Will travel insurance cover you if you have a mental health condition?
Travel insurance may provide cover for a range of pre-existing medical conditions automatically, however, mental illness is often excluded from this list of covered pre-existing medical conditions.
It’s important to always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) of a travel insurance policy to understand what cover (if any) is included for mental illness.
Generally, travel insurance will fall into one of the following categories:
1) Cover for mental illness is excluded, but you have cover for unrelated emergencies
A travel insurance policy in this category may provide you with cover for unexpected emergencies, including overseas medical emergencies, should you become sick or injured while travelling.
However, any condition related to a mental illness would not be covered. This means that if you have to cancel your holiday due to mental illness, or seek treatment for your illness while overseas, you may not have cover for these costs.
You should, however, read the relevant PDS of the travel insurance policy that you choose. Every person’s circumstances are different, and claims are assessed on a case by case basis.
2) Cover for mental illness can be included for an additional premium
Some travel insurers may require you to complete a medical screening, and if they approve cover for your mental illness, you may need to pay an additional premium.
Fast Cover falls under this category - they may be able to provide you with cover for your mental health condition if you complete a medical screening, they agree to provide cover, you pay the additional premium and it is listed as a covered condition on your certificate of insurance. Check out their Medical Conditions page for more information about medical screening for mental illness. including information about the General Exclusions that may apply*.