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Can I get travel insurance if I have hypothyroidism?
We know there are extra things to consider when taking a trip with hypothyroidism. Managing medication schedules, different climates, and the worry of accessing medical care in case of a flare-up. But getting great travel insurance doesn’t have to be one of those challenges.
Because we’re specialists in medical travel insurance, we can often cover hypothyroidism, also called underactive thyroid. Just let us know about your pre-existing conditions when you get a quote, including hypothyroidism.
Having proper protection means you can focus on enjoying the activities you’ve planned. And if something doesn’t go to plan? Our experienced emergency medical advisors are available 24/7 to help you get the right care and cover the costs of emergency treatment while you’re abroad.
Why get travel insurance for hypothyroidism with Staysure?
We’re specialists in covering medical conditions, including an underactive thyroid.
We’re by your side day or night, with specialist emergency medical advisors available during your trip.
Includes all the benefits of our award-winning travel insurance, with luggage loss, cancellation cover and more.
How Staysure hypothyroidism cover works in three easy steps
To get cover, you’ll need to declare your underactive thyroid 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 underactive thyroid
Our simple medical screening helps us understand you better. We’ll ask you about any hospital admissions in the last 12 months.
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.
When you’re travelling abroad, you want to be confident that you can still get covered for medical emergencies when you have a pre-existing condition like hypothyroidism.
We’re here 24/7 if you need to access a doctor or emergency care while abroad.
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 there.
When you’re travelling with hypothyroidism, 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
your transport arrangements, including travel to your local hospital if needed
rebooking flights and transfers
How much does travel insurance cost with hypothyroidism?
Having an underactive thyroid 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.
The simplest way to travel with hypothyroidism is to keep your medication routines in place.
“By taking your medication as instructed and sticking to your usual habits, you can manage your condition just as you would at home. With a little preparation, like packing enough medication and planning ahead, you can travel confidently and enjoy your trip.
”
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Always helpful simple instructions…
Always helpful simple instructions makes life a little easier.
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Easy last minute insurance.
Last minute circumstances dictated we needed insurance for the next day. Staysure offered an easy seamless experience at a sensible price despite our pre existing medical conditions.
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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.
Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed or have managed hypothyroidism for years, it’s always helpful to be properly prepared before travelling. Here are some tips to help your trip goes as smoothly as possible.
Pre-travel checklist for travelling with hypothyroidism
Before you book, talk to your GP to check your condition is well-managed enough for you to travel, especially if you’ve recently had any new health problems related to your hypothyroidism.
Check if your annual blood test needs to be brought forward as your doctor may want to confirm your thyroxine levels before you go, especially if you’re going somewhere cold.
Refresh yourself on an up-to-date flare-up plan.
Prepare enough hormone replacement medication for the entire trip with extra days in case of delays or losses.
Make copies of your prescription to take through security.
Take note of the local healthcare and emergency services in the area you’re travelling to and how to use them, including contact details.
If you’re travelling in Europe, get a GHIC – remember this doesn’t replace travel insurance.
Beth Craig
Travel insurance expert
People with hypothyroidism are often unsure if they need to declare it – the answer is yes.
“You have to declare all pre-existing conditions, even if they’re well managed, to avoid having a claim rejected. Being upfront means your policy reflects your needs, giving you added peace of mind while you travel.
”
Tips for travelling with hypothyroidism
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.
It’s essential you take your hormone replacement tablets every day at the same time to keep your thyroxine at the right level.
Set alarms on your phone to remind you, and speak to your nurse about adjusting your routine to the local time if you’re travelling to a different time zone.
You may find you’re more tired than usual when you’re away so plenty of down time and rest between activities is a must. It’s also a good idea to space activities out so there’s enough time for commuting and delays.
Be realistic with the activities you’re planning. You may be tempted to do everything. But this could tire you out and stop you fully enjoying yourself.
If you’re going somewhere hot, consider travelling with a flask so you can stay hydrated. The change in environment and climate can mean you’ll need to increase your fluid intake to stay hydrated and support your thyroid function.
There isn’t a specific diet that people with an underactive thyroid have to follow. As long as you’re eating a healthy, well-balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, you should be fine to treat yourself on your trip.
But there may be some ingredients that you don’t come across as regularly in the UK, such as kelp and soy, that may interfere with your thyroid medicine.
It’s best to talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding your condition and diet. Once you have their advice, you could research the local cuisine in advance, so you know what dishes to limit or avoid.
You may find the following tips helpful for maintaining a comfortable body temperature while travelling:
Wear comfortable clothes that you can easily layer, like thermals, wool socks, and gloves.
Keep hot packs in your pockets and use insole feet warmers.
Put a hot water bottle on your bed at night.
Carry a thermos to keep your drinks hot all day.
Common questions for travelling with hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a pre-existing condition so it’s important you declare it on your travel insurance if you’ve had symptoms, tests, treatments, medication, appointments or been admitted to hospital in the last two years.
If we don’t know about your hypothyroidism or any other pre-existing medical conditions you may have, we won’t be able to cover you if you need to make a claim.
If you’d like to find out more about the cover we can offer for your condition, give a friendly member of our team a call.
It’s important we know about any pre-existing medical conditions you have, including an underactive thyroid.
If you’ve got an underactive thyroid or any other medical condition, let us know, or we may not be able to cover you if you need to claim.
If you’d like to find out more or take out a policy with us, call us to talk to a friendly member of our team.
Many people with hypothyroidism take flights and travel abroad. If your hypothyroidism is well-managed and your doctor has not advised against travel, you can follow their advice on flying with your conditions.
Talk to your GP before you book a trip to discuss whether you’re fit to fly and travel, especially if you’re still adjusting your medication or recently been in the hospital.
A common symptom of hypothyroidism is having less tolerance to cold, where the body struggles to regulate its temperature due to low thyroid activity.
This makes people with hypothyroidism more prone to dips in temperature. You might also be at a higher risk of getting hypothermia in very cold temperatures. So you may want to avoid countries with extreme cold.
Talk to your GP before you book a trip to discuss suitable destinations or adjusting your medication if you’re travelling to a colder climate.
Some people with hypothyroidism may find it difficult to tolerate hot weather. But there are things you can do to make the heat a little more comfortable.
Use an insulated flask to keep drinks cold all day.
Get a handheld electric fan.
Fill a spray bottle with cold water to mist your face and wrists.
Wet a towel or handkerchief with cool water and drape it around your neck.
In an emergency, always contact local services first. 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 an underactive thyroid, you’ll want to look out for what’s covered and what’s not.
The right travel insurance for hypothyroidism should:
agree to cover hypothyroidism and any other pre-existing conditions you may have
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.
Up to unlimited emergency medical expenses
