The Itinerary

How the Pre-Existing Condition Waiver Works

Posted Aug 5, 2015 11:02:00 AM in Travel Insurance 101 by Amanda Hand

Oftentimes, we get calls in the customer service department relating to pre-existing conditions. They aren't sure they can get travel insurance coverage that covers any pre-existing condition they may have, and they're worried about how that could impact their travel plans Here is some helpful information about pre-existing medical conditions and travel insurance.  

Get travel protection quotes that waive Pre-Existing Conditions.

What is a pre-existing condition?

In TravelSafe’s plans, a pre-existing condition means an illness, disease or other condition for which you, your traveling companion, business partner or family member scheduled or booked to travel with you received, or received a recommendation for, a test, examination ,or medical treatment for a condition which first manifested itself, worsened or became acute or had symptoms which would have prompted a reasonable person to seek diagnosis, care or treatment.  This includes any condition which requires the affected person to take or receive a prescription for drugs or medicine.  But, this does not apply to a condition which is treated or controlled solely through prescription drugs or medicine if the condition remains treated or controlled without any adjustment or change in the required prescription throughout the look-back period before coverage is effective under the plan. 

All TravelSafe plans include an exclusion for losses caused by a pre-existing condition. 

Insurance companies may look-back a certain number of days from the day you purchased your plan to determine whether or not you have a pre-existing condition. This is called the "look-back period." For TravelSafe, the look-back period is 60 days.  This means that if you were treated for a heart condition 180 days ago but have been asymptomatic ever since, this would not be considered a pre-existing condition under the plan.

Can I Get Travel Insurance Coverage for a Pre-Existing Medical Condition?

Great news! You can get travel insurance coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. For TravelSafe, this comes in the form of a waiver, and we call it the Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Exclusions Waiver. It removes, or waives, the exclusion that is in your travel protection plan for pre-existing medical conditions. 

Wait! How do i get the Pre-Existing Condition Waiver?

First, not every plan offers this waiver. You'll want to be sure the plan you are looking for offers this coverage. Also, the Pre-Existing Conditions Waiver is a time-sensitive benefit. So, you'll have to purchase your travel protection plan within a specific time frame from the day your first deposit for your trip is received, which is 21 days for the TravelSafe Classic plan.

If you book your cruise on May 1st and give the cruise line your first deposit, you may qualify for the Pre-Existing Condition Waiver in the Classic plan up to May 22nd.

Additionally, you cannot be disabled from travel when you purchase your plan.

Who does the pre-existing condition apply to?

We frequently get phone calls regarding this question specifically. Oftentimes, travelers wonder if a pre-existing condition of a relative or traveling companion will exclude their trip insurance coverage.  In addition to you, the exclusion for pre-existing conditions applies to your traveling companions as well as your business partners or family members if they are traveling with you.  The exclusion does not apply to anyone who is not accompanying you on your trip. 

If you are traveling to Scotland, and your father who is staying home has suffered a heart attack 25 days before you booked your trip, you do not need to worry. The pre-existing condition exclusion does not pertain to him. 

Now, if your father plans to join you in Scotland,  you will need to qualify for the Pre-Existing Condition Waiver if further complications from this heart condition cause you to have to cancel or interrupt this trip.

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