TRAVEL & MOTOR INSURANCE
FOR PEOPLE WITH A CHEST, HEART, OR STROKE ILLNESS
This factsheet contains information on accessing travel and motor
insurance when you have a long-term health condition.
It also lists some organisations which provide these services.
IMPORTANT
Read this section rst
Your travel agent may not be able to provide you with full cover if you have
recently had a heart attack or stroke, or if you have certain long-term health
conditions. Sometimes, a more specialist insurance policy is more suitable.
It is often worth shopping around for the best deals. Ask as many questions as
you can about exactly what the insurance will cover.
Please note that while all details are correct at the time of printing, they can
change quickly. If you nd inaccuracies or think we’ve missed something, you
can contact CHSS Health Information at health.inf[email protected].
Disclaimer:
The companies listed are for your information only. CHSS is not able to
make specic endorsements or recommendations.
CHSS cannot help individuals with insurance quotes, obtaining cover, or
making claims.
CHSS takes no responsibility for error, loss, or damage suered by
people using any information published in this document.
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When do I need travel insurance?
If you are travelling to the European Union, you can apply for a free Global Health
Insurance Card (GHIC) through the NHS. This replaces the European Health
Insurance Card (EHIC) which was used before Brexit.
If you already have an EHIC, you can continue to use it as before until its expiry date.
You can also apply for a new EHIC if you are resident in the EU, Norway, Iceland,
Leichtenstein, or Switzerland, or if you are a citizen of any of these countries and
started living in the UK before January 1, 2021.
A GHIC or EHIC means that you will recieve healthcare in countries within the EU at
a reduced price. It may also be free in some areas.
A GHIC/EHIC will not cover non-healthcare costs. For things like getting home after
an illness or accident, paying for accommodation after health issues, or care for
existing conditions, you will still need travel insurance. Having a GHIC/EHIC may
make it cheaper to buy travel insurance. Some insurance providers may require you
to have a GHIC or EHIC before buying insurance for EU travel.
Your card will expire after ve years. Applying for a GHIC or EHIC should be free. Be
very wary of any organisation which charges you to apply for this card. You can apply
for your GHIC at www.ghic.co.uk
If you are travelling outside the European Union, you will not be able to use either
a GHIC or EHIC to access healthcare. You will need to have travel insurance in
advance of your trip to any country outside of the EU.
The one exception is Norway. In Norway, you can use your UK passport to access
state-provided medical care.
Being fully insured when travelling means you can relax in the knowledge that, if
you get ill or have an accident during your holiday, you can access proper care and
support. This is especially important if you already have health problems.
Finding travel insurance
You should always take your time and shop around when choosing travel insurance.
It’s especially important to double-check with your insurer if you have Long Covid,
as not all insurance companies are aware of or prepared to deal with Long Covid.
Travel insurance may also be aected by Covid regulations. Make sure you check any
travel limitations before booking your insurance.
This factsheet is produced by Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
Call our Advice Line for information and support
tel:
updated:
May 2022
You can ask your travel agent for advice, or use internet comparison engines like
comparethemarket or gocompare to see various policies in relation to each other.
Make sure you know what your insurance covers. Dierent policies will cover
dierent things, so it’s important to make sure your needs will be met. For example,
consider whether you may need help with:
» Costs involved in getting home after an accident or emergency
» Accommodation costs if you have to stay abroad longer for health reasons
» Medication or treatment for ongoing health problems
» Insurance for medical equipment you need during your trip
A full list of brokers who provide travel insurance to people with existing health
conditions can be found at: traveldirectory.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/listings
Finding motor insurance
Motor insurance is a legal requirement if you are going to drive a vehicle.
It’s important to make sure, before going any further, that you should be driving at all.
Some health conditions may aect your ability to drive safely. If you have recently had
a heart attack, stroke, or transient ischaemic attack, or if you have recently been given
a new diagnosis, you may need to apply for your licence to be reassessed.
For more information on whether you should drive and how to apply for a licence
reassessment, check out the CHSS booklet “Driving With A Medical Condition”.
If the DVLA determine that you need restrictions on your licence as a result of your
health condition, this may make it more dicult to nd motor insurance. Some
insurers will not be able to insure you if you have licence restrictions, and others may
charge higher premiums.
If you have consulted with the DVLA and they have conrmed that your licence is
unaected by your medical condition, then your motor insurance should not be
aected. Legally, an insurer cannot charge you extra for having a medical condition,
unless they can prove that it will make you a higher risk on the road.
The following pages are a non-comprehensive list of companies
who provide insurance to people with pre-existing long-term health
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TRAVEL INSURANCE ONLY
Able2Travel
Telephone: 01892 839501
Website: www.able2travel.com
Specialist travel insurance for people with long-term health conditions.
