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Can I get travel insurance if I have epilepsy?
We know there’s a lot to think about when travelling with epilepsy – managing medication, avoiding seizure triggers in unfamiliar places, and the worry of needing urgent medical care. But getting great travel insurance doesn’t have to be another challenge.
Because we’re specialists in medical travel insurance, we can often cover epilepsy, including when you’re travelling with children under eighteen with epilepsy. Just let us know about the conditions of everyone that’s included in your policy when you’re getting a quote.
Types of epilepsy we can often cover include:
Absence seizures
Febrile seizures
Tonic-clonic seizures
Seizures that only happen when you’re asleep
Seizures with a known cause, like brain injury or haemorrhage
Having proper protection means you can focus on enjoying the things you’ve looked forward to with the ones you love. And if something doesn’t go to plan? Our experienced emergency medical advisors are available 24/7 during your trip to help you get the right care and cover the costs of emergency treatment.
If you’re travelling with children with epilepsy, learn more about our family travel insurance, which can include cover for pre-existing conditions.
Why get travel insurance for epilepsy with Staysure?
We’re the UK’s number one travel insurance provider, based on Trustpilot reviews.
We’re specialists in covering medical conditions, including epilepsy.
Get cover for unlimited emergency medical expenses with no excess on our Signature policy.
Includes all the benefits of our award-winning travelling insurance, with cover for luggage loss, cancellation, and more.
How Staysure epilepsy cover works in three easy steps
To get cover, you’ll need to declare your epilepsy and any other pre-existing conditions to us when getting a quote for travel insurance. We make it easy to tailor your quote to your trip and health.
1. Tell us about your trip
We’ll need a few quick details to get started:
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 epilepsy
Our simple medical screening helps us understand you better.
Some things we’ll ask about include:
any seizures, including timelines
any hospital admissions and medications
any known causes
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 (as below).
Choose optional add-ons to tailor your quote to your trip, including winter sports or cruise plus benefits.
We understand the worry of medical emergencies abroad, including falls or injuries during seizures. We’re here 24/7 if you need to access a doctor or emergency care. Our Comprehensive and Signature policies cover you for unlimited medical expenses.
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 there.
When you’re travelling with epilepsy, 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 unexpectedly 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 of 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 epilepsy?
Having epilepsy shouldn’t have to mean paying the highest premium for travel insurance. Our offer is tailored to your individual circumstances and travel plans.
You can find out how much your tailored policy costs in minutes with our simple medical screening when you get a quote.
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.
Traveling with epilepsy means needing to be prepared, but it doesn’t have to limit your experiences
“It’s about integrating epilepsy into your travel plans – knowing your triggers, having the right medication, and being mindful of your surroundings. With the right preparation, you can embrace travel as part of your life, focusing on the journey rather than the condition.
”
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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.
Epilepsy doesn’t have to be a barrier to travelling. Proper preparation can provide much reassurance when you’re away. Here are some things you might consider to help you travel confidently.
Pre-travel checklist for travelling with epilepsy
Before you book a trip, make an appointment to talk to your GP or epilepsy specialist team about the following:
An up-to-date seizure care plan
Whether you’re fit to travel
Managing your treatment schedules away from home, especially if you’re travelling to a new time zone
Suitable travel vaccinations if needed
Check if you need medical clearance with your travel provider e.g. the airline or the cruise operator.
If you’re at risk of a seizure en route, call your travel operator in advance to let them know about your condition.
Check if your medication is a controlled drug, such as benzodiazepines, and research the rules on travelling with controlled medication in the country you’re visiting.
Leave enough time to prepare enough medication for your whole trip with plenty of extras in case of delays or losses.
Make copies of your prescriptions to carry 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 – remember, this doesn’t replace travel insurance.
Certain medicines and equipment may need a signed doctor’s letter. You can check if you need one with the embassy of the country you're going to. Some doctors may charge for this service. This isn't covered by travel insurance.
Having the right travel insurance is the simplest way to feel confident when travelling with epilepsyWhat our expert says…
“Whether it’s yourself or a child you’re travelling with, it can feel daunting to take a trip with epilepsy. The right travel insurance gives you one less thing to worry about. You can cover epilepsy under the same policy as the rest of the family. It’s a simple way to feel confident and focus on enjoying your trip together, knowing you’re covered.”
”
Tips for travelling with epilepsy
It’s best to keep all your medication in its original packaging, along with copies of the prescription. You may also want to pack it in both your hand luggage and suitcase in case any baggage is lost or delayed.
Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) can come in many forms. If yours is liquid and over 100ml, you should still pack it in your hand luggage. Bring a copy of your prescription for security.
If you take your AEDs on a schedule and you’re travelling to a new time zone, speak to your nurse in advance about the best way to adapt. It’s also a good idea to set alarms to remind you on your trip – new routines can make it harder to stay on top of your schedule.
