Quick summary for busy readers
- Asthma doesn't necessarily prevent you from getting travel insurance, and some insurers automatically cover asthma as a pre-existing medical condition, subject to eligibility criteria. See our table below to see varying insurers and their conditions for covering asthma.
- Automatic cover varies between insurers. Conditions may include your age, how recently you experienced an asthma exacerbation, whether you have other lung or respiratory conditions, smoking history and whether you require prescribed oxygen.
- Some insurers require a medical assessment before they'll provide cover for asthma, and an additional premium may apply.
- Always check the PDS to confirm whether your asthma is covered and what conditions or exclusions apply.
- If you're travelling with asthma, plan ahead: see your doctor, take your medication in your hand luggage, carry an asthma action plan and make sure your travelling companions know what to do in an emergency.
- Travel insurance can still provide cover for other insured events, such as lost luggage, eligible cancellations, rental car excess and personal liability, subject to the policy terms.
Does travel insurance cover asthma?
Having asthma doesn't necessarily mean you can't get travel insurance. Many insurers automatically cover illnesses such as asthma, diabetes and osteoporosis as a pre-existing medical condition, provided you meet their eligibility criteria.
The conditions for automatic cover vary between insurers and may include factors such as your age, how recently you experienced an asthma exacerbation, whether you have any other lung or respiratory conditions, your smoking history and whether you require prescribed oxygen.
If your asthma doesn't meet the criteria for automatic cover, you may still be able to obtain cover by completing a medical assessment. An additional premium may apply if cover is offered.
Because pre-existing medical conditions are treated differently by each insurer, always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand whether your asthma is covered and what conditions apply.
Common conditions of automatic asthma cover
Some insurers may automatically cover asthma if you meet certain eligibility criteria. These can include:
- You have no other lung or respiratory disease
- You are under a specified age limit, such as 60
- You have not experienced an asthma exacerbation requiring treatment by a medical practitioner within a specified period, such as the past 12 months
Who covers what?
The following table highlights which insurers automatically cover for asthma and conditions that apply.
**Click on each row to expand and see more details**
| Provider | Conditions | Action | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | Must be declared at purchase and undergo medical assessment. Cover is subject to 1Cover accepting the condition in writing; additional premium may apply. | Quote | |
| | Medical assessment required; pre-existing asthma may be covered subject to assessment and acceptance. Additional premium may apply. | Quote | |
| | Standard or Top cover; pre-existing asthma must be disclosed and accepted by Tick. Additional premium may apply. | Quote | |
| | Medical screening required; pre-existing asthma is not automatically covered and may be covered following acceptance. Additional premium may apply. | Quote | |
| | Must be declared at purchase and undergo medical assessment; cover is subject to Zoom agreeing to cover the condition in writing. Additional premium may apply. | Quote | |
| | Automatically covered if under 60, with no asthma exacerbation requiring medical treatment in the past 12 months, a non-smoker for at least 18 months, no prescribed oxygen outside hospital, and no other chronic lung condition. | ||
| | Medical questionnaire required; asthma may be covered subject to assessment. Additional premium may apply. | ||
| | Automatically covered if under 60, with no asthma exacerbation requiring medical treatment in the past 12 months, a non-smoker for at least 12 months, no prescribed oxygen outside hospital, and no other chronic lung condition. | ||
| | Asthma can be covered as a pre-existing condition; it must be declared and is subject to the policy terms and conditions. | ||
| | Medical assessment required; pre-existing asthma is subject to acceptance. Additional premium and/or medical excess may apply. | ||
| | Automatically covered if there has been no asthma exacerbation requiring medical treatment in the past 12 months, you have been a non-smoker for at least 18 months, don't require prescribed oxygen outside hospital, and have no other chronic lung condition. | ||
| | Automatically covered if under 60, with no asthma exacerbation requiring medical treatment in the past 12 months, a non-smoker for at least 18 months, no prescribed oxygen outside hospital, and no other chronic lung condition. | ||
| | Automatically covered if under 60, with no asthma exacerbation requiring medical treatment in the past 12 months, a non-smoker for at least 18 months, no prescribed oxygen outside hospital, and no other chronic lung condition. | ||
