Epilepsy travel insurance
If you suffer from epilepsy, you need to take out the right travel insurance to make sure you’re covered when you’re abroad.
With epilepsy travel insurance, you’ll be protected if you have any issues or seizures while you’re away. Medical treatment in Europe or globally can be extremely expensive which is why travel insurance is so important.
More about MEDICAL CONDITIONS TRAVEL INSURANCE.
Can you get travel insurance if you have epilepsy?
You should be able to get travel insurance if you have epilepsy. It is always best to get proper advice before applying though, or risk paying more than you need to.
Epilepsy can increase the risk of needing medical treatment when away. This can make some insurance companies hesitant to offer cover, so it is important to apply to the right companies. A specialist travel insurance policy can give you peace of mind that you are properly protected if something unexpected happens.
In some cases, it may be that someone you are travelling with has epilepsy. The holiday could need to be cut short due to their health. It is a good idea to inform insurers about this when you apply. You will then be full protected in case you need to claim for a cancelled or shortened holiday.
How does epilepsy travel insurance work?
Anyone applying for travel insurance will be asked questions about their health, including questions about epilepsy.
This includes questions about your epilepsy and general health such as:
- When were you diagnosed with epilepsy?
- What type of seizures do you have? (Absent or tonic-clonic)
- How frequently do you experience symptoms/seizures?
- Have you changed your treatment recently?
- Have you been hospitalised because of epilepsy in the past?
- What caused your epilepsy? E.g. drugs, alcohol, brain injury, medication etc
Some insurers will be more wary of offering cover to someone with epilepsy. Others may offer you a policy but exclude you from claiming due to epilepsy or other neurological conditions.
This is where it can be most helpful to speak to a specialist. This will help you to get the level of cover you need and deserve.
Can I get travel insurance with epilepsy cover?
It is possible to get specialist travel insurance that covers epilepsy. It is better to get a more specialist policy if you have a medical condition like epilepsy. This is because traditional travel insurance will not include cover for pre-existing conditions as standard.
Living with epilepsy should not prevent you from travelling. There are however several situations that will need to be covered in case anything goes wrong. For example:
- Your medication is lost or stolen (you should pack this in hand luggage, as well as a copy of your prescription)
- Jet lag (due to different time zones), anxiety, or excitement can increase the risk of having a seizure requiring medical treatment
If you don’t have adequate travel insurance in place, these events could leave you with expensive costs to cover. This would be a struggle for many people, needing to rely on loans or credit cards to get the necessary funds.
What does epilepsy travel insurance cover?
Travel insurance covers you for a range of different events that might happen while you are on holiday. You will be covered for situations such as:
- Lost luggage
- Lost or stolen items of value
- Personal liability
- Cancellation cover
- Missed departures (up to £1,500)
A specialist epilepsy travel insurance policy will also cover you for:
- Repatriation to the UK (if needed)
- Replacement medication
- 24/7 medical assistance
- Emergency medical treatment (cover up to £15million)
It can be very stressful and upsetting to experience medical issues while in a foreign country. Knowing you have protection in place can give you the peace of mind needed to relax and enjoy your holiday.
How much is travel insurance for people with epilepsy?
The cost of travel insurance will vary from person to person and depend on the insurance provider you apply to. It is key to apply to a provider who understands epilepsy and travel insurance for the fairest possible price.
Various other factors will affect how much you pay:
- Destination (e.g. Europe or Worldwide)
- Length of trip
- Type of travel insurance (single trip or annual)
- Type of holiday (e.g. standard holiday or cruise)
Epilepsy travel insurance premiums will also be based on:
- Your age
- When you were diagnosed
- If you have been hospitalised due to epilepsy
- Your treatment/medication
- Any complications
- Other medical conditions causing your epilepsy
You’ll need to make sure that you provide accurate information about your condition so that you’re properly covered. You should always declare your epilepsy on an insurance application.
If anything happens while you’re abroad and you failed to disclose this information then your claim could be invalid. This could be potentially very costly for you.
Cheapest travel insurance for epilepsy sufferers
You should be able to find cheap travel insurance for epilepsy, provided you get the right advice.
A medical travel insurance specialist will be able to find the best providers for your condition. They can also compare pricing across the market to see if you can get more for your money elsewhere.
Our expert travel partners can find the best travel insurance for epilepsy at the most affordable prices. Remember, the cheapest option isn’t always the best choice with travel insurance. It is more important to be certain you have the right level of cover.
Travel insurance for a child with epilepsy
If your child has epilepsy, it is important to get proper protection for them if you are travelling. You should also disclose this on your travel insurance application. You may need to cancel or shorten your trip due to their health and this would cover you in this event.
It is possible to get travel insurance for children through a range of mainstream insurance providers. However, if your child has epilepsy, it would be better to speak to a pre-existing medical conditions travel insurance expert.
Does epilepsy affect where I can travel to?
As epilepsy travel insurance is a specialist policy, you shouldn’t be restricted in where you can travel to.
It is sensible to bear in mind that medical costs can vary massively depending on the country you are visiting. You should ensure you have enough cover in place in the event you need medical treatment or replacement medication.
You also need to be honest when answering medical questions during your application. You could otherwise end up with cover that isn’t suitable for what you need
Is there an age limit for epilepsy travel insurance?
Our specialist travel insurance partners can access brilliant medical travel insurance for epilepsy with NO AGE LIMIT. This means you can relax and protect your holiday no matter your age.
You can receive specially tailored quotes quickly and easily. You simply fill in a few basic details about your health and your trip.
Compare epilepsy travel insurance
According to the World Health Organisation, around 5 million people worldwide are diagnosed with epilepsy every year.
If you need to learn more about epilepsy and travel insurance, here’s how you can find out more. This is how you can get your travel insurance quotes.
1. Call and speak to an epilepsy travel insurance expert
A specialist in medical travel insurance will be able to offer advice and compare quotes for you. You can also get a quote online for your travel cover.
CLICK HERE to get your quotes online
2. Answer some quick questions
You will be asked a few simple questions about your trip (destination, duration etc). You will then be asked more about your epilepsy (medical screening) to get you the fairest and most accurate quotes.
3. Get your epilepsy travel insurance UK quotes
You will receive personalised quotes for epilepsy travel insurance from our carefully chosen specialist travel partners.
Other insurance products for epilepsy
Frequently asked questions about epilepsy
| What is epilepsy caused by? | Epileptic seizures can be caused by a range of factors including: Stress Tiredness Waking up Menstruation Medication Illegal drugs Alcohol Flashing lights |
| What are 5 symptoms of epilepsy? | The main symptom of epilepsy is repeated seizures. Other symptoms include: Loss of consciousness Confusion Stiff muscles Uncontrollable movements Staring (absent seizures) Anxiety |
| Is epilepsy a serious condition? | Epilepsy is a common condition but the symptoms can be very serious. Treatment is especially important and you should make sure to consult your doctor before making any travel plans. |
| Can you travel if you have epilepsy? | YES – you should be able to travel when you have epilepsy. |
| Can travelling trigger seizures? | Tiredness or stress when travelling could make you more likely to suffer a seizure. This is why travel insurance can be even more important to help you avoid expensive medical bills. |
Useful resources
Epilepsy Society – Travel and holidays for people with epilepsy
