A pre-existing medical condition can be described as any medical condition, no matter how minor which has caused you to seek medical advice, care or treatment or any condition which you have that requires the taking of prescribed medication.
Insurance companies see people who have pre-existing medical conditions as a high-risk group, and who are more likely to claim for an illness whilst they are on holiday, for this reason a person with a pre-existing medical condition is more likely to have to pay a higher insurance premium for their travel insurance policy compare to a person with out.
Medical screening
It is not always the case that a person with a pre-existing medical condition is going to be charged a higher premium for their travel insurance policy; they do however have to jump through some hoops before they are able to find out. In most cases the person who is purchasing the travel insurance policy has a pre-existing medical condition or a member of the group they are purchasing the insurance for has they will need to contact the insurance company's medical screening line.
When you are talking to the medical screening for the insurance company and telling them about yours or a member of your group pre-existing medical conditions, you need to tell them about all of your previous medical conditions even if it was a minor condition which occurred years ago.
You maybe tempted to not inform the insurance company about a pre-existing illness you or a member of your group has in an attempt to get a cheaper premium for your travel insurance policy, but in the event that you make a claim relating to illness or injury. The insurance will request permission from you to access the medical records of the person who suffered the illness or injury.
If it is discovered that the illness or injury is related to any existing illness, which were not declared at the time of purchase of your insurance policy you could be left to find a means to pay the medical costs and if necessary return flights. If the insurer decides that they are going to decline your claim.
Other factors
The declaration of your pre-existing medical conditions are not the only factor which insurance companies look at when deciding if they are going to provide a insurance policy.
They also take in to consideration the place you will be travelling to, for example if you were planning to travel to the United States, Canada, the Caribbean or Cyprus could determine whether they will offer you a travel insurance policy or not as these countries have some of the most expensive medical care in the world.
Possible outcomes
Once the insurance company has assessed the medical declarations which has been made, there is a number of options which are available to them that they can offer you:
Offer a standard travel insurance policy, this is dependent on the severity or type of condition.
Exclude the pre-existing medical condition or conditions from the travel insurance policy, meaning if your illness is related to your pre-existing medical condition you would have to pay the costs relating to that illness.
Offer you the travel insurance policy but you would need to pay a higher premium for the policy in line with the associated risk, which the insurance company sees.
Offer you the travel insurance policy but impose restrictions, exclusions, special terms or higher excess payment for the policy.
Or refuse to insure you.