Are you suffering with diabetes? If yes, it is natural to have more precautions especially when traveling. Check out some of the best travel insurance for diabetics. 

 Just because you have diabetes doesn’t mean life has ended for you.

While this condition can pose many challenges, it shouldn’t be a reason for you to stop traveling and seeing the world.

However, before you decide to travel, make sure you have the best travel insurance for diabetics in your hand. It is vital for your safety and health.

But choosing the right travel insurance for this pre-existing condition can be a little tricky. However, you don’t have to worry because I have everything sorted for you.

From the importance of getting insurance to the kind of coverage you should consider, read to find all the answers to your possible questions.

What Is Travel Insurance for Diabetics?

Imagine you are holidaying in a foreign country and suddenly you fall ill. Because you have diabetes, you rush to a hospital before things get worse.

But upon reaching, you learn the facility won’t check you because you don’t have a proper financial guarantee or travel insurance for diabetics.

Or even if they decide to manage your illness, the final bill will be in thousands of dollars that you can’t afford.

Won’t you panic more and worsen your situation? What is the point of this kind of vacation, anyway?

To prevent yourself from such incidents, it is always wise to purchase travel insurance for your condition in your holiday planning stage. This piece of paper can save you millions of dollars and hassles.

Travel insurance for diabetics takes care of all the medical expenses that may incur in case of emergencies. Moreover, the policy makes sure it pays for any charges after you have missed a flight because of your illness.

There are many other things as well that these insurances cover. However, it depends on the type and coverages it mentions.

But Why Do You Need a “Diabetes Travel Insurance” Only?

Now you may ask why I need this particular type of insurance only? Don’t other kinds cover the medical costs for diabetic patients?

A majority of travel insurances don’t have coverages for “pre-existing medical conditions.” This term refers to an illness you already have and are aware of before you signed an insurance policy.

But is diabetes a pre-existing condition for travel insurance? Yes, it is, and no providers automatically cover it.

Only authentic travel insurance for diabetics can help you pay for this condition in case of an emergency.

In some cases, you may be reluctant to disclose your illness because maybe it is under control. Or you don’t want to spend money on the insurance that you believe won’t benefit you in any way.

It is natural to act that way. But remember, if something terrible happens and it leads to your disclosure, you may not be covered by a regular insurer as well.

What Coverages Should You Consider?

There are many factors to consider before you invest your money on travel insurance for people with diabetes. If you are seeking travel insurance for type 1 diabetes or even type 2, for that matter, look for policies that offer broad coverage.

For instance, the best travel insurance for type 1 diabetics will most probably cover for :

• Any stolen or lost medicine such as insulin
• An unforeseen medical intervention like hospitalization
• Expenses incurred on flight missed because of your unhealthy state

Depending on your health condition and the coverages you require, your travel insurance for diabetics can be your best savior in a foreign land. So, it is pretty vital to book one before your departure.

But, how to make sure you get the best travel insurance for diabetics? Follow the questions below to help you make the right choice.

Does Your Existing Insurance offer Coverage on Diabetics?

Before you buy new travel insurance for diabetics, check whether your current insurance policy covers your needs. Most insurance providers offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, but it is pretty rare.

However, there is no harm in trying out your luck.

For your information only, the insurances you get by using an American Express Platinum credit card or Mastercard to buy your flight tickets do not cover any pre-existing conditions. So, don’t consider them to pay for your diabetes-related emergency expenses.

Read more  Translating “Nondiabetic” A1C Levels to Clinical Practice

You can always ask your current insurer to include a policy on diabetes in your existing insurance. Some companies provide this service but at a specific price.

However, the additional cost is far less than getting a new insurance policy.

However, if your insurer doesn’t accept your request, you have no choice but to spend money on separate travel insurance for diabetics.

See Related: Best Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

What to Look for in a Travel Insurance for Diabetics?

You have the money and will to invest in insurance but are clueless on which one to get?

I understand your problem because there are hundreds of insurance companies available online, and each one of them wants you to buy their policies. However, to make sure your investment doesn’t go to waste, you need to be quite careful with your selection.

