Travel Insurance for Existing Medical Conditions

A Medical Condition means any bodily or physical injury, physical defect, illness, disease or other medical or dental Condition or sign or symptom of these things, the applicable person: 

• required prescription medication for or has been prescribed medication from a medical practitioner in writing for, 
• sought or received medical advice from a medical practitioner or other health care professional for, 
• had tests, investigations, care, treatment or medical attention including surgery for, 
• 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. 

It includes but is 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 or symptom of the above matters, or 
• an allergy or food intolerance, 
• a persistent and lasting condition in medicine such as constant pain or long-suffering pain or pain with a pattern of relapse and remission. 
• any conditions related to previous and current pregnancy as detailed in What is a Pregnancy Condition and in the ‘Pregnancy Cover’ section of the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel. 

No, the definition of an existing medical condition applies to every traveller listed on your Certificate of Insurance, including dependants. This means that if you, your partner, or any dependants travelling with you have an existing medical condition, it must be declared and assessed during the application process. 

Declaring these conditions ensures that we can assess whether cover can be included under your travel insurance policy. 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel. 

By way of basic overview, cover will not be available for the following unless approved by us: 

• For any new medical condition you suffered during the term of your existing policy or change to any medical condition which is listed on your Certificate of insurance as a covered medical condition, or pregnancy condition, if we reasonably determine that you should return to Australia for treatment (based on the information that is available to us at the time) and you do not agree to do so, or;  

• For any new medical condition, you suffered during the term of your existing policy or change to any medical condition which is listed on your Certificate of insurance as a covered medical condition, or pregnancy condition, unless: 

o You agree to take a further screening process, we agree to provide cover and you pay the additional premium (if applicable), and 

o You agree that any ongoing medical treatment/advice, medication, test, investigation and/or related expense beyond the original return date that you or a reasonable person is aware of, will not be covered.  

• Where you have not advised us of any circumstances that have given (or may give) rise to a claim under your original policy; or  

• Where at the time of extension you are aged 90 years or over.  

Where we have agreed to provide cover, we will issue you with a new Certificate of insurance. The period of insurance on your original Certificate of insurance and your new Certificate of insurance cannot exceed a maximum combined period of 24 months. 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel. 

If you want your existing medical or pregnancy conditions to be included under your travel insurance policy, you must declare them to us and complete a medical screening during the application process. This allows us to assess your medical situation and confirm whether we can provide cover. 

If you don’t declare your existing medical or pregnancy conditions, your policy will not cover any claims arising from those conditions. 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel. 

If you have an existing medical condition (including pregnancy-related conditions) that falls within Fast Cover’s required timeframe, you’ll need to complete a medical screening. This lets us assess whether your condition can be included under your policy. 

You can declare your medical condition in two easy ways: 

Online: Visit fastcover.com.au and follow the prompts during the travel insurance application process.  

Phone: Prefer to chat? Call our friendly Australian-based team on 1300 409 322 and we’ll guide you through the medical screening process over the phone. 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel.

Sometimes the name of your medical condition may differ from the terminology used in our medical screening system. In some cases, your condition might appear under an alternative medical name or a broader medical category. 

If you can’t find your condition during the medical screening process, here’s what you can do: 

• Call us: Speak with our friendly Australian-based team on 1300 409 322 
• Email us: Send your query to info@fastcover.com.au 
• Live Chat: Connect with us via fastcover.com.au 

It may also help to check with your treating doctor for any alternative or clinical names for your condition to ensure the screening is completed accurately. 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel. 

If we agree to list your existing medical condition or pregnancy condition as covered on your Certificate of Insurance after completing a medical screening, an additional premium may apply. This amount will be added to your final travel insurance quote at checkout. 

You can choose not to pay the additional premium for your declared condition. However, if you don’t, your policy will not provide cover for any claims related to that condition. 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel. 

In some cases, you may need to pay an additional premium to include cover for your existing medical or pregnancy condition under your travel insurance policy. To work out if your condition can be covered, you’ll need to complete a medical screening during the application process. 

If your condition is approved, it will be listed as a covered condition on your Certificate of Insurance, and an additional premium may apply. 

You can complete your medical screening quickly online at fastcover.com.au or call our Australian-based team on 1300 409 322 for help over the phone. 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel. 

