Travel Insurance for Encephalitis

What is encephalitis?

Encephalitis means inflammation of the brain. It’s uncommon but serious, and it’s usually treated in hospital. Most cases are triggered by a virus, such as the herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores. In others, the immune system attacks the brain by mistake, which is called autoimmune encephalitis. It’s one of the conditions affecting the brain and nerves that can leave lasting effects.

Some people make a full recovery. Others live with problems afterwards, such as tiredness, memory difficulties, changes in mood or seizures, and recovery can take months or longer. The NHS encephalitis page covers symptoms, causes and treatment.

Why do I need to declare encephalitis for travel insurance?

Encephalitis needs declaring as a pre-existing condition, especially if it was recent or has left lasting effects. It matters because some people have seizures, memory problems, or tiredness for months or years afterwards, and recovery isn't always linear. That can increase the chance of needing medical help abroad or having to cancel. If encephalitis or anything it’s left behind, like epilepsy, isn’t declared, a related 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 after encephalitis?

Many people can, once they’re through the acute stage. Whether cover is offered mainly depends on how recently you were ill and how your recovery is going, including any ongoing seizures or follow-up appointments. Someone who recovered fully several years ago is in a different position from someone discharged last month.

What we’ll ask about your encephalitis

The medical screening is online and simple to complete. For your encephalitis, you may be asked about treatment, mobility aids, and other related conditions such as epilepsy. When you’ve finished with this condition, carry on declaring any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

With the medical declaration complete, you’ll go through to the quote page. A list of quotes is shown if your encephalitis and any other conditions are coverable, and the premium quoted includes the cost of covering your medical. If we can’t offer cover, you’ll find that out before going any further.

If your health changes before travelling

Recovery isn't always straightforward. If you have a seizure, your medication changes, you have a hospital stay, or you’re given a new diagnosis before you travel, you must let us know. Your cover may need reviewing, we may need to refer your medical situation to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to proceed with cover. If you don’t let us know of any changes in your medical, a future claim can be affected or denied.

What can encephalitis travel insurance cover?

Once your encephalitis is accepted, emergency treatment abroad for a related problem can be covered. If you have a seizure in Greece and are taken to hospital, the emergency care can be covered, and so can repatriation if you need medical help to get home. All cover is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

Catching a new infection on holiday that leads to encephalitis would normally be treated as a new illness, not a pre-existing one. If you’re unwell before you go and a doctor says not to travel, cancellation cover may help with non-refundable costs.

Rehabilitation or treatment planned abroad isn’t covered, and neither is anything connected to an undeclared condition.

Will encephalitis affect the cost of travel insurance?

Having had encephalitis can affect the premium. Our online medical screening decides by how much, and it may ask how you were treated and how well any lasting effects are now controlled. Ordinary factors also count, among them your age, where you’re going and the length of the trip. The price is there for you to check before buying.

Single trip or annual cover after encephalitis

If you’re still recovering, a single trip policy for one holiday may feel more manageable. Annual cover could be worth it if you plan several trips, depending on your screening result.

Travelling after encephalitis: practical tips

These are general tips for your trip and don’t form part of your cover.

Fatigue after a brain injury can be very different from ordinary tiredness. It often hits suddenly and needs proper rest, not just a coffee. Plan short days, leave gaps in the itinerary and avoid early starts straight after a long journey.

Memory and concentration problems make travel admin harder. Keep tickets, booking references and your insurance details in one place, ideally both on paper and on your phone. A travel companion who knows your situation is a big help.

If you’ve been left with seizures, many of the same precautions apply as for epilepsy. Avoid swimming alone, keep to your medication times, and carry your medicines in hand luggage with a copy of the prescription. Our guide to travelling abroad with medication explains what to pack.

Some types of encephalitis can be prevented with vaccines. Tick-borne encephalitis is found in parts of central and eastern Europe and Scandinavia, and Japanese encephalitis in parts of Asia. A travel clinic can tell you whether you need either, and the TravelHealthPro country pages show the risk by destination. If you’re on treatment that affects your immune system, ask your specialist before having any vaccine.

Heat, alcohol and poor sleep can all make lingering symptoms worse, so go easy for the first few days.

How to get a quote

Put in your trip details and answer the questions about your encephalitis and any lasting effects. You’ll see the price before you decide.

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.