Travel Insurance for Fibromyalgia

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes pain across many parts of the body, along with a fatigue that sleep doesn’t seem to fix. Many people also describe stiffness, poor concentration (often called fibro fog), headaches, and an irritable bowel. It’s grouped with other musculoskeletal conditions, although it doesn’t damage the joints or muscles themselves. The way the brain and nerves process pain signals seems to be what changes.

Nobody knows exactly what causes it. It sometimes starts after an illness, an injury or a stressful period. Symptoms rise and fall, and a bad patch can be set off by poor sleep, cold weather or simply doing too much. There’s no cure, but exercise, talking therapies, and medicines can help. The NHS fibromyalgia page explains the symptoms and treatment options.

Why do I need to declare fibromyalgia for travel insurance?

Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition, so it counts as pre-existing and we may need to know about it. Flares can be set off by travel itself: long journeys, broken sleep, changes in temperature, and the stress of getting there. A severe flare-up might mean seeing a doctor abroad or, before you go, being too unwell to travel.

Declaring it means those risks are taken into account. If it’s left off, a claim connected to fibromyalgia 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 fibromyalgia?

Usually you can. Whether fibromyalgia can be included depends on the medical screening. The screening tends to look at how settled your symptoms are, what you take for pain, and whether you also have related conditions such as depression or anxiety, which may need declaring separately.

What we’ll ask about your fibromyalgia

The online medical screening is short and easy to get through. It asks a few things about your fibromyalgia and how the condition affects you. 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 fibromyalgia 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

Fibromyalgia can have good weeks and bad weeks. If your pain medication is switched, you have a hospital stay, you’re referred for investigations, or you’re diagnosed with something new before you travel, you need to 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 fibromyalgia travel insurance cover?

When fibromyalgia has been accepted, emergency medical treatment for it while you’re away can be covered. Say a severe flare leaves you unable to walk properly on a city break in Rome and you need to see a doctor or go to hospital. Those emergency costs can be met, and so can repatriation if you need medical help to get home. All cover is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If your symptoms become so bad before departure that your doctor advises against going, you may be able to recover non-refundable costs under cancellation cover.

The policy won’t pay for treatment you arrange to have abroad, routine top-ups of medication, or claims connected to a condition you didn’t declare.

Will fibromyalgia affect the cost of travel insurance?

Fibromyalgia may well be reflected in the price you’re quoted. Exactly how is settled by our online medical screening, which can ask about the way your fibromyalgia is treated and how well controlled your symptoms tend to be. Things like your age and where and for how long you’re travelling come into it as well. There’s no need to commit until you’ve seen the cost.

Single trip or annual cover with fibromyalgia

A single holiday is easily covered with a single trip policy. If you’re likely to have a few breaks over the year, annual travel insurance may suit better, depending on your screening result.

Travelling with fibromyalgia: practical tips

Here are some general ideas that people with fibromyalgia often find useful. They are not part of your insurance cover.

Pacing matters more on holiday than at home, because the days are less predictable. Travel days drain energy, so plan very little for the day you arrive and the day after. Alternate busy days with quieter ones, and leave room to cancel an excursion without feeling you’ve wasted money.

Long journeys can leave you stiff and sore. Book an aisle seat so you can stand and stretch, wear loose layers, and keep a small cushion or neck pillow with you. Many airports offer free assistance, including a wheelchair or buggy to the gate, which saves a lot of energy. Request it through your airline at least 48 hours before you fly.

Temperature can make a difference. Cold, damp weather makes some people’s pain worse, while others struggle in heat. Pack layers, and if air conditioning bothers you, a light scarf or cardigan helps. A warm bath or a heated pool can ease aching muscles at the end of the day.

Sleep is often fragile with fibromyalgia, and a new bed, noise or jet lag can upset it. An eye mask, earplugs and your usual pillow if there’s space may help. If you cross time zones, ask your GP or pharmacist how to fit your medication around the change.

1. carry your medicines in hand luggage with a copy of your prescription
2. pack heat patches, any TENS machine you use and comfortable shoes
3. choose accommodation with a lift and somewhere quiet to rest during the day

Some people with fibromyalgia also have chronic pain syndrome or long-lasting fatigue, and similar planning applies.

How to get a quote

Enter your trip details, answer the questions about fibromyalgia and any other conditions you have, and choose the cover you want. The price is shown before you buy.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Musculoskeletal Pages

• Arthritis Travel Insurance
• Back and Neck Pain Travel Insurance
• Baker's Cyst Travel Insurance
• Broken Bones Travel Insurance
• Bunions Travel Insurance
• Bursitis Travel Insurance
• Fibromyalgia Travel Insurance
• Frozen Shoulder Travel Insurance
• Gout Travel Insurance
• Knee Pain Travel Insurance
• Osteophyte Travel Insurance
• Osteoporosis Travel Insurance
• Plantar Fasciitis Travel Insurance
• Repetitive Strain Injury Travel Insurance
• Sciatica Travel Insurance
• Slipped Disc Travel Insurance
• Tendonitis 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.