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Travel insurance cover for existing medical conditions

One minute you’re taking a cruise down the Seine in Paris, the next you’re on your way to hospital dealing with that chronic condition you’d hoped wouldn’t join you on your holiday. The question is – will your travel insurance cover it?

15% off travel insurance for nib Health members*

Am I covered if I have an existing medical condition?

Our plans offer travel insurance cover for more than 40 existing medical conditions, but you should be aware that there are conditions attached to these which you will need to meet in order for them to be covered.

And if you have an existing medical condition that isn’t automatically covered, you can apply to add the condition as a ‘Specified medical condition’ for an additional premium (Not available on the Essentials Plan).

What is an existing medical condition?

A condition that, at the time you bought the travel insurance policy, you or a reasonable person in your situation should have known existed. This includes conditions for which you may not be diagnosed but have been experiencing symptoms.

The full definition in the PDS further outlines what this means but common sense can help. For example:

  • If you’ve had a chronic condition such as diverticulitis on and off for a few years, then it’s likely considered an existing medical condition.

  • If you have a family history of heart problems and you’ve been experiencing symptoms of a heart problem, that’s likely an existing medical condition. And you should probably go to the doctor to get it checked out.

You can view the full definition in the Domestic and International PDS. If you’ve still got questions, you can contact us.

There are some things we’re just not able to offer cover for

Please read the Policy Disclosure Statement for the full details so you understand the cover available and all exclusions.

Automatically covered conditions

View the list of automatically covered existing conditions in the Domestic and International PDS. We offer cover for more than 40 of our more common conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and common allergies.

If your condition is included, and you satisfy all the criteria related to that condition, cover is provided for events that arise from that condition as part of our standard cover. Exclusions may apply in the event of a claim.

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How do I add a condition to my policy?

If your condition is not automatically covered you can apply to add the condition as a ‘Specified Medical Condition’ to our domestic and international comprehensive plans. This will ensure cover is provided for events that arise from that condition, although an additional premium and excess may apply. This additional option is not available on the Essentials Plan.

Steps to apply for a Specified Medical Condition

  1. You must purchase an Australian Travel, Comprehensive or Annual Multi Trip plan.

  2. Once you’ve confirmed the right plan type, let us know that you have a medical condition that is not on the list of automatically covered conditions.

  3. You’ll be asked to complete a medical screening which includes some questions about your health. We will determine if we can offer cover and, if so, on what terms.

  4. If we accept your application, you’ll need to pay an additional premium when you purchase your policy and possibly have an additional excess.

  5. The condition becomes a Specified Medical Condition covered under your policy, and the premium and any additional excess that subsequently applies will be shown on your Certificate of Insurance.

  6. You’ll then be covered for claimable events that arise from the specified medical condition(s).

What if I choose not to get cover for my existing medical condition?

If your condition is not automatically covered under the policy, and you haven’t added it as a specified medical condition, you’re not covered for any claim that arises from that existing medical condition.

What's covered for existing medical conditions

If your existing condition is automatically covered, or we’ve accepted and added it to your Certificate of Insurance as a Specified Medical Condition (Excludes Essential Plan), you are eligible for cover under our plans. This cover includes:

What’s not covered?

Travel insurance is designed to help with those unexpected events that can occur while travelling but doesn’t cover everything – some things we don’t cover include:

  • A loss arising from any existing medical condition of you, a member of the travelling party or a non-travelling close relative or business partner, which is NOT automatically covered, which you did not disclose and which is not an accepted Specified Medical Condition.

  • Any illness or death that arises from a metastatic or terminal prognosis that was made prior to the issue of the Certificate of Insurance.

  • A loss arising from any condition for which you have declined treatment or further investigation recommended by a medical practitioner.

  • Any medical treatment or care that is not required as an emergency, or any alternative therapy, health spa or rehabilitation centre costs, unless it has been agreed to by us.

  • Elective or cosmetic treatment or surgery that is not medically necessary, or any loss arising from these treatments or their complications.

Check your policy

There are many terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that relate to existing medical conditions. Read your policy carefully and contact us if you're still confused.

Frequently asked questions about existing medical conditions

nib Travel Insurance Distribution Pty Limited, ABN 40 129 262 175, AR 336467 is an authorised representative of nib Travel Services (Australia) Pty Ltd (nib), ABN 81 115 932 173, AFSL 308461 and act as nib's agent and not as your agent. This is general advice only. Before you buy, you should consider your needs, the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Financial Services Guide (FSG) and Target Market Determination (TMD) available from us. This insurance is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, ABN 83 169 311 193.

We are a signatory to the General Insurance Code of Practice developed by the Insurance Council of Australia and enforced by the Code Governance Committee, an independent body whose purpose is to drive better Code compliance and help the insurance industry improve its service to consumers. The Code is designed to promote good relations and insurance practice between insurers, authorised representatives and consumers. The Code sets out what we must do when dealing with you. You can obtain a copy of the Code from codeofpractice.com.au.

*The discount applies to the total nib travel insurance premium and is for customers that currently hold an Australian health insurance product, or an Overseas Student Health Cover product with nib. The discount is not available to customers who hold an Overseas Visitors Health Cover product. Discounts do not apply to the rate of GST and stamp duty or any changes you make to the policy. nib has the discretion to withdraw or amend this discount offer at any time. This discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional offer or discount.