Travel Insurance for Bursitis

What is bursitis?

Bursae are small sacs of fluid that sit between bones and the tendons or skin over them, letting everything glide smoothly. Bursitis happens when one of these sacs becomes inflamed. It’s a common musculoskeletal condition and usually affects the shoulder, elbow, hip or knee, making the joint painful, swollen and stiff, particularly when you move it or press on it.

Repeated pressure or overuse is the most frequent cause, such as kneeling for work or leaning on your elbows. It can also follow an injury, or come with conditions like gout. Rest, ice and painkillers usually help it settle within a few weeks. Sometimes the bursa becomes infected, which needs antibiotics. The NHS bursitis page has more information.

Why do I need to declare bursitis for travel insurance?

If you’ve been diagnosed with bursitis or treated for it, it’s a pre-existing medical condition and may need to be declared. A painful flare in a hip, knee, shoulder or elbow can limit what you’re able to do on holiday, and bursitis that becomes infected may need antibiotics or draining from a doctor abroad. Your cover needs to take that into account.

Should you leave it off your policy, a claim linked to the bursitis 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 bursitis?

Yes, generally. Your screening result decides whether bursitis can be included on your policy. A single episode that cleared up some time ago is seen differently from bursitis that keeps returning, has needed steroid injections or draining, or has been infected recently.

What we’ll ask about your bursitis

The online medical screening is short and easy to get through. It asks a few things about your bursitis, the treatment you’ve had and whether you’ve needed any injections. 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 bursitis 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

Joint inflammation can flare up with little warning. If the swelling becomes infected, you need a course of antibiotics or an injection, you’re admitted to hospital, or you’re diagnosed with something new before you travel, you must let us know. We may need to review your cover or refer your medical situation to the underwriters, and occasionally we may not be able to proceed with cover. Any change in your medical you don’t tell us about could mean a future claim is affected or denied.

What can bursitis travel insurance cover?

When bursitis is accepted, emergency treatment for it abroad can be covered. Picture an elbow that suddenly becomes hot, red and very swollen on holiday in Croatia. Infected bursitis needs prompt treatment, and emergency care there can be covered, as can repatriation if a doctor decides you should come home with medical support. Everything is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If a flare-up before you leave means a doctor advises you not to travel, you may be able to claim for non-refundable costs under cancellation cover.

Planned injections or other treatment abroad won’t be covered. Nor will claims linked to undeclared conditions.

Will bursitis affect the cost of travel insurance?

Bursitis is one of the things that can shape your premium. The figure depends on what comes out of online medical screening, which could include questions on how the bursitis is treated and how well it’s controlled. Trip length, destination and age matter for every policy, so they count here too. Before paying, you can check the price and decide.

Single trip or annual cover with bursitis

For one getaway, look at single trip insurance. If you travel more often, annual cover could be simpler, provided the screening result allows it.

Travelling with bursitis: practical tips

The advice here is general and not part of your policy.

Think about pressure on the sore joint. With bursitis in the hip, lying on that side in an unfamiliar bed can be uncomfortable, so a pillow between your knees may help. For elbow bursitis, avoid resting your arm on hard armrests during long journeys. Knee bursitis and kneeling don’t mix, which is worth remembering if you’re gardening at a holiday villa or exploring churches.

Repetitive movements can set it off again. Lifting heavy cases into overhead lockers, paddling a kayak all afternoon or a long day of tennis can all irritate a shoulder or elbow. Spread the effort and ask for help with bags.

Sitting for a long flight can leave a hip or knee stiff and sore by the time you land. An aisle seat lets you get up regularly, and a short walk after arriving often loosens things up. If walking through a large airport is painful, airlines can arrange assistance if you ask at least 48 hours in advance.

Learn the signs of infection: increasing redness, heat, swelling and feeling feverish or unwell. These need a doctor promptly rather than waiting until you’re home. Cuts or grazes over the joint should be kept clean and covered.

Pack a reusable ice pack, any supports you use, and enough of your usual painkillers or anti-inflammatories. If you also have tendonitis in the same area, the same precautions apply.

How to get a quote

Enter where you’re going and for how long, declare bursitis and any other conditions, then pick the cover that suits. You’ll see the cost before you pay.

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.