Every travel insurance for type 1 diabetes and even type 2 offers different terms and has varying coverage levels. You will have to look through each policy to make sure that the insurance’s conditions meet your requirements.

Many travel insurance marketplaces like TraveInsurance.com and Aardy can help you find many reliable insurance plans. But you need to be vigilant enough to compare them according to their terms and conditions.

Here are few things you must pay attention to:

Look-Back Period

To relinquish your condition, some insurance companies ask you to prove your state’s “stable status.” They may request you for evidence as old as a year.

But there might be many who won’t demand anything. In either case, abide by the terms to claim any coverage as required.

Buying Period

All travel insurance coverage must be purchased within one, 14, or 30 days of your final payment date. It is necessary irrespective of your medical condition.

Scope

Any general travel insurance for diabetics covers basic needs such as emergency expenses, loss of medicines, or flight cancellation. However, if you need a policy that offers more than that, you would have to discuss it with your insurer.

The scope of policy you require should be clear in your head, so you only pay for what you want.

Best Cost/Coverage Ratio

The best travel insurance for diabetics is one whose cost balances its coverage. The more expensive the insurance, the more facilities it provides.

However, don’t go overboard with unnecessary coverage. Find a policy that offers a satisfactory cost/coverage ratio.

But make sure to avoid extremely cheap travel insurance for diabetics as much as you can. They often lack even basic coverage and are mostly useless.

Is Travel Insurance for Diabetics Expensive?

The most common misconception regarding travel insurance for diabetics is that it is expensive. It may be true if compared to a simple policy, but as long as it covers all your unique needs and justifies the price, you don’t have to worry about its cost.

Moreover, you can always find cheap travel insurance for diabetics after reviewing and comparing the available policies.

Or, you can negotiate with your insurer and purchase it at a rate that is suitable for both of you. You can always play the “customer card” and ask the company to lower their rate, or you will shift to another insurer.

Please don’t be reluctant to purchase insurance only because it may hurt your pocket.

Look at the benefits it may provide you and save yourself from any future hassles.

Best Travel Insurance Providers for Diabetics

Now that you know what to look for in suitable travel insurance, here are my recommendations that you can consider for your upcoming trip.

You can purchase your insurance from any of these companies. Or, if possible, consider these options as a good start for your search.

World Nomads

World Nomads offers customizable insurance policies that vary according to their coverage and costs.

However, this company provides two basic plans for all kinds of requirements, including travel insurance for people with diabetes.

The Standard Plan offers low coverage but at an affordable price. However, the Explorer Plan provides an extended coverage plan at a premium cost.

When it comes to diabetics, World Nomads has a travel plan for all kinds of medical costs incurred in a foreign country. This insurance policy generally covers:

• Hospitalization costs
• Medical Emergencies
• Medicines and X-rays

The cost and coverage of your insurance depend on your medical history, your current condition, and any limitations.

Moreover, World Nomad’s top-class customer service provides you with 24-hours assistance. This service can help you find the nearest hospital and navigate any local customs.

If you are a USA resident, World Nomads is one of the best insurance companies to get personalized travel insurance for diabetics.

Travelex Insurance Services

Travelex is another excellent insurance company with plans to meet all your needs. It has three major travel insurance plans, Travel Select, Travel Basic, and Travel America.

While Travel Basic is an affordable plan than the rest of the two, Travel Select offers far more coverage and is suitable travel insurance for type 1 diabetic children.

Travel Select insurance provides coverage for kids under 17 and is also a pretty trustworthy plan for pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes. However, to enjoy its benefits for diabetes, you must purchase the program 15 days before making a trip payment.

This plan also provides additional upgrades on medical coverage.

Read more  8 Foods That Diabetics Should Avoid (At All Costs)

Travel America is another perfect plan if you are traveling within the USA with your seven other friends. This plan highlights the importance of travel insurance for domestic travel.

It also offers coverage for any pre-existing condition. However, to avail of it, you must buy the plan within three days of the final payment you make for your trip.

