Travelling with Crohn's Disease

What is Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease is a lifelong condition in which parts of the digestive system become inflamed. Although anywhere along the digestive track can become inflamed, the small intestine and colon are the most common sites. Along with ulcerative colitis, Crohn's is one of the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease, and it belongs to our gastrointestinal and digestive conditions group.

Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach pain, tiredness, and weight loss. Most people have spells of remission broken up by flare-ups, and treatment ranges from tablets and steroids to biologic injections or infusions, and sometimes surgery. You can read more on the NHS Crohn’s disease page.

Why do I need to declare Crohn’s disease for travel insurance?

Crohn’s disease is a lifelong pre-existing medical condition, and it needs declaring even when you feel well. A flare-up abroad can mean urgent care, and complications such as a blockage or an abscess sometimes need hospital treatment or surgery. Medicines that dampen the immune system also make infections more likely, and a flare just before you go could mean cancelling. If Crohn’s isn’t declared, a claim connected to it could be declined 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 Crohn’s disease?

Lots of people with Crohn’s do. Whether it can be accepted for cover is decided by your medical screening, which asks you questions related to symptoms, treatments, and hospital admissions.

What we’ll ask about your Crohn’s disease

The online medical screening is short and easy to get through. It asks a few things about your Crohn’s disease, how your Crohn’s is treated, and when you last had symptoms. 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 Crohn’s disease 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

Crohn’s can change quickly. If you have a flareup that needs new treatment, your medication changes, you’re admitted to hospital, or you’re referred to a specialist 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 Crohn’s disease travel insurance cover?

When Crohn’s is accepted, emergency medical care abroad for it can be covered in the same way as any other illness. Say a flare in Turkey leaves you with severe pain and dehydration and you’re admitted to hospital. Treatment costs, and repatriation home if it is medically needed, can be claimed, subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

A sudden onset of symptoms just before departure might mean your doctor advises against travelling. In that case, cancellation cover may refund your non-refundable costs.

Planned treatment abroad isn’t covered, including a scheduled infusion you arrange overseas. Neither is anything linked to a condition you haven’t declared.

Will Crohn’s disease affect the cost of travel insurance?

Crohn’s can affect your insurance premium, but this is only in part decided by your medical declaration. Separately, a few things shape every quote: your age, the destination, and how long you’ll be away among them. You’ll get to see the price before you go ahead.

Single trip or annual cover with Crohn’s disease

Single trip cover works well for one holiday. If you travel a few times a year, annual cover could suit you better, provided the screening result allows it.

Travelling with Crohn’s disease: practical tips

Below are some general ideas for travelling with Crohn’s. They are not part of the insurance.

Toilets are usually the first worry. Book an aisle seat near the toilets on flights and coaches, and look into a “Can’t Wait” card from Crohn’s & Colitis UK, which some venues abroad will recognise. A small kit with wipes, spare underwear and a change of clothes helps on long journeys.

Biologic injections often need to stay refrigerated, so ask your pharmacist about cool bags and request a room with a fridge. Plan around infusion dates and talk to your IBD team if your trip clashes with a dose. Our page on travelling abroad with medication covers carrying medicines through airports.

Many Crohn’s treatments dampen the immune system, so food and water hygiene matters more than usual. Stick to bottled or boiled water where tap water is unsafe and be wary of salads, ice and street food that has been sitting out. Live vaccines, such as yellow fever, may not be suitable if you are on immunosuppressants. Book a travel clinic appointment early and check the TravelHealthPro country pages.

If you have a stoma, pack more supplies than you think you’ll need, split between bags, and keep some in your hand luggage. Hot weather can make dehydration more likely, especially with an ileostomy, so oral rehydration sachets are worth taking.

How to get a quote

Tell us about your trip, go through the Crohn’s questions and anything else you need to declare, and choose a cover level. You’ll see your price before paying.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Gastrointestinal Pages

• Acute Pancreatitis Travel Insurance
• Appendicitis Travel Insurance
• Chronic Pancreatitis Travel Insurance
• Coeliac Disease Travel Insurance
• Crohn's Disease Travel Insurance
• Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Diverticular Diseases Travel Insurance
• Gallstones Travel Insurance
• Gastritis Travel Insurance
• Heartburn and Acid Reflux Travel Insurance
• Hernia Travel Insurance
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Stomach Ulcer Travel Insurance
• Ulcerative Colitis 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.