Can you get travel insurance with medical conditions?
Yes, you can get travel insurance with medical conditions, including high blood pressure, heart conditions, diabetes and cancer. However, you may need to use a specialist medical insurance provider. Most standard policies won’t cover you for costs linked to pre-existing conditions.
As a specialist travel health insurance provider, we can help you find the cover you need. Just declare your pre-existing conditions and complete our simple medical questionnaire.
Why do you need travel health insurance?
Travel insurance with medical conditions will cover you for emergency medical and repatriation costs. That includes those linked to your pre-existing conditions, or if you have to cancel³ for certain reasons related to your conditions. You’ll also get access to our 24/7 emergency medical helpline if you need it while away from Ireland.
Travel health insurance is vital if you have a pre-existing condition:
- Medical care in other countries can be much higher than we’re used to in Ireland. The USA, for example, has some of the most expensive healthcare in the world. That’s why the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs “strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs.”
- While your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) may cover some emergency care, it won’t cover everything, such as repatriation to Ireland. Citizen’s Information highlights the importance of having both an EHIC and comprehensive travel insurance.
- As the Irish News reports, many travellers with conditions like cancer struggle to get cover. Some go uninsured or avoid travel altogether. At JustCover, we're changing that. We can cover more than 1,300 conditions, including those that are terminal⁴.
You won’t just be covered for medical emergencies with the right policy. At JustCover, our travel insurance for pre-existing conditions also includes cover for your bags. We’ll even cover you for legal protection.
Call us free today or get a quote online. Read our Policy Wording for full details of what is and isn’t included.
Who should consider travel insurance with medical cover?
You’ll need medical travel insurance if you’ve seen a doctor or taken prescription medicine in the last two years. Read our Policy Wording for full details.
People looking for travel insurance with medical conditions include:
- Those with diagnosed chronic or acute conditions. We can offer cover for more than 1,300 conditions. Examples include COPD, epilepsy, asthma, and atrial fibrillation.
- People over 60. It can be hard to find travel insurance with pre-existing conditions. This can get even trickier as you get older. We believe everyone deserves to enjoy their holiday, so our policies have no upper age limit⁵.
- Frequent travellers managing an ongoing condition. Travel a lot? We offer annual multi-trip travel health insurance, so you’ll be covered for all of your trips for a full year⁶.
What’s considered a pre-existing medical condition when it comes to travel insurance?
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 prescription medicine, had medical treatment, spoken to a doctor, or been offered palliative care;
- Been placed on a waiting list that could lead to cancelling or cutting your trip short;
- Been advised of a terminal illness.
Always read our Policy Wording for full terms and conditions.
Our medical questionnaire is designed to be quick and easy. You can complete it over the phone or online, whichever is more convenient for you. Just one of the reasons 98.8% of our customers would recommend JustCover to family and friends⁷.
We cover more than 1,300 medical conditions, including those that are terminal⁸. We can offer travel insurance with medical conditions for:
- Heart conditions. Including atrial fibrillation, heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, deep vein thrombosis and other heart conditions.
- Respiratory conditions. Such as COPD, cystic fibrosis and asthma.
- Neurological conditions. Such as strokes, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy.
- Chronic conditions. Including diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease and autoimmune conditions.
- Cancer. Any type of cancer, whether in treatment, remission or recovered. This includes leukaemia, lymphoma, skin cancer, prostate and breast cancer.
- Mental health conditions. Such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia or PTSD.
- Get a quote online or phone us.
- Musculoskeletal conditions. Like arthritis, osteoporosis, joint replacements or gout.
- Other conditions. We offer policies for those with hundreds of other conditions, such as disabilities, blood disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, or HIV.
Which conditions don’t need to be declared?
We ask that you declare any condition that falls within our medical warranty.
If you’ve had a cold or flu but didn’t see a doctor or take medication, you don’t need to tell us. We also don’t need to know about complication-free pregnancies.
What does JustCover’s travel insurance for medical conditions cover?
It’s essential to check that your policy offers the right cover for your medical condition. Remember: always read our Policy Wording to fully understand what is and isn’t covered.
What's covered
Medical expenses in an emergency – If you’re sick or injured while away, get up to unlimited cover for emergency medical expenses. You’ll also be covered for medical repatriation.
Cancellation⁹ – Get protection for the cost of your trip if you have to cancel for certain reasons. This could include being called for jury duty or losing a loved one. You’ll also get curtailment cover if you have to cut your trip short in an emergency.
