Asthma is considered pre-existing medical condition, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get travel insurance.
If you meet all the conditions above, then you don’t need to tell us about your asthma - you’ll be automatically covered.
If you do not meet the above criteria for automatic cover, then you will need to declare asthma during the online quote process and see if your condition can be covered.
The process is simple and quick. All you need to do is fill out a simple questionnaire when you’re purchasing a policy online.
You’ll be asked about pre-existing conditions during your online purchase and if you select ‘yes', you’ll fill out the questionnaire. This is where we’ll ask you everything we need to know about your asthma.
Once you’ve filled out this questionnaire, you’ll immediately find out your travel insurance options.
Asthma is a long-term respiratory condition caused by hypersensitivity and inflammation of the airways.
Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and breathlessness. These can vary in severity from person to person. When asthma symptoms heighten, it's known as an 'asthma attack'.
People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs which react to triggers. When the airways are triggered and asthma flares up, the airways narrow and produce extra mucus and it becomes harder to breathe. Asthma isn’t curable but it’s very treatable - but it’s important to take precautions when you travel.
Please note, the below is general advice only is not intended to replace the advice or information from a registered body or your doctor.
We would advise you to see a GP or attend the nearest hospital. If something serious is happening to you, please contact our emergency assistance team, and they will be able to advise you of next steps.
If your puffer or inhaler was stolen or lost, you may have a provision to claim under the Luggage and Personal effects section of the PDS. Please note, we only cover the original cost of the medication. Visiting a doctor to get a prescription won’t be covered becuase it's considered routine management of your condition.
Unless you meet the criteria for automatic coverage (see the top of this page), then any claims that you make that are related to your asthma generally won’t be covered.
If you’re travelling with someone and they’re named on the policy, you will need to make sure that, where necessary, their medical conditions are declared. As a parent or guardian you can do this on your child's behalf. For adult travel companions, you’ll need to declare their condition if you have their permission to do so and are aware of their health and medical conditions. If you don’t have permission, they will need to do it themselves.
Asthma may be automatically covered if the terms of auto-cover are met (see top of this page). If the person you’re travelling with doesn’t meet the automatic cover criteria you will need to complete a medical assessment.
Cover for asthma on a Frequent Traveller policy works in the same way as single trip policies. Your condition may be automatically covered if you meet all of the auto-cover criteria. If not, you’ll need to complete a medical assessment and we will let you know the outcome.
If you’re diagnosed with asthma part way through your Frequent Traveller policy, your new condition will be considering a pre-existing condition for the remainder of your policy.
Unless you meet the criteria for automatic coverage, you’ll need to disclose your condition before you go on further trips.
If you have other pre-existing medical conditions that are not on our automatically covered list, it’s likely you will need to disclose those conditions. If your asthma meets the criteria for automatic cover, you don’t need to disclose it.
If you meet all of the criteria for automatic cover for asthma, you do not have to disclose this condition.
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