Pre-existing Medical Conditions Travel Insurance Guide
By the Travel Insurance Comparison NZ editorial team
Having a medical condition doesn't mean you can't get travel insurance, but it does mean you need to declare it and check what the insurer accepts. The answer differs between insurers and depends on the condition, how stable it is, and your trip.
Official advice
SafeTravel advises thinking about the needs of everyone you are travelling with, including anyone with a pre-existing condition, and checking that those needs are covered by the policy and that your insurer knows about them (SafeTravel (MFAT): Travel insurance). It also recommends talking to your doctor about whether you should travel if you have a pre-existing condition (SafeTravel (MFAT): Health advice).
How insurers handle conditions
- Automatically covered: some policies list conditions covered without an assessment if criteria are met, such as no recent changes in treatment.
- Assessed: other conditions go through a medical questionnaire, online or by phone, which may lead to acceptance, an extra premium, or an exclusion.
- Excluded: some conditions, or claims arising from them, are not covered at all under some policies.
An excluded condition usually affects more than medical claims — cancellation or early return caused by that condition may not be covered either.
What to check
- The definition of a pre-existing condition and its look-back period.
- Which conditions are automatically covered and what criteria apply.
- What happens if your health changes between buying the policy and travelling.
- Whether relatives in New Zealand with health conditions affect cancellation cover.
Related: mental health cover and travel insurance for over-70s.
Frequently asked questions
What is a pre-existing medical condition?
Each policy defines the term. Definitions commonly include conditions you have been diagnosed with, received treatment or medication for, or had symptoms of before the policy started, often within a stated look-back period. Read the definition in the policy you are considering.
Can I get cover for a pre-existing condition?
Often, yes. Some insurers cover specified conditions automatically if conditions are met, some assess other conditions and may accept them for an extra premium, and some conditions may be excluded. The outcome depends on the insurer and your health.
What if I do not declare a condition?
Claims connected with an undeclared condition are commonly declined, and an insurer may treat a failure to disclose as affecting the whole policy. Answer the medical questions fully and accurately, and keep a record of what you declared.
This page is general information, not financial advice, and does not take your personal circumstances into account. Cover, limits, excesses and exclusions differ between insurers and policies. The policy wording (and any policy schedule or endorsement) is what decides a claim, so read it — or ask the insurer — before you buy.
Sources
Official sources cited on this page, checked 30 September 2026.
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