Lost, stolen or damaged belongings – Travel knowing your bags and belongings are protected. Taking away a laptop, phone, camera or tablet? Get additional gadget cover.
Personal liability – If you face legal expenses or liability while away, we could help. For instance, if you damage property or accidentally injure someone.
Legal protection cover – Need to claim damages or compensation due to something that happened on your trip? Get cover for certain costs.
Travel delays – Compensation to cover your time if your flight is delayed.
Access to our 24/7 emergency medical helpline¹⁰ – Help when you need it from our team.
What's not covered
Medical conditions that aren’t declared – You must declare any pre-existing medical conditions that fall within our medical warranty. Otherwise, you won’t be covered for costs linked to them.
Cancelling for reasons that aren’t covered – You won’t be covered when cancelling for reasons within your control, such as deciding you don’t want to go.
Taking part in activities or visiting a location not covered by your policy – It’s important to read your policy documents. These will explain the activities and places that are included. We offer additional cover if needed.
Going away for medical treatment or against medical advice – We cannot offer cover if you’re going away for planned medical treatment, or if you have been advised by your doctor not to travel.
Problems you knew might come up – If you knew you might make a claim before you booked your trip or bought your policy, such as if you knew you might be made redundant and need to cancel.
Claims below the excess – If your claim is less than the excess on your policy. You won’t be able to claim.
How do you declare medical conditions?
Get a quote online or phone us to start the quote process. As part of this, you’ll be asked if you have any pre-existing medical conditions. You can then complete our medical questionnaire over the phone or online. Once complete, our team will be able to give you your quote.
During our medical questionnaire, you’ll be asked a few questions. These are designed to be as quick and easy as possible. However, you may need to know the dates of any treatment or prescription details, so make sure you have any relevant information to hand.
Questions we might ask include:
- What age were you when you were diagnosed?
- Are you currently undergoing treatment, or have any planned?
- Have you had any surgery, inpatient, or outpatient treatment, or any referrals or investigations?
- Have you had any unplanned hospital admissions?
It’s important to declare your pre-existing conditions and answer our questions honestly. If not, you may invalidate your travel insurance for medical conditions.
If you have any questions about travel insurance for pre-existing health conditions. Our customer service team is happy to help.
When should you buy travel insurance with medical conditions?
It’s wise to buy travel insurance with medical conditions as soon as you book your holiday, as recommended by Martin Lewis of Money Saving Expert. Then you’re covered if you have to cancel due to certain reasons linked to your condition. You can do this as far ahead as 12 months before your trip.
How does travel health insurance work when you're abroad?
How you make a claim varies depending on what you’re claiming for and whether it’s a medical emergency. Phone us as soon as possible if you need emergency treatment while abroad. You can then notify us of other claims online within 30 days of your trip ending.
- Call our medical emergency helpline¹¹. If you need emergency medical assistance while away, call our 24/7 helpline as soon as possible. You must do this before starting a claim with us.
- Read our Policy Wording and our claims page. Make sure you understand any next steps, depending on the type of claim you’re making.
- Keep all documentation. Keep any medical reports, booking forms, receipts, hospital certificates or invoices. These will be needed for your claim. Find out which documents you need to keep on our claims page.
- Fill out a claim form when back in Ireland. If you’ve paid any costs yourself. You’ll have up to 30 days from the end of your holiday to make a claim. This is when you’ll need to provide your receipts, certificates and booking forms.
- Send it to us. Remember to keep a copy of all the documents.
- We’ll do the rest. Our team will get to work and keep you posted with any updates.
For full instructions on how to claim, please read our claims page.
How much does travel health insurance cost?
Travel insurance with medical conditions varies in price, depending on you and your situation. Factors that will influence the price include:
- Your age: If you’re an older traveller, you are more likely to need to make a claim.
- Your conditions: If you have a pre-existing condition, you have a higher chance of needing emergency medical help while away.
- Where you’re going: Some places, such as the USA, have expensive healthcare systems. The cost of policies for trips to these places will be higher, to reflect the chance of costly claims.
- How long for: The longer your trip, the higher the chance that something might go wrong.
- Whether you require any additional cover: Such as special protection for trips, such as cruises, golf holidays, etc.
Your quote will be personalised to you. Taking into account how well-controlled your conditions are. We use our medical questionnaire to understand how likely it is that you’ll need to claim. So, if you’re generally healthy and haven’t had any unexpected hospital visits, your price will be lower than someone who needs more medical assistance.
