Travel Insurance for Influenza (Flu)

What is influenza?

Influenza, or just the flu, is a contagious viral infection which affects the respiratory system. It comes on quickly, and symptoms include a high temperature, aching body, dry cough, a sore throat, and exhaustion that can leave you in bed for days. It's a familiar infectious condition, and the symptoms are what make it different from a heavy cold.

Healthy adults usually start to feel better within about a week, though tiredness can linger. Older people, pregnant women, and those with long-term conditions such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes are more likely to develop complications like pneumonia, which is why they are offered a yearly flu vaccine. See the NHS flu page for symptoms and self-care.

Why do I need to declare flu for travel insurance?

Flu isn’t something most people think of as a medical condition, but if you've seen a medical practioner about it recenty, the screening will ask you to address that. We want to know because flu can lead to pneumonia or a chest infection, particularly in older travellers, and you might need to cancel if you’re still too unwell to travel when the time comes.

If a recent or ongoing illness 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 having flu?

Almost always. Whether a recent or serious bout is accepted depends on your screening result. Catching flu on holiday when you were fine before you left would normally be a new illness. A hospital admission, pneumonia, ongoing breathing problems, or flu on top of a lung or heart condition are the factors most likely to affect the outcome.

What we’ll ask about your flu

It only takes a few minutes to get through the online medical screening. The questions about your flu focus on how recently you were ill and whether you needed hospital treatment. Once that’s done, carry on declaring any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

Once everything is declared, you’ll reach the quote page. If cover is available for your flu and your other conditions, you’ll see a choice of quotes, each with the cost of your medical cover included in the premium. Should we be unable to cover you, you’ll know before proceeding.

If your health changes before travelling

Flu can knock you back for longer than expected. If, before your trip, you start new medication, you go into hospital, you’re referred for tests, or you’re diagnosed with something new, 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 flu travel insurance cover?

If flu turns into something more serious abroad, emergency care can be covered. For example, if you developed pneumonia on a winter break in Austria and needed hospital treatment, the medical costs can be covered, and so can repatriation with medical support if that’s what’s needed. Anything related to a recent illness you declared needs to have been accepted first. Everything is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

Flu has a habit of striking just before a holiday. If you or someone you’re travelling with is too ill to go and a doctor confirms it, cancellation cover may refund non-refundable costs, provided the illness started after the policy was bought.

The policy won’t pay for planned treatment overseas, or for claims connected to something you didn’t declare when asked.

Will flu affect the cost of travel insurance?

Flu might affect your premium if you need to declare it. Your answers in online screening decide whether there’s any change. Questions could cover how the illness was treated and whether it’s under control or has cleared. Age, destination and how long the trip lasts are factored in for every traveller. The price is shown before you buy, so there are no surprises.

Single trip or annual cover after flu

A one-off holiday suits single trip insurance. Taking several trips a year? Annual multi-trip insurance may be the better fit, depending on your screening result.

Travelling with flu: practical tips

Here are some general suggestions. They aren’t part of what your policy covers.

Flying with flu is miserable. Blocked ears and sinuses make pressure changes painful, and a long flight while feverish is draining. You’d also be sitting close to other people for hours. If you can, wait until the fever has gone and you feel well enough to manage the journey.

Remember that flu season depends on the hemisphere. In Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and much of South America it peaks roughly between May and September, so a summer trip from the UK can mean arriving in their winter flu season. If you’re eligible for the NHS flu vaccine, or you’re travelling somewhere with a different season, a pharmacist or travel clinic can advise.

Washing hands often, using tissues and keeping hand gel in your day bag cut the chance of picking up or spreading flu in airports and on cruise ships, where viruses spread easily.

Anyone with asthma, COPD or a heart condition should know where to get help quickly if breathing becomes difficult abroad. Pack your usual inhalers and medication, and seek medical help early if you are getting worse rather than better.

How to get a quote

Put in your travel dates and destination, answer the health questions that apply, and pick a level of cover. You can check the full price before buying.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Infectious Pages

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• Chickenpox Travel Insurance
• Glandular Fever Travel Insurance
• HIV Travel Insurance
• Influenza Travel Insurance
• Lyme Disease Travel Insurance
• Meningitis Travel Insurance
• Norovirus Travel Insurance
• Sepsis Travel Insurance
• Tuberculosis 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.