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Can I get travel insurance with diabetes?
We know there are extra things to consider when travelling with diabetes – managing meals out, being ready for a low blood sugar, and carrying all the medicines or equipment you need. But getting great travel insurance shouldn’t have to be part of the challenge.
As specialists in medical travel insurance, we can often cover people with diabetes, including type 1, type 2, pre-diabetes and gestational diabetes. You just need to let us know about all your pre-existing conditions when you get a quote.
Our policy includes all the benefits of our award-winning travel insurance, like emergency medical expenses, luggage loss, and cancellation cover, and you’re covered if something unexpected happens related to your diabetes while you’re abroad.
Why get travel insurance for diabetes with Staysure?
We’re specialists in covering pre-existing conditions, including type 1 and 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
We’re the UK’s number one travel insurance providers, based on Trustpilot reviews.
We’re by your side day or night, with specialist medical advisors available 24/7 abroad during your trip.
Get cover for unlimited emergency medical expenses with no excess on our Signature policy.
How Staysure travel insurance for diabetics works in three easy steps
To get cover, you’ll need to declare your diabetes and any other pre-existing conditions to us when getting a quote for travel insurance. We make it easy to tailor a quote to your trip and health.
1. Tell us about your trip
To get started, we’ll need to know:
if you need cover for one trip or multiple trips
who the insurance is for
where you’re going and how long for
2. Let us know about your diabetes
Our simple medical screening helps us understand you better.
Some things we’ll ask about are:
what type of diabetes you have
how you manage your condition
any complications related to your diabetes
Don’t forget to let us know about any other pre-existing medical conditions.
3. Get your quote
If you complete the screening and we can cover you, your tailored quote will be available to view online, and emailed to you. It includes travel insurance tailored to cover your condition(s).
Explore and choose from three levels of cover to suit your needs.
Choose optional add-ons to tailor your quote to your trip, including winter sports or cruise plus benefits.
Hopefully you won’t need to worry about an emergency abroad. But we know that having diabetes can create extra anxiety about health problems on your trip.
We’re here 24/7 if you need to access a doctor or emergency care.
Unlimited medical expenses with our Comprehensive and Signature policies.
If something goes wrong while you’re abroad, we’ll help get you in safe hands day or night, locating your nearest appropriate services and covering the expense of getting you there.
When you’re travelling with diabetes, you want to know you’ve got everything you need. But it can be tricky to track down medicines abroad.
If you ever find yourself short while you're away, we’re here to help. We can assist you in locating a nearby pharmacy that stocks your medication, so you’re not left searching in an unfamiliar place.
Just so you know, the cost of replacing medication isn’t something we cover – but we’ll still do what we can to make the process easier.
If your health means you need to cancel or cut your trip short, we’ll get you home safely without the extra expense. That includes travel to the airport, any medical assistance or accommodation you need en route, and cancellation costs up to the agreed amount as per your cover level.
We’ll help with:
coordinating care with your medical team back home
accommodation if you need to extend your stay
taking care of your transport arrangements, including travel to your local hospital if needed
rebooking flights and transfers
How much does travel insurance cost with diabetes?
We don’t think having diabetes should always mean paying the highest premiums for travel insurance. After all, how you manage your diabetes and its impact on your day-to-day is unique to you.
That’s why we ask questions about your condition and tailor our offer to your individual circumstances and travel plans.
You can find out how much your policy costs in minutes using our straightforward medical screening when you get a quote.
Proud to be a part of BIBA's medical directory
For people who have trouble finding travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions, the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) has a directory of specialist insurers, like us!
To find out more, or if on the odd occasion we are unable to provide the cover you need, contact BIBA on 0370 950 1790. You can also search BIBA’s medical directory online.
Flexible cover add-ons to suit you
Tailor your insurance to your trip with optional add-ons. Everything you need, covered under one policy.
The challenges of diabetes give all the more reason to prioritise some relaxation and adventure
“Travel is a gift to yourself. Of course, you’ll need to prepare carefully and keep up with your diabetes management to make sure you stay well on your trip – but your condition certainly shouldn’t stop you from getting away.
”
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Other conditions we cover at Staysure
We’re experts in travel insurance for pre-existing health conditions. Just let us know your conditions when you fill out your quote, or contact us to amend an existing policy.
Taking time to prepare thoroughly can help give the confidence needed to enjoy time away from home. Here are some steps you can take before your trip.