Speak to our team today.
How can you reduce your premium when travelling with a pre-existing medical condition?
With a pre-existing medical condition, your travel insurance might be more expensive. However, there are ways you can make travel insurance with medical conditions cheaper.
- Arrange a shorter trip. Shorter trips mean you’re less likely to claim, as you’ll be travelling for less time. This means a cheaper policy.
- Pick destinations with cheaper healthcare. Travel cover costs more for countries like the US, where private medical care is pricey, than for places like Europe.
- Consider one policy for the whole year. Do you plan to travel two or more times within a year? An annual multi-trip policy¹² might be more cost-effective than separate single trip policies.
- Avoid activities that you’ll need additional cover for. Some activities, such as winter sports, require extra cover. Choosing activities that are included in our policies as standard could save you money.
Remember, we’ll use your medical questionnaire to tailor your quote to you. If your condition is well-controlled, your quote is likely to be lower.
Do you still need travel insurance for medical conditions if you have an EHIC?
It’s wise to buy health travel insurance, even if you’re taking your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The Department for Foreign Affairs says: “The EHIC is not a substitute for proper travel insurance provided by a reputable insurer.” This is because your EHIC will only help you access some limited state healthcare within Europe. Sometimes this is free, but other times it is only subsidised. Other emergency costs, like medical repatriation, won’t be covered if needed in an emergency.
What happens if you don’t have medical travel insurance?
Standard travel insurance won’t usually cover pre-existing conditions unless you declare them. If you don’t, you won’t be covered for related costs and could void your whole policy.
Remember, travel insurance with medical conditions also covers you for a range of other issues. This includes lost or stolen bags, or if you have to cancel for certain reasons. Buying travel health insurance is the best way to know you’re covered while away. Read our Policy Wording to understand any terms and conditions.
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Find the best travel insurance with medical conditions
We know it can be stressful finding travel health insurance. That’s why we make it as simple as possible. We have a range of options to suit everyone:
Annual multi trip travel insurance
Go away as many times as you want in 12 months¹³. You could save time and money by buying an annual policy.
Perfect if you’re only going away once this year. Tailor your policy to you and your trip, whether you’re heading for a European City Break or a full-on gap year.
Why choose JustCover for your travel health insurance?
We make travel insurance for pre-existing conditions simple. Just let us know about your conditions in our medical questionnaire, online or over the phone. Then you’ll get your quote:
- We cover more than 1,300 conditions, including those that are terminal¹⁴
- Our 24/7 emergency medical helpline¹⁵ will be there if you need it while you’re away
- Get up to unlimited cover for emergency medical expenses and repatriation¹⁶
- Plus up to €10,000 cancellation cover¹⁷
- 98.8% of our customers would recommend JustCover to family and friends
Specialist travel insurance for medical conditions
Tailor your travel health insurance to you and your trip. Whether you’re looking to go away with friends or family, or flying off for a big trip in your retirement.
We think everyone deserves to enjoy their holiday. That’s why we have no upper age limit¹⁸.
Group travel insurance
It’s simple to get everyone covered on one policy. Make sure you’re all covered if anything unexpected happens.
Get the whole family on the same policy. Then you’ll all be protected if something goes wrong and you have to cancel.
Relaxing on a cruise? There are unique issues you might face, such as cabin confinement. Get cover for them and more.
Destinations covered by travel insurance for medical conditions
Big trip around the world or weekend mini break in Europe? Wherever you’re off to, take us with you. We offer travel insurance with medical conditions worldwide:
Heading to the UK, Spain, France, or elsewhere in Europe? Get travel insurance for your trip.
Worldwide
If you’re going further afield, from the USA to Canada or Australia. We’ve got your back, wherever you’re heading.
Being covered is as easy as 1, 2, 3
Get your quote in seconds
You will only need to tell us some information about yourself and your holiday plans
Select and tailor your cover
Now all you need to do is to choose the level of cover that best suits your needs
Buy your cover and relax
Purchase your cover and you’re ready to go – we’ll take care of the rest!
What our customers say
“The customer service agent I dealt with was excellent. I had got a quote online, but as I have a medical condition which I had to declare, I just wanted to be assured I had the correct cover. He went through everything with me very patiently.”
see full reviewFrequently asked questions about travel insurance with medical conditions
What’s the difference between travel and medical insurance?
