Can I get travel insurance with a heart condition?
We help travellers living with atrial fibrillation, stents, pacemakers and more to travel with confidence. Nobody likes to picture a cardiac emergency abroad, but knowing the bills won’t land in your lap makes all the difference.
With our Deluxe cover, you’ll have unlimited emergency medical expenses to pay for specialist treatment, and, if needed, a medically staffed flight home. And if your cardiologist tells you you’re not fit to fly before you go, your cancellation cover of up to £7,500 could help refund what you’ve already paid. That’s Travel Reassurance!
Getting started is easy. Tell us about your heard condition, medication and holiday plans and our team will do the rest. 97% of people who declare a medical condition can get cover with us.
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Top tip: will my GHIC card cover my heart condition?
Your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is well worth packing, but it only gives you access to state-run facilities at local rates, which means you may be left with a medical bill. It also won’t pay for repatriation – the biggest bill of all if you need a medical escort home after a cardiac event.
Our heart condition travel insurance policies can protect you from these costs, and cover additional things, like personal baggage and trip cancellation. For the best of both worlds and full-on belt-and-braces protection, take both your GHIC and your Avanti policy details with you when you go on your next adventure.
What does travel insurance with heart conditions cover?
Here’s a quick look at when your policy will and won’t apply. If you’re not sure how any of these points might affect you, our friendly team can talk them through over the phone and help you understand what your cover includes.
We can usually help if you…
- have to cancel your trip or come home early
If illness, injury or bereavement means you can’t travel or need to cut your holiday short, we’ll help with the costs you can’t get back.
- need emergency medical treatment abroad
If you fall ill or get injured overseas, we’ll cover hospital treatment, ambulance transport and – if needed – medical repatriation, with help from our 24-hour assistance team.
- lose your bags or passport
If your baggage, valuables or travel documents are lost or stolen, we’ll help you replace essentials so you can carry on with your trip.
- are disrupted by bad weather or strikes
If your flight or connection is delayed because of unexpected bad weather, strike action or a vehicle breakdown, we’ll help cover reasonable travel or accommodation costs to get you where you need to be. (This doesn’t apply if the strike or disruption was already public knowledge when you booked your trip).
- are delayed on your journey (Classic and Deluxe)
If your flight or ferry is delayed for 12 hours or more, you’ll get a fixed payment to help with the inconvenience.
- can’t stay in your accommodation (Classic and Deluxe)
If a fire, flood or major power cut means you can’t stay in your hotel or apartment, we’ll help arrange and pay for somewhere else.
- are admitted to hospital while abroad (Classic and Deluxe)
If you’re kept in hospital overnight, we’ll pay a daily benefit to help with small personal costs while you recover. (If you’re injured in a mugging, an extra payment may also apply).
- are delayed by volcanic ash (Deluxe only)
If a volcanic ash cloud grounds your flight for more than 12 hours, you’ll receive a fixed payment to help with the delay.
- accidentally cause injury or damage
If you unintentionally injure someone or damage their belongings, your policy includes personal liability protection.
- are injured in an accident abroad
If you need legal help after being injured overseas, we’ll cover your legal costs, so you’re not left to manage it alone.
Cover won’t apply if you…
- haven’t told us about a medical condition
If you don’t declare a pre-existing condition, or if your health changes before you travel and you don’t update your policy, we won’t be able to cover related claims.
- travel against UK Government or medical advice
There’s no cover if you travel somewhere the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has advised against, or if your doctor says you shouldn’t travel for medical reasons.
- have an accident because of alcohol or drugs
We can’t cover claims if alcohol or drugs directly or indirectly contribute to an accident, injury or loss.
- miss a flight because of personal delays
If you don’t leave enough time to reach the airport or check-in, we can’t pay for missed flights or connections.
- leave belongings unattended
There’s no cover if something is lost or stolen after being left unattended – for example, on a sunbed, in an unlocked car or in a public place.
- are travelling for arranged medical treatment abroad
Travel insurance is designed for unexpected illness or injury, not for medical procedures, tests or check-ups arranged before you go.
- booked during a known strike or disruption
If strike action or travel problems were already public knowledge when you booked, your policy won’t apply to those delays or cancellations.
- take part in an activity that isn’t covered
Some higher-risk activities – such as certain winter sports – aren’t automatically included unless you’ve added the right optional cover.
- are waiting for a medical procedure
If you’re awaiting an operation or follow-up test, cancellation and curtailment claims won’t be covered unless it’s an accepted procedure shown on your validation certificate.
Heart conditions we regularly cover
97% of customers who declare a condition are offered cover with us. In fact, since 2014, we’ve helped more than 1.3 million travellers arrange cover for over 1,300 medical conditions (subject to screening).