Pre-travel checklist for travelling with diabetes
Before you book, you may wish to talk to your GP or care team about:
Whether your diabetes management plan is up to date and if you need a diabetes review, including checking your HbA1c (average blood sugar) and kidney function
Planning suitable destinations and activities
Suitable vaccinations if you need them
Refresh yourself on your sick day rules and print out a copy to bring with you.
Leave plenty of time to prepare enough medication for the entire trip with extra days in case of delays or losses – including in-date ketone testing strips.
Bring copies of prescriptions to take with you through security.
Research the local healthcare and emergency services in the area you’re travelling to and how to use them, including contact numbers.
If you’re travelling in Europe, get a GHIC – bear in mind this doesn’t replace travel insurance.
Remember to bring low blood sugar treatment for your journey.
Here are some extra things for if you use insulin to manage your diabetes:
If you’re going somewhere hot, consider getting an insulated travel bag to keep it cool.
If you’re worried about severe low blood sugars, speak to your care team about whether it would be suitable to bring a glucagon injection kit.
Certain medicines and equipment such as needles, insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitors may need a prescription or doctor’s letter. Check with your airline and the local embassy before flying. Some doctors may charge for this service, which isn’t covered by travel insurance.
We’ve been helping travellers with diabetes for years.
“The challenges you might face abroad are familiar to our medical advisors, and we’re here to help take the stress out of travelling as much as we can. Telling us about your condition is simple, and it gives you peace of mind knowing you’ve got proper support in place on your trip.
”
Tips for travelling with diabetes
Always speak to your care team about managing your medicines while you’re away. Here are some general tips you might find helpful.
If you use insulin injections
If you use insulin, check the concentration and make a note of it. Some countries use different strengths, and you may need to adjust your dose if you have to replace your insulin abroad.
Keep your insulin cool while you’re on your travels. This includes keeping it in your hand luggage when flying. If it’s in the hold, it could be at risk of spoiling from extreme temperatures.
You can bring insulin and other liquid medicines over 100ml – just bring a copy of your prescription for security.
If you use other medicines
If you take tablets to manage your diabetes, you may be used to using a pill timer or pill organiser. But it’s a good idea to keep them in their original packaging with prescription copies for security.
It’s easy to forget to take your medication when you’re not doing your usual routine. You might find it helps to set reminder alarms on your phone.
Speak to your nurse if you need to take medication at a certain time. They’ll be able to help you adjust your routine to match the local time.
If you use a pump
Speak to your nurse if you’re using an insulin pump and you’re crossing time zones. They can advise how to change your basal dose to make sure you get the right amount at the right time.
Travelling often means new routines, unfamiliar food, and changes in your activity levels. All these can make it trickier to keep your blood sugar levels stable.
Speak to your care team about managing your blood sugars while away. They may be able to reassure you that small ups and down are a part of life with diabetes, and that it shouldn’t stop you enjoying a holiday. They can also give advice on avoiding highs and lows that could put you at risk.
Always follow your doctor or nurse’s advice, though you may find the following tips helpful.
Refresh yourself on your diabetes management plan.
Check how to read nutrition labels in the local language – you could make a note of their word for ‘carbohydrates’ and ‘sugar’ for reference.
Consider using an app to help you look up the carbohydrate amount in unfamiliar foods – your healthcare provider may have recommendations.
Factor in the changes to your activity – you might be more or less active depending on the trip you’re taking. Remember that walking counts too.
If you’re planning a relaxing holiday, consider adding in some light activity – like a brisk walk after dinner.
Remember that meals out can often be carb-heavy and have hidden sugars.
Always carry low blood sugar treatment and a long-acting snack to follow up with.
See our tips in the ‘staying safe’ section below for advice for managing diabetes in hot and cold climates.
When you have diabetes, travelling long-haul can have some challenges. Here are some tips to help you stay comfortable.
Let your travel provider know about your condition and any support you could need before you set off, including suitable meals.
Keep all your medicines with you so they’re to hand when needed
Bring sugary snacks to treat low blood sugars.
If you have any pain from nerve damage, be sure to travel with comfortable clothing and footwear – consider requesting extra leg room and an aisle seat so you can stretch and get up regularly.
If needed, follow your doctor’s advice on wearing a compression garment to help with any swelling or risk of blood clots.
Keep hydrated, especially in dry airplane cabins.
A trip is a time to enjoy yourself and relax. Here are some tips to help you stay well while you’re abroad.