If your medical or pregnancy condition changes or worsens after purchasing your policy but before your trip starts, you might need to complete a medical screening over the phone. 

If we can provide cover for your updated condition, you may need to pay any additional premium by the required time, and your Certificate of Insurance will be updated to list the condition as covered. 

If we cannot offer cover, or you choose not to disclose the change, no cover will apply for that condition (to the extent permitted by law). 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel. 

If you have changes in health after you purchase your policy but before you depart on your trip, you must complete a new medical screening. 

Example of changes in health includes: 

• the occurrence of any new medical condition after your Policy issue date and before the date of departure for your trip, or 
• advice from a medical practitioner that you or a relevant person are not fit to travel, including on your trip, or 
• the stated answers on your certificate of insurance regarding any medical condition or pregnancy condition listed on your certificate of insurance are no longer correct or up to date, or 
• any change in the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment or medication (including dose) of a medical condition or pregnancy condition listed on your certificate of insurance, 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 the policy purchase date, or 
• any unexpected admissions to hospital or surgery for any medical condition or pregnancy condition listed on your certificate of insurance. 

Before the date of your departure of 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. The written confirmation does not need to be sent to us, however, it may be required in the event of claim. 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel. 

Cover is not available under our policies if, at the time you purchase your policy, you are already aware of your close relative’s medical condition and the likelihood that they may pass away while you are travelling. 

Our policies only provide cover under the relevant benefits if the sickness, injury, or death is unexpected and you were not aware of the likelihood of it occurring at the time you purchased your policy. 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel. 

If you’ve had a heart attack, you may still be able to get travel insurance cover for your medical condition depending on the outcome of your medical screening. 

You can complete your medical screening online through fastcover.com.au to receive a quote tailored to your health circumstances. Alternatively, you can call our Australian-based team on 1300 409 322, and we’ll walk you through the process over the phone. 

For more information about travel insurance on existing medical condition including general exclusions, refer to our Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel. 

If you have a stent, you may still be able to get travel insurance cover for your medical condition depending on the outcome of your medical screening. 

You can complete your medical screening online through fastcover.com.au to receive a quote tailored to your health circumstances. Alternatively, you can call our Australian-based team on 1300 409 322, and we’ll walk you through the process over the phone. 

For more information about travel insurance on existing medical condition including general exclusions, refer to our Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel.

‘AICD/ICD’ refers to an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), also known as an automated implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD).  

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

It’s important to note that it is a general exclusion if your claim arises from any medical procedures relating to AICD/ICD insertion during your overseas trip. If you require this procedure due to a sudden and acute onset for the first time during your period of insurance (and it is not directly or indirectly related to a - medical condition), we reserve the right to arrange your repatriation to Australia so the procedure can be completed there. 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel. 

You can still buy a Fast Cover travel insurance policy if you want cover for Trip Cancellation, Luggage, Trip Disruption, and other non-medical benefits available, even if you already have full medical cover through your work. 

If you choose not to complete a medical screening for your heart condition, you won’t be covered for any claims related to that condition. This includes Trip Cancellations, Trip Disruptions, or Overseas Emergency Medical and Hospital Expenses that arise from your heart condition. However, you may still have cover for other policy benefits that are not connected to your condition, depending on the policy you select. 

It’s important to note that the  Overseas Emergency Medical and Hospital Expenses benefit is included in all international travel insurance policies (Comprehensive, Standard Saver, Basics, Snow Sports Plus, and Frequent Traveller Saver). But it will not apply to claims connected to undeclared or excluded pre-existing conditions such as a heart condition. 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel. 

Whether you’re covered for chickenpox under your travel insurance policy depends on your individual circumstances, when you were diagnosed, and whether it’s considered an-existing medical condition at the time of purchasing your policy. 

If you contract chickenpox unexpectedly during your trip and it is not related to an existing condition, you may be eligible for cover under the Overseas Emergency Medical and Trip Disruption Expenses benefits, depending on the policy you’ve chosen. 

If you had signs, symptoms, or a diagnosis of chickenpox before buying your policy, you must declare it as an existing medical condition. This requires completing a medical screening during the application process. If we agree to provide cover following your screening, an additional premium may apply, and chickenpox will be listed as a covered condition on your Certificate of Insurance. 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel. 

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, you may still be able to get travel insurance cover for your medical condition depending on the outcome of your medical screening.  

