Having High Blood Pressure shouldn't prevent you from living a full and rich life. While hypertension can pose its challenges it shouldn’t stop you from fulfilling your holiday dreams and seeing the world. It may be tricky to find travel insurance that covers it, 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!
Does travel insurance cover Hypertension?
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 asthma, diabetes and osteoporosis. Conditions do apply.
Certain conditions will require you to complete 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.
Common conditions of asthma cover
Typically to get high blood pressure cover the following conditions may apply:
- You must have no other cardiovascular disease
- You must not have a high reading when you apply for cover
- Age restrictions may apply
- You are a non-smoker
So who covers what?
The following table highlights which insurers cover for hypertension and the conditions that apply.
Insurer |
Covered? |
Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| 1Cover |  |
Provided you do not suffer from a known cardiovascular disease and your most recent reading is less than 165/95 |
| 1300 Insurance | |
Provided you have no cardiovascular disease and/or no diabetes |
| AAMI | |
Provided you do not suffer from a known cardiovascular disease and your most recent reading is less than 165/95 |
| Allianz Australia Insurance Limited | |
Provided you have no cardiovascular disease and/or no diabetes |
| All Clear | |
AllClear will consider any condition. No medical condition is automatically rejected. |
| American Express | |
Provided you have no cardiovascular disease and/or no diabetes |
| Australia Post | |
Provided you do not suffer from a known cardiovascular disease and your most recent reading is less than 165/95 |
| Australia Seniors | |
Provided you do not suffer from a known cardiovascular disease and your most recent reading is less than 165/95. You must be under 75 years. |
| Boomers | |
Provided you have no cardiovascular disease and/or no diabetes |
| Budget Direct | |
Provided you have no cardiovascular disease and/or no diabetes |
| BUPA | |
Provided you do not suffer from a known cardiovascular disease and your most recent reading is less than 165/95 |
| Columbus Direct |  |
Medical assessment required |
| Comminsure | |
Provided you have no cardiovascular disease and/or no diabetes |
| Cover-more | |
Provided you have no cardiovascular disease and/or no diabetes |
| Downunder | |
Provided you have no cardiovascular disease and/or no diabetes |
| Easy Travel Insurance | |
Given your blood pressure is stable |
| Fast Cover | |
Provided you have no cardiovascular disease and/or no diabetes |
| Go Insurance | |
Provided it is managed in regular consultation with Your Medical Practitioner, You do not also suffer from high cholesterol and No more than 2 medications are being taken |
| Insure4Less | |
Medical assessment required |
| InsureandGo | |
Medical assessment required |
| itrek | |
Provided you do not suffer from a known cardiovascular disease and your most recent reading is less than 165/95 |
| Kango Cover | |
Provided you do not suffer from a known cardiovascular disease and your most recent reading is less than 165/95 |
| Medibank | |
Provided you do not suffer from a known cardiovascular disease and your most recent reading is less than 165/95 |
| Multi-Trip | |
Provided you have no cardiovascular disease and/or no diabetes |
| Nib | |
Provided you have no other lung disease and you are less than 60 years of age at the date of issue of the certificate of insurance. |
| No Worries | |
Medical assessment required. |
| NRMA | |
Provided your hypertension is stable and managed by your doctor , you have no known heart or cardiovascular conditions, and or changes to your medication within the last 12 months |
| Online Travel Insurance | |
Provided you do not suffer from a known cardiovascular disease and your most recent reading is less than 165/95 |
| Priceline Protects | |
Provided you do not suffer from a known cardiovascular disease and your most recent reading is less than 165/95 |
| Simply Travel Insurance | |
Provided you do not suffer from a known cardiovascular disease and your most recent reading is less than 165/95 |
| Ski insurance | |
Provided you do not suffer from a known cardiovascular disease and your most recent reading is less than 165/95 |
| Southern Cross | |
Medical assessment required |
| STA Travel | |
Provided you have no other lung disease and you are less than 60 years of age at the date of issue of the certificate of insurance. |
| SureSave | |
Medical assessment required |
| Tick Travel | |
Medical assessment required |
| TID | |
Provided you have no cardiovascular disease and/or no diabetes |
| Travel Insurance Saver | |
Medical assessment required |
| Travel Insuranz | |
Medical assessment required |
| Under 30 | |
Provided you do not suffer from a known cardiovascular disease and your most recent reading is less than 165/95 |
| Virgin Money | |
Provided you have no cardiovascular disease and/or no diabetes |
| Webjet | |
Provided you have no cardiovascular disease and/or no diabetes |
| Westpac | |
Provided you have no cardiovascular disease and/or no diabetes |
| Woolworths | |
Provided you have no cardiovascular disease and/or no diabetes |
| Worldcare | |
Medical assessment required |
| World Nomads | |
Provided you have no cardiovascular disease and/or no diabetes |
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.
Tips for travelling with HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Having a pre-existing condition such as hypertension 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.
- Have a check-up with your doctor so they can give you advice about travel; for example, ask about plans in case of an attack.
- Take a letter from your doctor with the details of your condition. Be sure to bring the letter with you on holidays.
- Planning is key to ensuring your condition is controlled while you're on holiday. This should include managing the risk of sitting for long periods, adjusting your medication to accommodate different time zones and managing your baggage, wheelchairs and gate-to-gate transportation at airports.
- Keep moving as staying seated for prolonged periods may increase the risk of developing blood clots and leg swelling. For air travel, stand up and stretch at least every two hours. For car travel, consider frequent stops.
- Take all the medication you will require with you and be sure to carry it in your hand luggage in its original packaging. It's also advisable to take more medication than you'll need in the event of luggage delays and keep it with you rather than in your stowed luggage.
- It is advisable to have an emergency plan in case complications occur. This should include a list of any emergency contacts, information about the medications you are on and how these items need to be with you at all times.
What if I can't find cover for my pre-existing condition?
Other reasons to buy travel insurance
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.
What’s next?
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 asthma are covered.
Phew! Feeling informed? 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!