All Clear Travel
Telephone: 01708 339026 (for general enquiries)
Telephone: 01708 339295 (to get a quote)
Email: inf[email protected]
Website: www.allcleartravel.co.uk
A wide, inclusive range of travel insurance policies.
Direct Travel
Telephone: 0330 880 3600
Website: www.direct-travel.co.uk
A wide range of travel insurance, including existing medical conditions.
Free Spirit Travel Insurance
Telephone: 0800 170 7704
Email: contact@freespirittravelinsurance.com
Website: www.freespirittravelinsurance.com
Specialised insurance for people with long-term medical conditions.
Good To Go
Telephone: 0330 024 9952 (to get a quote)
Telephone: 01279 621 662 (customer services)
Email: help@goodtogoinsurance.com
Website: www.goodtogoinsurance.com
Specialist insurance for older people and people with health conditions.
This factsheet is produced by Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
Call our Advice Line for information and support
tel:
0808 801 0899 email: [email protected]
updated:
May 2022
Holiday Extras
Telephone: 0800 781 4086
Email: insurance.queries@holidayextras.com
Website: www.holidayextras.com/travel-insurance.html
A wide range of insurance policies, including specialist policies for a range
of chest, heart, and stroke conditions.
Insurance Choice Travel Services
Telephone: 01926 680120
Website: www.insurancechoice.co.uk
Specialises in nding insurance for people with pre-existing conditions.
Also oers home insurance.
Insureandgo
Telephone: 0330 400 1383
Website: www.insureandgo.com
Oers travel insurance policies that include long-term health conditions.
Insure For All
Telephone: 01903 209903
Website: www.insurefortravel.co.uk
Oers travel insurance policies that include long-term health conditions.
Just Travel
Telephone: 0800 294 2969
Website: www.justtravelcover.com
Specialist travel insurance for pre-existing health conditions. No age limit.
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This factsheet is produced by Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
Call our Advice Line for information and support
tel:
0808 801 0899 email: [email protected]
updated:
May 2022
MIA Travel Insurance
Telephone: 0800 999 3333
Email: inf[email protected]
Website: www.miatravelinsurance.co.uk
Aordable travel insurance and advice for people with long-term medical
conditions. No age limits. Specialises in treating customers as individuals.
StaySure
Telephone: 0808 281 5402
Website: www.staysure.co.uk
A range of travel insurance policies, including medical insurance.
World First Insurance
Telephone: 0345 90 80 161
Email: info@world-rst.co.uk
Website: www.world-rst.co.uk
Travel insurance specialists, who oer a wide range of policies, including
many for older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions.
Worldwide Travel Plan
Telephone: 0345 021 2901
Website: www.worldwidetravelplan.co.uk
Specialises in policies for older people up to the age of 99, with and
without existing medical conditions.
TRAVEL AND MOTOR INSURANCE
En Route Insurance
Telephone: 0800 783 7245
Email: info@enrouteinsurance.co.uk
Website: enrouteinsurance.co.uk
UK specialists in travel and motor insurance for people with disabilities.
Also oer insurance for homes with disability adaptations.
Fish Insurance
Telephone: 0333 331 3770
Website: www.shinsurance.co.uk
Provides a range of insurance for people with disabilities, including home,
medical, travel, and motor insurance. Can also insure mobility aids.
Post Oce
Telephone: 01892 839501
Website: www.able2travel.com
A wide range of travel, motor, home, and health insurance.
Paying Too Much.com
Telephone: 01243 784000
Email: [email protected]om
Website: www.payingtoomuch.com
An inclusive search and comparison engine for all forms of insurance.
SAGA insurance
Telephone: 01303 771 111
Website: www.saga.co.uk/insurance
Travel and motor insurance for over-50s, including people with a wide
range of health conditions.
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MOTOR INSURANCE ONLY
Adrian Flux
Telephone: 0800 369 8590
Email: contact-us@adrianux.co.uk
Website: www.chartwellinsurance.co.uk
Oers specialised disabled driver insurance, and insures modied cars,
including disability adaptations.
Blue Badge Mobility Insurance
Telephone: 01730 233 101
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bluebadgemobilityinsurance.co.uk
Insures electric wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
Lockton Mobility Risk Services
Telephone: 0345 602 8000
Email: [email protected]om
Website: www.locktonmobility.co.uk
Insure electric wheelchairs and scooters
Motability
Telephone: 0300 456 4566
Website: www.motability.co.uk
A scheme which allows people who access certain disability benets to
rent cars, scooters, and other vehicles with comprehensive insurance.
SureWise
Telephone: 01268 200 020
Website: www.surewise.co.uk
Insurance for disabled people. Insures wheelchairs and scooters.
This factsheet is produced by Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
Call our Advice Line for information and support
tel:
0808 801 0899 email: adviceline@chss.org.uk
updated:
May 2022
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