You can complete your medical screening online through fastcover.com.au to receive a quote tailored to your health circumstances. Alternatively, you can call our Australian-based team on 1300 409 322, and we’ll walk you through the process over the phone. 

For more information about travel insurance on existing medical condition including general exclusions, refer to our Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel. 

If your eyesight becomes blurry or you experience vision issues while travelling overseas, and the problem is linked to an unexpected medical condition diagnosed by a qualified medical practitioner overseas, you may be eligible to claim under your policy. 

However, please keep in mind: 

• There is no cover for general eyesight deterioration or related costs such as routine eye exams, glasses, or contact lenses. 
• There is no cover for optometry visits under domestic travel insurance policies, as medical costs may be covered by Medicare and/or your private health insurance when travelling within Australia. 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel. 

You may be able to get cover for food allergies or food intolerances through a medical screening when purchasing your travel insurance policy. This process also applies to any new food allergies, intolerances, or changes to your health that occur before your departure date. 

To declare your condition, you can: 

• Complete the medical screening online during the application process at fastcover.com.au, or 
• Call our friendly Australian-based team on 1300 409 322 for assistance over the phone. 

Getting cover for travel insurance with food allergies or intolerances means you can travel with greater peace of mind, knowing how your policy applies to your health needs. 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel.

If you’re taking medication purely as a preventative measure and do not actually have the condition, this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis depending on the medication and the underlying reason it has been prescribed. 

To confirm how this applies to your situation, please give our friendly Australian-based customer service team a call on 1300 409 322 and we’ll be happy to help. 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel. 

If you are taking prescription medication, or if aspirin has been prescribed in writing by a medical practitioner, and you would like cover for the related medical condition, you’ll need to complete a medical screening during the application process. 

This allows us to assess your medical situation and determine whether cover can be included under your travel insurance policy. If we are able to provide cover for the condition you disclose, we will confirm this with you. If you choose to take up the cover, you’ll need to pay any additional premium we apply by the required time, and the condition will be listed as covered on your Certificate of Insurance. 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel. 

Fast Cover may include cover for many medical conditions, but not all existing conditions are automatically included. Whether your existing medical condition can be included depends on several factors. 

We do not cover any claims under the policy benefits arising from any medical condition or pregnancy condition 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 for your trip (other than for a claim under the benefit Trip Cancellation Expenses, relating to the cancellation or rescheduling of your trip between the time of your Policy issue date and the date of departure for your trip),  

unless we agree to list the relevant medical condition or pregnancy condition as covered on your Certificate of insurance. If any Changes in health occur after We have listed any Medical condition or Pregnancy condition as covered and before the date of departure for Your Trip, the cover for those listed conditions are automatically excluded from the time the Changes in health occurred, unless You undertake an additional medical screening and We agree to list them as covered.  

Any cover is subject to the other terms and conditions (including exclusions and limits) of the Policy which may otherwise affect cover. Any rights we have will only be exercised to the extent permitted by applicable law. See General Exclusions that apply to all benefits in our PDS.  

After the date of departure for your trip, we will not agree to list a medical condition as covered on your Certificate of insurance.  

No cover is provided under this Policy for any claims arising from, or any way related to a medical condition or pregnancy condition which existed within the period of 3 years prior to the Policy issue date, of any person who is not named on your Certificate of insurance, except as specifically considered as close relative conditions under the Trip Cancellation Expenses benefit, or Trip Disruption Expenses benefit or Trip Resumption Expenses benefit. 

It’s important to review the full list of general exclusions and understand what we define as a pre-existing condition. You can review the PDS 

• What is considered an existing medical condition 
• How medical and pregnancy conditions are screened 
• The general exclusions that may apply 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel.

Fast Cover offers a Domestic Plus policy that does not include cover for medical expenses. This is because when travelling within Australia, Australian residents are usually covered for medical treatment through Medicare and/or private health insurance. 

There is no cover under any Policy if your destination is less than 200 km from home. 

If you’re travelling overseas, Overseas Emergency Medical and Hospital Expenses benefit is automatically included with our Comprehensive, Standard Saver, Basic, Snow Sports Plus, and Frequent Traveller Saver (for overseas travel) policies, subject to eligibility and policy conditions. 

Every claim is reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis and will only be paid if it meets the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions in your policy. Always check the PDS carefully so you know exactly what’s included before you travel.