Buying travel insurance with medical conditions
Find out how medical conditions can affect your holiday cover. And what you need to tell us with Tesco Travel Insurance.
Published: 25 July 2026
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Travel insurance with medical conditions explained
If you have a health condition, travel insurance can feel confusing. You might not be sure if you need to tell us about it or whether we'll cover your condition.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
- how travel insurance works if you have a medical conditionhow travel insurance works if you have a medical condition
- what you need to tell us about - before and after you buy your policywhat you need to tell us about - before and after you buy your policy
- how travel insurance can help with medical conditions if something goes wronghow travel insurance can help with medical conditions if something goes wrong
What medical conditions affect travel insurance?
If you’re looking for holiday insurance with medical conditions, the main things you need to know are:
- Any new or existing medical condition can affect your holiday cover.Any new or existing medical condition can affect your holiday cover.
- You must tell us - or your insurer, if it’s not us - about your medical history and any health conditions when you apply.You must tell us - or your insurer, if it’s not us - about your medical history and any health conditions when you apply.
- You must also tell us about any new conditions - even if they’re undiagnosed - after you buy your policy.You must also tell us about any new conditions - even if they’re undiagnosed - after you buy your policy.
Any health issues you have - or you’ve had - are known as pre-existing medical conditions. So that’s the term you’ll see online and in the policy documents.
Getting travel insurance for pre-existing conditions
You must tell us about any medical conditions when you apply for Tesco Travel Insurance.
We also need to know your age.
We'll take both into account when deciding if we can offer you cover.
What is a pre existing medical condition?
A pre existing medical condition is:
- an illness, injury or condition you know about before you book your trip or buy a policy. Whichever one comes last.an illness, injury or condition you know about before you book your trip or buy a policy. Whichever one comes last.
It includes conditions that are ongoing, well managed, or that you might not think are serious.
It also includes anything that:
- you’ve seen a GP or specialist aboutyou’ve seen a GP or specialist about
- you’re taking medication foryou’re taking medication for
- you’ve had tests, treatment or surgery for in the pastyou’ve had tests, treatment or surgery for in the past
Not sure if something counts as a pre-existing condition? You can check our definition below. And you’ll find full details of our cover in the policy booklet.
Our definition of a pre-existing medical condition
A pre-existing medical condition is one that, in the 12 months before buying your policy, you’ve:
- had symptoms forhad symptoms for
- seen a doctor (or another medical professional) aboutseen a doctor (or another medical professional) about
or
- received treatment for (including being prescribed regular medication)received treatment for (including being prescribed regular medication)
Does travel insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
If you’re looking for travel insurance for someone with a pre-existing condition, we might be able to help.
Tesco Travel Insurance can provide cover for many medical conditions. As long as:
- you tell us about them, accurately and honestlyyou tell us about them, accurately and honestly
- they’re accepted - and we agree to cover you - during medical screeningthey’re accepted - and we agree to cover you - during medical screening
You can get travel insurance quotes with medical conditions online. You’ll get an answer in minutes. And you can save money with your Clubcard when you buy from us direct.
You can learn about the types of travel insurance in our guide - What type of travel insurance should I get?
Tesco Travel Insurance for pre-existing conditions
If we agree to cover you, it’s easy to compare cover. And you can find the right policy based on the type and number of trips you’re taking.
Single Trip Travel Insurance
This policy could provide cover if you’re looking for travel insurance for pre-existing conditions.
It may be suitable if:
- you’re only planning to take one trip in the next 12 monthsyou’re only planning to take one trip in the next 12 months
or
- you’re planning to take 2 or more trips in the next 12 months, and one or more trips will last longer than 31 daysyou’re planning to take 2 or more trips in the next 12 months, and one or more trips will last longer than 31 days
Annual Multi Trip Travel Insurance
This policy could provide cover if you’re looking for annual travel insurance with medical conditions.
It may be suitable if:
- you’re planning to take 2 or more trips in the next 12 monthsyou’re planning to take 2 or more trips in the next 12 months
- each trip lasts no longer than 31 dayseach trip lasts no longer than 31 days
It covers all your trips for the next year in a single policy, which could be more convenient. And could be more cost-effective.
Backpacker Travel Insurance
This policy is designed for longer trips abroad - up to 18 months, often to multiple countries. For example, a gap year or career break.
Travel Insurance optional extras
With Tesco Travel Insurance, you can choose from a range of optional extras. So you can get more cover to suit your needs.
- Gadget Cover - provides extra holiday cover for the tech you’re taking with you.Gadget Cover - provides extra holiday cover for the tech you’re taking with you.
- Cruise Cover - could help if you’re looking for cruise travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions.Cruise Cover - could help if you’re looking for cruise travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions.
- Golf Cover - can help to protect you against common problems golfers face on holiday.Golf Cover - can help to protect you against common problems golfers face on holiday.
- Winter Sports Cover - could be ideal if you’re taking to the slopes on holiday.Winter Sports Cover - could be ideal if you’re taking to the slopes on holiday.
Conditions, exclusions and restrictions apply.
Please read the policy booklet before you buy a policy or add an optional extra. You should make sure your policy meets your needs and you know what you’re covered for.
Is there a list of pre-existing medical conditions for travel insurance?
