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Diabetes And Travel Insurance

Whether you have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes we want to help you find the best travel insurance solution.

To make sure you have the best options available, all you need to do is let us know about your condition while you’re buying your travel insurance policy.

It’s important that we know about your diabetes - that way you’ll know if you’re covered if anything happens to you because of your condition.
 

You can get travel insurance at no additional cost* If:
  • Your diabetes has been diagnosed and stable (ie. you haven’t had to change your medication) for more than 12 months^; and
  • there is no planned surgery, treatment or specialist review; and
  • you have not had hospital treatment of your diabetes in the past 12 months^; and
  • you have no eye, kidney, nerve or vascular complications; and
  • you have no known heart disease, and
  • you're under 50 years of age. 
If you don't meet the above conditions, you can still get travel insurance. it might just mean that:
  • You can obtain travel insurance, but if you want your diabetes to be covered, you’ll need to pay; or
  • you can obtain travel insurance but it will mandatory to purchase coverage for your diabetes; or
  • your condition won’t be covered at all, but you can still purchase travel insurance.

Please note, there’s a possibility we might not be able to cover you at all, but we will tell you this during your medical assessment.

*based on diabetes being your only pre-existing condition
^from the time you have purchased your insurance.

 

How do i let you know about my diabetes? 

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 answer some questions. This is where we’ll ask you everything we need to know about your diabetes.

Once you’ve filled out this questionnaire, you’ll immediately find out your travel insurance options.

 

Get A Quote & medical Assessment 

 

travelling with Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease where the body produces little or even no insulin. This is controlled by daily injections of an insulin.

Type 2 diabetes is a lifestyle disease mostly brought on by poor diet, lack of exercise and being overweight. It's also associated with hereditary factors, and can be managed with healthier lifestyle changes.

If you have diabetes, you’ll need to make sure you’ve taken all the necessary steps to keep yourself safe and healthy on your trip.

Please note, the below is general advice only is not intended to replace the advice or information from a registered body or your doctor.
 

before You Take Off 
  • Arrange an identification or medical alert bracelet, wristband or necklace, especially if you’re at risk of hypoglycaemia.
  • Make sure you have a consultation with your GP about six to eight weeks before your trip and tell them about your travel plans.
  • Obtain a letter from your doctor with all the details of your condition and medication.The letter should also state what equipment you need.
  • Tell your airline you have diabetes. That way they can meet your needs especially when it comes to food.
  • Take more medication, insulin and syringes thank you need in in your carry-on luggage. Checked baggage can get lost or be delayed, so you need to make sure you have enough on your person.
  • Take a spare meter with you, in case something happens to your first one.
  • Research what type of foods they have at your destination so that you can prepare your meals and take diabetes friendly snacks for in between meals.
While you're Away
  • If you’re travelling in a new time zone, you'll need to adjust the time you take your medication. Check with your doctor about this.
  • Ensure you adequately store your insulin (if you take insulin) for the climate you are going to.
  • If you lose your medication or equipment while you’re away, you might consider visiting the emergency room of the nearest hospital.
  • Unusual, non-routine activities, like long periods of sunbathing can affect your blood glucose levels.Test your blood glucose levels regularly so you can make sure everything is on track.
  • Tell the people that you’re travelling with that you have diabetes. It’s important that people around you are prepared to help if necessary.

Diabetes Related FAQs

  • What if my child or the person i’m travelling with is diabetic?
  • 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.

    Diabetes 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.

  • I meet all the pre-conditions for diabetes, do I still have to disclose my condition?
  • If you meet all of the criteria for automatic cover for diabetes you do not have to disclose this condition via a medical assessment.

  • Will your policy cover for replacing lost insulin while i'm abroad?
  • If your insulin 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 because it's considered routine management of your condition. 

  • How does diabetes affect my frequent traveller policy?
  • Cover for diabetes 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 or you will need to complete a medical assessment to determine if we can offer the cover.

  • What if i have diabetes as well as other pre-existing medical conditions?
  • If you have other pre-existing medical conditions that are not on our automatically covered list or they do not meet auto-criteria you will need to disclose them.

    If your diabetes meets the criteria for automatic cover, you won’t have to disclose it when you’re buying your policy. 

  •  What if i forgot to tell you about my diabetes?
  • If you forgot to disclose your diabetes 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.

READ ALL FAQS

 

Do you need to know About...

 

Pre Existing Conditions

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.

Pregnancy

You or someone you’re travelling with is going to have a baby…so you’ll need to find out how travel insurance works for pregnant women.

Repatriation

Repatriation is the process of returning a person home after a medical emergency or at worst case death. Being covered for repatriation, so read the ins and outs.

Vaccinations

It’s important that you have all the right vaccinations before you travel. From malaria to meningococcal, find out what you need to know about vaccinations and travel insurance.

 

One Last Thing: Handy resources for diabetic travellers


Diabetes New Zealand is the national body for people affected by all types of diabetes and those at risk. They work in partnership with diabetes professionals and have a plethora of useful information to help you before you travel.


The Ministry of Health New Zealand aims to deliver better health outcomes for Kiwis. Their website has a myriad of information on diabetes that can help you plan out your trip bvisit ministry of health nzetter.


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.


The International Diabetes Federation is an umbrella organisation over numerous nation diabetes associations. Their website has a range of information aimed at promoting diabetes care and prevention