Travel Insurance Explained for Flu & Other Sickness (2024)

FAQs

How to prove sickness for travel insurance? ›

Regardless, if you feel too sick to travel it's important to have your opinion confirmed and your diagnosis documented by a doctor. Medical documentation will be required if you're looking to be reimbursed for your non-refundable trip costs if you have to cancel your trip.

Is the flu a pre-existing condition? No! Flu is not a pre-existing condition and hence is covered in travel medical insurance. However, if you have flu before the purchase of the insurance policy it will be considered as a pre-existing condition.

Conditions which may not be covered

Conditions like terminal illness, the need for oxygen, pending surgery, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, specific types of cancer, congestive heart failure, and recurring pain are generally excluded from coverage.

Doctor's Notes

In some cases, your employer may require you to provide a doctor's note to verify that you are unable to work. This is a common practice, and it is typically allowed under employment law. However, your employer is not entitled to the specific medical information contained in the note.

Copies of all bills, invoices, receipts, and applicable credit card/bank statements pertaining to claimed medical expenses. INJURY Claims - Accident / Incident / Police / ER Report(s) which detail accident.

Travelling against medical advice or to get medical treatment. If your doctor says it's not safe for you to travel, then you won't be covered. Similarly, if you go abroad to get planned treatment, sometimes called 'medical tourism', a standard policy will not cover this – you'll need specialist insurance instead.

Travel insurance policies with cancellation cover will generally cover cancellation costs arising from circ*mstances such as: You suffer from an unforeseen illness, injury or death.

Travel insurance usually includes holiday cancellation cover in case your trip is cancelled for reasons beyond your control – illness or the death of a close family member, for example.

What is a covered illness? ›

Covered condition is a medical diagnosis or treatment that is eligible for reimbursem*nt by a patient's insurance plan according to their policy terms.

Documentation: Typically, if you need to cancel your trip due to a medical reason, you'll need to provide documentation from a qualified medical practitioner confirming the necessity to cancel the trip. This could include a doctor's note or medical records.

Cost: Travel insurance will add to the overall cost of your trip. Some may choose to forgo it to save money, especially on shorter or less expensive trips. Exclusions and Limitations: Policies may have various exclusions and limitations, so it's essential to read the fine print.

What are pre-existing medical conditions? A pre-existing medical condition (PEMC) is an illness or injury you had before your policy began or was renewed. Examples of pre-existing medical conditions include, diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol or a long-term back condition.

Receipts and itemized bills for all expenses. Documentation of any refunds or expense allowances received from your tour operator, travel agency, common carrier, resort, property management company, or other entity. Copy of resort invoice/vacation rental contract or confirmation.

You can get a refund even if you fall ill before your trip

Ensuring you're covered well before you travel means that should you fall sick before your trip, or you unfortunately become too weak to travel, your doctor's memo is enough for you to claim a refund of expenses you've incurred for your missed trip.

Do I have to declare anxiety on travel insurance? Yes, you will need to tell us about any mental health-related conditions that you or, any travellers on your policy, have been diagnosed with. As part of your quote, you'll be able to declare anxiety as a pre-existing health condition.

Please contact your travel insurance provider in relation to any claims you may wish to raise if you are not able to travel due to a serious or life-threatening illness. Ryanair may refund you the cost of your flight ticket in the form of a travel credit if you become 'seriously ill' and are therefore unable to travel.