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Make sure you have the right medical travel insurance

If you have an existing medical condition, it's important to get the right treatment when you're abroad. And having the right cover's important too.

Treatment for an unexpected illness can quickly run into the thousands of pounds. But with the right insurance, you'll know you're covered.

Cover for common medical conditions

Diabetes

Diabetes can range from mild to serious, which can affect your overall health. Our travel insurance covers all these levels. We look at the how severe your disease is, where you're travelling to and if you have any other health issues

Asthma

Asthma can range from mild to severe. It can also be linked to other respiratory problems. It’s important to have the right travel insurance for asthma. We'll check your asthma on a case-by-case basis to see whether we can give you the right cover

Heart conditions

From high cholesterol to high blood pressure, we want to help you enjoy your trip. We'll consider any heart conditions you have and try to help you find cover that will give you protection should you fall ill abroad

Woman holding her mobile up to her face on a video call with a male doctor looking back at her

Medical Assistance Plus: 24/7 holiday health support

Have peace of mind when you travel knowing that health professionals are just one click away.

Medical Assistance Plus, powered by Air Doctor, comes free with all our travel insurance policies (1). It gives you access to outpatient medical support while you’re away.

Through the service you can book an in-person or video consultation with a doctor. You can also get prescriptions delivered to your nearest pharmacy.

We’ll send you an SMS reminder about the service the day before you travel (for single-trip and backpacker cover) or the day before your policy begins (for annual multi-trip cover).

(1) Medical Assistance Plus is not available for trips taken in the UK, only for international travel. The service allows up to 3 separate medical events per person listed on the policy, and up to 3 appointments per event. All appointment charges are covered by your travel insurance policy. You will not need to pay any excess fees for this service. You may need to pay for your prescription upfront and claim on your return home.

Ehic or Ghic aren't always enough

UK citizens travelling in EU countries can access some state-provided healthcare there for free or at a reduced cost.

You'll need a UK Global Health Insurance Card (Ghic) or, if it’s still in date, a European Health Insurance Card (Ehic). It’s important to remember that:

  • Neither card covers any extra cost to return you to the UK or for a relative to stay or fly out to be with you
  • In a medical emergency you may have no control over the hospital you are taken to. Or if the closest hospital you can be taken to may be private. Medical travel insurance may be able to cover some of the cost for you
  • The Ehic no longer provides access to healthcare services in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland

We’ll look after you if you’re ill abroad

If you're taken ill on holiday and end up in hospital, our emergency medical assistance team can be contacted to help you.

 

We'll look for facilities available to provide the treatment and care you need. We may be able to get you home. And we may be able to pay towards your medical costs.

 

Conditions and exclusions apply. For full details of what's included with your cover, check our policy documents.

Ready to get a quote?

Let’s find the protection that’s right for your travels. Get a quote for Post Office Travel Insurance

An award-winning provider

Personal Finance Winner 2023 award

Best Travel Insurance Provider

Post Office won a ‘Best Travel Insurance Provider’ award at the Your Money Awards in 2021, 2022 and 2023

Bronze British Travel Awards 21/22 Best Company for Travel Insurance award

Best Travel Insurance Provider

Post Office won a “Best Travel Insurance Provider” award at the British Travel Awards in 2023

Defaqto expert rated Travel Insurance 5 star award

Defaqto 5-star rated cover

Our travel insurance policies with premier level cover are Defaqto 5-star rated

Common questions

  • At Post Office, we work hard to provide cover that’s right for you and any pre-existing medical conditions you’re living with. And we know coronavirus is still a worry for many people living with such conditions.

    All Post Office Travel Insurance policies include a level of cover for trip disruption. This also includes problems due to the Covid-19 virus. Check if there any warnings from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) about where you plan to visit. If not, then we'll cover the costs of emergency medical expenses or getting you back home if you fall ill on your trip.

    Check what’s covered as standard for Covid-19 on our policies. You can add extra cover for coronavirus-related problems with our trip disruption upgrade option.

