Travel Insurance for Acute onset of pre-existing conditions

A pre-existing condition* is a medical condition that existed before the start of the travel insurance coverage. One of the biggest concerns for travelers is to buy travel insurance with coverage for pre-existing conditions. Travel insurance with Pre-existing conditions coverage is particularly important for older travelers. However, only some travel insurance plan offer coverage for pre-existing ailments and even there the coverage is either after a look back period and is mainly for acute onset of pre-existing ailments**. Some international travel insurance plans with coverage for pre-existing conditions pay for medical expenses after the first year of coverage or a waiting period.

**Acute onset of pre-existing condition: Acute onset of pre-existing conditions means sudden, unexpected emergency due to a pre-existing condition that can be dangerous to life and the traveler cannot wait to get treatment in the home country but to receive treatment immediately. It should be noted that for acute onset coverage, treatment must be sought within the defined time period for the plan and chronic and congenital conditions may not be covered.

*General definition of pre-existing condition: "A condition a person has been diagnosed with, is being treated for, or has with reasonable medical certainty before the start of the plan". So a person does not need to know they have the condition for it to be considered pre-existing (a diagnosis is not required).