If you can’t see your condition listed below, don’t worry! This isn’t an exhaustive list. Get a quote online or give our friendly team a call – there’s a good chance we can help you.
In the rare event we can’t offer you travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions, we’ll always try to point you in the right direction. We’re proud to be listed by MoneyHelper – a government-backed money guidance service that keeps a free, independently run directory of those who might be able to help with pre-existing medical conditions.
Arrhythmia
Tell us how often you experience arrhythmia symptoms and whether you’ve needed recent hospital care, and we’ll do our best to get you covered.
Atrial fibrillation
As long as your GP is happy for you to travel and your anticoagulation is stable, we can normally add it to your policy in minutes.
Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest survivors often assume insurance is out of reach. It doesn’t have to be. If your consultant has cleared you to fly and you’re more than six months post-event, we should be able to cover you.
Congenital heart disease
We should be able to offer cover for congenital heart disease as long as your cardiologist doesn’t advise against travel.
Heart attack
If you’ve had a heart attack in the last two years, we’ll ask about any ongoing angina, medication changes and cardiac rehab. Many travellers still qualify for cover once their condition has stabilised.
Heart failure
If you use diuretics or have an implantable device, mention it during screening. Provided your condition is under regular review, and you’re fit to travel, insurance is usually available.
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Top tip: is my heart medication covered if it’s lost or stolen?
Your tablets and the kit that keeps you on track, think GTN spray, blood-pressure monitor and portable INR tester, travel everywhere with you. If they vanish en route or get swiped from a hotel safe, replacing them abroad can be eye-wateringly expensive and sometimes impossible.
On our Classic and Deluxe policies, we can reimburse up to £250 towards the emergency replacement of prescription medication and can help you find a pharmacy that supplies it.
Will my heart condition limit where I can travel?
Once you’ve answered our medical questions and your GP is happy for you to fly, almost every destination is open, provided the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office hasn’t advised against travel there.
Europe
Perfect if you’d like to stay within a two-to-three-hour flight of home and have a GHIC as a safety net. Our Europe travel insurance policies cover holiday classics like Spain, France, Portugal, Italy and more.
Worldwide
If wanderlust is taking you further, our worldwide policies can include destinations like the USA.
How long can I travel for with a heart condition?
Travellers with a history of heart conditions can choose from a single-trip or an annual multi-trip policy:
Single trip
| Age |
Region 1&2 |
Region 3 |
Region 4 |
| 0-65 |
Maximum 550 days per trip |
| 66-70 |
366 days |
276 days |
184 days |
| 71-75+ |
366 days |
184 days |
123 days |
Annual multi-trip
| Age |
Annual multi-trip |
| 0-70 |
Maximum 50 days per trip |
183 days in total |
| 71+ |
Maximum 35 days per trip |
183 days in total |
How to buy holiday insurance for heart conditions
Step 1
You can get a quote online or over the phone. We’ll start by asking a few quick questions – like whether it’s single trip or annual cover, your travel dates, destination and if you’re going on a cruise.
It’s easy to cover an individual, couple, family or group of up to nine travellers online (or up to 30 by phone).
Step 2
Next, we’ll go through a few details about your health over the past two years – including any diagnoses, symptoms, tests or treatment.
Step 3
Once you’ve shared your details, we’ll talk you through your quote, whether online or over the phone. You can choose your level of cover, add any extras and confirm your policy there and then.
You’ll get instant access to your policy documents in My Avanti, where you can view, download or update your details any time.
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When to buy travel insurance for heart conditions
MoneySavingExpert’s Martin Lewis recommends buying holiday insurance ASAB – As Soon As you Book – and heart conditions make his advice even more sensible. A routine cardiology check, a medication change or even a winter bug that lands you in hospital could all make you unfit to fly.
If you already have insurance in place, your cancellation cover can refund pre-paid flights or an accommodation deposit if your consultant says you’re not well enough to travel. Wait until the week before departure, and any new test, symptom or admission could fall outside the policy, leaving you to foot the bill.
How much is travel insurance for someone with a heart condition?
There’s no one-price-fits-all answer, because your travel insurance policy has to match the real-world cost of stepping in if something goes wrong with your heart while you’re away. Emergency angioplasty in the United States or a specialist cardiac ward in Australia can quickly climb to five figures, and that potential bill is baked into the quote you see.
But your heart condition is only part of the equation. Where you’re going, how long you’re away, the cover level you choose, and your age all nudge the price up or down. A week in Spain with an Essentials policy will likely cost less than a month touring Australia on Deluxe, simply because treatment costs and repatriation distances are very different.
The policy extras you add make a difference too. Winter sports add-ons and cruise cover each will add to your total, while travelling light and skipping non-essentials can cut the cost. The best way to see what you’ll pay is to get a quote with us online or over the phone.