Travel America provides coverage for 14 days only and is applicable for your travels in the USA.

For your international and long trips, consider purchasing Travel Select.

Like what you are hearing? Read our full Travelex review to learn more.

Allianz Travel Insurance

Another competitive insurance company on this list, Allianz, offers various insurance plans to meet individual requirements.

Moreover, it also provides annual travel insurance for people who make frequent trips all year round.

Allianz’s OneTrip Premier Plan offers coverage for pre-existing conditions like diabetes.

According to Allianz’s policies, any illness that has caused a person to visit a doctor within 120 days prior to the insurance date is a pre-existing condition.

To enjoy the coverage benefits, you need to purchase this insurance within 14 days of your first trip payment. Moreover, you must be a US resident and be medically perfect for traveling on the day the insurance is purchased.

The OneTrip Premier is an upgraded and expensive version of OneTrip Prime and provides one million dollars for emergency transport benefits and up to $50,000 for medical services.

However, both are the best options for travel insurance for type1 diabetic children as they cover all kids under 17 for free. You can choose the insurance according to your planned investment and coverage requirements.

All the above insurance providers are great in their ways. However, whichever insurance provider or plan you consider, just make sure it offers the best cost/coverage ratio and has a wide scope.

How to Travel Safe with Diabetes?

Diabetes or any pre-existing medical condition shouldn’t be taken lightly.

While travel insurance for diabetics will cover your emergency expenses as required, it is always safe to prevent such incidents.

If you are planning a holiday soon, here are a few things you can take care of to avoid getting unwell.

Maintain Your Insulin Levels

To manage diabetes, make sure your insulin dosage stays normal on the flight. You can always ask the airline to arrange specific food for you.

Or you can opt for your home-cooked meals for long journeys.

Prepare an Emergency Plan

To avoid a mishap, write an emergency plan. It should contain contact numbers and addresses of people close to you.

Also, pen down the list of medicines you consume and any information on glucose measurement devices you use.

You should always have a list of instructions that may help the other person save you from an unpleasant incident.

Always Carry More

Bad times don’t inform us before coming. To save yourself from any regrets on your holidays, always carry extra medications, insulin, and syringes with you.

Moreover, carry a spare meter to check your glucose levels whenever needed.

Visit Your Doctor Before Traveling

Don’t hesitate to visit your consultant before your trip. He may adjust your medication according to different time zones or suggest the types of food you can consume while traveling.

Also, request your doctor for a signed letter mentioning your condition and a list of medicines.

See Related: Best Health Insurance When Visiting the United States

Final Words

When you buy travel insurance for diabetics, make sure you take its fine print and go through every point.

Don’t rely on the company to look after your required coverages.

Phew! Do you feel informed?

Let me repeat that just because you have a pre-existing condition like diabetes, you shouldn’t let that deter you from going on your most-awaited trip.

The benefit of having authentic travel insurance is that it gives you medical security so you can focus on your fun times with a free mind.

Just make sure your chosen plan covers all your concerns, offers excellent customer services, and is comparatively affordable. And you are good to go!

Here’s wishing you a happy holiday. Have fun!

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— Update: 08-01-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article Travel Insurance For Diabetics – All You Need To Know from the website www.forbes.com for the keyword travel insurance for diabetics.

As soon as you’ve booked a holiday, getting the right travel insurance in place is a must. But if you have a pre-existing medical condition, such as diabetes, finding a travel insurance policy can be more expensive – and less straightforward. 

Here’s a round-up of what you need to know.

What is diabetes travel insurance?

When you take out a travel insurance policy, you’ll be asked a number of questions about your health. 

Whether you have type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, diabetes in pregnancy or even pre-diabetes, it’s important that you declare it. If you are found to have been dishonest or withheld any medical information, your policy may be deemed invalid. 

When you declare your condition on a standard travel insurance policy, it may not cover costs that arise as a result of it. Other policies may cover the condition but charge a hefty premium. 

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In this case, a specialist policy designed to cover pre-existing conditions like diabetes, could be your best bet.

