Travel Insurance for Arthritis

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a general word for conditions that cause pain and swelling in the joints. It’s one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions in the UK, and while it’s more likely as you get older, it can affect people of any age, including children.

Osteoarthritis is the type most people have. It happens when the smooth cartilage lining a joint wears and thins, so hips, knees, hands and the spine become stiff and sore. Rheumatoid arthritis is quite different: the immune system attacks the joints, causing swelling that can come and go in flare-ups. Gout and psoriatic arthritis are other forms. The NHS arthritis page explains the main types.

Why do I need to declare arthritis for travel insurance?

Arthritis is a pre-existing medical condition, and we need to know about it because it can make problems abroad more likely. Stiff or painful joints raise the chance of a fall on uneven pavements or hotel steps, and a bad flare could stop you travelling at all. If you take medicines that dampen your immune system, an infection may also need treatment while you’re away.

Declaring it means your policy reflects your health. Failing to could leave a related claim refused or paid only in part.

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 arthritis?

Most people with arthritis can. Your medical screening result decides whether it can be included on your policy. The type of arthritis makes a difference, and so do steroid injections, a recent change of medicines, any joint replacement planned or recently done, and whether you’re waiting to see a specialist.

What we’ll ask about your arthritis

Our online screening is easy to follow. It asks a few questions about your arthritis, including the type of arthritis you have and whether surgery is planned. When you’ve declared this condition, carry on with any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

Finishing the medical declaration takes you through to the quote page. Provided your arthritis and your other declared conditions can be covered, you’ll be presented with a list of quotes. The premium you see already includes cover for your medical, and if we cannot provide cover, you’ll know before going ahead.

If your health changes before travelling

Arthritis can change over time. If your medication changes, you have a hospital admission, you’re given a date for surgery, or you receive a new diagnosis between now and departure, you must let us know. Your cover may need reviewing, we may need to refer your medical situation to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to proceed with cover. If you don’t let us know of any changes in your medical, a future claim can be affected or denied.

What can arthritis travel insurance cover?

When arthritis is accepted, emergency medical treatment linked to it while you’re abroad can be covered. For example, if a painful flare in Italy needs hospital treatment, or stiffness leads to a fall and a fracture, the emergency care and any medically necessary repatriation can be included. This is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If your arthritis gets significantly worse before you go and a doctor advises against travelling, cancellation cover may help you recover costs you can’t get back.

A policy won’t pay for treatment you planned to have abroad, or for routine top-ups of your usual medicines. Anything connected to an undeclared condition is excluded too.

Will arthritis affect the cost of travel insurance?

Arthritis can push the premium up, and your screening result decides by how much. Expect our online medical screening to ask how the condition is treated and how well it’s kept under control. As with anyone’s quote, your age, where you’re travelling and the length of your stay count too. The price is there in front of you before you buy, so you can weigh it up first.

Single trip or annual cover with arthritis

A single trip policy covers one journey from start to finish. If you go away more often, annual multi-trip insurance might be the better fit, though it depends on what the screening shows.

Travelling with arthritis: practical tips

Here are some general ideas for an easier trip. They’re separate from your insurance.

Sitting still for hours is hard on stiff joints. On a plane, book an aisle seat if you can so you can stand and walk now and then, and do simple ankle and knee movements while seated. On a long drive, stop every couple of hours.

Ask for help at the airport. Airlines and airports must provide assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, which can mean a wheelchair from check-in to the gate or help getting on board. Book it at least 48 hours ahead. A lightweight suitcase with four wheels also saves a lot of strain on hands and shoulders.

Warm weather suits many people with arthritis, but it’s easy to overdo things on the first days. Plan sightseeing around rest, pick a hotel with a lift and check how far it is from the beach or town. A pool can be ideal for gentle exercise.

If you take medicines that suppress the immune system, such as methotrexate or a biologic, speak to your specialist team or a travel clinic about vaccines well before you go, as live vaccines may not be suitable. Biologic injections usually need to be kept cool, so a travel cool bag is worth having. You can check vaccine advice for your destination on TravelHealthPro.

Pack your medication in your hand luggage with a copy of the prescription, and bring any splints or supports you use at home.

How to get a quote

Add your trip details and declare your arthritis, plus any other conditions, in the medical screening. Pick the cover that suits you and check the price before you buy.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Musculoskeletal Pages

• Arthritis Travel Insurance
• Back and Neck Pain Travel Insurance
• Baker's Cyst Travel Insurance
• Broken Bones Travel Insurance
• Bunions Travel Insurance
• Bursitis Travel Insurance
• Fibromyalgia Travel Insurance
• Frozen Shoulder Travel Insurance
• Gout Travel Insurance
• Knee Pain Travel Insurance
• Osteophyte Travel Insurance
• Osteoporosis Travel Insurance
• Plantar Fasciitis Travel Insurance
• Repetitive Strain Injury Travel Insurance
• Sciatica Travel Insurance
• Slipped Disc Travel Insurance
• Tendonitis 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.