Travel Insurance For Pre-Existing Medical Condition

Travel insurance policies provide cover for unexpected sicknesses or injuries overseas, and can also provide cover for the medical conditions you’re already aware of at the time you purchase your policy, any changes in health and/or new medical conditions you may develop before you leave for your trip.

This is a summary only of the cover that our policy provides, therefore, as with cover under all benefits available on our policies, cover is subject to policy terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits, so you must make sure that you consider the Product Disclosure Statement prior to purchasing a policy.

Travel Insurance for 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 medical conditions, just in case you’re unexpectedly sick or injured during your trip.

At Fast Cover, we need you to tell us about any medical conditions that you have had within the last 3 years prior to policy purchase date, or for any changes in health including new medical conditions, from the date of policy purchase, up until the time of departure for your trip. We refer to these as “existing medical conditions” on our website, but other travel insurers may refer to these as “pre existing medical conditions”.

Do I have a medical condition?

For the purposes of travel insurance with us, it’s important for you to know:

the medical conditions that you have had for the 3 years prior to your policy issue date, and/or
any changes in your health which includes new medical conditions, that you experience after you buy your policy, up until the date that you commence your trip.

We consider a medical condition to mean any bodily or physical injury, physical defect, illness, disease or other medical or dental condition or sign or symptom of these things that you (including your dependants and anyone listed on your certificate of insurance):

required prescription medication or have been prescribed medication from a medical practitioner in writing,
sought or received medical advice from a medical practitioner or other health care professional,
have had tests, investigations, care, treatment, or medical attention including surgery,
have been admitted to hospital for (including emergency department or day surgery procedure), or
became aware of or which a reasonable person in the circumstances would have been aware of.

These also include but are not limited to:

the suffering or treatment of mental illness,
a brain, heart (such as any cardiovascular or coronary heart disease or any condition related to a heart or blood vessels), kidney, liver, respiratory, circulatory (such as high blood pressure, stroke or transient ischaemic attack), cancer or cancerous condition,
reduced or deficient immune system;
a sign of symptom of the above matters;
an allergy or food intolerance;
a persistent and lasting health condition such as constant pain or long suffering pain or pain with a pattern of relapse and remission, or
any conditions related to previous and current pregnancy. Refer to the Pregnancy section for more information.

What does a 'change in health’ mean?

We consider a change to your health to have occurred after you buy your policy and before you leave for your trip, and includes:

the occurrence of any new medical condition,
advice from a medical practitioner that you are not fit to travel, including on your trip,
the stated answers in the certificate of insurance regarding any listed medical condition are no longer correct or up to date,
any change in the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment or medication (including dose) of a listed medical condition, or
any change in the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment or medication (including dose) of a medical condition which you had more than 3 years prior to policy purchase date, or
any unexpected admissions to hospital or surgery for any listed medical condition.

How do I get cover for my medical conditions?

Fast Cover offers medical screening for your existing medical conditions that you require cover for on your trip. You can complete a simple medical screening online or with the help of one of our friendly staff over the phone, as part of your application process.

Whether we can cover the medical conditions that you have will depend on your personal circumstances including your medical history. If we can provide you with cover for your medical conditions, you will need to pay an additional premium, and the medical conditions will be listed as covered on your certificate of insurance.

If we are not able to provide you with cover for your medical conditions or we are able to provide you with cover for your medical conditions but you choose to not pay the additional premium to have cover for the medical conditions, it will be listed as an excluded condition on your certificate of insurance.

Before you start the medical screening, you should make sure that you know what your medical and pregnancy conditions are, including any changes to your health, and this includes but is not limited to, the names of all your medical conditions.

Check with your doctor if you’re unsure of the names of your medical conditions because you won’t be able to complete the medical screening if you only know the medication you’re taking or the treatment you’re receiving.

Why do I have to declare all of my medical conditions?

Some medical conditions may be interconnected, so to enable us to accurately determine whether or not we can provide you with cover for your medical or pregnancy conditions, you must declare all the medical or pregnancy conditions that you have, or changes to your health, even if you:

Don’t want cover for them, or
Consider them treated, dormant or under control, or
Don’t consider them important or related to any of your other conditions.

