Travel Insurance 101: Is My Pre-Existing Condition Covered?

Important disclaimer y’all… not all travel insurance companies have the same policies and procedures, and things can change, so this info is specifically the protocol of our insurance partner, Redpoint, as of August 2024. 

Getting coverage is important and purchasing through our partner isn’t necessary, but since we can’t talk with all the companies, we narrowed our scope to who we knew. We encourage you to use this as a guideline for how insurance can work and to be sure to call your chosen provider to answer any questions.

The first step you should take after you book any adventure is to sort out your travel insurance. Most companies will offer you coverage during the booking process or immediately after booking and there’s a good reason for that (more on why below). Bottom line, as far as insurance companies are concerned, you’ve plunked down money for some aspect of travel, so the clock is ticking…

It’s easy to believe nothing could ever happen to you when you’re away from home, but everyone knows a friend of a friend who broke their ankle on the cobblestones somewhere in Europe, or caught the flu riiiiiight before their plane to Peru. 

If a hurdle pops up before you depart, or an issue arises while you’re en route, you want to be covered (it’s always better to be safe than sorry!) If you have a pre-existing medical condition, contrary to popular belief, that condition isn’t (always) excluded from your coverage!

So, how do you know what’s covered and how? We’ve got a little cheat sheet for you below, but please remember it’s always best to call Redpoint (415-481-0610) with any questions.

The technical info is that plan options cover travelers of all ages (a big plus as most companies have an age cut-off), offer up to $100,000 of primary medical expense coverage, and include evacuation, baggage, and a range of adventure travel activities, but Ripcord also includes search and rescue, and a pre-existing medical condition waiver if purchase conditions are met.

The conditions include:

1. Your premium for this policy is received within the time sensitive period (more on that ‘time sensitive period’ below!)
2. You are medically able and not disabled from travel at the time your premium is paid based on assessment of a physician
3. You insure 100% of the cost of all travel arrangements that are subject to cancellation penalties or restrictions, including the cost of any extra travel arrangements made for the same trip (ie any other travel arrangements not made through your travel supplier added to your trip)
4. You must update the coverage to include the additional cost of the extra arrangements within 15 days of payment to the supplier (ie hotel, car rental, etc)

Important note: Make sure the full cost of your trip, including any additional arrangements, is insured, or the travel coverage will be terminated and no benefits will be paid. And keep those receipts! Your insurance company will pay you back after you get the help you need on your trip. 

(Travel coverage will be terminated, and no benefits will be paid under the pre-existing medical conditions exclusion waiver if the full cost of all prepaid non-refundable travel arrangements, including any subsequent arrangements added to your trip, is not insured.

What counts as a pre-existing medical condition?

Before you worry about meeting the purchase conditions, make sure your condition counts as pre-existing under Redpoint’s policy. 

Here’s the insurance industry jargon portion for you… important but boring (ha):

A pre-existing medical condition, according to Redpoint as of August 2024, is an illness, disease, or other condition that exists during the 90-day period immediately prior to your trip cancellation effective date (you’ll also learn about this when you book), for which you:

1. received a recommendation for a test, examination, or medical treatment for a condition which first manifested itself, worsened or became acute, or had symptoms which would have prompted a reasonable person to seek diagnosis, care, or treatment
2. took or received a prescription for drugs or medicine. (This does not apply to a condition which is treated or controlled solely through the taking of prescription drugs or medicine and remains treated or controlled without any adjustment or change in the required prescription throughout the 90-day period before coverage is effective under the policy).
3. required a change in prescribed medication, which means the dosage or frequency of a medication has been reduced, increased, stopped and/or new medications have been prescribed due to the worsening of an underlying condition that is being treated with the medication, unless the change is
   1. between a brand name and a generic medication with comparable dosage; or
   2. an adjustment to insulin or anti-coagulant dosage.

Some pre-existing conditions are obvious, like cancer or heart disease, but other examples include diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune disease, and some mental health conditions. Remember, it’s always best to reach out to Redpoint with specific questions/illnesses/date queries: Redpoint at +1 415-481-0610 or find answers to common questions over on their website. 

Pay close attention to important dates

Staying organized pays off (and will keep you safe). If you’re within the early purchase window of your initial trip deposit date, you’ll make yourself eligible for the highest level of coverage, including maintaining eligibility for the pre-existing condition waiver and access to all covered reasons for trip cancellation and interruption.