Travel Insurance for Chronic Kidney Disease

What is chronic kidney disease?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) means your kidneys aren’t filtering your blood as well as they should, and the change has been there for at least three months. It’s one of the most common kidney conditions in the UK, and it’s often picked up on a routine blood test long before it causes any symptoms. Quite often, it's caused by diabetes or high blood pressure.

Doctors describe CKD in stages from 1 to 5, based largely on a blood test called an eGFR, which measures how well your kidneys are filtering bodily fluids. Many people in the early stages simply need regular checks and good control of their blood pressure. A smaller number go on to need dialysis or a transplant. The NHS chronic kidney disease page explains the stages and treatment.

Why do I need to declare chronic kidney disease for travel insurance?

Chronic kidney disease is a long-term condition, so it needs declaring as pre-existing even at an early stage. Kidney disease is closely tied to your heart and blood pressure, and it can make dehydration or infections abroad more serious, raising the chance of needing treatment or having to cancel.

We can only reflect that in your cover if we know about it. If CKD isn’t declared, a related claim could be declined or the amount paid 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 chronic kidney disease?

For many people, yes. Having chronic kidney disease doesn’t rule out cover, and people at every stage do travel. However, we cannot provide travel insurance if you're planning on having dialysis while abroad. 

The stage of your CKD is the main thing. Dialysis, a transplant, recent hospital stays and other conditions such as heart disease or diabetes will all be taken into account when deciding whether cover can be offered.

What we’ll ask about your chronic kidney disease

Declaring your chronic kidney disease online doesn’t take long. The screening asks about the stage of your kidney disease and whether you’re on dialysis. After that, carry on declaring any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions you have.

Once you’ve finished the medical declaration, you’ll go through to the quote page. If your chronic kidney disease and your other conditions can be covered, you’ll see a list of quotes, and the premium shown includes the cost of cover for your medical. If we can’t provide cover, you’ll know before going any further.

If your health changes before travelling

Kidney disease can progress between check-ups. If you move to a later stage, you start dialysis, your tablets change, or you have a hospital admission between now and departure, 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 chronic kidney disease travel insurance cover?

With CKD accepted, emergency medical treatment abroad can be covered. A chest infection in Greece that leaves you dehydrated and puts extra pressure on your kidneys is one example. Hospital treatment, and getting you home with medical support if needed, can be covered subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If your kidney function drops just before you go and your doctor advises you to stay at home, cancellation cover may help with prepaid costs.

Planned treatment abroad isn’t included. Claims linked to undeclared conditions won’t be covered either.

Will chronic kidney disease affect the cost of travel insurance?

Your premium may be affected by chronic kidney disease, and the screening result decides to what extent. Our online medical screening may want to know how your CKD is treated and how well it is controlled at the moment. General points such as age, destination and the length of your stay feed in too. Nothing is fixed until you’ve seen the price, which comes up before you buy.

Single trip or annual cover with chronic kidney disease

For a single holiday, single trip insurance is usually simplest. If you travel more often, annual travel insurance could suit you better, subject to your screening result.

Travelling with chronic kidney disease: practical tips

The tips below are general and aren’t part of your cover.

Get the fluid balance right. Some people with CKD need to drink plenty, while others have been told to limit fluids. Hot weather and stomach bugs change things, so ask your kidney team or GP what you should do if you’re sweating a lot or have sickness and diarrhoea. They may give you sick day rules for certain medicines.

Watch the food. If you’re on a low salt, low potassium or low phosphate diet, holidays can be tricky. Cured meats, salty snacks, tomatoes, bananas and some fruit juices are everywhere in the Mediterranean, for example. A little research before you go makes it easier to order sensibly.

Avoid anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen unless your doctor has said they’re fine. They’re easy to buy abroad and can harm your kidneys. Pack your usual pain relief instead.

If you’re on dialysis, holiday dialysis needs booking well in advance, often several months ahead. Your renal unit can usually help you find a centre at your destination.

1. carry your most recent blood results and a list of your medicines
2. keep your blood pressure monitor with you if you use one at home
3. pack medication in your hand luggage, with spare in case of delays

How to get a quote

Enter where you’re going, answer the medical questions about your kidneys and anything else, and choose a cover level. The cost is shown before you pay.

Get a Quote

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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.