If you only declare some, and not all of your Medical conditions or Pregnancy conditions, you may not have cover for your Medical conditions or Pregnancy conditions that are listed as covered on your Certificate of insurance.

Do I have to do a medical screening if my health changes after my policy is purchased?

After you purchase your policy and prior to your departure for your trip:

Any changes to your health after your policy is issued is not covered unless you complete another medical screening, we agree to provide cover for the change in your health and you pay the additional premium (if applicable). This rule applies even if you have a change in your health for an existing medical condition that was already listed as a covered condition on your certificate of insurance.
If you have chosen a policy with the trip cancellation expenses benefit, you may be able to submit a claim for your trip cancellation or rescheduling expenses for the time between policy purchase and the date of departure for your trip.

If you have a change to your health, you must have confirmation that you are fit to travel

Before the date of departure for your trip, you must have written confirmation from your medical practitioner that you are fit to travel, for any changes in health listed as covered on your Certificate of insurance. You don’t have to send the written confirmation to us, however we may ask for it if you make a claim.

You do not need to complete a medical screening for changes to your health that arise during your trip (except if you wish to extend your policy), as these will be considered as unexpected circumstances which are covered under the benefits available on your policy, subject to policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations.

What if I don’t declare my medical conditions?

Any medical conditions that you have which fall within the 3 years prior to policy issue date and for any changes in health, between the time of policy issue and the date of departure for your trip, that you have not declared and are not listed on your certificate of insurance will also not be covered under your policy.

This means that if you do not declare any medical conditions, including new medical or pregnancy conditions or changes in health that occur after your policy is issued and before you leave for your trip, there will be no cover unless you contact us to complete a new medical screening.

You do not need to declare and complete a medical screening for any changes to your listed, covered existing medical conditions or new medical conditions that arise during your trip, as these will be considered as unexpected circumstances which are covered under the benefits available on your policy, subject to policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations.

Pregnancy

What cover is available if I am pregnant?

Cover is available for your pregnancy if you experience unexpected serious complications of pregnancy and childbirth that occur:

Up to the end of the 23rd week of pregnancy if you are pregnant with a single child; or
Up to the 19th week of pregnancy if you are pregnant with twins or multiple children.

However, if you have a pregnancy condition, which we describe in the next section, you may need to do a medical screening.

Do I need to do a medical screening if I am pregnant?

We do not cover any claims under the policy benefits arising from a pregnancy condition (described below) that existed during:

the period of 3 years prior to your policy issue date, or
the period between the time of your policy issue date and the date of departure (other than a claim under Benefit 5: Trip Cancellation Expenses, relating to the cancellation or re-scheduling of your trip between the time of policy issue date and date of departure for your trip),

unless we agree to list the relevant pregnancy condition as covered on your Certificate of Insurance. If any changes in health occur after we have listed a pregnancy condition as covered and before the date of departure for your trip, you will not have cover for those conditions listed unless you undertake an additional medical screening.

Therefore, if you’re pregnant, you must complete a medical screening if you have a pregnancy condition at the time that you buy your policy, and/or up until the date of your departure of your trip.

We consider a pregnancy condition to be when:

you‘re experiencing pregnancy complications that fall within our definition of Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth (as described below);
you experienced complications with any previous pregnancy that fall within the definition of Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth (as described below), or
you're having multiple children (twins, triplets or more), or
your conception was medically assisted (such as IVF or hormone therapy).

Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth means:

Any condition you have been diagnosed with or treated for in the past or 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 including but not limited to the following:

Toxemia (toxins in the blood)
Gestational diabetes (diabetes arising because of pregnancy)
Gestational hypertension (high blood pressure arising because of pregnancy)
Pre-eclampsia (where you develop high blood pressure, carry abnormal fluid and have protein in your urine during the second half of pregnancy)
Ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that develops outside of the uterus)
Molar pregnancy or hydatidiform mole (a pregnancy in which a tumour develops from the placental tissue)
Post-partum haemorrhage (excessive bleeding following childbirth)
Retained placenta membrane (part or all the placenta is left behind in the uterus after delivery)
Placental abruption (part or all the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus)
Hyperemesis gravidarum (excessive vomiting because of pregnancy)
Placenta previa (when the placenta is in the lower part of the uterus and covers part or all the cervix)
Stillbirth
Miscarriage
Emergency caesarean section
A termination needed for medical reasons

Exclusions relating to claims Arising from all pregnancies.

