Travelling abroad can be a rewarding and thrilling experience. However, you must give adequate thought to the risks and expenses associated with travelling abroad. Having travel insurance in place for your foreign trip can provide protection against various unforeseen situations such as medical expenses, flight cancellations or delays, lost baggage, etc.
There are various types of travel insurance policies, such as business travel insurance, student travel insurance, and family travel insurance. But does travel insurance provide coverage for pre-existing health conditions? Continue reading to find out.
Are Pre-Existing Conditions Covered by Travel Health Insurance?
Most trip medical insurance policies do not include coverage for pre-existing health conditions. However, this does not mean that you cannot get traveller insurance coverage for these conditions. In India, several insurance companies provide plans to cover pre-existing conditions.
However, you must check your policy or contact your insurance provider in advance to see whether you can add this cover to your existing travel insurance policy. This applies to both international travel insurance and domestic travel insurance.
Understanding Travel Insurance With Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Coverage
Pre-existing cover is a protection in which the insurance provider covers the cost of medical expenses that occur before the purchase of a travel insurance policy. Depending on the international travel insurance policy you choose, pre-existing coverage is applicable for specific conditions.
Understanding the specifics of your international travel insurance plan is essential. Therefore, you must check which pre-existing conditions are excluded from travel policy coverage. Lastly, some pre-existing conditions might be connected to income, age or other factors.
What Does Pre-Existing Coverage include?
Pre-existing coverage includes ongoing treatments, chronic diseases, chronic illnesses, or other medical issues for which the policyholder received medical treatment or was diagnosed. This coverage provides extra protection for the policyholder’s medical conditions when travelling abroad. Below is a list of a few medical conditions that can be covered under pre-existing coverage.
- Asthma
- Cardiac conditions
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Thyroid
- Arthritis
Is Declaring Pre-Existing Conditions to Insurer Necessary?
Yes, when purchasing travel insurance, it is essential that you declare pre-existing conditions to your insurer. This allows your insurance provider to accurately assess the specific risks involved with providing coverage. By being aware of these conditions, your insurer can determine the suitable premium and coverage.
Failure to disclose pre-existing conditions to your insurer can have severe consequences, including cancellation of coverage or denial of claims. Insurance providers depend on complete and accurate information to make informed decisions about coverage and to ensure sustainability and fairness in the insurance policy system.
Additionally, declaring pre-existing conditions helps protect the policyholder. By providing accurate and complete information about your health conditions, you can ensure adequate coverage for your unique requirements.
This allows your insurance provider to set travel insurance terms and conditions, including any exclusions or limitations associated with pre-existing conditions. This level of transparency between the insurer and the insured helps avoid potential claim denial or disputes based on non-disclosure.
What is the Claim Process of Travel Insurance Pre-Existing Conditions?
Below are steps to claim pre-existing coverage in international travel insurance.
- Contact your insurer or review your policy to understand the type of pre-existing condition coverage your travel policy provides.
- Gather all your medical documentation related to your pre-existing condition.
- Contact your insurance provider and raise a claim. To support the claim, provide all necessary information.
- Wait for the insurance provider to assess the evidence and review the claim.
- Once you receive the result of your claim, keep a record of it. This will help you understand what you will be responsible for and what your policy covers.
- If you think your claim has been unfairly denied or have not received a response from your insurance provider, you can contact them with further requests and updated information.
To Wrap It Up
Not opting for pre-existing condition coverage when purchasing international travel insurance can result in a significant financial burden while travelling abroad. Therefore, you must prioritise understanding the coverage of pre-existing conditions offered by your travel insurance policy and choose a plan that covers these conditions. This will provide you with financial security against the risks and contingencies that may arise while travelling abroad.
