Our Top Ten Tips for Travelling with Medical Conditions

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Travelling with medical conditions can be daunting. Not only should you plan ahead for any drugs or medication you need to take with you, but you will need to check the rules and regulations for carrying medicine abroad and you may need to disclose illnesses or conditions to your travel insurer.

Ten tips for travelling with medical conditions

Here are our top ten trips for travelling abroad with medical conditions;

  1. Purchase travel insurance as soon as you have booked your trip. This ensures any problem which may lead to you cancelling your trip will be covered.
  2. Don't skimp on other areas of cover. If you find a cheap quote including cover for your medical conditions, check to make sure the policy is highly rated and not lacking in other areas.
  3. If the cost of an annual policy which includes cover for your medical conditions, is too expensive, a policy covering just the days you are away (single trip travel insurance) may be the most affordable option.
  4. If you are travelling as a family or group, you may save money if you find a policy on your own.
  5. Check the rules and regulations for taking medication abroad. Ensure you take enough medicines to cover your trip that they are clearly labelled in their original packaging and if necessary carry a copy of the prescription, or a letter from your doctor.
  6. If you are travelling to Europe, apply for and carry a European Health Insurance Card. Many Insurers will not charge any excess, when the EHIC is used to reduce medical bills.
  7. Book an early appointment with your GP, to discuss medical issues, make sure you are fit to travel and whether there are any vaccinations required. Check to make sure that the vaccinations don't conflict with your current medication.
  8. If you have obtained travel insurance that includes cover for medical conditions, take the policy (or a copy) with you and any written correspondence or reference numbers confirming that you are covered.
  9. Check to make sure your Travel Insurer covers replacement of lost medication.
  10. Check the quality and suitability of healthcare in the country you are travelling to. If you need treatment whilst abroad, some countries may not have good enough healthcare to care for your medical condition. You might need to choose another country to visit.

We hope you have found our tips useful. For more information read our comprehensive guide on travel insurance with medical conditions. If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact us.