Understanding Medical Travel Insurance Uk and Its Benefits

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Close-up of a healthcare worker holding a passport and COVID-19 test result, symbolizing travel requirements.
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Medical travel insurance is a must-have for anyone planning to travel abroad, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions or are traveling to a country with limited medical facilities. In the UK, medical travel insurance is designed to provide financial protection against unexpected medical expenses.

You can purchase medical travel insurance for a single trip or an annual policy, depending on your needs. Annual policies can be more cost-effective for frequent travelers.

Medical travel insurance can cover a wide range of medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, and emergency medical evacuations. This can be a huge relief for those who are not familiar with the local healthcare system or have limited financial resources.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Does Travel Insurance Cover Medical Expenses

Benefits and Importance

Medical travel insurance in the UK is a must-have for anyone planning to travel abroad. It's not just about being prepared for emergencies, but also about having peace of mind while you're away.

Emergency medical treatment abroad can cost more than you think, with hospital charges and ambulance fees adding up quickly. According to FCDO figures, a broken leg in Spain could cost around £15,000.

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Having medical travel insurance gives you four key benefits in addition to standard travel insurance: cover for pre-existing conditions, cancellation due to a medical condition, repatriation costs, and 24-hour medical emergency assistance.

Here are the key benefits of medical travel insurance:

  • Cover for pre-existing conditions, including emergency treatment and ongoing medical issues
  • Cancellation cover up to £25K or £10,000, depending on the provider
  • Repatriation costs, which can be as high as £100,000 for minor ailments
  • 24-hour medical emergency assistance for added peace of mind

These benefits are especially important for UK visitors, who may not be covered by their domestic health plan outside of their home country.

Why Protection Matters

Protection matters when you're traveling abroad, especially when it comes to medical expenses. Emergency medical treatment can cost more than you think, with hospital charges and ambulance fees adding up quickly.

According to the FCDO, repatriation costs can be staggering, with a broken leg in Spain costing around £15,000. Even minor ailments like an infection or stomach bug in the USA can cost £100,000 if you need flights home.

Medical Travel Insurance provides peace of mind, giving you access to 24-hour medical emergency assistance. This means you can travel with confidence, knowing help is just a phone call away.

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Here are four key benefits of Medical Travel Insurance:

  • Cover for pre-existing conditions while abroad, including treatment for ongoing medical issues.
  • Cover for cancellation due to a pre-existing medical condition, with up to £25K in coverage.
  • Repatriation costs, which can be as high as £100,000 for minor ailments.
  • Peace of mind, with 24-hour medical emergency assistance available.

Your domestic health plan may not cover you outside of your home country, leaving you vulnerable to unexpected medical expenses. This is why purchasing travel medical insurance is essential, especially for UK visitors.

Covid-19

Covid-19 cover is included as standard on all policies, but don't forget to check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and local government travel advice before you go.

Covid-19 cover is essential for protecting yourself from the unexpected costs associated with the pandemic.

To get the most out of your policy, make sure you read the policy booklet for full details of the Covid-19 cover provided.

Here are the key benefits of Covid-19 cover on different policy levels:

If you travel against FCDO and local government travel advice, you won't be covered, so make sure to follow the guidelines.

Coverage and Limitations

The three plans offered by this travel insurance provider have varying levels of coverage for different aspects of your trip. The Basic plan covers medical emergencies and repatriation up to £5m, while the Comprehensive and Signature plans offer unlimited coverage for these same expenses.

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Cancellation and cutting your holiday short are also covered, with the Basic plan offering up to £500, the Comprehensive plan offering up to £5,000, and the Signature plan offering up to £10,000.

Here's a breakdown of the coverage limits for each plan:

It's worth noting that the excess fees for each plan are £129 for the Basic plan, £99 for the Comprehensive plan, and £0 for the Signature plan.

What's Included?

When traveling abroad, it's essential to understand what's covered by your insurance policy. Let's break down the key points.

Medical emergencies and repatriation are covered, with the Basic policy offering up to £5 million in coverage.

The Comprehensive policy takes it a step further, offering unlimited coverage for medical emergencies and repatriation.

The Signature policy also offers unlimited coverage for medical emergencies and repatriation.

Here's a comparison of the different policies:

The excess fee is also worth noting, with the Basic policy having the highest excess at £129, and the Signature policy having a £0 excess.

Limitations of Ghic

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The GHIC is a great card to have when traveling to the EU, but it's essential to know its limitations. The GHIC doesn't cover you for the costs of rescue and repatriation, which can be as high as £10,000 or more.

You'll also find that the GHIC doesn't cover lost or stolen property, such as passports, baggage, or precious items. This is something you should consider when purchasing travel insurance.

The GHIC also won't cover losses from trip cancellation, curtailment, and interruption. This means that if you need to cut your trip short or cancel it altogether, you won't be covered for any losses.

