Quick summary for busy readers:
- Having diabetes doesn't necessarily prevent you from getting travel insurance. Some insurers automatically cover diabetes as a pre-existing medical condition, subject to eligibility criteria.
- Automatic cover can come with conditions, such as your age, how long you've had diabetes, whether your condition has been stable and whether you have related cardiovascular, kidney, nerve, vascular or eye complications.
- Type 1 and type 2 diabetes may be assessed differently by insurers, so it's important to check the criteria that apply to your particular condition.
- If you don't qualify for automatic cover, you may still be able to get cover through a medical assessment, and an additional premium may apply.
- If you're travelling with diabetes, plan ahead. Take enough medication and supplies, carry an emergency plan and relevant medical documentation, and speak with your doctor about managing medication and insulin across different time zones and climates.
- Always check the PDS before purchasing, as pre-existing medical conditions and eligibility requirements vary between insurers and policies.
Does travel insurance cover diabetes?
Having diabetes doesn't necessarily mean you can't get travel insurance. Some insurers automatically cover diabetes as a pre-existing medical condition, provided you meet their eligibility criteria.
The conditions for automatic cover vary between insurers and may depend on factors such as your age, how long you have had diabetes, whether your condition has been stable and whether you have any related complications.
If you don't meet the criteria for automatic cover, you may still be able to obtain cover by completing a medical assessment. An additional premium may apply if cover is offered.
It's also important to note that insurers may assess type 1 and type 2 diabetes differently, so the criteria for cover can vary depending on the type of diabetes you have.
Always check the insurer's PDS to understand whether your diabetes is covered and what conditions apply.
Common conditions of diabetes cover
Some insurers may automatically cover diabetes if you meet certain eligibility criteria. These can include:
- You don't have related conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or known cardiovascular disease
- You don't have vascular, nerve, kidney or eye complications related to your diabetes
- You were diagnosed with diabetes within a specified timeframe, depending on the insurer
- You are under the insurer's specified age limit, which may be 50 for some policies
- Your diabetes has been stable and free from complications for a specified period, such as 12 months
Eligibility criteria vary between insurers, so check the insurer's PDS to confirm the specific requirements for automatic cover.
So who covers what?
The following table highlights which insurers automatically covers for diabetes, and/or whether a medical assessment is required before obtaining cover.
**Click on each row to expand and see more details**
| Provider | Conditions | Action | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 1Cover | Not automatically covered. A medical assessment needs to be completed. | Quote | ||
 TINZ | Covered, provided you were diagnosed over 12 months ago; have no eye, kidney, nerve or vascular complications; do not also suffer from known cardiovascular disease, hypertension or hypercholesterolaemia; and are under 50 years of age. | Quote | ||
 Zoom | Not automatically covered. A medical assessment needs to be completed. | Quote | ||
 Southern Cross | Not automatically covered. A medical assessment needs to be completed | |||
 State Insurance | Covered, provided you were diagnosed more than 6 months ago, haven't had any complications in the last 6 months, have an HbA1C of 75 mmol/mol or less, and aren't currently undergoing treatment for kidney, eye or nerve complications. | |||
 AA Travel | Not automatically covered. A medical assessment needs to be completed. | |||
 Cover-More | Covered, provided you were diagnosed more than 6 months ago, haven't had any complications in the last 6 months, have an HbA1C of 75 mmol/mol or less, and aren't currently undergoing treatment for kidney, eye or nerve complications. | |||
 Tower Insurance | Insulin-dependent diabetes is not automatically covered. Other diabetes may be automatically covered subject to the policy's criteria. Medical assessment may be available. | |||
 World Nomads | Covered, provided you were diagnosed more than 6 months ago, haven't had any complications in the last 6 months, have no eye, kidney, nerve or vascular complications, have a blood sugar reading between 4 and 12 or an HbA1C of 9% or less, and have no known cardiovascular/coronary heart disease. | |||
 AMI Insurance | Yes Covered, if you have not been hospitalized for this condition in the last 2 years, in the last 12 months your prescribed medication has not changed, you are not currently waiting to see a mental health clinician and you have not previously been required to cancel or curtail your travel plans due to your prescription |
General Advice Warning: The contents of this article were accurate at the time of writing. Insurers change their policies from time to time, so some information may have changed. You should always read the Product Disclosure Statement of your chosen insurer to understand what is covered and what isn't. The information provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account any personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your personal circumstances.
Tips for travelling with diabetes
Having diabetes shouldn't stop you from travelling, but a little extra planning can help you manage your condition while you're away.
- Plan ahead. Managing your diabetes and maintaining your medication or insulin routine during long flights and across different time zones may require some preparation. Research the food options available at your destination and plan accordingly.
- Have an emergency plan. Carry a written plan with your emergency contacts, details of your medications and information about your insulin delivery devices and blood glucose monitoring equipment. Keep this information accessible throughout your trip.
- Pack enough medication and supplies. Take enough insulin, medication, syringes and monitoring equipment for your entire trip, plus extra in case of delays or unexpected circumstances. Keep essential supplies in your hand luggage rather than checked baggage.
- See your doctor before travelling. Discuss your travel plans and ask whether you need to adjust your medication schedule when travelling across time zones. You can also ask your doctor for a letter outlining your condition and the medications you require.
- Tell your airline. Let the airline know about your diabetes when booking your trip if you need assistance with dietary or medical requirements.
- Store insulin appropriately. Check how the climate at your destination may affect your insulin and make arrangements for appropriate storage, particularly if you're travelling somewhere extremely hot or cold.
You may still be covered for other insured events
If your diabetes isn't covered under your policy, you may still be covered for other unexpected events during your trip, depending on the terms and conditions of your policy.
Lost, stolen or damaged luggage: Travel insurance may provide cover for luggage and personal belongings that are lost, stolen or accidentally damaged during your trip, subject to your policy's terms, conditions and benefit limits.
Trip cancellation and disruption: Depending on your policy, you may be covered for eligible cancellations, delays or interruptions caused by unforeseen events. Purchasing travel insurance soon after booking your trip may also provide cancellation benefits before you depart.
Rental vehicle excess: Many comprehensive travel insurance policies include cover for rental vehicle excess, subject to the policy's terms, conditions and limits.
Personal liability: Many comprehensive policies include personal liability cover if you accidentally cause injury to another person or damage to their property while travelling. Cover limits and conditions vary between insurers, so check your PDS.
What's next?
Before purchasing a policy, compare your options and check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand how your diabetes affects your cover. If you're unsure whether your condition is covered, contact the insurer directly before you travel.
Make sure you understand any conditions or exclusions that apply to your diabetes, and have the medication, supplies and documentation you need for your trip.
Having diabetes shouldn't stop you from travelling. With the right preparation and a policy that meets your needs, you can focus on enjoying your trip with confidence.
*Please note: the contents of this article were accurate at the time of writing. Insurer's change their policies from time to time, so some information may have changed. You should always read the product disclosure statement of your chosen insurer to understand what is covered and what isn't.
