Travel Insurance for Lupus

What is lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune condition. Your immune system, which normally fights infection, starts attacking healthy tissue instead. For some people that means sore joints and tiredness. Others get rashes, often across the cheeks and nose, and in some cases the kidneys, heart or lungs are involved.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the type most people mean when they say lupus. Discoid lupus is different, as it mostly affects the skin. Both tend to come and go, with flare-ups and then quieter spells that can last months. The NHS lupus page has more detail on symptoms and treatment.

Can I get travel insurance with lupus?

You can, but it has to be declared. Insurers treat lupus as a pre-existing medical condition, and if it isn’t on your policy, a claim connected to it could be turned down. That includes claims you might not expect, such as an infection picked up while you’re on immunosuppressants.

What you pay depends on your own lupus, not on lupus in general. If it’s been settled for a while and your medication hasn’t changed, that counts in your favour. A recent flare-up, a hospital stay or kidney involvement will usually push the price up. Plenty of people are surprised by how reasonable the quote is.

What we’ll ask about your lupus

The screening takes a few minutes. You’ll be asked things like:

• when you were diagnosed, and which type of lupus you have
• what you take for it, and whether that’s changed lately
• whether you’ve had a flare-up or been in hospital in the past year
• whether it affects your kidneys, heart, lungs or other organs
• whether you’re waiting on any tests or results

It’s worth having your repeat prescription nearby. Most people find that’s all they need.

What lupus travel insurance can cover

Once lupus is accepted on your policy, it’s treated like any other part of your cover. So if you have a bad flare-up in Spain and end up in hospital, your medical bills are covered. If you need to come home on a stretcher or with a nurse, that’s covered too.

It also works before you go. If a flare-up a week before departure means you can’t travel, you can claim back what you’ve paid for the trip under cancellation cover.

What it won’t pay for is treatment you’d planned to have abroad, or anything linked to a condition you didn’t declare. The policy wording has the full detail.

Single trip or annual cover with lupus

Going away once this year? Single trip cover is the simple option. If you’re likely to go away twice or more, have a look at annual multi-trip cover, because it often works out cheaper. Either way, you only answer the lupus questions once.

Travelling with lupus: practical tips

Sun is the big one. UV light is a common trigger for lupus, so pack a high-factor sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and something with long sleeves. Try to plan the middle of the day around shade, a long lunch or a museum.

Don’t cram the itinerary either. If fatigue is part of your lupus, a rest day built in after a long flight makes a real difference.

A few other things that help:

• keep your medication in your hand luggage, in its original boxes, with a few days’ spare in case of delays
• take a copy of your prescription
• if you’re crossing time zones, shift your dose times gradually
• look up the nearest hospital before you arrive, not when you need it

How to get a quote

Pop in your trip details, answer the medical questions for lupus (and anything else you need to declare), then pick your level of cover. You’ll see the price before you pay.

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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.

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Lupus travel insurance FAQs

Do I need to declare lupus if it’s well controlled?

Yes. Even if you haven’t had a flare-up in years, lupus is a long-term condition and needs to go on the policy. The good news is that well-controlled lupus usually adds less to the price than people think.

Will a lupus flare-up abroad be covered?

If you’ve declared lupus and it’s been accepted, yes. Emergency treatment, hospital costs and getting you home if needed would all be covered. Your screening result will show this before you buy.

Can I get cover if lupus affects my kidneys or other organs?

Usually, yes. The screening asks about this directly, including lupus nephritis. It may change the price, so answer as fully as you can.

Can I get annual multi-trip cover with lupus?

Yes. Annual cover is available with lupus, as long as it’s declared. If you travel more than once a year it’s often the better deal.

Can I take my lupus medication abroad?

Almost always. Keep it in its original packaging, in your hand luggage, with a copy of your prescription. A handful of countries restrict certain medicines, so check before you book if you’re going somewhere less common.

Does my GHIC cover lupus treatment in Europe?

A GHIC gets you state healthcare in EU countries at the same cost as a local. It’s useful, but it won’t pay for private hospitals, a flight home or a cancelled holiday. That’s why you still need travel insurance.

Living with another autoimmune condition as well? We also cover rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome and sarcoidosis.