Health issues?

Have you had health issues, like an illness or injury? Has someone talked to you about pre-existing conditions and medical stability¹ and you’re wondering whether you’re covered by your travel insurance²?

Here’s what you need to know.

Pre-existing conditions

Since travel insurance only covers sudden and unforeseen events, you may not be covered for an injury or medical condition you were suffering from prior to your departure date.

If you have an injury or medical condition that is not stable in the 182 days (90 days if you’re under the age of 55 or if you’ve purchased the Stable for 3 months option) prior to your departure date, you aren’t covered if you incur expenses for this injury or medical condition, or any related injury or medical condition. This exclusion applies even if you had declared the injury or medical condition in the medical questionnaire or if a physician told you that you could travel.

To determine if an injury or medical condition is not stable, answer the following question for each injury or medical condition. In case of doubt, contact us or your physician for assistance.

During the 182 days (90 days if you’re under the age of 55 or if you’ve purchased the Stable for 3 months option) right before your departure date, were you suffering from an injury or medical condition that was not stable? An injury or medical condition is not stable if:

• You had new symptoms or the existing symptoms were more frequent or more intense.
• You consulted a physician or are waiting to consult one (except for a routine check-up).
• A physician recommended that you undergo a test or be seen by another physician, you underwent a test or you’re waiting for the results.
• You had surgery, were hospitalized for at least 18 consecutive hours or a physician recommended that you have surgery.
• You started a new treatment, including a new drug, or a new treatment was prescribed.
• You had a change in treatment or medication (quantity, frequency or the medication itself) or this change was prescribed.
  We don’t consider a routine adjustment to insulin or Coumadin, or the replacement of a brand-name drug for an identical generic drug if the dose is the same, to be a change of medication.

Exceptions for certain minor medical conditions

If you answered Yes to the above question and your medical condition is a cold, flu, ear infection, sinus infection, sore throat or tonsillitis, you’re covered for this medical condition:

• If, on your departure date, this injury or medical condition had been resolved for at least 30 consecutive days, and
• If this medical condition isn’t a chronic illness or a complication of a chronic illness

If a health problem occurs during your trip and it’s not related to an unstable pre-existing condition, it may be covered. For example:

• If you have high blood pressure and you develop bronchitis during your trip, you’ll be covered for bronchitis since it isn’t related to your high blood pressure.
• If you had an operation on your elbow before departure and you hurt your foot during your trip, treatment for your foot injury will be covered.

Medical questionnaire

• You must give honest, complete answers on your medical questionnaire. If you don’t know the answer to a question, ask your doctor. Any misrepresentation, even if it’s unintentional, may void your insurance.
• Pre-existing conditions may not be covered, whether you mention them or not. You’ll still be covered for any unrelated issues.
• Contact an insurance advisor if you need advice. They’re there to help!

Call us!

We’ll answer all your questions.

+ 1-855-368-6924 This link will launch your default phone software.