Finding the right travel insurance
Finding an insurance company
You should always shop around and get quotes from different companies. Unfortunately if you have a medical condition this can take some time. Make sure you start looking for insurance early. It is a good idea to get insurance as soon as you book your trip.
Price comparison sites often do not work well for people with pre-existing medical conditions. You may be able to use individual company websites. But if your condition is complex or you are waiting for tests or a diagnosis, then you will probably have to call them.
Do not give up if the first few companies you call will not offer you insurance. Or if it is very expensive. All insurance companies look for different things when they are deciding who to insure or how much that insurance will cost. So keep trying different companies and then compare what they offer.
If you are booking insurance for more than one person, then it might work out cheaper to get separate policies.
Some bank accounts that charge regular fees include travel insurance. If you have one of these it is still important to tell them about all existing medical conditions.
We have a list of companies offering insurance to people with pre-existing conditions further down this page. It can also help to talk to other people with a similar condition and find out who they have got travel insurance from.
Find out about our forum for people living with a liver condition here.
What you need to tell travel insurance companies
Make sure you give the companies full details of your medical conditions. You should also tell them about any tests you are having or waiting for at the moment. It is important that you tell them about everything, even if you don’t think it is something that will cause a problem. If you are not sure if something is important, always ask the insurance company to explain.
The insurance company can refuse to help you if you have a problem with your holiday but did not tell them about a medical condition.
Comparing quotes
As well as comparing prices, you should check the policy carefully before you pay for it.
- Medical expenses
Your policy should cover at least £1 million if you are traveling to Europe and at least £2 million if you are going to the USA.
- Getting you back home (repatriation)
Make sure your policy includes getting someone home if they aren’t well enough to travel as planned.
- The “excess” payment
The excess is the amount of money you pay when you make a claim. Check if the excess is different for medical claims. Also check if you might have to pay the excess more than once. For example, if you claim for medical treatment and for a delayed departure.
Travel insurance companies for people with medical conditions
We cannot recommend a specific travel insurance company. This is a list of companies who offer insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions. It includes companies that other people living with a liver condition have suggested.
All insurance companies look for different things. So they might not all accept you. It is always a good idea to shop around for the best option.
You might have to call the company rather than using their online form and many will not offer insurance for people waiting for a diagnosis.
Insurance companies
- Freedom Insurance Services LTD. 01223 446914
Freedom insure will give a donation to the British Liver Trust if you follow the link above and take out a policy with them. Please use the code BLT. Or mention the British Liver Trust if you call them.
- able2travel 01783 806 826
- AllClear Travel Insurance 0808 169 6785
- Avanti Travel Insurance 0800 888 6195
- Citybond Suretravel
- Good to Go insurance
- Insurefor
- It’s so easy 01223 785 513
- JD Travel 0344 247 4749
- Just Travel Cover 0800 294 2969
Just Travel Cover will give a donation to the British Liver Trust if you follow the link above and take out a policy with them. Please use the code BLT. Or mention the British Liver Trust if you call them. - MIA 0800 999 3333
- OK To Travel 01223 446 920
OK to Travel will give a donation to the British Liver Trust if you follow the link above and take out a policy with them. Please use the code BLT. Or mention the British Liver Trust if you call them.
One Tree Travel will give a donation to the British Liver Trust if you follow the link above and take out a policy with them. Please use the code BLT. Or mention the British Liver Trust if you call them.
- RIAS
- SAGA 0800 015 8055
- Staysure 0800 033 4902
- Sainsbury’s Bank
- Tesco Bank
- Total Travel Protection 0330 053 3747
- Travel Insurance 4 Medical 0345 90 80 121
- Towergate Insurance
Comparison sites:
- Medical Travel Compared
- Paying Too Much 0124 378 4000