Whether you are looking to secure yourself or your loved ones during an international trip, travellers with pre-existing diseases or other medical conditions need a reliable travel insurance policy. Whether you are a senior citizen looking for the right international travel insurance for senior citizens or otherwise, here is all you need to know.
What Does Pre-Existing Disease Mean?
A pre-existing disease is a medical illness or injury that an individual has before purchasing a new insurance plan. Numerous medical conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and sleep apnea, are examples of pre-existing health conditions. Travellers should know about these risks and declare them while purchasing the policy. Non-declaration of pre-existing disease can lead to claim rejection.
For example, a traveller has been diagnosed with a kidney stone and suffers from chronic pain; however, they do not disclose this information when purchasing the policy. Once they are outside India for the trip, they suddenly feel a sharp pain and are hospitalised; they get the treatment and request a claim for it. However, during the investigation, it was discovered that the traveller had a medical condition, and they had not disclosed it, leading to claim rejection.
What Pre-Existing Conditions Are Typically Covered by Travel Insurance?
Depending on the insurer, coverage for pre-existing diseases might vary from zero to partial coverage only during emergencies and 100% coverage for certain policies. To understand and assess these differences, check out the policy document and the benefits listed by the insurer.
Here are a few main pre-existing conditions for which insurers offer coverage as a part of their policy:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Asthma
- Cardiac conditions
- Cancer
In addition to this, travellers can also avail of coverage for other pre-existing conditions during an emergency.
Why Is Travel Insurance Crucial for Senior Citizens?
Regardless of whether you have a pre-existing medical condition, it is imperative for travellers of all ages, especially senior citizens, to opt for travel insurance. Not only does travel insurance help mitigate the financial impact of dozens of covered risks and enables travellers to secure their health and travel with confidence and peace of mind.
Often, the older someone is, the more susceptible they are to risks, thus requiring greater protection for safe and secure travel. This is why travel insurance is crucial for travellers of all ages, especially senior citizens, for a safe and fun travel experience. This also includes indirect risks such as lost checked-in baggage, trip cancellation, and lost passports, which are other common risks that senior travellers should be aware of and secure from.
Who Should Consider Travel Insurance with Pre-Existing Condition Coverage?
Anyone and everyone planning an international trip who has a pre-existing condition that they are aware of should consider opting for this coverage. That is because even if you are not a senior citizen, getting caught in medical treatment in a foreign nation can be not only daunting but also quite expensive. Thus, by considering these risks and opting for the right coverage, travellers can confidently explore the world worry-free.
In addition to senior citizens and regular travellers with pre-existing diseases, it is also highly recommended that student travellers opt for student travel insurance with complete pre-existing disease coverage not just as a university requirement but also to secure their educational journey.
When Is the Best Time to Purchase Travel Insurance?
As a traveller, the best time to purchase travel insurance is immediately after buying travel tickets and booking reservations. This is because travellers have all their details ready and can buy the policy within minutes. On the other hand, procrastination hits those who wait and forget to buy the policy until the last moment. In addition, purchasing travel insurance early is also beneficial when facing a trip delay or cancellation before starting a journey.
How to Choose the Right Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions?
Travellers looking to secure their trip with the right travel insurance policy can do so from leading insurance providers like Niva Bupa. Niva Bupa offers reliable insurance policies that provide comprehensive coverage for competitive prices and allow travellers to travel freely with peace of mind. Niva Bupa provides complete pre-existing disease coverage to students as an add-on up to the sum insured and covers regular travellers for 5% or up to $2500. So, travellers should opt for international travel insurance for senior citizens from a leading insurer like Niva Bupa.
Conclusion
Whether you are a senior citizen or a regular traveller, travellers must disclose any pre-existing medical conditions and avail of the right policy for your specific needs. Whether pre-existing diseases or dozens of other medical and non-medical trip-related risks, travellers should consider these risks ahead of time and plan accordingly.