Pre-existing medical conditions: what you need to tell us

  • Updated

Summary: A pre-existing medical condition refers to any diagnosed medical condition or disability that within the last two years, has involved prescribed medication, medical treatment, palliative care, has involved prescribed medication, medical treatment, palliative care, or being on a waiting list. You must declare the specific diagnosed condition, not just symptoms, episodes, or test results. Undiagnosed conditions are not covered.

What do we mean by a pre-existing medical condition?

For medical screening, you need to tell us about any medical condition or disability that meets the declaration rules below.


What you need to tell us

When completing medical screening, you need to tell us if, in the last two years, you or anyone else insured on the policy has:

  • taken prescribed medication which could include repeat prescriptions for high blood pressure or antibiotics for one and done conditions such as Chest Infections
  • received medical treatment or advice at a hospital, clinic, GP surgery, or through a remote consultation
  • received or been offered palliative care
You also need to tell us if you or anyone else insured on the policy has:
  • been placed on a waiting list that could cause you to cancel or cut short your trip
  • been advised of a terminal illness

What should I declare?

You should declare the specific diagnosed medical condition.

For example Ischaemic Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Leg Ulcers, Tonsillitis, Anaemia, UTI infection, Cataracts, Pneumonia, Constipation, Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer, liver or kidney damage, controlled Diabetes, seizure.

Medical screening needs the medical condition you have been diagnosed with. 

A symptom, event, episode, or outcome may not be specific enough on its own.

For example, do not enter only:
  • a symptom i.e. a rash, palpitations, dizziness
  • an episode i.e. fainting, memory loss, shortness of breath, diarrhoea
  • an operation i.e. hysterectomy, pacemaker, internal cardia defibrillator, stoma
  • a hospital visit
  • test results
  • an injury or fall

If you have been told the underlying diagnosis or cause, declare that diagnosed condition.


What if there is more than one condition?

If you have been told there is more than one underlying condition, declare each diagnosed condition separately.

Each diagnosed condition should be included during the medical screening process.


What if I am waiting for tests or treatment?

Tell us if you have been placed on a waiting list that could cause you to cancel or cut short your trip. 

If you are waiting for a diagnosis, investigation, treatment, or consultation, speak to a medical professional before completing medical screening.


What if I do not know the diagnosis i.e. the underlying medical condition?

If you do not know the diagnosis or underlying cause, speak to a medical professional, such as your GP, before completing medical screening.

Please note that we are unable to cover undiagnosed conditions. If you are waiting for a diagnosis or do not know the underlying cause, read our guidance on what to do before completing medical screening here

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