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Epilepsy Travel Insurance

14/05/2025

Lauren McAfee Insurance Editor and Writer

Last Updated: 14 May 2025
Read time: 6 minutes

Written by: Lauren McAfee
Insurance Writer and Editor

Reviewed by: Mark McKeown

Written in line with our Editorial Guidelines

Epilepsy travel insurance offers coverage for the cost of receiving medical treatment for epilepsy related illness or injury while abroad. This cover is essential in destinations where you do not have your usual knowledge of local healthcare services or easy access to the facilities you need.

Can I get travel insurance for epilepsy?

Yes. Epilepsy is considered to be a pre-existing medical condition, so not all travel insurers will cover you. However, there are still many insurers who do offer cover to travellers who have been diagnosed with epilepsy. 

How do I find travel insurance providers who cover epilepsy?

You will need to look for specialist travel insurance providers who cover pre-existing medical conditions. 

Online comparison sites like ours can make this an easier and faster process. We give you a list of insurers specialising in travel policies that protect a wide range of pre-existing medical conditions, including holiday insurance for epileptics.

However, finding a provider is just one part of being properly insured. You will also need to be clear and transparent about your condition and provide details to the insurer. 

How do I declare my epilepsy to a travel insurance provider?  

When you find travel insurance that covers epilepsy, you will have to declare the details of your condition. This might be done through the insurer’s medical declaration form, or you might need to provide a letter from your doctor detailing your medical history. Each insurer is different, but you will generally have to answer:

  • What type of seizures you experience, and their frequency.
  • If you take or have taken prescribed medication for epilepsy in the past 2 years. 
  • What medication you take, and your dosage. 
  • If you have attended a medical surgery, hospital or clinic for issues related to epilepsy in the last 2 years.
  • If you are travelling against the advice of a medical practitioner.
  • If you are travelling to get medical treatment or advice. 
  • If you are currently undergoing tests or treatment for undiagnosed conditions.
  • If you are currently on any waiting list that could cause you to cancel or delay your trip.
  • If you have ever refused tests or medical investigations while diagnosed or undiagnosed.

Do I always need to declare epilepsy to travel insurers?

Yes, even if you have not had seizures in the past 2 years, you should still declare your diagnosis to an insurer. Doing this is essential to making sure you are really protected from the financial fallout of needing medical care in a foreign country. 

When you don’t declare your epilepsy, you risk voiding your insurance policy completely. This means that claims can be rejected by the insurer, so you are essentially travelling without insurance.  

What does epilepsy travel insurance cover?

Of course, getting comprehensive coverage for the cost of medical care while abroad will be a top priority when travelling with epilepsy. But this is not the only case where holiday insurance for epileptics could help out. These policies also commonly protect against:

1. Lost and stolen luggage

2. Travel delays or cancellations

3. Emergency repatriation to the UK

4. Personal accident cover for serious, life-impacting injury

5. Legal protection and support

6. Personal liability protection if you accidentally harm others

7. Optional extras and add-ons can also be added

How much is travel insurance if I have epilepsy?

Policy costs are tailored to you, the nature of your epilepsy, and your symptoms, among other factors. This is why insurers will ask you for this information before providing you with a quote. They use it to build your personal risk profile and set premiums that match this risk. 

For example, insurers may view someone who suffers from tonic clonic seizures once every few months as a higher risk than someone who gets absence seizures and hasn’t had one in over a year. 

Other factors that affect epilepsy insurance costs include:

Your age

Older travellers generally make more medical claims on travel insurance, even when they don’t have pre-existing conditions. This means older people generally pay more for insurance across the board. 

Your destination

Your travel destination particularly impacts the cost of travel insurance for people with epilepsy. This is because medical care costs, facilities and regulations vary across different countries. 

The length of your trip

The longer your trip, the more exposure you have to risks. Similarly, the cost of accommodation is naturally higher when you are travelling for longer, and this means more risk for the insurer. 

The type of holiday you are taking 

Certain holidays like skiing breaks, or cruises come with their own specific risks, and could need specialist coverage. If you plan to do any high-risk sports or activities like watersports, this could also increase costs. 

The coverage and add-ons you choose

More coverage will naturally come at a higher price, so it’s best to be a little picky when it comes to additional coverage options.

The insurer you choose 

Insurers all measure risk using their own systems, which is why you will be quoted different prices for the same cover. This can work in your favour when you shop around and compare policies to find cheap travel insurance for epilepsy before you buy.

Other considerations when travelling with epilepsy

Get advice from professionals

Speak to your doctor about any concerns you have or measures you can take to help your trip go smoothly. 

Prescription needs

Have your prescription filled for the duration of the stay, and research any restrictions that you might face when bringing it into your destination country.

Research medical facilities where you are staying

Know the emergency contact number, where emergency services and pharmacies are, and how you can get there. 

Remember your GHIC card

This offers an additional level of cover for emergency care in qualifying countries. 

Get wearable identifiers

Medical ID bracelets or necklaces can help others to care for you when you are unable to communicate. 

Inform the necessary people 

This includes airlines, the people you are travelling with, or even the accommodation where you are staying. Having people around who understand how best to help in the event of a seizure can help minimise harm and speed up access to further medical care when it’s needed. 

Epilepsy Insurance FAQS

Can I get insurance if I’ve been advised against travel?

If you have been advised against travelling by a medical professional, you are unlikely to find insurance that will cover you. The majority of insurers will exclude you under these circumstances as you are simply too high a risk. 

Is epilepsy considered a pre-existing medical condition?

Yes, insurers see epilepsy as a pre-existing medical condition that you’ll need to declare. If you don’t mention it to your insurance provider, you risk completely voiding your policy, and you could be left with no coverage at all. 

Do I need a doctor’s letter to fly with epilepsy?

Some airlines could request this, but it is generally not needed unless you have had a seizure less than 24 hours before your flight.

Can travelling trigger seizures?

Common travel issues like jet lag or anxiety could impact your likelihood of having a seizure. Having a plan to manage this and booking flights or journeys that align with your regular routine as much as possible could help.

Am I covered if I have a seizure on holidays?

When you take out travel insurance for people with epilepsy, you will, of course, be covered for a seizure. The exact coverage you will have and any limits or exclusions within this are individual to each policy. But, generally speaking, this cover includes emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, and repatriation back home if needed.

What happens if I need to cancel my trip due to epilepsy?

The expense of your trip will generally be covered under cancellation insurance. This means you can be reimbursed for the money you paid for flights, accommodation, or pre-paid holiday activities. There can be some limits to how much you will be covered for, but these will be clearly outlined in your policy details. 

If I need cheaper insurance, should I take out travel insurance without epilepsy cover?

A policy that excludes your epilepsy may be cheaper in the short term. But if something happens and you are not protected, you could face serious financial trouble when you are left responsible for medical care costs or cancellations. 

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