    Sometimes the FDCO will advise only essential travel to a certain place. If you make a trip to somewhere like this, we'll only cover a claim if the cause isn’t linked to the reason for the FCDO advice. This applies even if you've bought an optional trip disruption upgrade. You may be able to travel with full cover if we authorise, in writing, that your trip is essential before you depart. To find out more, please email travelinsurancefeedback@postoffice.co.uk

  • It's important to tell us the full details of any medical conditions you have, or any medication you're taking. This is so we can make sure the travel insurance we offer you fully covers you for your trip.

    When you apply, we’ll ask the following medical questions. If the answer is “yes” for you or anyone listed on the policy, you’ll need to complete a medical screening.

    • Have you been prescribed medication in the last 2 years, whether you’re taking it or not? This includes tablets (including morphine-based painkillers), inhalers or injections
    • Do you currently routinely visit a GP, hospital or clinic for check-ups/consultations or treatments? This includes annual reviews or reviews once every 2 years for a condition
    • Are you visited by a doctor, nurse or carer for check-ups or treatment (including changing dressings)?
    • Have you been admitted into hospital or undergone surgery in the last 2 years?
    • Have you received treatment for heart, stroke or respiratory-related illness in the last 2 years?
    • Are you currently waiting for any consultations, referrals or results from tests/investigations, or on any waiting lists?

    We'll check the condition and then let you know if we have a policy to suit your needs, and if any additional premium needs to be paid.

  • Yes, it's very important to tell us about your pre-existing medical conditions. If there's something you don't tell us about when you apply for travel insurance, you might not be fully covered when you go away. We must agree in writing to cover these conditions, and you may need to make an additional payment.

  • The questions we ask you in your medical screening will depend on the conditions you have. We’ll also ask about your recent medical history.

    If you've had had any issues recently, we'll ask more questions about:

    • Treatments you've had
    • Medicines you've been given
    • Surgery carried out
    • Any planned treatments

    We may have further questions after these.

  • Medical travel insurance covers you for your existing medical conditions. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you may be more at risk than a healthy person. This type of insurance can offer a higher level of cover if you have a condition that means you need extra care after an accident.

    We offer a policy that considers all medical conditions to give you the level of cover that you need.

    This can include:

    • Any medical expenses
    • If you need to be flown home
    • Being taken to a different hospital if the one you’re in isn’t suitable for your condition
  • If you’re travelling within the EU, it’s important to take your existing European Health Insurance Card (Ehic). Check if it's still in date. If it's about to expire, you can apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (Ghic).

    With the card you can get emergency and necessary state healthcare in EU countries. The care will be free or at a reduced cost. But there are certain things they don't cover, such as medical repatriation. So it's important to have travel insurance too.

    Please remember that the Ehic no longer covers healthcare for UK nationals in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

  • Read more travel insurance FAQs

Need some help?

Travel insurance help and support

For emergency medical assistance, to make a claim, find answers to common questions about our cover or get in touch:

Visit our travel insurance support page

Travel insurance policy types

  • Single-trip cover

    • Cover for a one-off trip in the UK or abroad 
    • Perfect for one-off trips or longer holidays of up to 365 days (2)
    • No age limit 
  • Annual multi-trip cover

    • Cover for multiple trips for a 12-month period 
    • 31-day trip limit, with extensions available up to 45 and 60 days
    • Available for everyone aged up to 75 years 
  • Backpacker cover

    • Cover for a one-off trip up to 18 months
    • Option to return home for up to 7 days on 3 occasions
    • For people aged 18 – 60 wanting to travel the world for a gap year or career break

About our travel insurance

Post Office® Travel Insurance is arranged by Post Office Limited and Post Office Management Services Limited.

Post Office Limited is an appointed representative of Post Office Management Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 630318. Post Office Limited and Post Office Management Services Limited are registered in England and Wales. Registered numbers 2154540 and 08459718 respectively. Registered Office: 100 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7ER. Post Office and the Post Office logo are registered trademarks of Post Office Limited.

The above details can be checked on the Financial Services Register by visiting the Financial Conduct Authority website and searching by Firm Reference Number (FRN).

Things you need to know

(2) For economy, standard and premier policies, the single-trip policy will cover you for one trip up to:

  • 365 days for those aged up to and including 70 years

  • 90 days for those aged between 71 and 75

  • 31 days for those aged 76 years and above