabin confinement.
Destinations covered by gallstones travel insurance
Holidaying close to home or heading off on a big adventure? We can offer both European and worldwide travel insurance for gallstones.
Europe travel insurance
From Spain and the Canary Islands to Italy and France, find cover for your next European escape. Tell us about your gallstones to get a quote tailored to your health and holiday plans.
Managing gallstones alongside other pre-existing medical conditions
If you have gallstones and another medical condition, check that your travel insurance covers both. Cover for your gallstones does not automatically mean your other conditions are included.
JustCover considers over 1,300 medical conditions, including:
Specialist travel cover vs. EHIC for gallstones
An EHIC is useful, but it does not replace travel insurance that covers your gallstones.
Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives you access to medically necessary public healthcare during a temporary stay in EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. This can include treatment for gallstones, but you may need to pay towards the cost, just as local patients do.
An EHIC does not cover:
- Private healthcare
- Medical transport back to Ireland
- Cancelling or cutting short your holiday
- Lost or stolen baggage
Standard travel insurance policies often exclude pre-existing medical conditions unless they are declared and accepted. If your gallstones are not covered, treatment linked to the condition could fall outside your policy. Standard policies also differ in the level of cover provided for cancellation, baggage and other travel risks.
Specialist travel insurance from JustCover considers your gallstones and other medical conditions during medical screening. If accepted for cover, your policy can help with insured medical treatment abroad, emergency repatriation and cancellation. Your chosen plan sets the cover limits and exclusions.
A simple 3-step process to book your travel insurance with cover for gallstones
Tell us about your trip
Tell us your destination, travel dates and who’s travelling. These details help us find travel insurance options for the holiday you’re looking forward to.
Choose your cover
Answer a few questions about your gallstones and other medical conditions. Then choose the cover level that best suits your holiday needs and budget.
Buy your cover and relax
Review your quote, including the benefits, limits and exclusions. Once you’re happy with your choice, you can buy your policy online and finish planning.
Expert travel insurance advice from our team
“Gallstones can be unpredictable, but they do not have to get in the way of your holiday plans. The important thing is making sure your medical history is declared clearly. With travel insurance for gallstones, we look at your diagnosis, treatment and recent symptoms so your cover reflects your circumstances. We keep the process straightforward, so you can understand your options and focus on your trip.”
Peter Clark - JustCover Director
What our customers say
“The process to get a quote was very easy including adding an existing medical condition. Other insurance companies could learn a lot from this. Pricing was very competitive.''
see full reviewTips for travelling with gallstones
Planning around your health, medication and usual eating habits can help you feel more prepared for your holiday. If you have symptoms or are waiting for treatment, speak to your doctor about whether your travel plans are suitable.
Before you travel
- Discuss your trip with your doctor. If you’ve recently had gallstone attacks, complications or surgery, ask whether you’re well enough to travel. Discuss your destination, journey length and what to do if pain returns.
- Plan your medication supplies. If you take prescribed medicine, arrange enough for your holiday and ask your pharmacist about extra supplies for delays. Check your destination’s rules first, as some countries restrict certain medicines or the quantities you can bring.
- Plan your medication supplies. Arrange enough prescribed medicine for your holiday and extra in case of delays, as recommended by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Ask your pharmacist about storage and check your destination’s rules before packing.
- Know where to get help. Find nearby medical facilities and save the local emergency number. Check the health section of the DFA’s destination guidance before travelling, particularly if you’ll be staying somewhere remote.
- Check your travel insurance. Declare your gallstones and other medical conditions, and check which have been accepted for cover. Keep your policy number and emergency assistance details somewhere you and your travel companion can easily access.
While travelling
- Choose meals that suit you. If particular foods trigger your symptoms, avoid them where possible. If richer or fatty foods cause discomfort, consider grilled, steamed or boiled dishes instead of fried options.
- Try smaller portions if large meals cause pain. You could choose a smaller main course or eat smaller meals more often. Cambridge University Hospitals suggests this may help people whose symptoms follow larger meals.
- Avoid foods that trigger your symptoms. The HSE recommends avoiding foods that cause symptoms, noting that fatty or spicy foods can cause bloating and diarrhoea for some people. When eating out, ask about ingredients and choose dishes that suit you.
