National Heart Month: Can you get travel insurance after a heart attack?

You’ve booked the flights, packed your suitcase and picked the perfect pair of sunglasses that make you look less ‘James Bland’ and more ‘James Bond’ – so, what’s next?

Well, actually, the next step should probably have been top of your list. Many people leave travel insurance until just before they jet off, but it’s usually best to arrange it as soon as you book. That way, depending on your level of cover, you may be protected if something unexpected happens before you travel – like illness, injury or changes in your personal circumstances.

Travel insurance isn’t just for what happens while you’re away. It can help protect you if you have any complications before you travel, such as needing to cancel your trip or if your holiday agent ceases trading, as well as covering things like travel disruption, lost belongings and medical emergencies abroad.

It’s also worth getting your cover in place early, because for some people, buying a policy isn’t always a simple price-comparison exercise. Your age, destination, the type of trip you’re taking, and pre-existing medical conditions can all affect what cover is available, and what’s included.

Because it’s National Heart Month, we’re focusing on one question that often comes up after a major health event: can you get travel insurance after a heart attack?

What’s defined as a ‘pre-existing condition’ varies slightly by insurer but typically, the process of getting insurance after you’ve had a heart attack or if you’re living with a heart condition can feel a little different. Insurers will treat every case as unique and will want to take steps to understand your health in detail so they can offer the right level of cover.

Upon application, you’ll usually be asked to complete a medical screening. This helps the insurer understand things like when the heart attack happened, what treatment you’ve had, any ongoing symptoms, and whether you’re waiting for further tests or procedures. For some conditions – including terminal illness or where treatment is ongoing – insurers can still offer cover, but they’ll typically need the client to speak directly to the insurer’s appointed medical team to make sure the policy is suitable.

Before you get started, it’s worth gathering:

• recent medical letters

• medication lists

• details of any upcoming appointments

This should help to make the process quicker and easily recall any information you need. 

The most important thing is that you don’t omit or twist any details and disclose everything – even if you don’t think it’s necessary. This is the only way to make sure that your policy is right for you – especially if you need costly medical support while you’re away.

Getting your cover in place early gives you the confidence that whether it’s complex requirements, a curveball before you leave or something that crops up on your trip, you’re protected.

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Features and benefits may differ between insurers, and not all providers offer the same level of cover. We recommend discussing your specific requirements with your appointed broker, who can help source a policy tailored to your needs.

Consistent with our policy when giving comment and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems we recommend that professional advice be sought.