Additionally, the GHIC doesn't cover extra travel and accommodation costs due to illness. This is why it's crucial to review your policy document carefully before you travel.

Here are some specific situations where the GHIC won't cover you:

  • Lost or stolen property such as passports, baggage or precious items
  • Losses from trip cancellation, curtailment and interruption
  • Extra travel and accommodation costs due to illness
  • Any medical treatment needed outside of the EU

Eligibility and Pre-Existing Conditions

To be eligible for medical travel insurance in the UK, you must disclose any pre-existing medical conditions you have. A pre-existing medical condition is any illness or injury you have before you buy your travel insurance.

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It's essential to declare all pre-existing medical conditions, as failing to do so may invalidate your policy and leave you with unexpected medical costs.

Pregnancy itself is not considered a pre-existing medical condition, but any pregnancy-related conditions, such as gestational diabetes, are classed as pre-existing conditions.

To declare medical conditions, you'll need to go through a medical screening process, which can be done online or over the phone. This process typically involves answering a series of questions about your medical history.

Here are some examples of questions you might be asked:

  • 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?

Remember, it's crucial to answer these questions truthfully to ensure you're properly covered in case of a medical emergency abroad.

What is a Condition?

A pre-existing medical condition is any illness or injury you have before you buy your Travel Insurance. It could be an ongoing condition, or one you've been treated for in the past.

You'll need to disclose any conditions you have, including symptoms, treatment, and medication. This is because travel insurance companies need to know if you have any underlying health issues that could affect your trip.

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If you have a medical emergency abroad, you'll want to make sure you're covered. To do this, you'll need to tell your insurance provider about any pre-existing conditions.

Pregnancy is not considered a pre-existing medical condition for Travel Insurance, but pregnancy-related conditions are. For example, gestational diabetes is a pre-existing condition.

If you've had a cardiovascular or circulatory condition at any time, it's really important that you tell your insurance provider. This includes conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.

You'll also need to disclose any allergies, as these can be a pre-existing condition.

Here's a list of what you might need to disclose:

  • Symptoms of a medical or psychological condition
  • Taken, been prescribed or awaiting surgery or treatment, including medication and procedures
  • Medical investigations or consultations
  • Non routine check-up and follow-up appointments
  • Circulatory, heart, or cardiovascular conditions, even if they're managed or cured

It's worth noting that having an undiagnosed condition won't necessarily mean you can't get cover. However, you'll have no cover relating to that condition for certain aspects of your trip.

Declaring Statements

You must declare your medical conditions during the policy selection process, which can be done online or over the phone.

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The medical screening process involves answering a series of questions about your conditions, including the age you were when diagnosed and whether you're currently undergoing treatment.

You'll be asked if you've had any surgery, inpatient or outpatient treatment, or referrals or investigations.

It's essential to declare all pre-existing medical conditions, as failing to do so may result in a invalidated policy and unexpected medical costs.

Age Limit

There is no upper age limit on our Travel Insurance policies, and we can cover all pre-existing medical conditions.

This means that regardless of your age, you can get the protection you need while traveling.

You can travel with confidence, knowing that you're covered in case of a medical emergency, without worrying about being turned down due to your age.

No matter how old you are, our policies have got you covered, and we'll work with you to find a solution that suits your needs.

Cost and Planning

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Medical travel insurance can be a lifesaver, but it's essential to get the right amount of cover.

A stomach bug treated in a hospital in the USA with return flights home could cost around £100k.

To determine how much cover you need, consider where you're going, what you'll be doing, your medical history, and how long you'll be travelling for.

Cost

The cost of medical cover for travel insurance can be a major concern, but there are some factors to consider that can help you save money. Your medical history is a significant factor in determining the cost of your policy, with more severe conditions and medication requirements increasing the premium.

The destination you're traveling to can also impact the cost of your policy, with some countries having more expensive healthcare systems than others. For example, Travel Insurance for the US will typically be more expensive than Travel Insurance for Europe.

Your age is another factor that can affect the cost of your policy, with premiums increasing as you get older. However, many travel insurance providers, including the one mentioned in Example 1, specialize in policies for people in their 60s, 70s, and 80s.

Take a look at this: Major Medical Insurance Cost

Health Insurance Scrabble Tiles on Planner
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If you're planning to engage in high-risk activities or take expensive items with you, you may need to pay an additional premium for coverage. This can help ensure that you're fully protected in case of an emergency.

Here are some tips to help you reduce the cost of travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition:

  • Consider arranging a shorter trip to lower your premium.
  • Choose a destination with lower medical costs to save on your policy.
  • Consider an Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance policy if you plan to travel multiple times within a year.

It's essential to be honest about your medical conditions when purchasing travel insurance, as inaccurately declaring your conditions can invalidate your cover and leave you responsible for all costs incurred in the event of a claim.