- Avoid unnecessary dietary restrictions. A strict low-fat diet is not needed by everyone with gallstones. Follow any individual guidance from your doctor or dietitian rather than cutting out all fats. Cambridge University Hospitals recommends a balanced diet and tailoring changes to your symptoms.
- Drink regularly. Keep water available during journeys and days out. If you’ve been told to limit fluids because of another medical condition, follow your healthcare team’s instructions.
Seek urgent medical help if you experience:
Do not assume new or worsening abdominal pain is simply another gallstone attack. Seek immediate medical help if you develop:
- Sudden, severe abdominal pain
- Pain spreading from your abdomen to your back, with vomiting
- A high temperature or chills, particularly with abdominal pain
- Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
The HSE also advises urgent assessment for jaundice, fever and chills, or pain that is prolonged or too intense to find relief. Do not wait for a set number of hours if your pain is severe.
Your JustCover policy includes 24/7 emergency assistance, so support is available if you need medical help while travelling.
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Frequently asked questions about travel insurance for gallstones
Do I need to declare gallstones if I haven't had symptoms for years?
Yes, you must declare any history of gallstones regardless of when you last had symptoms. Even if you've been symptom-free for years, gallstones remain a pre-existing condition that must be disclosed. Failing to declare them could invalidate any related claim.
I'm on a waiting list for gallbladder surgery. Can I still get travel insurance?
Being on a waiting list doesn't automatically prevent you from getting cover, but you must declare this during your medical screening. Our underwriting team will assess your individual situation, including the urgency of your surgery and your current symptoms. We may be able to offer cover with specific terms, or we might need to exclude gallstone-related claims until after your surgery.
Will travel insurance cover me if I need to cut my holiday short because of a gallstone attack?
If your gallstones have been declared and accepted on your policy, emergency curtailment due to a gallstone attack will be covered. This can include both the medical treatment you receive and the additional costs of changing your travel arrangements to return home early, provided the attack is unexpected, requires immediate medical attention, and your policy includes this benefit.
Is there an upper age limit on travel insurance for people with gallstones?
No, there is noupper age limit on JustCover policies. We can consider gallstones travel insurance for older travellers, with no upper age limit for people applying for cover. Whether you’re in your 60s, 70s, 80s or beyond, tell us about your gallstones and any other medical conditions when getting a quote. Our simple medical questionnaire helps us assess the cover available for your health and travel plans.
Can I get travel insurance if I've had a gallstone attack recently?
It depends on how recent the attack was and whether your condition has stabilised. If you've had an attack within the last few weeks or months, we'll need detailed information about your current health status, any ongoing symptoms, and what treatment you've received. In some cases, we may ask you to wait until your condition is more stable before we can offer cover.
Will my travel insurance cover cancellation if I need gallbladder surgery before my holiday?
If your gallstones have been declared and accepted on your policy, and you subsequently need emergency surgery that prevents you from travelling, this may be covered under trip cancellation, provided your policy includes this benefit and the circumstances of your claim meet the policy terms. However, if the surgery was already planned when you bought the policy, it wouldn't be covered. This is why it's crucial to be completely honest about your condition and any planned treatment during the screening process.
How soon after gallbladder surgery can I travel?
This is a medical question that only your doctor can answer based on your specific recovery. Generally, you'll need medical clearance to travel after any surgery. Once your doctor confirms you're fit to travel, make sure to declare your recent surgery when getting travel insurance. Even though your gallbladder has been removed, the recent surgery is still a medical event that needs to be disclosed.
Can I get travel insurance if I'm waiting for tests or scans for gallstones?
You may be able to get cover while waiting for diagnostic tests, but you must declare this during your medical screening. We'll need to know what symptoms you're experiencing and why the tests have been ordered. Depending on your situation, we may offer cover with certain exclusions until your diagnosis is confirmed, or we may ask you to contact us again once your results are available.
Can JustCover cover other medical conditions as well as gallstones?
Yes. We consider over 1,300 medical conditions, including when you have more than one. You can declare your gallstones alongside conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions, asthma or arthritis in one simple medical questionnaire. We’ll assess your medical history and explain the cover available, including any exclusions.
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