| | Automatically covered if under 60, with no asthma exacerbation requiring medical treatment in the past 12 months, a non-smoker for at least 18 months, no prescribed oxygen outside hospital, and no other chronic lung condition. | ||
| | Automatically covered if under 60, with no other respiratory conditions, no cortisone treatment except via inhaler/puffer, no hospital treatment for asthma in the past 2 years, and a non-smoker for at least 18 months. | ||
| | Medical questionnaire required; asthma may be covered subject to assessment. Additional cost may apply. | ||
| | Medical assessment required; asthma is not automatically covered. Cover may be offered subject to assessment, with an additional premium potentially applying. | ||
| | Medical assessment required; asthma must be disclosed and accepted in writing. Additional premium may apply. | ||
| | Automatically covered if under 60 and you have no other lung disease, subject to the policy's general automatic-cover criteria. | ||
| | Automatically covered if under 60, with no other respiratory conditions (including sleep apnoea), no cortisone medication except via inhaler/puffer, and no hospitalisation for asthma in the past 2 years. | ||
| | Automatically covered if under 60, with no other respiratory conditions (including sleep apnoea), no cortisone medication except via inhaler/puffer, and no hospitalisation for asthma in the past 2 years. | ||
| | Automatically covered if under 60 and you have no other lung disease, subject to the policy's general automatic-cover criteria. | ||
| | Automatically covered if under 60, with no other respiratory conditions (including sleep apnoea), no cortisone medication except via inhaler/puffer, and no hospitalisation for asthma in the past 2 years. |
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.
Tips for travelling with asthma:
Having asthma may require some extra planning when you travel, particularly if your symptoms can be triggered by changes in climate, altitude, allergens or activity. These steps can help you prepare for your trip:
- See your doctor before you travel. Discuss your destination and travel plans, and make sure your asthma is well controlled. Ask whether there are any specific precautions you should take while away.
- Carry your medication with you. Take enough medication for your entire trip, plus extra in case of delays. Keep your medication in your hand luggage and in its original packaging so it remains accessible throughout your journey.
- Keep your asthma action plan up to date. Make sure you know what to do if your symptoms worsen while travelling and have an appropriate supply of medication with you.
- Consider your destination and planned activities. If your asthma is triggered by particular allergens, climate or exercise, research your destination and consider whether any activities could affect your symptoms. If you're planning activities such as scuba diving or travelling to high altitudes, discuss these with your doctor beforehand.
- Carry relevant medical information. A letter from your doctor outlining your condition and medication may be useful if you need medical assistance while overseas.
- Make sure your travel companions know about your asthma. Let them know what to do if you experience an asthma attack or need assistance with your medication.
You may still be covered for other insured events
Even if your asthma isn't covered by your policy, travel insurance may still provide cover for other unexpected events during your trip, depending on your policy.
Lost, stolen or damaged luggage: Travel insurance may provide cover if your luggage or personal belongings are lost, stolen or accidentally damaged during your trip, subject to your policy's terms, conditions and benefit limits.
Trip cancellation and disruption: Depending on your policy, you may be covered for eligible trip cancellations, delays or interruptions caused by unforeseen events. Purchasing travel insurance soon after booking your trip may also provide cancellation benefits before you depart.
Rental vehicle excess: Many comprehensive travel insurance policies include cover for rental vehicle excess, subject to the terms, conditions and limits of your policy.
Personal liability: Many comprehensive travel insurance policies include personal liability cover if you accidentally cause injury to another person or damage to their property while travelling. Cover limits and conditions vary between insurers, so check your PDS.
What's next?
Before purchasing a policy, compare options, and check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand how your asthma affects your cover. If you're unsure whether your condition is covered, contact the insurer directly before you travel.
Once you've chosen a policy, make sure you understand any conditions that apply to your pre-existing medical condition and have the medication and documentation you need for your trip.
*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.