Travel insurance and medical insurance serve different purposes:
- Medical insurance covers your medical costs while you’re at home.
- Travel Insurance is designed to cover your expenses if there’s a medical emergency while you travel. It can also cover other costs like lost baggage, cancellation and delays.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, it’s important to declare it when buying travel insurance. If you don’t, you may not be covered for costs linked to the condition. Always read our Policy Wording to understand what is and isn’t included.
How much medical cover do you need for travel insurance?
This is important to think about when buying travel insurance with medical conditions. Some countries, like the USA, have high healthcare costs. A medical emergency there can be expensive.
We have a range of policies, and even our basic plans include emergency medical costs of up to €10 million. We’ve got your back, wherever you’re heading.
Is there an age limit on medical travel insurance?
No, we don’t have an upper age limit for our travel health insurance. That’s because we think everyone deserves to enjoy a holiday. We’ll ask you some simple questions about you and your health in our medical questionnaire. Then you’ll get your quote.
Please note: We have an age limit of 65 on our winter sports cover. Read our Policy Wording for more details.
How do you declare medical conditions?
You can get a quote for trip health insurance online or over the phone. Whatever’s easiest for you. As part of this process, you’ll complete a medical questionnaire.
We’ll ask you a few questions about your medical conditions, such as:
- What age were you when you were diagnosed?
- Are you currently undergoing treatment, or is any planned?
- Have you had any surgery, inpatient, or outpatient treatment or any referrals or investigations?
- Have you had any unplanned hospital admissions?
It’s important to declare any conditions you have that fall under our medical warranty. Otherwise, you might not be covered for claims that you make.
Always read our Policy Wording.
Can I exclude a medical condition from my policy?
There are some medical conditions that you don’t have to tell us about. For instance:
- A cold or flu that you didn’t see a doctor about or take medication for;
- Complication-free pregnancies;
- Contraception.
You cannot exclude other conditions. You must declare any pre-existing medical conditions that fall within our medical warranty. Read our Policy Wording for more details.
How to make sure you’re ‘fit to travel’?
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you should discuss your trip with your doctor or medical team. They can give you advice on any precautions you should take. As well as details of how your trip might impact your condition.
Unfortunately, we’re unable to cover you if you’re medically advised not to travel. Always read the Policy Wording for full details.
Does medical travel insurance include cover for medication?
We can cover medication in certain circumstances. For instance, if you run out because you unexpectedly have to stay longer due to an emergency covered by your policy. Or if you face a medical emergency while away and need medication as part of your treatment.
We do not cover medication if you simply run out because you did not pack enough. We recommend taking extra medication with you. Where possible, take it in your cabin luggage so there’s less chance of losing it.
Is pregnancy considered a medical condition for travel insurance?
No, pregnancy is not considered a pre-existing medical condition for travel insurance. However, any pregnancy-related conditions are classed as pre-existing conditions. That includes gestational diabetes.
We will cover claims for emergency medical expenses or cancellations until the beginning of the 32nd week of your pregnancy. The limit is the 24th week for multiple pregnancies.
Read our Policy Wording for more details on travel insurance to cover pre-existing health conditions.
Will travel insurance cover you for surgery abroad?
We can’t provide you with travel health insurance if you are going away to have planned medical treatment. This includes surgery. We also cannot cover you if you know you will need medical treatment during your journey, but have not told us.
If you need surgery unexpectedly due to a medical emergency while away, we can cover you. We offer up to unlimited cover for emergency medical expenses and repatriation. Even our basic plans include costs of up to €10 million.
Remember, if the emergency surgery is related to a pre-existing medical condition, you must have declared that condition to us. Otherwise, you won’t be able to make a claim. Always read our Policy Wording.
What happens if you don’t declare a medical condition?
You must declare all health conditions when buying your policy. If you don’t, any related claims won’t be covered, and you could invalidate your insurance. This means any treatment, hospital stays or emergency care linked to that undeclared condition won’t be covered. Since medical bills abroad can reach hundreds of thousands of euros, failing to disclose your health conditions can leave you seriously out of pocket. It’s important to declare all your pre-existing medical conditions when buying your policy, no matter how minor they seem.
Do you need to know the types of medications you’re taking?
During our medical questionnaire, we’ll ask you several questions. These will be tailored to your condition and may include asking about your medication. It’s best to make sure you have all the information you need before you start the questionnaire.
Does your destination matter?