Regardless of whether or not you have a pregnancy condition, or your pregnancy condition is listed as covered on your certificate of insurance, the following situations can’t be covered under your policy:

Childbirth unless it is due to the listed Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth (as described above), that either it is listed on your certificate of insurance as a covered condition, or you have been diagnosed for these complications during your trip, or
The health or care of a newborn child whatever the cause of the claim is (if you deliver overseas for any reason, including premature birth, there is no cover for costs related to caring for the child or children) or
Your pregnancy or the pregnancy of any other person after the end of the:
- 23rd week of pregnancy with a single child; or
- 19th week of pregnancy with twins or multiple children; or
Antenatal care, including medications and vitamins.

What if my medical or pregnancy condition is not listed on my certificate of insurance?

Medical conditions or pregnancy conditions that are approved for cover by Fast Cover will be listed on the certificate of insurance as a covered condition, whilst those that are not approved for cover or which you choose to decline cover for, will be listed on the certificate of insurance as an excluded condition.

Any medical conditions that you have which meet the relevant time frames discussed above, which are not declared by you or not listed on your certificate of insurance will not be covered.

You’ll still have access to other benefits as per the policy that you have chosen for your trip, including cover for unexpected emergency medical and hospital expenses that are unrelated to your existing medical condition. However, cover for any expenses related to that existing medical condition would not be covered by the policy.

If you require cover for an existing medical condition that we are unable to cover, you may wish to contact the Insurance Council of Australia to assist you in finding a specialist travel insurer who may be able to cover your condition.

Are there any medical conditions or situations that can’t be covered?

In addition to those situations described above, relating to existing medical conditions that we can't cover, you should also be aware of other exclusions that may impact the policy you purchase.

In particular, we can’t offer cover for, and it’s not possible to complete a medical screening for, any of the following:

Routine medical, dental, chiropractor, physiotherapist or prenatal check-ups and visits, even if your medical condition is approved for cover by us following a medical screening,
Cosmetic treatments, or for any complications or other claims arising from such procedures or treatments, even if your medical condition is approved for cover by us following a medical screening,
Medical treatment undertaken against the advice of any medical practitioner,
Travel undertaken to seek medical advice, treatment, review or clinical trials,
Planned medical procedures or other non-emergency medical treatments or for any complications or other claims arising from such procedures or treatments, even if your medical condition is approved for cover by us following a medical screening,
Undiagnosed conditions where you were aware of, or a reasonable person in your circumstances reasonably should have been aware of:

a. the change, signs or symptoms (including but not limited to: pain or discomfort anywhere on your body, persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath or unexplained bleeding), or

b. the change and had not sought medical opinion, or

c. was advised by your medical practitioner that the cause cannot be defined and/or it is still under investigation.

If any of the above apply to you, and you require cover for your trip, you may wish to contact the Insurance Council of Australia to assist you in finding a specialist travel insurer who may be able to cover your condition.

Why choose Fast Cover for your medical conditions?

Fast Cover provides travellers with specialist support and a wide range of policies which can include cover for unexpected medical expenses and emergencies overseas.

Your well-being matters to us, and we believe that it’s important to travel with a travel insurance policy that suits you and the type of trip that you’re taking. By completing a simple medical screening during your application process and/or before you leave for your trip, we may be able to provide you with cover for your existing medical conditions or changes to your health.

All of our travellers also have access to a 24-hour Emergency Assistance team, who are ready to help if complications overseas occur.

Get a free instant quote online now or talk to us for assistance to find a policy that suits your holiday.

Our call centres are based in Australia, so you'll only ever talk to Australian based sales & claim staff members.
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Wherever you're travelling and whenever you need us, our 24/7 worldwide expert assistance team are ready and waiting to help.

What else does Fast Cover travel insurance cover?

