Travel Insurance for Huntington's Disease

What is Huntington’s disease?

Huntington’s disease is an inherited condition that gradually damages nerve cells in the brain. It is one of the neurological conditions that gets worse over time, and it affects movement, thinking, and mood. Early signs can be small and may just be clumsiness, fidgeting, or mood changes, but this can develop into jerky movements, difficulty swallowing, and problems with speech and memory.

Symptoms usually begin in adulthood, often between the ages of 30 and 50, although it varies. There’s no cure yet, but treatment and support from a specialist team can help with many of the symptoms. You can read more on the NHS Huntington’s disease page.

Why do I need to declare Huntington’s disease for travel insurance?

Huntington’s disease is a pre-existing medical condition, and we need to hear about it because of how it can affect travel. Unsteadiness raises the risk of falls, and swallowing problems can lead to choking or chest infections that need treatment abroad. Symptoms changing before departure could also mean cancelling.

If Huntington’s isn’t declared, a related claim could be refused or reduced. A positive gene test with no symptoms yet should still be mentioned in the screening.

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 Huntington’s disease?

It may well be possible. The medical screening decides whether Huntington’s can be accepted, and the stage of the condition and how much support you need day-to-day both play a part in what is offered.

What we’ll ask about your Huntington’s disease

The medical screening is online and simple to complete. For your Huntington’s disease, it asks about how the condition affects you now and the medication you take. 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 Huntington’s disease 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

Huntington’s progresses, so things can shift between booking and travelling. If you have a hospital stay, your medication changes, you’re referred for a swallowing assessment or something else, or you receive a new diagnosis before you travel, 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 Huntington’s disease travel insurance cover?

With the condition accepted, emergency medical treatment abroad that’s linked to it can be covered. Imagine a fall in a hotel in Crete that leads to a hospital stay. The treatment can be covered, and so can getting you home with medical help if that’s what your doctors recommend. This is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If your health deteriorates before the trip and your doctor says you shouldn’t go, cancellation cover may help you recover non-refundable costs.

Travel insurance doesn’t cover routine care, planned treatment abroad or anything related to a condition that wasn’t declared. The full terms are in the policy wording.

Will Huntington’s disease affect the cost of travel insurance?

The price can be affected by Huntington’s, though it’s the outcome of online medical screening that settles by how much. Some of the questions may cover how the condition is being treated and how well symptoms are controlled at the moment. Everyday factors such as age, where you’re travelling and the number of days away count as well.

Single trip or annual cover with Huntington’s disease

Many people choose single trip cover for each holiday so the screening reflects their health at the time. If you travel often, annual travel insurance might seem like the more sensible option, however the nature of Huntington's disease may well mean annual cover isn't possible.

Travelling with Huntington’s disease: practical tips

These general suggestions are to help the trip go smoothly. They aren’t part of your insurance.

Travelling with someone who knows you well makes a big difference, especially in airports and unfamiliar places. Book airport assistance in advance. It’s free, and staff can help with security queues, boarding and getting to the gate.

Think about accommodation carefully. Ground floor rooms, walk-in showers and a short walk to the restaurant all reduce the chance of falls. Some people find busy, noisy places tiring or stressful, so a quieter resort can be easier.

Eating can take longer and swallowing may be harder when you’re tired. If a speech and language therapist has given you advice on textures or thickened drinks, take what you need with you, as products may not be easy to find abroad. People with Huntington’s often burn more calories, so plan for regular meals and snacks.

Carry a letter from your neurologist explaining the condition. Involuntary movements are sometimes mistaken for drunkenness, and a letter can save awkward conversations with airline or security staff.

1. pack medication in hand luggage with a few spare days’ supply
2. keep a copy of your prescriptions and your specialist’s contact details
3. check our guide to travelling abroad with medication before you go

If memory or thinking has been affected, our dementia travel insurance page has more ideas for planning ahead.

How to get a quote

Enter your trip, answer the screening questions about Huntington’s and anything else you need to declare, and choose your cover. You’ll see the price first.

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.