Asthma is considered pre-existing medical condition, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get travel insurance.
*based on asthma being your only pre-existing condition.
The process is simple and quick. You don’t need to call us and you don’t need to provide doctor’s certificates or other documents. All you need to do is fill out a simple questionnaire when you’re purchasing a policy online.
You’ll be asked about pre-existing conditions during your online purchase and if you select ‘yes', you’ll fill out the questionnaire. This is where we’ll ask you everything we need to know about your asthma.
Once you’ve filled out this questionnaire, you’ll immediately find out your travel insurance options.
Asthma is a long-term respiratory condition caused by hypersensitivity and inflammation of the airways.
Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and breathlessness. These can vary in severity from person to person. When asthma symptoms heighten, it's known as an 'asthma attack'.
People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs which react to triggers. When the airways are triggered and asthma flares up, the airways narrow and produce extra mucus and it becomes harder to breathe. Asthma isn’t curable but it’s very treatable - but it’s important to take precautions when you travel.
Please note, the below is general advice only is not intended to replace the advice or information from a registered body or your doctor.
We would advise you to see a GP or attend the nearest hospital. If something serious is happening to you, please contact our emergency assistance team, and they will be able to advise you of next steps.
If your puffer or inhaler was stolen or lost, you may have a provision to claim under the Luggage and Personal effects section of the Policy Wording. Please note, we only cover the original cost of the medication. Visiting a doctor to get a prescription won’t be covered becuase it's considered routine management of your condition.
Unless you meet the criteria for automatic coverage (see the top of this page), then any claims that you make that are related to your asthma generally won’t be covered.
If you’re travelling with someone and they’re named on the policy, you will need to make sure that, where necessary, their medical conditions are declared. As a parent or guardian you can do this on your child's behalf. For adult travel companions, you’ll need to declare their condition if you have their permission to do so and are aware of their health and medical conditions. If you don’t have permission, they will need to do it themselves.
Asthma may be automatically covered if the terms of auto-cover are met (see top of this page). If the person you’re travelling with doesn’t meet the automatic cover criteria you will need to complete a medical assessment.
Cover for asthma on a Frequent Traveller policy works in the same way as single trip policies. Your condition may be automatically covered if you meet all of the auto-cover criteria. If not, you’ll need to complete a medical assessment and we will let you know the outcome.
If you’re diagnosed with asthma part way through your Frequent Traveller policy, your new condition will be considering a pre-existing condition for the remainder of your policy.
Unless you meet the criteria for automatic coverage, you’ll need to disclose your condition before you go on further trips.
If you have other pre-existing medical conditions that are not on our automatically covered list, it’s likely you will need to disclose those conditions. If your asthma meets the criteria for automatic cover, you don’t need to disclose it.
If you forgot to disclose your asthma and your policy has not started we might be able to add in it. You can call our Customer Care Team to carry out an assessment for your condition.
Please be aware that depending on the outcome of the assessment you may need to pay an additional premium.
All terms, conditions and limitations will apply in the same way as if you had declared the condition when you purchased the policy.
If you meet all of the criteria for automatic cover for asthma, you do not have to disclose this condition.
A pre-existing medical condition is something that must be disclosed when you’re purchasing travel insurance. Find out what they are and how they affect your travel insurance.
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An Australian not-for-profit charity working with leading health professionals dedicated to asthma. Read their detailed factsheet on living and travelling with asthma.
A national not for profit sector authrotiy on all repiratory conditions including asthma. Browse their website to find more information on how to care for yourself or your loved ones living with asthma.
IAMAT are a non-profit organization who help travellers plan a healthy trip, and connect travellers with reputable English-speaking doctors. They are a useful point of contact for anyone travelling with a health condition.
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