Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

What Are Pre-Existing Medical Conditions?

  

A pre-existing medical condition means any health issue or medical condition that existed in the 5 years before you purchase your travel insurance policy. This includes conditions for which:

• You’ve experienced signs or symptoms
• Sought medical advice, or
• Undergone hospital treatment.

What Is Covered for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions?

 

When it comes to travel insurance, coverage for pre-existing medical conditions can vary depending on the insurer and policy type. 

Tick offers coverage for certain pre-existing conditions under our Standard and Top cover level policies. To be covered you must disclose your condition during the application, and it must be approved by us.

If your pre-existing condition is approved by us you may be covered for:

• Emergency Medical Treatment: If you require urgent medical attention for your pre-existing condition while travelling overseas, we may help cover the costs. 
• Hospitalisation and Repatriation: If your condition requires hospital treatment or even a return to Australia, you’ll be supported by our 24/7 assistance network.
• Medication and Follow-Up Care: In some cases, costs for medications and follow-up treatments related to your condition may also be included.

Important Information About Pre-Existing Conditions and Travel Insurance

 

• Tell us about your medical history: Not disclosing a pre-existing condition could result in denied claims. 
• Waiting periods may apply: There may be a waiting period for pre-existing conditions. Check the terms of your policy.
• Choose the right level of cover: You may need to purchase Tick’s Standard or Top plans to include pre-existing conditions. 

What Should You Disclose About Existing Medical Conditions?

 

• Diagnosed conditions: Share any conditions you have been formally diagnosed with or experienced in the last 5 years, even if they’re well-managed or don’t currently cause symptoms. This helps ensure clarity about what can and cannot be covered.
• Treatments: Provide details about ongoing or treatments in the last 5 years, such as physiotherapy or specialist care.
• Prescribed medications: Disclose any prescribed medications you are currently taking, or have taken in the last 5 years.
• Medical consultations: Mention any visits to a medical practitioner for advice or assessment.
• Hospitalisations: Disclose any hospital admissions. These include emergencies, planned procedures and surgeries, as these can impact your eligibility for coverage.
• Any other relevant information: Our online screening questionnaire may ask other relevant questions to help assess your application.

What’s Not Covered For Pre-Existing Conditions?

 

• Claims for pre-existing conditions on our Basic and Budget level cover
• Claims related to pre-existing conditions unless disclosed and accepted by the insurer. This includes:
  • Conditions you were aware of (or should have been) before purchasing the policy,
  • Health issues within the last 5 years, such as heart, neurological, breathing, arthritis, bowel, psychiatric, or cancer-related conditions,
  • Major treatments or hospital visits in the 12 months before buying the policy.
• You’re not covered for any claim if, at the time of buying the policy, you are:  
  • Receiving or waiting for hospital tests or treatment for undiagnosed symptoms or conditions
  • Travelling against the advice of a doctor, or travelling specifically to get medical treatment
  • Diagnosed with a terminal condition expected to cause death before the policy ends.