Travel Insurance for pre-existing medical conditions
Travel insurance policies provide cover for unexpected illnesses or injuries overseas, as well as limited cover for medical conditions you may already be aware of at the time you purchase the policy. These are considered Pre-Existing Medical Conditions.
Having a Pre-Existing Medical Condition doesn’t mean you can’t get travel insurance.
In fact, it may be even more important to make sure you do have travel insurance that will cover your Pre-Existing Conditions, so you'll have adequate cover for related expenses if you unexpectedly get sick or injured during your trip.
Do I have a Pre-Existing Medical Condition?
It's important to think about your medical history for your entire life.
Even if your condition is something that was treated many years ago, or is an ongoing condition you've had for a long time, or is being managed by prescription medication, it's important to understand how it may affect your travel insurance cover.
For the purposes of travel insurance, a Pre-Existing Medical Condition means any medical or dental condition that you have, or have had before you bought your policy, or in the case of our Frequent Traveller Saver policies, the time at which any part of the trip is paid for.
A Pre-Existing Medical condition is defined as any of the following criteria at the time of purchase:
- Where investigation, tests, treatment, surgery, medical consultation and/or advice has been obtained (whether or not a formal diagnosis has been made);
- Where drugs or other treatment has been prescribed;
- Any chronic or ongoing medical condition; or
- Any complications arising from such conditions referred to above whether direct or indirect. or
- Pregnancy.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions can also include dental problems, mental health conditions, back problems and arthritis.
How do I get cover for my Pre-Existing Medical Conditions?
We've made buying travel insurance as fast and simple as possible by eliminating the need to fill out a medical assessment.
Fast Cover provides cover for the following 43 Pre-Existing Medical Conditions, as long as you have not been hospitalised (including day surgery or emergency department attendance) for your condition in the past 24 months and your medications for that condition have remained unchanged for the past 6 months.
If you do have one of the following Pre-Existing Medical Conditions, you can head overseas with the peace of mind knowing that your unexpected medical costs, repatriation expenses, and hospital fees are covered should your condition require you to seek medical help while on holiday.
What Pre-Existing Medical Conditions are covered by travel insurance?
What if I have a Pre-Existing Medical Condition that is not listed above?
If your Pre-Existing Medical Condition is not listed above, you can still take out a policy with us.
You would still receive all the other benefits in accordance with our Product Disclosure Statement, including cover for emergency medical and hospital expenses that are unrelated to your condition. However, cover for any expenses related to that Pre-Existing Medical Condition would not be covered by the policy.
If you require cover for a Pre-Existing Medical Condition that is not listed above, you may wish to contact the Insurance Council of Australia to assist you in finding a specialist travel insurer who can cover your condition.
What else does Fast Cover travel insurance cover?
Fast Cover provides affordable travel insurance to cover the things that matter most to you while travelling.
This includes cover for lost, damaged and stolen belongings, emergency medical care, and cover for losses resulting from cancellations or delays to your journey.
In cases of an emergency you may also be covered for medical evacuation expenses and repatriation back to Australia.
All of our travellers also have access to 24 hour Emergency Assistance, so no matter where in the world you travel, you're only ever a phone call away from expert help and advice.
See the benefit tables below to compare the levels of cover we provide:
Why choose Fast Cover for your Pre-Existing Medical Condition?
Fast Cover provides travellers with specialist support and a high level of cover for unexpected medical expenses and emergencies overseas.
To make the process of getting travel insurance faster and easier, we cover 43 Pre-Existing Medical Conditions including common ailments such as Allergies, Coeliac Disease, Hypothyroidism and Osteoporosis.
There's no need to complete a medical assessment. If your medical condition is on the list (and you have not been hospitalised for that condition in the past 24 months and your medication has remained unchanged for the past 6 months), you can rest assured you'll have cover for related expenses should any complications or emergency situations arise overseas.
All of our travellers also have the peace of mind of knowing there's a 24 hour Emergency Assistance team ready to help if you do run into complications overseas.
Get a free instant quote online now, or talk to us to help you find a policy that suits your holiday.
Example Incidents~
| Harry’s Holiday Heartache
Harry and his wife flew into the United Arab Emirates after disembarking from a cruise in Copenhagen. Harry had been feeling unwell and needed to visit the doctor four times during the cruise. In Dubai he suffered a heart attack and was admitted to hospital for emergency medical treatment. As he had no history of heart disease, his Fast Cover policy paid for the medical expenses as well as their rescheduled flights, accommodation and related additional expenses at a total cost of over $21,000 AUD. |
| Barry’s Bad Reaction Barry was dining out with friends while on holiday in New York when he suffered a serious allergic reaction and required medical treatment. Fortunately, his travel insurance policy covered the medical bill of almost $2,000 AUD. |
Traveller Testimonials
| Not a single problem!
Fast Cover is indeed fast. This is my second time using them, and it was seamless and easy. Most important - they don't have a problem with age. Pete – Productreview.com.au |
| Very easy to take out insurance
Took out travel insurance for our upcoming cruise. It was very easy to complete the online form and the price was comparable. Wanda – Productreview.com.au |
| Great service last year for our cruise
Great service, easy set up, very satisfied. Will be contacting you soon for more insurance for a cruise later in the year. I am sure that we will get the same efficient service. Brian – Productreview.com.au |
~Traveller details have been changed to protect their privacy. Claims examples are from Fast Cover travel insurance customers from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2016.
^ Price as at 20/03/2024 compared to the price calculated today for this policy.
* See Product Disclosure Statement for full terms and conditions and exclusions and limits that apply.
# Available with our Comprehensive policies only.
** No cover is provided for pregnancy, childbirth or related complications unless it is a single, uncomplicated pregnancy up to and including 23 weeks. In any event we will not pay medical expenses for regular antenatal care, childbirth at any gestation or care of the newborn child. Complications mean any secondary diagnosis occurring prior to, during the course of, concurrent with, or as a result of the pregnancy, which may adversely affect the pregnancy outcome.
+ Statistics based on 'Travel by Australians' quarterly report for June 2013, 'Tourism Industry Facts & Figures at a Glance' September 2012, Cruise Industry Source Market Report: Australia 2013 and Fast Cover Customers.
2 5% saving is based on the cost of a Duo policy versus the cost of two single policies. Excess reduction discount based on excess reduction cost under a Duo policy versus cost under two single policies. Duo policies do not provide cover for any dependent children.
4 Price based on an 18 day Basics policy to South Pacific region for Single traveller aged 50 years old or younger with $200 excess.
6 Must be accompanied by a professional instructor or guide.