Travel Insurance for Angioedema

What is angioedema?

Angioedema is swelling in the deeper layers of the skin. It often affects the eyes, lips, hands, feet or genitals and can take a day or more to go down. Many people get allergy related hives at the same time. Swelling of the tongue or throat is the serious form because it can affect breathing. It is one of the conditions in our other medical conditions section.

There are several types. Allergic angioedema is set off by things like food or insect stings, and some medicines, particularly ACE inhibitors for blood pressure, can cause it. Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare inherited form treated by specialist teams, and in many people no cause is ever found. The NHS angioedema page explains the types and treatments.

Why do I need to declare angioedema for travel insurance?

Angioedema is a pre-existing medical condition. We ask about it because swelling that affects the throat or tongue can make breathing difficult and needs urgent treatment, which can be expensive abroad. Attacks can also be set off by stress, minor injuries or certain medicines, and travel brings plenty of those. An attack before departure might mean cancelling.

If angioedema isn’t declared, a related claim could be refused or reduced.

You won’t need to declare every medical condition you’ve ever had or been diagnosed with, only those that fall into the initial set of medical questions.

Can I get travel insurance with angioedema?

It is often possible. Whether cover is offered depends on what your medical screening shows, and the type of angioedema and whether your throat or breathing has ever been affected both matter.

What we’ll ask about your angioedema

It only takes a few minutes to get through the online medical screening. The questions about your angioedema focus on what triggers your swelling and the medication you take. Once that’s done, carry on declaring any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

Once everything is declared, you’ll reach the quote page. If cover is available for your angioedema and your other conditions, you’ll see a choice of quotes, each with the cost of your medical cover included in the premium. Should we be unable to cover you, you’ll know before proceeding.

If your health changes before travelling

Health doesn’t stand still between booking and travelling. If, before your trip, you start or stop a medicine, you’re admitted to hospital, you’re referred to a specialist, or you receive a new diagnosis, you must let us know. It may mean reviewing your cover or referring your medical situation to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to proceed with cover. Not telling us about a change in your medical can lead to a future claim being affected or denied.

What can angioedema travel insurance cover?

With angioedema accepted on your policy, a sudden attack abroad is treated as a medical emergency. If your lips and throat swell during a trip to Portugal and you’re taken to hospital, emergency treatment can be covered, as can repatriation to the UK if doctors say you need medical help to get home. All cover is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

An attack shortly before you leave could also mean you can’t go. In that case cancellation cover may refund non-refundable costs.

Routine or planned treatment abroad isn’t covered, and nor are claims arising from a condition that wasn’t declared.

Will angioedema affect the cost of travel insurance?

Angioedema might affect the cost of your policy. The result of online medical screening decides how much, and you may be asked how the condition is treated and how well it is controlled. A policy price also reflects things like age, destination and how long the trip lasts. You can see the figure first and decide from there.

Single trip or annual cover with angioedema

If this is your only holiday this year, single trip cover may be enough. For several trips, annual cover saves buying a new policy each time, although it depends on your screening result.

Travelling with angioedema: practical tips

These general suggestions may help while you’re away. They don’t form part of your policy.

If you have hereditary angioedema, ask your specialist team for a written care plan or emergency letter before you go. Doctors abroad may not have seen HAE before, and standard allergy treatment such as adrenaline and antihistamines often doesn’t work for it. Taking your own on-demand treatment, and knowing how to use it, can make a big difference. Some HAE medicines have storage requirements, so check the leaflet and plan for heat or a long journey.

For allergic angioedema, keep your antihistamines and any prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors with you at all times. Read labels carefully and use a translated allergy card in restaurants. If you have ever been told you are at risk of anaphylaxis, the same precautions apply.

If your swelling was linked to a blood pressure tablet, don’t stop or swap any medicine yourself before travelling. Talk to your GP or pharmacist first. It also makes sense to avoid booking dental work or minor procedures abroad, as physical pressure can trigger swelling in some types.

1. pack medicines in your hand luggage in their original packaging, with extra in case of delays
2. carry a copy of your prescription and a list of your medicines
3. learn the local emergency number and where the nearest hospital is
4. tell someone you’re travelling with what an attack looks like and what to do

The TravelHealthPro country pages have general health information for your destination.

How to get a quote

Start with your trip details, then declare angioedema and anything else in your medical history before choosing your cover. You’ll see the full price first.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Other Medical Pages

• Allergies Travel Insurance
• Anaphylaxis Travel Insurance
• Angioedema Travel Insurance
• Chronic Pain Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Disability Travel Insurance
• Endometriosis Travel Insurance
• Fibroids Travel Insurance
• Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke Travel Insurance
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Travel Insurance
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Post-Viral Fatigue Travel Insurance

Don't worry if your condition is not listed above - we cover plenty more medical conditions.
* Please note that cover will vary depending on individual medical screenings.