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Travel Insurance for UK Trip with Pre-Existing Conditions

16 replies

Redstar2015 · 16/10/2026 14:56

Looking for holiday cover in case we need to cancel our cottage booked in the Lake District. Family of 4 and the Post Office quote is £200 as we all have one pre-existing condition to declare, though it's mainly a just in case in event youngest is hospitalised, though this is unlikely for dates we are travelling as typically issues occur in winter.

I noticed the Post Office cover includes medical insurance and really all I'm after is holiday cover to cover cost of the cottage booking if we must cancel after the 60 day cancellation window. Would there be anything that might be lower than the £200 quote but actually pay out if required?

OP posts:
oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 16/10/2026 15:58

That's odd, surely UK citizens don't need medical cover in the UK ?
Have you asked them for a quote excluding it ?

Rocknrollstar · 16/10/2026 16:03

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 16/10/2026 15:58

That's odd, surely UK citizens don't need medical cover in the UK ?
Have you asked them for a quote excluding it ?

You need insurance in case you have to cancel. We have claimed a couple of times for cottages we had paid for and then couldn’t travel to. Also, if you travel in the UK by train or plane the insurance covers your luggage.

BadgerFAFOanditwasbrilliant · 16/10/2026 16:06

I have used StaySure insurance before (I have epilepsy) and it was really reasonable.

i also realised after buying separate StaySure insurance that actually my standard travel insurance that I get free with my bank account covers a lot of pre-existing conditions with no notification required.

Burningbud1981 · 16/10/2026 16:09

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 16/10/2026 15:58

That's odd, surely UK citizens don't need medical cover in the UK ?
Have you asked them for a quote excluding it ?

Medical cover is still needed in case you need to be repatriated home. For example you live in Newcastle and went on holiday to Cornwall broke your leg in 3 places had surgery can’t bend it. How are you getting home.

Burningbud1981 · 16/10/2026 16:10

And you also need pre existing medical conditions covered in case of cancellation.

ExitPursuedByABare · 16/10/2026 16:13

I was repatriated home from London to the North West by the NHS.

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 16/10/2026 17:22

ExitPursuedByABare · 16/10/2026 16:13

I was repatriated home from London to the North West by the NHS.

That's why I was querying it, I know 2 people who were taken home by the NHS.

Doctordoolittle · 16/10/2026 17:42

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 16/10/2026 17:22

That's why I was querying it, I know 2 people who were taken home by the NHS.

It depends what has happened to you, and which hospital twists are involved. In come cases it would be on you to sort something even that is paying for a private taxi.

I also think the OP here is looking more at if they have to cancel the booking for illness.

OP- does the company you want to book through not offer a cancellation insurance policy?

Notmycuppatea · 16/10/2026 17:44

Insurewith 100% used them a few times for a few different people. Reasonable price and so so so good and friendly customer service. They get a medical unwriter to ring you to go through your health and then give you a quote but it's been the cheapest by far e.g. they even insured my terminal aunt who was going on her final holiday and I don't even remember thinking that it was expensive.

Redstar2015 · 16/10/2026 20:36

Doctordoolittle · 16/10/2026 17:42

It depends what has happened to you, and which hospital twists are involved. In come cases it would be on you to sort something even that is paying for a private taxi.

I also think the OP here is looking more at if they have to cancel the booking for illness.

OP- does the company you want to book through not offer a cancellation insurance policy?

No, the company doesn't offer a cancellation policy but strongly advises you purchase one. I'm only really concerned if we had to cancel after the 60 day cancellation window, mainly for my youngest who has been hospitalised in the past multiple times, however this is usually in the winter so not too likely. I've ordered an annual, multi-trip policy in the past with all clear but it is £2000 with all pre-existing conditions for the whole family declared. That is for world wide travel insurance but we are looking to take other trips in the year so if it was reasonable we could save in the long run.

OP posts:
Redstar2015 · 16/10/2026 20:41

Notmycuppatea · 16/10/2026 17:44

Insurewith 100% used them a few times for a few different people. Reasonable price and so so so good and friendly customer service. They get a medical unwriter to ring you to go through your health and then give you a quote but it's been the cheapest by far e.g. they even insured my terminal aunt who was going on her final holiday and I don't even remember thinking that it was expensive.

Thanks for this recommendation! I am mainly looking at specialist suppliers, but having someone to talk through things is helpful, as it's not always clear what to select for pre-existing conditions. Like my son has inhalers but isn't diagnosed with asthma, but that is the closest option to select online when getting quotes to explain his health situation.

OP posts:
Thesque · 17/10/2026 14:51

I have a lot of pre existing conditions and have a bank linked policy with nationwide. I have to pay an extra £500 on top because of health conditions. I've used all the others before, Stay sure are particularly expensive.
Unless you have an unusual condition that no-one else will cover it's worth just checking regular insurance companies like Aviva.
Having said that my feeling is that I only insure for catastrophic cost, for example serious illness abroad that requires medical evacuation. I wouldn't bother for a UK cottage holiday. If you travel abroad as well that's different and UK trips would be covered.

Notmycuppatea · 17/10/2026 18:06

Redstar2015 · 16/10/2026 20:41

Thanks for this recommendation! I am mainly looking at specialist suppliers, but having someone to talk through things is helpful, as it's not always clear what to select for pre-existing conditions. Like my son has inhalers but isn't diagnosed with asthma, but that is the closest option to select online when getting quotes to explain his health situation.

So they are a specialist supplier for those with pre existing medical conditions so you tell them oh I had xyz and they break down each one discuss over phone and then cover you :)

EBearhug · 17/10/2026 18:25

If you pay by credit card, would it be covered then?

Thesque · 17/10/2026 20:25

EBearhug · 17/10/2026 18:25

If you pay by credit card, would it be covered then?

Credit card isn't travel insurance. It would protect you if the goods you bought were faulty but wouldn't refund a cancelled holiday.

Poppypie22 · 17/10/2026 20:33

I use to work in travel insurance and when premiums for medical conditions were over a certain amount we would offer for them to try BIBA (British insurance brokers association I think it stands for). I’m sure you can do a quote online with med conditions included and as they are a broker they will look a load of different insurers for you. They may be able to look at single uk trip or annual Europe/worldwide cover so you can see what’s best if you have other trips planned x

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