Travel Insurance for Asthma

What is asthma?

Asthma is a long-term condition where the airways are sensitive and can become swollen and narrow, making it harder to breathe. Typical symptoms are wheezing, coughing, a tight chest and shortness of breath. Triggers differ from person to person and include colds, pollen, dust, smoke, cold air and exercise. It’s one of the most common of our respiratory conditions.

Most people control their asthma with two types of inhaler - one for daily, prreventative use, and one to use for relief if symptoms occur - and other people diagnosed with asthma might need tablets or other treatment. An asthma attack happens when symptoms become worse than normal and progress quickly, and severe attacks can mean hospital treatment. Find out more on the NHS asthma page.

Why do I need to declare asthma for travel insurance?

Asthma is a pre-existing medical condition, even when it’s mild. We ask about it because an attack can happen anywhere, and things like pollen, cold air, smoke or a chest infection on holiday can make one more likely. A bad attack abroad might mean emergency treatment or a hospital stay, which can be expensive. If asthma isn’t declared and you need to claim for something linked to it, that claim could be refused or paid at a reduced amount.

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 asthma?

In most cases, yes. Plenty of people with asthma travel with it included on their policy. The main thing that affects whether insurance can be offered is how well controlled your asthma is. Recent attacks, steroid tablets, hospital admissions, or needing a nebuliser or at-home oxygen all tend to carry more weight than just using a daily reliever.

What we’ll ask about your asthma

The online medical screening is short and easy to get through. It asks a few things about your asthma, the inhalers you use and whether you’ve needed steroid tablets or hospital treatment. When you’re done declaring this condition, carry on declaring any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

After the declaration, you’ll be taken to the quote page. You’ll be shown a list of quotes if your asthma and your other conditions are coverable, and each premium includes the cost of cover for your medical. If we’re unable to offer cover, you’ll be told before you proceed.

If your health changes before travelling

Asthma can shift with the seasons. If your inhalers are stepped up, you need a course of steroid tablets, you’re admitted to hospital, or you’re referred to a chest clinic before you travel, you must let us know. We may have to review your cover and refer your medical details to the underwriters, and sometimes we may not be able to proceed with cover. If changes in your medical go unreported, a future claim can be affected or denied.

What can asthma travel insurance cover?

With asthma accepted on the policy, an asthma attack abroad can be treated like any other medical emergency. If you’re in Florida, have a bad attack and need emergency care, the treatment can be covered, which matters in a country where hospital bills are high. Repatriation with medical help can be covered too. All subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

Should a flare-up before you go mean your doctor advises you not to travel, cancellation cover may help you claim back non-refundable costs.

Routine prescriptions abroad, such as replacing an inhaler you forgot to pack, aren’t usually covered. Nor is planned treatment or anything you didn’t declare.

Will asthma affect the cost of travel insurance?

Asthma can affect the price. How much is down to our online medical screening, which may ask how your asthma is treated and how well controlled it is day to day. Your age, destination and trip length are factored in for everyone, not just people with a medical condition. Once you’ve answered, you’ll get a quote you can look over before buying.

Single trip or annual cover with asthma

Single trip insurance covers one holiday. If you’re a regular traveller, annual cover can be simpler and may be available depending on your screening result.

Travelling with asthma: practical tips

These are general tips. They aren’t part of your insurance cover.

Your reliever inhaler goes in your hand luggage, always. Take a spare in a different bag, plus your spacer, so that losing a bag doesn’t leave you without. Pack enough preventer for the whole trip and a bit extra.

Think about the air where you’re going. Big cities can have high pollution, pollen seasons vary by country, and dry, cold mountain air or hot, humid air can both set off symptoms. Check pollen and air quality forecasts before you go, and keep an eye on them while you’re away.

If you have a written asthma action plan, take it, and make sure whoever you’re travelling with knows what to do in an attack. If you haven’t had an asthma review in the last year, book one before a big trip. Your GP or asthma nurse can also check your inhaler technique.

Smoking rules vary a lot abroad. Ask for non-smoking rooms and, if you can, choose restaurants with outdoor space away from smokers.

1. store inhalers out of direct sun and away from extreme heat
2. learn the word for asthma in the local language, or carry a translated note
3. find out the local emergency number before you need it

People with allergies alongside asthma should declare both.

How to get a quote

Enter your trip, answer the asthma questions and any others that apply, and choose your cover. You’ll see what it costs before you pay a penny.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Respiratory Pages

• Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Asthma Travel Insurance
• Bronchiolitis Travel Insurance
• Bronchitis Travel Insurance
• COPD Travel Insurance
• COVID-19 Travel Insurance
• Cystic Fibrosis Travel Insurance
• Laryngitis Travel Insurance
• Pneumonia Travel Insurance
• Respiratory Tract Infections Travel Insurance
• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Silicosis Travel Insurance
• Sleep Apnoea 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.