Please Note - If you are cruising around Australia you need to select Pacific.
With Regions, variances can apply for Bali, Indonesia, Japan and Middle East.
You are not required to enter stop-over countries if your stop-over is less than 48 hours.
Having diabetes shouldn't prevent you from living a full and rich life. Certainly diabetes can pose its challenges but it shouldn’t stop you from fulfilling your dreams and seeing the world. It may be tricky to find travel insurance that covers diabetes, but that's why we're here! After all having a pre-existing medical condition can be tiring, so going on holiday may be just what the doctor ordered!
The general rule of thumb is that insurers do not cover conditions that already exist before your trip and many will require a medical evaluation before you are given the green light
However, most insurers do have a list of 30 (or so) conditions that they automatically cover (hurrah!), including illnesses such as diabetes, asthma and osteoporosis. Conditions do apply.
On the other certain some conditions will require a medical assessment before cover can be granted, which may cost you an additional premium. Lastly there are conditions that are commonly not covered at all such as cancer, mental illness and heart conditions.
It's also worth bearing in mind that insurance companies may view the risks around type 1 or type 2 diabetes differently. Your condition would thus be assessed based on the type of diabetes you have.
To get automatic diabetes cover, the following conditions apply:
- You have not been diagnosed with Hypercholesterolaemia, Hypertension or a known cardiovascular disease
- You have no vascular, nerve, kidney, or eye complications
- You were diagnosed prior to a certain time period e.g. within the last 6-12 months
- You must be less than 50 years old
- Your condition has been stable with no complications for more than 12 months
The following table highlights which insurers automatically covers for diabetes, and/or whether a medical assessment is required before obtaining cover.
**Click on each row to expand and see more details**
General Advice Warning: The contents of this article were accurate at the time of writing. Insurers change their policies from time to time, so some information may have changed. You should always read the Product Disclosure Statement of your chosen insurer to understand what is covered and what isn't. The information provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account any personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your personal circumstances.
Lucky for you, already overseas policies provide the same great cover as policies that were purchased before you left for your trip. What cover can you expect?
Overseas medical cover
This is one of the most important features of cover. Overseas medical cover includes 24 hours a day emergency medical assistance and may cover the costs for: ambulance cover, medical evacuations, funeral arrangements, messages to family, medical and hospital bills, surgical, nursing and emergency dental treatment.
Cancellation fees and lost deposits
No matter how organised you are, when travelling overseas there are many events beyond your control. This covers you for costs if you suddenly find you can't go on your trip or need to cut short your trip short for some unforeseen circumstance such as illness, an accident or a death of a close relative. Cancellation cover will refund you for prepaid travel and accommodation and non-refundable expenses.
Luggage and personal effects cover
These days, most of us travel with suitcases jam packed with our belongings. Luggage and personal effects will cover you for reimbursement or replacement of your luggage and personal effects which are lost or stolen.
Personal liability cover
Accidents happen! If you're found responsible for another person's injury while travelling you will want to be protected, personal liability bills can run into the millions.
Rental vehicle excess
If you're planning on hiring a car during your trip, your travel insurance will usually cover any rental car excess. So DON'T take out that expensive excess reduction insurance with the rental car company!
If you’ve already bought a policy and then want to extend your trip - it’s much easier to extend your existing policy than it is to get new cover when you’re already abroad.
If you’re already overseas and you either forgot to take out cover, or your previous policy has expired, know that there are options out there for you. It's not too late to take out already overseas travel insurance cover!
This information is provided as a general guide only. You should always refer to your PDS to determine whether the provider in question or policy is best for your circumstances.
Even if you are not automatically covered for diabetes, that doesn't mean you can't get cover at all, it just means that you're required to have a medical assessment before cover can be granted.
Additionally; you should be aware that medical cover is just one of the many benefits of travel insurance. There are plenty of additional circumstances in which travel insurance could prove to be very handy!
Although your health is top priority there are other big factors that can make travel insurance an essential for all travellers!
Lost or stolen luggage: When you’re dealing with illness, the last thing you need is the extra financial stress of a lost suitcase or stolen wallet. Travel insurance will cover you for any lost, stolen or damaged items, provided you look after them.
Cancellations and emergencies: Should your flight be delayed for more than 24 hours, your travel insurance provider will cover any costs you’ve accrued. You’ll also be covered should you miss a flight due to any type of motor vehicle accident or natural disaster. It's best to buy travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday - that way if you have to cancel your trip for any unforeseen circumstance you'll be covered.
Rental car excess: Planning a bucket list road trip? Your travel insurance will usually cover rental car excess, so you can drive off into the sunset, worry free.
Personal liability: Your policy will cover you in the event that you are responsible for another person’s injury. Most comprehensive policies will cover you for up to $2 million in personal liability fees.
Having a pre-existing condition shouldn't curb your thirst for travel, but it's sensible to be prepared should your condition flare up.....here's a few tips for safe and healthy traveling when you have diabetes.
Remember to always check the fine print before you purchase a policy. Don’t simply assume that you’re automatically covered by travel insurance. Check the fine print concerning pre-existing conditions and medical cover to ensure that any conditions related to your diabetes are covered.
Phew! Feeling informed? Once again, it's important to remember that having diabetes shouldn’t deter you from taking that long awaited holiday!! Once you’ve compared travel insurance policies, spoken to your insurance provider and taken all the necessary precautions for your trip there’s nothing left to do but focus on enjoying your trip. Have fun!
*Please note: the contents of this article were accurate at the time of writing. Insurer’s change their policies from time to time, so some information may have changed. You should always read the product disclosure statement of your chosen insurer to understand what is covered and what isn't.
Don't rock the boat baby!
Eugene is here to help with all your curly questions.
Grey haired wanderlust? Find cover with no age limits.
Originally from the UK, Hayley took a gap ‘year’ in 2011… and it’s still going! She’s travelled all over the world, volunteering in a Ugandan orphanage, skydiving in Australia, shark diving in South Africa, and skiing in the Alps (and snapping in a ligament in the process!). Certified in Tier 2 General Insurance General Advice and working in travel insurance for over two years, Hayley is a thrillseeker and a storyteller who loves hearing about customers’ holiday plans and sharing her own tips and must-see spots to help get them inspired.
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