Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions provides cover for those who suffer with an illness or injury. Saga Travel Insurance provides up to £10 million emergency medical treatment should you be taken ill whilst abroad.

This means you can enjoy your time abroad without having to worry about the financial implications of any illness or medical emergency abroad.

What does a pre-existing medical policy cover?

We will cover you for any condition declared on your policy if you are taken ill whilst abroad, or if you were involved in an accident. If you became ill whilst away as a result of your condition without appropriate cover or without disclosing your pre-existing medical condition, this can lead to complications should you need to make a claim.

Our travel insurance can cover the cost of getting you home if medically necessary, up to £1,000 for associated expenses during your stay in hospital, and we also provide a 24-hour travel assistance helpline before and during your trip.

What is medical screening?

This is a series of questions about your medical health, which determines the cover we can offer you. These questions can be answered over the phone or online. All personal and medical details are held in strict confidence in accordance with General Data Protection Legislation.

I suffer from a medical condition. Can you provide cover?

At Saga we can cover many medical conditions under our travel insurance policy. We will ask a series of questions to assess if cover can be offered.

I am having medical tests, is this classed as a pre-existing medical condition?

We cannot assess a condition until it has been diagnosed. We would advise that you wait until you have the results from your medical practitioner. Once a condition is diagnosed we can then assess it.

I am on a waiting list for treatment. Can I still get cover?

Yes, providing that the condition you are on a waiting list for is one that we cover and you are not travelling against your UK doctor’s advice. But where a claim is made under the Cancellation or Abandonment sections of the policy as a direct result of the medical condition for which you are on a waiting list, you will not have cover under these sections.

Why does my pre-existing medical condition need covering?

When travelling abroad medical treatment can be very expensive and bills could run in to the thousands if comprehensive cover is not taken out before you leave.

Why can’t you exclude my pre-existing medical condition like other companies do?

At Saga we aim to provide comprehensive cover for all of our customers. If we excluded your medical condition and you became ill whilst abroad as a result of your condition, the policy would not cover any medical emergency or treatment costs or be able to assist with any repatriation requirements. All bills would have to be funded by you and these can become very expensive in overseas hospitals and clinics.

The British Consulate or Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is unable to help with medical costs if you are unable to pay yourself.

Will I need a medical certificate to take out insurance?

No, we do not ask for a certificate as long as your doctor has confirmed with you that you are fit to travel. We will rely on you answering the medical questions accurately. We will not cover claims for any existing medical conditions which you have not told us about.

What should I do if I develop a medical condition once I have bought my policy but have not travelled yet?

If you develop a medical condition once you have taken out our policy you should notify us immediately to enable us to tell you if we can continue with cover. Any conditions that arise before you go on holiday that are not declared may invalidate your policy.