Planning Abroad

If you're a frequent visitor to the United Kingdom or someone who takes multiple trips abroad each year, then Atlas MultiTrip annual travel medical insurance might be for you. This plan provides 364 days of coverage for any number of international trips up to 30 or 45 days in length.

Medical care abroad can be very expensive, with costs like a stomach bug treated in a hospital in the USA with return flights home costing around £100k.

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WorldTrips' Atlas Travel Series and StudentSecure international travel medical insurance products are underwritten by Lloyd's, and their Atlas Journey, Atlas Cruiser, and Atlas On-The-Go trip protection insurance products are underwritten by Tokio Marine HCC's U.S. Specialty Insurance Company (USSIC).

You'll need to consider how much medical cover you need for your trip, which will depend on where you're going, what you're doing, your medical history, and how long you'll be travelling for.

Here are some UK visitor health insurance options to consider:

  • Atlas International insurance, which provides up to $2,000,000 in coverage, with deductible choices ranging from $0 to $5,000.
  • WorldTrips' Atlas Travel insurance, which provides up to $2,000,000 in coverage, with deductible choices ranging from $0 to $5,000.
  • Other travel medical insurance options for different types of travel plans, which can be found through WorldTrips.

In the State of California, WorldTrips operates as WorldTrips Insurance Services, and their California Non-Resident Producer License Number is 0G39705.

Specialized Coverage

Having a pre-existing medical condition shouldn't stop you from traveling. You can get medical travel insurance that covers conditions like Crohn's disease, which means you can still take that dream holiday.

If you're living with symptoms of diverticulitis or have had surgery, you can travel with confidence knowing you're properly insured. Diverticulitis shouldn't get in the way of your next trip.

Gastric reflux, also known as GORD, is a common condition that can be properly managed with the right insurance coverage. Excess stomach acid shouldn't ruin your holiday plans.

Digestive

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Having digestive conditions shouldn't stop you from traveling. You can get travel insurance for conditions like Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, gastric reflux, gallstones and gallbladder conditions, and glaucoma.

Crohn's disease, for example, can cause inflammation in the digestive tract, but with the right insurance, you can enjoy your holiday with confidence.

Diverticulitis can cause severe abdominal pain, but surgery shouldn't stop you from traveling either. Make sure you're properly covered with travel insurance.

Gastric reflux, or GORD, can cause heartburn and discomfort, but proper coverage can give you peace of mind on your next trip.

Gallstones and gallbladder conditions can cause pain and discomfort, but they shouldn't get in the way of a great holiday.

Having travel insurance for glaucoma means you can enjoy your holiday with peace of mind.

Eye Problems

If you're living with cataracts, or awaiting removal or surgery, you may be able to get covered for your trip.

Cataracts can significantly impact your daily life, but with the right insurance coverage, you can still have a great trip.

Don't let your eye condition hold you back from experiencing the world.

Heart

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If you've had a coronary angioplasty or a heart stent fitted for angina, you may be able to get covered for your travel insurance.

We can help if you've had a heart attack, as long as a doctor has given you the go-ahead to travel.

If you have cardiomyopathy, you'll need to get a doctor's approval before you can relax with tailored travel insurance.

Having high blood pressure or high cholesterol doesn't have to be a barrier to your next holiday - you can get tailored travel insurance to cover your needs.

Joint, Bone, Muscle

If you have arthritis, you can travel with peace of mind knowing you're covered for medical attention.

Arthritis shouldn't hold you back from exploring the world, but it's essential to disclose your condition to ensure you receive the necessary care.

A slipped disc or sciatica can be a real pain, literally, so let us know if you've had a previous history of back or neck issues.

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Previous joint replacements require special consideration, so be sure to share your surgery history with us.

Osteoporosis, whether it's osteopenia or the more serious osteoporosis, shouldn't stop you from planning your next adventure.

Having a pre-existing bone condition shouldn't get in the way of your travel plans, but it's crucial to inform us about your diagnosis.

Expand your knowledge: Us Private Medical Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy medical travel insurance only?

Yes, you can buy medical travel insurance as a standalone policy, even if you have a primary U.S. insurance plan. This can provide crucial coverage for medical emergencies while traveling abroad.

Who is the best travel insurance company in the UK?

According to the 2023 Insurance Choice Awards, Just Travel Cover is the UK's top travel insurance provider. Find out why they stand out from the rest and get the best protection for your next trip.

George Murphy

Senior Assigning Editor

George Murphy serves as a seasoned Assigning Editor, overseeing a wide range of financial articles. His expertise lies in high-frequency trading strategies, where he provides in-depth analysis and insights to his readers. Under his guidance, the publication has garnered recognition for its authoritative and forward-looking coverage in the financial sector.

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