Pre-Existing Medical Conditions & Travel Insurance: What You Need to Know
A pre-existing condition doesn't mean you can't get travel insurance. Most Australian insurers automatically cover common conditions like mild asthma or high blood pressure, while others require simple online screening.
1. What Counts as a Pre-Existing Condition?
Generally, any health condition, symptom, illness, or injury for which you have received advice, medication, or treatment in the last 12 to 24 months is considered pre-existing.
- ✓Ongoing prescriptions (even stable ones) count as treatment.
- ✓Undiagnosed symptoms currently being investigated are usually excluded until a diagnosis is made.
2. Automatically Covered Conditions
Many Australian underwriters automatically cover dozens of stable conditions without extra premium — provided you have had no hospital admissions in the past 12 months. Common examples include mild asthma, well-controlled hypertension, and coeliac disease.
- ✓Check the "Automatically Covered Conditions" table in your insurer's PDS.
3. Declaring Conditions During Application
If your condition isn't on the automatic list, you can complete a quick health screening assessment online. The insurer may offer cover for an additional premium, apply a higher excess, or decline to cover that specific condition while still covering everything else.
- ✓Be completely honest on your declaration — non-disclosure can void your entire policy in an emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don't declare a condition?
If you need medical attention overseas for an undeclared condition, the insurer has the right to deny the claim, leaving you responsible for all hospital fees.
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General advice only. Please read your insurer's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure a policy meets your personal needs before purchasing.