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How to get cheaper holiday insurance with heart conditions
Having a heart condition doesn’t always mean a sky-high insurance bill — a few smart choices can keep costs in check without stripping away the cover that matters:
- Trip duration – shorter trips usually cost less to insure because there’s less time for something to go wrong.
- Destination – some places are more expensive to insure than others. The USA, Canada and the Caribbean have some of the world’s highest medical costs, while Europe and the UK are often cheaper to cover.
- Policy level – Avanti offers three levels of cover – Essentials, Classic and Deluxe. Essentials is the most cost-effective option for travellers looking to keep things simple.
- Luggage cover – think about what you really need to take with you. Packing lighter and setting a lower luggage limit on your policy can bring the cost down.
- Excess – a higher voluntary excess means a lower premium. Just make sure it’s an amount you’d be comfortable paying if you claim.
- Discounts – it’s also worth checking our current offers before you buy. You can find the latest Avanti discount codes on our discounts page.
Avanti pays when it matters most
We know how important it is to feel confident that your claim will be handled quickly and fairly.
Between February 2024 and July 2025, our customers received more than £31 million, with over 18,000 claims settled.
You can expect to hear from our claims team within five working days of submitting your claim, and in most cases, Avanti strives to make a decision within five days of receiving your documents.
That’s one of the reasons Avanti has been awarded Best Insurance Customer Service by the Personal Finance Awards (2025).
Winner 7 years running: Best Travel Insurance
Our Best Travel Insurance award (Personal Finance Awards, 2018-2025) is based on the experiences of real people who travel with us. They’ve trusted us to help when plans change, flights are cancelled or medical emergencies happen abroad.
From updating policies to arranging hospital care or getting someone home safely, we do what good travel insurance should do – put things right.
What happens if I have a medical emergency abroad?
Your first move is the same as at home: dial the local emergency number for an ambulance. This is 112 across much of Europe, and 911 in the USA and Canada. Once the immediate danger is under control, call the 24-hour medical assistance team. The number you use depends on where you are:
- From the USA or Canada: +1 833 251 8487
- From Mexico: +1 819 780 0639
- From anywhere else in the world: +44 1403 288 123
- From a cruise ship: +44 1403 288 121
The emergency assistance team is here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Please get in touch as soon as it’s safe, ideally before costs go over £350, if you’re admitted to hospital, or if doctors advise cutting the trip short. That way, we can arrange payment to the hospital, talk directly to local clinicians, and if needed, arrange a medical flight home.
Do I have to declare medication like beta blockers or blood thinners?
The main thing you’ll need to declare is the heart condition your medication is treating, whether that’s atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, angina or a previous heart attack. We might ask you about your medication during the quoting process, through.
Changes in dose count as a “change in health”, so let us know if your GP tweaks a prescription between buying the policy and travelling. Honest answers mean we can tailor your policy to support you properly.
Hear it from our happy travellers…
“Amazing insurance company for people with medical needs. My husband has had several heart attacks, and also got a defibrillator, so to get travel insurance and to be able to pay monthly by Direct Debit that is affordable is amazing. Would highly recommend and we have used these for the last 3 years and been happy.”
Mr Huegett, 10 May 2025
“I had a very big problem trying to find travel insurance for myself, I was at every time refused insurance because I have a pre-existing medical condition, I have heart disease with several stents after suffering four heart attacks. I was recommended to go onto the World Wide Web for people with pre-existing medical conditions for travel insurance and I came across an insurance broker and from the selection I chose Avanti travel insurance.
They were very helpful. I spoke to a gentleman called Greg. He took me through the process and reassured me that they have what I was looking for, annual travel insurance, covering vacations in the Mediterranean area, Greg was very helpful guided me through the process by asking me questions about my condition.
I was offered several insurance packages, but I settled for the first one that Greg recommended, I am very happy and over the moon for the fact that I am now fully covered for travelling and it’s a big thank you to Greg for helping me . if you are looking for travel insurance, whether you have a pre-existing condition or not, it’s worth trying Avanti travel insurance.”
Martin, 3 July 2024
“I have really been struggling to find medical travelling insurance as I have a pre-existing medical condition. I am a heart transplant patient and I’ve struggled to find a company that will cover me for travel worldwide multi-trip insurance. Somebody suggested this company Avanti so I gave them a call and the lady I spoke to was absolutely amazing. She explained everything thoroughly. I now have a multi-trip worldwide travel insurance for the full year and it is at such a reasonable price I was astounded with a brilliant service I have been provided thank you so much, it took me so long. I have shopped around so much but this was the only company that insured me so thanks once again.”
Mr Iqbal, 18 March 2024