Travel insurance tends not to work from a fixed list of conditions anymore. Instead, most insurers - including Tesco Insurance - use a medical screening system.
That means cover can be assessed fairly, based on the individual.
How medical conditions are assessed for Tesco Travel Insurance
When you apply for Tesco Travel Insurance, we’ll:
- ask you questions about your health online or by phoneask you questions about your health online or by phone
- use a medical screening tool to check current underwriting rulesuse a medical screening tool to check current underwriting rules
- tell you whether we can cover your condition and if there’s an extra costtell you whether we can cover your condition and if there’s an extra cost
Doing it this way means many people can get travel insurance with health conditions that might not have been able to find cover in the past.
What medical conditions do I need to declare?
If you’re wondering, “What medical conditions do you have to declare for travel insurance?”, the answer’s simple.
You should declare anything you’re asked about. Even if:
- the condition is controlledthe condition is controlled
- you haven’t had symptoms recentlyyou haven’t had symptoms recently
- you think it’s no longer relevantyou think it’s no longer relevant
This includes, but isn’t limited to:
- Long-term medical conditionsLong-term medical conditions
- Mental health conditionsMental health conditions
- Heart or breathing conditionsHeart or breathing conditions
- Past surgeryPast surgery
- Ongoing treatment or medicationOngoing treatment or medication
The same rule applies, regardless of the type of policy you’re buying.
Why being honest and accurate really matters
Being honest and accurate with what you tell us is one of the most important parts of buying travel insurance with medical conditions.
If you don’t declare a medical condition correctly, we might not be able to pay out. And medical treatment abroad can be very expensive.
- Around 60% of travel insurance claim costs relate to medical expensesAround 60% of travel insurance claim costs relate to medical expenses
- Claims in Europe can reach £200,000Claims in Europe can reach £200,000
- Serious claims in the USA can exceed £500,000Serious claims in the USA can exceed £500,000
Source: ROCK Insurance Services.
Even if something feels minor or unrelated, never ‘chance it’. If a question asks about a condition or procedure, you must disclose it.
If you need help answering any medical questions, it’s best to contact us before buying your policy.
What if I develop a new condition after buying travel insurance?
Being diagnosed with, or waiting on results for, a new condition can feel worrying. Especially if you’ve already bought a policy. But there are clear steps you need to follow to make sure your cover stays valid.
These steps are outlined below and in your policy documents.
Are you still fit to travel?
Whether you’re fit to travel or not, you need to contact us as soon as possible. You might need to update your medical screening so your cover can continue.
Important: never travel without telling us about a new medical condition or diagnosis.
You must contact our medical screening helpline if any of the following apply after you’ve bought your policy.
- you're diagnosed with a new medical conditionyou're diagnosed with a new medical condition
- you experience new or recurring symptoms, or have an undiagnosed conditionyou experience new or recurring symptoms, or have an undiagnosed condition
- your doctor or other medical professional makes any changes to your prescribed medication - including the dosageyour doctor or other medical professional makes any changes to your prescribed medication - including the dosage
- you receive in-patient medical treatmentyou receive in-patient medical treatment
- you're placed on a waiting list for investigation or medical treatmentyou're placed on a waiting list for investigation or medical treatment
Call our medical screening helpline:
When you call, we'll ask you specific questions about your medical condition.
After you complete your declaration, you might need to pay an additional premium. This’ll allow cover to continue for your pre-existing medical conditions, as well as any related conditions.
There's also a chance that we won't be able to provide you with cover for these conditions. If that’s the case, we'll cancel your policy and refund you a portion of the amount you've already paid. But only if you haven't made - and don’t intend to make - a claim.
Are you no longer fit to travel?
If you declared your medical history correctly when you bought your policy, please contact us. You might be able to claim for cancellation, subject to the policy terms.
How Tesco Travel Insurance can help with medical conditions
If your condition’s accepted, Tesco Travel Insurance can offer peace of mind with cover for:
- Emergency medical treatment overseasEmergency medical treatment overseas
- Hospital and recovery costsHospital and recovery costs
- Repatriation back to the UK if neededRepatriation back to the UK if needed
- 24/7 medical emergency assistance24/7 medical emergency assistance
- Cancellation or curtailment due to illnessCancellation or curtailment due to illness
Monetary limits, excesses and exclusions apply. Please see the policy documents for full details of cover.
Do I really need travel insurance?
Travel insurance can give you a safety net when you're going on holiday, whether it’s a short break you’re taking or the trip of a lifetime.
If you need medical treatment when you’re abroad, for example, the bill can be a lot higher than you might think. With Tesco Travel Insurance, the average claim for broken bones abroad is £3,425*. That’s around 30% higher than many travellers expect.
You can learn more about the benefits of travel insurance in our guide - Do I need travel insurance?
*Based on Tesco Travel Insurance claims made between September and December 2024.
Help for Travel Insurance customers
Find out how to manage your policy, get help or make a claim if you have Tesco Travel Insurance.
Important information
Tesco Travel Insurance is arranged and administered by Rock Insurance Services Limited and underwritten by AWP P&C S.A. Gadget Cover is underwritten by AmTrust Specialty Limited (AmTrust).
You'll find complete details of the cover, monetary limits, exclusions, excesses and terms in our policy documents.
Learn more about Travel Insurance with medical conditions
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