Travel Insurance for Cerebral Palsy

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition that affects movement and coordination. It’s caused by a problem with the brain as it develops, before birth, during it or soon after, and it doesn’t get worse over time. It’s one of the neurological conditions we see most among younger travellers, though plenty of adults travel with it too.

How it shows varies hugely. Some people have slight stiffness in one leg, while others use a wheelchair and need help with daily tasks. Muscle stiffness or spasms, problems with balance, epilepsy, swallowing difficulties and learning disabilities can all be part of it. Physiotherapy, medicines that relax the muscles and sometimes surgery help manage the symptoms. Read more on the NHS cerebral palsy page.

Why do I need to declare cerebral palsy for travel insurance?

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition and counts as pre-existing, so it should always be declared. We ask about it because some people with cerebral palsy are more prone to chest infections, seizures, or falls, and travel can add tiredness and unfamiliar surroundings. Any of these could mean needing treatment abroad, or cancelling if health dips before you go. If cerebral palsy, or a related condition such as epilepsy, isn’t declared, a claim connected to it 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 cerebral palsy?

Yes, in many cases. Cerebral palsy affects people very differently, so whether cover is offered depends on the individual picture. The screening tends to look at chest infections, seizures, recent surgery, feeding tubes, or breathing support, and any hospital stays in the last year.

What we’ll ask about cerebral palsy

The online medical screening is short and easy to get through. It asks a few things about cerebral palsy and how it affects the traveller. 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 cerebral palsy 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

Health needs can change between booking and travelling. If there’s a new diagnosis, a change of medication, an admission to hospital, or a referral for surgery or tests before you travel, 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 cerebral palsy travel insurance cover?

With cerebral palsy accepted, emergency medical treatment abroad that’s linked to it can be covered. A chest infection that turns into pneumonia on a trip to Malta, needing hospital treatment, is one example. Repatriation can be covered too, including a medical escort if needed. All of this is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If illness before departure means a doctor advises against travelling, you may be able to get non-refundable costs back through cancellation cover.

Planned therapy or treatment abroad isn’t covered, and nor is anything linked to an undeclared condition. Check how the policy handles mobility equipment, as cover for wheelchairs and other aids can be limited.

Will cerebral palsy affect the cost of travel insurance?

What you pay may be affected by cerebral palsy, with the screening result deciding the amount. Because the condition varies so much from person to person, our online medical screening may ask how it’s treated and how well related symptoms are controlled. Age, destination and trip length also come into the price, which is displayed before you buy.

Single trip or annual cover with cerebral palsy

For a single holiday, single trip insurance works well. Annual insurance covers several trips in a year and may be offered depending on the screening result.

Travelling with cerebral palsy: practical tips

The points below are general travel advice, not part of the cover.

Book assistance early. Under UK and EU rules, airports must provide free help to disabled passengers, from check in to your seat. Request it when you book, at least 48 hours before you fly, and give details of your wheelchair, including its size, weight and battery type if it’s powered.

Wheelchairs are often damaged in transit. Take photos before handing yours over, remove any loose parts such as cushions and footrests, and keep a simple repair kit. Some people take a lightweight backup chair on longer trips.

Check accessibility properly. “Accessible” can mean different things in different countries, so ask hotels for door widths, shower details and photos. If you need a hoist or a profiling bed, local equipment hire companies can often deliver.

Heat and long journeys can increase muscle stiffness and tiredness. Plan rest stops, keep up stretches your physio recommends and drink plenty of water. Pack enough muscle relaxant or seizure medication for the trip plus extra, in hand luggage.

If you have epilepsy as well, our epilepsy page covers seizure planning, and the disability travel insurance page has more on mobility and equipment.

How to get a quote

Enter the trip details, declare cerebral palsy and anything related in the screening, and choose your cover. The full price is shown upfront.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Neurological Pages

• ADHD Travel Insurance
• Alzheimer's Travel Insurance
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Travel Insurance
• Bell's Palsy Travel Insurance
• Benign Brain Tumour Travel Insurance
• Cerebral Palsy Travel Insurance
• Cluster Headaches Travel Insurance
• Dementia Travel Insurance
• Down's Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Encephalitis Travel Insurance
• Epilepsy Travel Insurance
• Febrile Seizures Travel Insurance
• Head Injuries Travel Insurance
• Huntington's Disease Travel Insurance
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• Motor Neurone Disease Travel Insurance
• Multiple Sclerosis Travel Insurance
• Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Travel Insurance
• Neuropathy Travel Insurance
• Parkinson's Disease Travel Insurance
• Restless Leg Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Trigeminal Neuralgia 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.