Follow your diabetes management plan, and remember to account for any new factors, like different food and changes in activity levels.
Ask your care team if you’ll need to measure your blood sugar more regularly, especially if you’re headed somewhere hot or cold.
Refresh yourself on your sick day rules – this includes how often to check your blood sugar and ketones if you’re unwell, and knowing your total daily dose if you take insulin.
Make sure all of your medication and equipment are in-date, such as ketone testing strips. Depending on your destination, consider avoiding high-risk foods for stomach bugs, such as raw food and ice in drinks.
Take care in the sun if you have diabetic nerve damage – you may be less likely to feel sunburn, especially on your feet.
If you’re going somewhere hot and use insulin, remember that hot weather can make insulin work faster.
Be sure to keep insulin cool in hot weather, either with an insulated travel bag or by storing it in the fridge.
If you’re going somewhere cold and use insulin, bear in mind that it can cause insulin to absorb slowly at first then quickly once you warm up.
Common questions for travelling with diabetes
You need to declare all pre-existing medical conditions that have led to symptoms, tests, treatment, medication, appointments or hospitalisation in the last two years. This includes diabetes.
If we don’t know about your diabetes or any other medical condition you may have, we won’t be able to cover you if you need to make a claim.
We can often cover diabetes, including:
type 1 diabetes
type 2 diabetes
prediabetes
gestational diabetes
Diabetes is considered a pre-existing medical condition.
This means you must declare it when taking out travel insurance, especially if you’ve had symptoms, tests, treatments, medication, appointments, or hospitalisations for it in the last two years. This applies to any pre-existing medical condition.
If we don’t know about your diabetes or any other pre-existing medical conditions, we won't be able to cover you if you need to make a claim.
If your diabetes is well-managed, and you’ve gotten approval from your doctor, there shouldn’t be any reason why you can’t travel – even overseas.
You might need to take extra precautions when planning your trip, such as preparing enough medication and medical supplies, and any supporting documents you may need for them.
It’s a good idea to talk to your care team or doctor before you book a trip. They’ll be able to offer you guidance specific to you and your condition.
If you have gestational diabetes, you must speak with your doctor before you book a trip to make sure you’re fit to travel and enjoy the activities you’d like to do.
Some travel providers may have restrictions regarding pregnancy and related conditions, like gestational diabetes. It’s always a good idea to check before you book.
Hopefully your trip won’t be interrupted by a medical emergency. But it’s a good idea to be prepared in the unlikely event that it does happen.
Make sure you and anyone you’re travelling with know the signs of a diabetes emergency and what to do.
In an emergency, contact the local emergency services first, and then call our 24-hour emergency helpline. Our team will help arrange your care, find the most appropriate place for treatment and follow-up care.
If you or someone on your policy is admitted to hospital or your outpatient treatment is likely to cost more than £350, contact us as soon as possible. Where you have a valid claim, and your medical expenses exceed £350 we will look to settle the bill directly with the medical provider where possible.
If you have a non-urgent medical concern, such as sickness, headaches, or mild pain, contact our helpline first for advice on where to go for assistance.
As good as travel insurance is, some things can’t be covered.
You’re not covered for:
travelling against your doctor’s advice
claims for pre-existing medical conditions you haven’t told us about
routine check-ups, planned treatment or non-emergency care
travel for medical procedures abroad
reimbursement for lost, damaged or stolen medicines or equipment
incidents related to alcohol or controlled substances
strike action that was common knowledge at the time of booking
choosing private treatment when suitable public facilities are available
choosing not to travel
Discover more about what travel insurance covers. Always check your policy documents carefully to understand exactly what you’re covered for.
When comparing travel insurance policies for diabetes, you’ll want to look out for what’s covered and what’s not.
The right travel insurance for diabetes should:
agree to cover diabetes and any other pre-existing condition you may have
cover medical expenses, including necessary emergency travel home
have a high medical cover limit
reimburse lost, stolen or damaged medications
cover you for cancellations or interruptions during your trip
include 24/7 emergency assistance services while abroad
Learn more about what’s covered under our medical insurance for pre-existing medical conditions, or get a quote.
Stay in control of your account with My Staysure
You can make changes to your policy, online and in your own time with My Staysure.
It’s quick and easy to make changes to your policy online. If you need to make simple changes such as updating traveller details or renewing a policy that’s details are staying the same, just visit your My Staysure account.
Up to unlimited emergency medical expenses