Do I need diabetes travel insurance?

While you’re not required to take out specialist travel insurance for diabetics, having a policy tailored for your condition could prove invaluable should something go wrong. 

A specialist policy may cover the loss or replacement of your insulin, for example, whereas a standard policy wouldn’t. And if you travel on standard policy without full medical cover for diabetes, you could end up with an eye-watering medical bill.

You can compare policies for your condition on a comparison website. But if you are struggling to find a policy due to your diabetes or the premium seem too high, the Money Advice Service offers a specialist directory of travel insurance providers that offer insurance for serious medical conditions. The British Insurance Brokers’ Association also has a directory of specialist firms. 

What will I be asked about my diabetes during medical screening?

When you take out a new travel insurance policy, you will be asked a number of questions about your health. These could include:

• Whether you take medication for your diabetes
• How many times you’ve unexpectedly been in hospital in the last few years
• Whether you have any other conditions relating to your diabetes
• Whether you have high blood pressure or cholesterol.

Regardless of what health condition you may have, you will need to answer honestly, or else risk invalidating your insurance. 

What should diabetes travel insurance cover?

One of the most important elements of a travel insurance policy is the level of medical cover it offers as medical bills overseas can be staggeringly high. 

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), one medical bill in 2020 cost a total of £124,000 to cover a month’s private medical treatment in Spain following a fall and emergency repatriation back to the UK. 

To cover medical costs adequately, look for policies with medical cover of at least £5 million. And make sure that repatriation (getting you back to the UK following a medical emergency) is included.

Comprehensive travel insurance policies should also cover:

• Cancellation and curtailment – this will cover you should you have to cancel or cut your holiday short due to unexpected circumstances 
• Baggage and personal possessions – should your belongings be lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed
• Personal liability – to cover you if you accidentally injure someone or cause damage to their property while you’re away.

Think about the level of Covid cover any policy offers, too. Our Best Covid 19 Travel Insurance Policies has more information.

Be aware, too, that unless you take out a specialist policy, your travel insurance is likely to be void if you travel against the advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

What should I pack for my trip if I have diabetes?

As well as travel insurance, diabetes requires a little more forward planning when it comes to packing, too. Take the following in your hand luggage (you will need a letter from your doctor, in case you are stopped at security):

• Short and long acting insulin
• Insulin delivery device such as a pen or insulin pump
• Spare pen and needles
• Insulin storage wallet with cooling

• Blood glucose meter, with spare batteries and test/ disposal kit
• Plenty of blood glucose testing strips to last the trip
• Medical alert identification

• ICE (emergency) number (store this in your phone)
• GP contact details
• Letter from your doctor
• Copy of diabetes prescriptions

• Emergency kit
• Snacks for your journey in case of delays

You can find more on this along with other useful information about travelling with diabetes at Diabetes.co.uk.

I have a GHIC – do I still need travel insurance?

The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) has replaced the EHIC and gives you access to state healthcare at the same cost as a local while you’re travelling in Europe (excluding Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland). 

This will be either at a reduced cost, or sometimes free.

Some travel insurance providers may insist that you have a GHIC as a condition of taking your policy out, while others may remove the excess for medical emergency claims if you have one. 

However, GHICs are not a replacement for travel insurance as they don’t cover you for costs such as unexpected cancellation in the run-up to a trip or lost possessions.

Plus the card won’t protect you against all medical costs such as repatriation should you need to return home due to a medical emergency, whether it’s related to your diabetes or not.

How can I keep the cost of my travel insurance down?

As well as pre-existing conditions like diabetes, the price of a travel insurance premium is calculated using factors such as your age, where you are travelling to, and how long you are going for.

However, the price you are quoted can vary considerably between providers, so it’s good practice to shop around and compare what’s on offer.

Best value doesn’t necessarily mean the cheapest, though. Budget policies may not offer adequate protection for your needs. 

Instead, along with price, compare claim limits, excess amounts and the elements you are covered for side-by-side.

Diabetes is no reason not to travel – but it makes it even more important that you have the right policy in your pocket when you do.