If your medication needs to be stored in a cool, dry place, or in the fridge, you might want to use an insulated cooling bag. Talk to your pharmacist for information on how to properly store your medication while away.
You may be worried about air travel if you’ve got epilepsy. A lot of people with epilepsy take flights, and there are things you can do to feel prepared.
Book an aisle seat – doing gentle stretches at your seat and regularly getting up to walk can help soothe anxiety and stress.
Pack a small bag of comforts to keep busy – your favourite book, music, or podcasts can help the journey go by quicker.
Contact the airline in advance to let them know about your condition, especially if you have seizures quite often.
Wear identity jewellery or carry an epilepsy ID card – it can give you peace of mind that people around you are aware of your condition.
If you’ll need to take your medication during this time, set an alarm so you don’t forget in the moment.
Leave plenty of time to get to and from the airport – if your flight is early, consider staying at the airport the night before.
If you have a vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) device, let staff know about it at security. The scanners shouldn’t affect your device. But if you’re worried you can request a pat down instead.
If stress or tiredness are a trigger for your epilepsy, then you’ll want to avoid being overwhelmed by new routines and environments on your trip.
Space out your activities – don’t overbook your day and leave plenty of time for leisurely breaks and rest.
Book in advance – whether it’s transport or restaurants, booking ahead of time can help you avoid the stress of organising things when you’re already out and tired.
Leave plenty of time for commuting to avoid feeling rushed.
Practice deep breathing exercises – this can help bring down your heart rate and relax your body if you’re feeling tense.
Research peak hours for tourist attractions and consider visiting when it’s quieter.
Stay hydrated – it’s easy to forget when you’re on a trip but dehydration can make symptoms of fatigue and stress worse.
Bring snacks to keep your blood sugar level up, especially if you’re on a long-haul flight.
Consider your condition – you may be tempted to try new and adventurous activities like swimming in the ocean, but it’s safest to check with your doctor before taking part.
Getting a good night's sleep is essential. Consider a room with minimal furnishings close to a lift or reception for peace of mind. You might also prefer accommodation away from noisy main streets.
You should consult your doctor before you go so that you’re fully equipped with the right advice and materials for you and your condition. You might want to consider packing:
all the medication you take to manage your epilepsy with copies of prescriptions
a signed doctor’s letter if your medication is a controlled drug—check with the airline and local embassy, as some doctors may charge for this (which isn’t a covered expense).
an insulated cooling bag for any AEDs that need to be kept cool
identity jewellery or an epilepsy ID card
an emergency alarm in case of seizure, especially if you’re travelling with a child with epilepsy
a self-care bag with comforting items to soothe anxiety and manage stress
Many people with epilepsy can enjoy international travel without difficulty. There are some precautions you may have to take in advance to make sure the journey goes as smoothly as possible.
If you’re prone to seizures or have had one recently, contact your airline to inform them of your condition.
Wear an identity bracelet or carry epilepsy ID on you.
Pack your medication in its original packaging with copies of your prescription to take through security.
Research the rules and regulations of travelling with medication in your destination country, especially if you’re taking controlled drugs like benzodiazepines.
Stay hydrated and take snacks to keep your blood sugar level up.
If you have a seizure before flying, you’ll need to follow your doctor’s advice and the guidelines from your airline provider on whether you’re still able to take the flight.
You can still fly with a VNS device. Let staff know you have one when you get to security. You should walk through the scanners as usual without lingering within the machine. The scanner shouldn’t affect your device.
If you prefer, you can request to be searched by hand instead.
You’ll need to declare your epilepsy when getting travel insurance if in the last two years you’ve had symptoms, tests, treatments, medication, appointments or hospitalisation relating to your epilepsy.
Just make sure you declare your epilepsy and any other pre-existing medical condition you have.
If we don’t know about it, we won’t be able to cover you if you need to make a claim.
If you’d like to find out more, give a friendly member of our team a call.
Hopefully you won’t have to worry about a seizure abroad. But we understand seizures can be unpredictable so it’s important you know what to do in the unlikely event it happens on your trip.
It’s a good idea for you and any travel companions to refresh yourselves on the types of seizures you commonly have, how long they last, and your doctor’s advice on how to deal with them.
You and your travel companion should also refresh yourself on an up-to-date care plan in case you have a seizure that lasts too long (status epilepticus). This is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.
Please see the below FAQ on what to do in a medical emergency abroad.
Any seizure lasting longer than five minutes may be a medical emergency.
In an emergency, always contact the local emergency services first. Follow the care plan as you wait for them to arrive.
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
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 epilepsy, you’ll want to look out for what’s covered and what’s not.
The right travel insurance for epilepsy should:
agree to cover your epilepsy and any other pre-existing conditions
cover any children with epilepsy that you’re travelling with under the same policy (family travel insurance)
cover medical expenses, including necessary emergency travel home
have a high medical cover limit
help you replace 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
