Travel Insurance for a Deep Vein Thrombosis

What is deep vein thrombosis?

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in one of the deep veins in the leg, usually in the calf or thigh. It causes throbbing pain, swelling, and warmth in one leg, sometimes with red or darkened skin. Many people link it with air travel, although sitting still for long periods of time is only one of several risk factors. It falls under blood and circulatory conditions.

The main danger is that part of the clot (or thrombosis) breaks away and lodges in the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. That’s why DVT is treated with anticoagulant medicine, usually for at least three months. Recent surgery, pregnancy, cancer, being overweight, the contraceptive pill, and a family history can all raise the risk of developing the condition. The NHS DVT page has more on symptoms and treatment.

Why do I need to declare a DVT for travel insurance?

Deep vein thrombosis is a pre-existing medical condition, whether the clot is current or happened years ago. We ask about it because a past DVT makes another one more likely, and travel itself, with long flights and hours of sitting, can add to that. Alongside the risk of a pulmonary embolism, there's also that of excessive bleeding caused by blood thinning treatments.

If the DVT 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 deep vein thrombosis?

Usually, yes, and your medical screening result decides whether cover is offered. The timing of the DVT, whether you’ve had more than one, whether it moved to the lungs, and whether you’re still on anticoagulants are the details that usually count most. An underlying cause, or tests still in progress, can also make a difference.

What we’ll ask about your DVT

Our online medical screening is quick and straightforward. You’ll answer a handful of questions about your DVT, covering when the clot happened and whether you’re still taking anticoagulants. Once this condition is done, carry on and declare any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

When the medical declaration is complete, you’ll move on to the quote page. Where your DVT and any other conditions are coverable, a list of quotes appears, with the cost of covering your medical already built into the premium. If cover isn’t possible, you’ll find out before you proceed.

If your health changes before travelling

Clots can come back, and treatment plans can shift. If, before your trip, you have a new clot, you stop or switch anticoagulants, you have a hospital stay, or you’re referred for tests, you must let us know. Your cover might need another look, your medical situation may have to go to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to continue with cover. A future claim can be affected or denied if a change in your medical isn’t reported.

What can DVT travel insurance cover?

When your DVT is accepted on the policy, related emergency treatment abroad can be covered. If you noticed pain and swelling in your calf a few days into a trip to Thailand and needed a scan and treatment in hospital, those costs can be covered, along with getting you home with medical help if necessary. Cover is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits, and excess.

If a new clot or a related problem before departure stops you going, you may be able to claim for non-refundable costs under cancellation cover.

It won’t cover treatment you’d planned abroad or problems linked to a condition you left off.

Will a DVT affect the cost of travel insurance?

A DVT can change the cost of cover, and the size of that change is down to the online medical screening. Be ready for questions on how the clot was treated and whether your condition is now well controlled. Your age and the destination, plus the number of days you’re travelling, also shape the figure. The quote shows the full price before you buy anything.

Single trip or annual cover with DVT

Buy single trip cover if you have one holiday in mind. Annual multi-trip insurance suits people who travel more, subject to your screening result.

Travelling with DVT: practical tips

These are general pointers and aren’t part of your policy.

If you’ve had a DVT, flying again is something to plan for, not avoid forever. On flights of more than about four hours, get up and walk the aisle when it’s safe to do so, and do calf and ankle exercises in your seat every half hour or so. An aisle seat makes moving around easier.

Keep well hydrated, go easy on alcohol, and avoid taking sleeping tablets that leave you motionless for hours. Loose clothing is better than anything tight round the waist or legs.

Ask your doctor whether compression stockings are right for you. If they are, have them measured and fitted, and put them on before you board. For some people at higher risk, a doctor may suggest an injection of blood thinner before flying, but that’s a medical decision, not something to arrange yourself.

If you’re on warfarin, talk to your anticoagulation clinic before a long trip. Your INR needs checking regularly and can shift with changes in diet and alcohol. Newer anticoagulants are simpler to travel with, but you still need to take them at the right times.

Car and coach journeys carry the same issue as flights, so stop every couple of hours to stretch your legs.

How to get a quote

Start your quote with your destination and dates, tell us about your DVT and any other conditions, then choose a cover level. The price is shown before you buy.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Circulatory Pages

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Travel Insurance
• Atherosclerosis Travel Insurance
• Blood Clots Travel Insurance
• Brain Aneurysm Travel Insurance
• Cardiovascular Disease Travel Insurance
• Deep Vein Thrombosis Travel Insurance
• Haemophilia Travel Insurance
• High Blood Pressure Travel Insurance
• High Cholesterol Travel Insurance
• Iron Deficiency Anaemia Travel Insurance
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• Pulmonary Embolism Travel Insurance
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• Sickle Cell Disease Travel Insurance
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• Varicose Veins Travel Insurance
• Vascular Dementia 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.