Travel Insurance for Cystic Fibrosis

What is cystic fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited condition you are born with. A faulty gene upsets the balance of salt and water in the body’s cells, so the mucus in the lungs and digestive system becomes thick and sticky. In the lungs, that mucus traps bacteria and leads to repeated chest infections. It is grouped with our other respiratory conditions, although it affects much more than breathing.

The pancreas is often involved too, which makes it harder to digest food and absorb nutrients, and some people go on to develop CF-related diabetes or liver problems. Treatment can include daily physiotherapy, nebulised medicines, enzyme capsules, and CFTR modulator tablets. The NHS cystic fibrosis page explains it in more detail.

Why do I need to declare cystic fibrosis for travel insurance?

Cystic fibrosis is a lifelong condition, so it’s always treated as pre-existing. We need to know about it because chest infections can develop quickly, and some may need IV antibiotics or a hospital stay abroad. Digestive problems, CF-related diabetes, and dehydration in hot weather can add to that. A flareup before departure could also mean cancelling your holiday, and by declaring it, you can claim for this reason. If cystic fibrosis isn’t declared and you claim for something connected to it, that claim 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 cystic fibrosis?

It’s possible. Cystic fibrosis varies a great deal between people, so whether cover is offered depends on your own situation. Recent courses of IV antibiotics, hospital admissions, oxygen or breathing support, being on a transplant list, and complications like diabetes can all affect the outcome.

What we’ll ask about your cystic fibrosis

Our online screening is easy to follow. It asks a few questions about your cystic fibrosis, including medications you take, admissions to hospital, and whether your liver or kidneys are affected by the condition. When you’ve declared CF and its associated conditions, carry on with any other relevant pre-existing medical.

Finishing the medical declaration takes you through to the quote page. Provided your cystic fibrosis and your other declared conditions can be covered, you’ll be presented with a list of quotes. The premium you see already includes cover for your medical, and if we cannot provide cover, you’ll know before going ahead.

If your health changes before travelling

A lot can happen in the weeks before a trip. If you start a course of IV antibiotics, you’re admitted to hospital, your medication changes, or you’re put forward for tests or a transplant assessment 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 cystic fibrosis travel insurance cover?

Once your CF is accepted, a sudden chest infection or other emergency abroad can be covered in the same way as any other medical emergency. If you developed a bad infection in Greece and needed admission for IV antibiotics, emergency treatment and hospital costs can be covered, along with repatriation to the UK if your doctors and the assistance team agree it is needed. All of this is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If you become unwell shortly before departure and a doctor advises you not to travel, you may be able to claim back non-refundable costs through cancellation cover.

Routine treatment that you arrange to have while abroad is not covered, and nor are claims linked to conditions you didn’t declare. The policy wording has the full list of exclusions.

Will cystic fibrosis affect the cost of travel insurance?

With cystic fibrosis, the price can change, and the result of our online medical screening decides how much. You may be asked how your CF is treated and how well it’s been controlled lately. Age, destination and trip length are part of the quote whatever your health. You can review the full price before choosing to buy.

Single trip or annual cover with cystic fibrosis

You can buy single trip cover for one particular holiday, or annual multi-trip cover if you travel more often. Whether annual cover is available depends on your screening result.

Travelling with cystic fibrosis: practical tips

The points below are general travel advice. They are not part of your insurance.

Talk to your CF team early. They know your condition best and can advise on timing, any extra treatment before you leave and what to do if you become unwell abroad. Many teams can also give you a letter summarising your condition and medicines, which is useful at airport security and if you need a doctor overseas.

People with CF lose more salt in their sweat than other people, so hot weather brings a real risk of dehydration. Ask your team whether you should take salt supplements and how much extra fluid to drink, and plan to keep out of the strongest midday heat.

Infection control still matters on holiday. Hot tubs, spas and jacuzzis can harbour bacteria that are a particular problem for people with CF, so many CF teams advise steering clear of them. Hand gel, bottled water where tap water isn’t safe, and care with food hygiene all help. If you are travelling with another person who has CF, ask your team about cross infection.

Your kit needs planning. Nebulisers and airway clearance devices may need a plug adapter, and some medicines must stay refrigerated, so check your room has a fridge. Pack enzymes in your hand luggage so you can take them with meals during the journey.

1. take more medication than you expect to need, in its original packaging
2. keep a copy of your prescriptions and your clinic contact details
3. check entry and vaccine requirements on the TravelHealthPro website
4. if you have CF related diabetes, declare it as well and pack your testing kit in your hand luggage

How to get a quote

Start with your trip details, then answer the screening questions about cystic fibrosis and anything else you need to declare. Choose your cover and check the price before paying.

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.