Depending on the policy that you choose for your trip, Fast Cover can provide cover for some of your out-of-pocket expenses if unexpected situations occur on your trip.

Cover may include reimbursement for lost, damaged and stolen belongings 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.

You 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:

Please note: This is only a summary of benefits. Policy terms, conditions, limits, sub limits and exclusions apply to each cover type. Benefit limits shown are for Single and Duo (per person) policies. Pooled Benefits mean that Family policy benefit limits apply for the whole family and are double the corresponding benefit limit under a Single policy, except for certain benefits - please refer to the Product Disclosure Statement for full details. ^Cover under these Benefits are excluded while travelling within Australia.

Medical Benefits	Basics	Domestic Plus	Standard Saver	Comprehensive	Snow Sports Plus	Frequent Traveller Saver
Overseas 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance^ sub-limits:	Unlimited	–––	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Funeral/cremation Overseas and/or bringing your remains back to Australia (per person)	$20,000		$20,000	$20,000	$20,000	$20,000
Repatriation of your mortal remains from a Schengen listed country back to Australia (only if you have an approved and valid Schengen visa)(per person)	$60,000	–––	$60,000	$60,000	$60,000	$60,000
Overseas Emergency Medical & Hospital Expenses^	Unlimited	–––	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Overseas Emergency Dental	$500	–––	$750	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000
Overseas Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation	Unlimited	–––	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Overseas Hospital Cash Payment^ sub-limits:	–––	–––	–––	$5,000	$5,000	$5,000
Daily Limit (per person)				$50	$50	$50
Accidental Death Travellers Aged 80 to 89:	–––	$25,000 $20,000	–––	$25,000 $20,000	$25,000 $20,000	$25,000 $20,000
Accidental Death for travellers up to age 79		$25,000		$25,000	$25,000	$25,000
Accidental Death for travellers aged 80 - 89		$20,000		$20,000	$20,000	$20,000
Accidental Death of a Dependant (per Dependant)		$5,000		$5,000	$5,000	$5,000
Permanent Disability^ Travellers Aged 80 to 89:	–––	–––	–––	$50,000 $20,000	$50,000 $20,000	$25,000 $20,000
Permanent Disability for travellers up to age 79				$50,000	$50,000	$25,000
Permanent Disability for travellers aged 80 - 89				$20,000	$20,000	$20,000
Permanent Disability of a Dependant (per Dependant)				$5,000	$5,000	$5,000
Loss of Income^ sub-limits:	–––	–––	–––	$10,400	$10,400	$10,400
Weekly Limit (per person) - up to 26 weeks				$400	$400	$400

Financial Benefits	Basics	Domestic Plus	Standard Saver	Comprehensive	Snow Sports Plus	Frequent Traveller Saver
Trip Cancellation Expenses sub-limits:	–––	Unlimited	$25,000	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Travel Agents Cancellation Fees		$1,500	$1,500	$1,500	$1,500	$1,500
Close Relatives that do not meet Close relative conditions		$2,000	$2,000	$2,000	$2,000	$2,000
Personal Liability	$1,000,000	$5,000,000	$2,500,000	$5,000,000	$5,000,000	$5,000,000
Trip Disruption Expenses sub-limits:	–––	$50,000	$30,000	$50,000	$50,000	$50,000
Close Relatives with a Pre-existing Medical Condition		$2,000	$2,000	$2,000	$2,000	$2,000
Trip Resumption Expenses	–––	$3,000	$2,000	$3,000	$3,000	$3,000
Luggage & Personal Effects sub-limits:	Optional up to $2,000	$7,500	$5,000	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000
Stand-alone personal computers, cameras and video recorders (excluding devices with integrated cameras or recording functions, such as mobile phones, Drones or similar devices) (per item)	$3,000	$3,000	$3,000	$3,000	$3,000	$3,000
Mobile phones (per item)	$1,500	$1,500	$1,500	$1,500	$1,500	$1,500
Tablets (per item)	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000
All other unspecified items (per item)	$750	$750	$750	$750	$750	$750
Luggage and Personal Effects stolen from a Locked Storage Compartment of an unattended vehicle during daylight hours. We will pay up to $200 for each item and $2,000 in total for all stolen items.	$2,000	$2,000	$2,000	$2,000	$2,000	$2,000
Passports, Credit Cards & Credit Card Fraud^	–––	–––	$2,000	$5,000	$5,000	$5,000
Special Event Transport Expenses	–––	$5,000	–––	$5,000	$5,000	$5,000
Rental Vehicle Excess sub-limits:	–––	$5,000	Optional up to $8,000	Optional up to $8,000	Optional	Optional
Return of Rental Vehicle		$500	$500	$500	$500	$500
Travel Delay Expenses sub-limits:	–––	$2,000	–––	$2,000	$2,000	$2,000
Daily Limit (per person) (we will pay up to $200 for each full 24 hours beyond the initial 6 hour delay)		$200		$200	$200	$200
Delay of Luggage and Personal Effects^	–––	–––	–––	$750	$750	$750
Theft of Cash^	–––	–––	–––	$250	$250	$250

