Does Travel Insurance Cover Pre-existing Conditions?
Most of our policies don’t cover pre-existing conditions, so don’t assume you’re covered.
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For information relating to policies purchased prior to 27 June 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For policies purchased from 27 June 2024, please see below.
We do not offer a policy under the following circumstances:
- If you have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
- If you are travelling intending to receive medical treatment.
- If you are travelling against the advice of a medical practitioner or would be travelling against their advice if you asked for it.
Having a pre-existing medical condition isn't a reason to stop travelling, but it can affect your travel insurance and what you’re covered for. Whether you're travelling off the grid or blogging in it, it's best to know if we can cover your pre-existing medical condition before your travel, so you're not caught unaware.
What is a pre-existing medical condition?
A pre-existing medical condition is any medical or dental condition, or related complication that has required or is awaiting medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, prescribed medication, consultations, check-ups, surgery, tests or investigations in the 180 days before you buy or extend your policy or book your trip (whichever you do last).
It’s important that you read your policy wording and its specific definition of 'pre-existing medical condition' and determine if the cover offered will meet your needs.
In addition, if you took out cover after you left home, there is a waiting period of 72 hours before the insurance takes effect. Any illness or injury that occurs before or during this waiting period may be considered a pre-existing medical condition for the remaining period of your insurance.
Change in health?
If you have a change in health after policy purchase, you will need to provide medical confirmation from your General Practitioner that you were fit to travel, should you later need to claim.
What can travel insurance cover if not pre-existing medical conditions?
Our policies do not cover pre-existing medical conditions, but they still offer cover for many events that can take place while on the road, as long as the event is not as a result of the pre-existing medical condition(s). This includes cover for:
- Baggage and personal belongings
- Medical, including evacuation and repatriation for unexpected illnesses and accidental injuries that are not pre-existing medical conditions
- Trip Disruption
- Lost or damaged passports, licenses or other travel documents
Our policies may also cover your cancellation expenses if, after you’ve purchased the policy and before you've started your trip, you or someone else on whom your trip depends suffers a serious illness or injury which is not a pre-existing medical condition.
Is Coronavirus a pre-existing medical condition?
It can be if hospital admission is required.
To find out more about Coronavirus (COVID-19) coverage for your Country of Residence, select your Country in the top left hand corner of this screen. Or to read more about what cover applies to you, read our What’s Covered for Coronavirus article which has all of the details, including benefit limits, conditions and exclusions.
Coverage depends on your Country of Residence and varies between plans.
What's not covered by World Nomads Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything. The main things that aren’t covered are:
- Pre-existing medical conditions, as defined in the policy wording
- Any medical expenses once you return home
- The cough/cold/flu you caught right before you remembered to buy a policy.
This isn't a full list of what's covered and not covered. There are item limits, conditions and exclusions that apply, so for more information check out our article on pre-existing medical conditions and read your policy wording carefully before you buy. If you’re not sure if something is covered get in touch.
If your pre-existing medical condition isn't covered (as explained in your policy wording) and you're not worried about covering it, you can still purchase a policy online through World Nomads. Just be aware there's no cover for any claim made as a result of it.
New Diagnosis in Mexico.
I realized I had forgotten a medication (clonazepam) which I take for insomnia. I visited a doctor in Mexico City the next day and got a prescription for the medication. However, he also diagnosed me with a condition that I was not aware of (hyperthyroid) and suggested that the medication would help with the condition on a short-term basis. He suggested that I get a blood test for hyperthyroid, which I just did in Boston.
J Davis. US Nomad in Mexico.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Protection
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation before you leave home.
- Explorer Plan: €10,000
- Standard Plan: €4,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Abroad Medical Expenses
Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling abroad.
- Explorer Plan: €10,000,000
- Standard Plan: €5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transport
Expenses included in Emergency Medical limits.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear (just not sports equipment when in use).
- Explorer Plan: €3,000
- Standard Plan: €1,500
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Overseas Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- 24 hour Emergency Medical Assistance
- Emergency Medical Transport
- Repatriation & Travel Expenses
- Trip Disruption
- Travel Delay (Explorer)
- Missed connection (Explorer)
- Baggage & Personal Items
- Passport & Travel Documents
- Personal Liability
- Personal accident
Contact our Claims Team
We're here to help if you have a question about your claim. We're available.
Contact usFor policies purchased on or after 27 June 2024
| Country of residence | Phone |
|---|---|
| Belgium | +44 (0) 333 333 9621 |
| Denmark | +44 (0) 333 333 9619 |
| Germany | +44 (0) 333 333 9618 |
| Netherlands | +44 (0) 333 333 9617 |
| Country of residence | |
|---|---|
| Belgium | worldnomads.clmsbe@collinsoninsurance.com |
| Denmark | worldnomads.clmsdk@collinsoninsurance.com |
| Germany | worldnomads.clmsde@collinsoninsurance.com |
| Netherlands | worldnomads.clmsnl@collinsoninsurance.com |
For policies purchased before 27 June 2024
| Country of residence | Phone |
|---|---|
| Belgium | +32 (0)2 808 66 32 |
| Denmark | +45 89 87 30 23 |
| Germany | +49 (0)335 5622 3012 |
| Netherlands | +31 (0)20 8080731 |
