Travel Insurance for Epilepsy

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a condition where the brain is prone to repeated seizures, caused by sudden bursts of electrical activity. It’s among the most common neurological conditions in the UK. Seizures look very different from one person to another. Some people lose consciousness and shake, others go blank for a few seconds, and some notice odd feelings, smells, or movements while staying aware.

Most people with epilepsy take medicine every day to prevent seizures, and many go long periods without one. Some have surgery, a VNS device, or a special diet. The NHS epilepsy page has more information on the different types of seizure and treatment.

Why do I need to declare epilepsy for travel insurance?

Epilepsy is a pre-existing medical condition, so it belongs on your policy even if your seizures have been controlled for years. We need to know about it because a seizure abroad can lead to emergency care, and it can also cause a fall, a burn or an accident in water that needs treating as well. A run of seizures shortly before you leave could mean cancelling the trip.

If epilepsy isn’t declared, a claim connected to it could be refused or the amount paid reduced, even when the link seems indirect.

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 epilepsy?

For many people, yes. Whether epilepsy can be accepted comes down to the medical screening, which looks at how settled your seizures are and whether anything about your treatment is still changing. Plenty of people with well controlled epilepsy find cover is offered, and if it can’t be, the screening tells you before you pay.

What we’ll ask about your epilepsy

The medical screening is online and simple to complete. For your epilepsy, it asks about the type of seizures you have and when your last one was. 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 epilepsy 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

Epilepsy can change between appointments. If you have a new seizure type, your medication is switched, you’re admitted to hospital, or you’re referred for an EEG or scan before you travel, you must let us know. We may need to review your cover or refer your medical situation to the underwriters, and occasionally we may not be able to proceed with cover. Any change in your medical you don’t tell us about could mean a future claim is affected or denied.

What can epilepsy travel insurance cover?

Once epilepsy is accepted, a seizure abroad that needs emergency treatment can be covered in the same way as any other medical emergency. If you have a seizure by the pool in Turkey, hit your head and need a hospital check, the emergency treatment can be covered. So can repatriation, if you need medical help getting home. Everything is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits, and excess.

If seizures return just before your trip and your doctor advises you not to go, you may be able to claim non-refundable costs through cancellation cover.

There’s no cover for planned treatment abroad, or for claims linked to a condition that wasn’t declared.

Will epilepsy affect the cost of travel insurance?

Epilepsy can affect the price, and the result of our online medical screening decides how much. You may be asked how your epilepsy is treated and how well controlled it is, so it helps to have those details to hand. General things count too, including your age, where you’re going and how long you’ll be away. You’ll see the price before you buy.

Single trip or annual cover with epilepsy

Single trip insurance covers one holiday from start to finish. If you go away more often, annual multi-trip insurance may be cheaper overall, depending on your screening result.

Travelling with epilepsy: practical tips

These are general tips, not part of your cover.

Missed doses, broken sleep and alcohol are among the most common seizure triggers, and holidays tend to bring all three. Set phone alarms for medication, and if you’re crossing time zones, ask your epilepsy nurse, GP or pharmacist how to shift your dose times gradually. Try to get some sleep on overnight flights, and pace yourself on the first night.

Keep all your medicine in hand luggage, in its original packaging, with extra in case of delays. Brands can look different abroad, and switching brand is something to avoid without medical advice. Rescue medicines such as midazolam are controlled in some countries, so check the rules for your destination. Our guide to travelling abroad with medication has more detail.

Water is where seizures carry the greatest risk. Swim only where there’s a lifeguard or with someone who knows what to do, and choose showers over baths. Be careful on balconies, cliff paths and boat trips.

Make sure the people you’re travelling with know basic seizure first aid and how to call for help locally. The emergency number is 112 across the EU. Carrying a medical ID card or bracelet, or a note in the local language, can help strangers understand what’s happening.

If your seizures are sensitive to flashing lights, think twice about nightclubs and some theme park rides. People whose seizures started after a head injury should declare that too.

How to get a quote

Tell us where and when you’re going, then answer the epilepsy questions along with any others you need to declare. You’ll see the price before paying.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Neurological Pages

• ADHD Travel Insurance
• Alzheimer's Travel Insurance
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Travel Insurance
• Bell's Palsy Travel Insurance
• Benign Brain Tumour Travel Insurance
• Cerebral Palsy Travel Insurance
• Cluster Headaches Travel Insurance
• Dementia Travel Insurance
• Down's Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Encephalitis Travel Insurance
• Epilepsy Travel Insurance
• Febrile Seizures Travel Insurance
• Head Injuries Travel Insurance
• Huntington's Disease Travel Insurance
• Migraines Travel Insurance
• Motor Neurone Disease Travel Insurance
• Multiple Sclerosis Travel Insurance
• Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Travel Insurance
• Neuropathy Travel Insurance
• Parkinson's Disease Travel Insurance
• Restless Leg Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Trigeminal Neuralgia 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.