Snow Sports Benefits	Basics	Domestic Plus	Standard Saver	Comprehensive	Snow Sports Plus	Frequent Traveller Saver
Snow Sport Equipment	–––	$1,500	–––	–––	$1,500	–––
Snow Equipment Replacement Hire	–––	$1,500	–––	–––	$1,500	–––
Snow Prepaid Expenses	–––	$750	–––	–––	$750	–––
Snow Resort Closure sub-limits:	–––	$1,000	–––	–––	$1,000	–––
Daily Limit (per person)		$100			$100

COVID-19 Benefits	Basics	Domestic Plus	Standard Saver	Comprehensive	Snow Sports Plus	Frequent Traveller Saver
COVID-19 Overseas Emergency Medical, Hospital & Medical Evacuation Expenses	Unlimited	–––	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Funeral/cremation Overseas and/or bringing your remains back to Australia (per person)	$20,000	–––	$20,000	$20,000	$20,000	$20,000
Repatriation of your mortal remains from a Schengen listed country back to Australia (only if you have an approved and valid Schengen visa)(per person)	$60,000	–––	$60,000	$60,000	$60,000	$60,000
COVID-19 Trip Cancellation & Disruption	–––	$3,500	$3,000	$5,000	$5,000	$5,000

FAQs

Am I covered by family travel insurance if I am pregnant?

Pregnancy is a n Existing Medical Condition that may be covered depending on your individual circumstances.

You can purchase travel insurance that will cover unexpected serious complications* of pregnancy and childbirth that occur:

Up to the end of the 23rd week of pregnancy if you are pregnant with a single child; or
Up to the end of the 19th week of pregnancy if you are pregnant with twins or multiple children.

*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.

Our policy only provides cover for your pregnancy in limited circumstances. There is no cover under any circumstances for childbirth at any stage of the pregnancy or for costs relating to the health or care of a newborn child.

You should read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) wording carefully before taking out cover.

Cover is subject to the policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

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Am I covered for Depression?

There is no cover for depression or mental illness UNLESS:

the diagnosis for the depression has been made by a medical practitioner that is a registered and certified mental health professional; and
the medical practitioner certifies that the depression prevents you from starting or finishing your trip; and
the depression has first occurred or first manifested during your Period of Insurance.

Cover is subject to the policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

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Can I pay more to get my pre-existing medical condition covered?

No, we keep our processes simple and have a fixed list of Pre-Existing Medical conditions that we cover (with some restrictions).

If you would like to be covered for your Pre-Existing Medical Condition/s which are NOT on our list, please contact Aussie Travel Cover* on 02 9998 7854. They can take you through a medical assessment over the phone and may be able to provide a tailored Travel Insurance policy for your specific condition.

Any advice that is provided to you is general in nature and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial circumstances or needs. Before you make any decisions about the product you should read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure that it is suitable to you.

*Fast Cover Pty Ltd receives a commission from Aussie Travel Cover for each referred policy.

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Things you need to know

^* See Product Disclosure Statement for full terms and conditions and exclusions and limits that apply.

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What to do

Are you overseas and need emergency medical help?

Relevant articles:

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