Some countries, such as the USA, have very expensive medical systems.
If you’re travelling to a country with an expensive health system, your quote is likely to be higher. This is because any claims are likely to be higher.
Are you trying to find cheaper travel insurance with a medical condition? You could plan a trip to a place with lower-cost medical treatment available.
Is dental treatment covered by travel health insurance?
We can cover you for pain relief if you have a dental emergency while you’re away. However, we’re unable to cover you for treatment. This is the case for most travel insurance providers. You can find full details of what is and isn’t included in your policy by reading the Policy Wording.
What if you’re diagnosed with a medical condition after buying your policy?
You must tell us and consult with your medical practitioner if you or anyone else insured on your policy:
- Develops a new condition;
- Experiences a change to an existing medical condition; or
- Has to change their medication.
Do this by contacting our team on the numbers provided in your policy documents. You must contact us as soon as possible, and before booking or starting your journey. Or before you pay the balance or any further instalments for your journey.
Please note, there may be an additional charge to make these changes.
Can you get travel insurance if you're undergoing treatment or awaiting surgery?
Yes, providing your treating doctor confirms you are fit to travel. This is the case if you’re undergoing treatment or awaiting surgery. However, you will not be covered:
- For costs, if you need to continue your treatment while away;
- If you are given a date for your surgery and have to cancel or curtail your trip.
Read our Policy Wording for full details and exclusions.
Will travel insurance cover complications related to a chronic condition?
Medical emergencies linked to a chronic condition are covered, as long as you declared it in your medical questionnaire. If you didn’t, or your health has changed and you didn’t update us, you won’t be covered and may invalidate your policy.
How does cancellation cover work if your condition worsens before you travel?
If your condition worsens before your trip, and your medical team declares you unfit for travel, you’ll be covered for cancellation. As long as you declared your pre-existing condition in our medical questionnaire. You may need a medical certificate.
Can you get same-day cover for pre-existing conditions?
This will depend on the medical information our team need. We keep our medical questionnaire as simple as possible. However, you should be aware that we might have follow-up questions. We may also need a ‘fit to travel’ confirmation from your doctor. This is why it’s best to buy travel health insurance in advance, ideally as soon as you book.
Once our medical questionnaire is completed, we’ve confirmed we can cover you and we’ve taken payment, then your cover is in place. You must not have already travelled before this.
Can you get travel insurance if your GP has advised against travel?
It’s important to be honest and upfront when buying travel insurance with medical conditions. We cannot provide you with cover if you have been advised not to travel by a medical professional.
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2. Based on 2000+ Trustpilot responses, as of 12/05/2025.
3. Covers cancellation for certain reasons outside of your control and detailed in our Policy Wording. Amount of cover depends on the policy level you have purchased. Read our Policy Wording for full exclusions and Ts&Cs.
4. We can offer single trip travel insurance providing the terminal prognosis is no less than 6 months from the end of your trip. Not available online, please call our team. Read our Policy Wording for full details.
5. Note: We have an age limit of 65 on our winter sports cover.
6. Up to a maximum of 183 days of travel per year.
7. Based on 528 customer responses as of March 2024.
8.We can offer single trip travel insurance providing the terminal prognosis is no less than 6 months from the end of your trip. Not available online, please call our team. Read our Policy Wording for full details.
9. Covers cancellation for certain reasons outside of your control and detailed in our Policy Wording. Amount of cover depends on the policy level you have purchased. Read our Policy Wording for full exclusions and Ts&Cs.
10. For more details, visit our claims page.
11. For more details, visit our claims page.
12. Up to a maximum of 183 days of travel per year.
13. Up to a maximum of 183 days of travel per year.
14. We can offer single trip travel insurance providing the terminal prognosis is no less than 6 months from the end of your trip. Not available online, please call our team. Read our Policy Wording for full details
15. For more details, visit our claims page.
16. Covers cancellation for certain reasons outside of your control and detailed in our Policy Wording. Amount of cover depends on the policy level you have purchased. Read our Policy Wording for full exclusions and Ts&Cs.
17. Based on 528 customer responses as of March 2024.
18. Note: We have an age limit of 65 on our winter sports cover.
* Discount applies to the base price only and does not apply to any premium generated to cover medical conditions or optional extras. This discount is automatically applied and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Discount tiers of 5% for premiums between €0-49, 10% for €50-249, & 20% for €250+ apply. Offer ends at 23:59 on 30/09/25. T&C's apply.