Travel insurance for back pain and sciatica

Feel protected with travel insurance for back pain

We understand everyone’s back pain is different. Tell us about your diagnosis and any other pre-existing health conditions so we can create a medical travel insurance policy that’s personal to you.

Flexibility to change details online

When you buy a policy from us, you can manage it yourself by logging in to your My Avanti account. Here you can:

• access policy documents
• update traveller details
• change your single trip dates (limits apply)
• renew an annual policy if you have no changes to make
• and more.

If you have questions about Covid-19 and how it affects your holiday plans, visit our Covid-19 help page.

Why taking Avanti Travel Insurance in your suitcase can help you

While holidaying in the USA in February 2019, John¹ was hospitalised after a fall. When he said he had travel insurance, he was treated immediately .

While waiting for test results, he called our 24/7 emergency medical support team and was told not to worry because we would sort out payment directly with the hospital.

With no need to make credit card payments upfront, John could focus on his recovery, safe in the knowledge that his claim was being taken care of.

When you have up-to-date, personalised travel insurance like John, you can leave your worries at home, knowing you’re protected against holiday mishaps.

Do I need to have had both my Covid jabs to be covered?

As long as you’ve had the vaccines you’ve been offered for Covid-19, you should be covered. If you haven’t been offered both doses yet or you’re medically exempt then you can also be covered.

If you’ve refused any doses of the vaccine or haven’t been able to have a dose you’ve been offered, you won’t be covered.

Do I need to tell you about my back pain when getting travel insurance?

It’s very important to tell us about the nature of your back pain, along with any other pre-existing health conditions. That way, we can build a personalised insurance policy that meets your needs perfectly. If you don’t tell us about your health conditions and needed to make a claim, we may not be able to cover you.

Back pain has various causes and affects everyone in different ways. It could be the result of an injury, arthritis, a slipped disc, a damaged sciatic nerve or fibromyalgia. Our medical screening process is there to help you tell us about your particular type of back pain and how it affects you in day-to-day life.

We respect your confidentiality and will guide you through step by step, at your own pace.

I’ve recently had surgery on my back. Can I still get travel insurance?

If you’ve been signed off from all post-operative checks, we may be able to cover you for your trip away.

We should be able to insure you if:

• You are NOT travelling against your doctor’s advice (or if she/he would advise against it when asked)
• You are NOT waiting for further surgery or medical investigation
• You are NOT travelling with the intention of having surgery or treatment abroad.

Is my back pain covered by my Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)?

If you’re planning a holiday to Europe, you’ll need to take a free GHIC (or an EHIC) as a condition of our travel insurance.

When the United Kingdom left the European Union, the GHIC replaced the EHIC as the means for accessing free or subsidised healthcare in selected European countries. Before you travel, make sure you check that your destination is covered by GHIC, just so you’re ready if you do need any emergency or necessary treatment for your back pain during your trip.

Remember, your GHIC is not the same as having good health conditions travel insurance. For example, it won’t cover you if you need to cancel your holiday.

Your GHIC helps reduce your medical costs where subsidised healthcare is available. If you can use your GHIC and have to pay a subsidised fee for your treatment, we’ll remove the excess fee on medical emergency claims for you.

What sort of questions will I be asked about my back pain?

We will ask you to talk us through your back pain and treatment, so that we can get to know you a little better.

Here’s an example of the type of questions we might ask:

• Has your back pain affected your ability to wash, dress or feed yourself in the past five years?
• Do you take daily pain relief for your back pain?
• Have you had surgery on your back or neck in the past 12 months?
• Have you had injections in your back or neck in the past 12 months?
• Are you awaiting scans, injections or surgery for your back or neck?
• Have you had any unexpected hospital admissions for your back or neck in the last 12 months?
• Have you used morphine, MST or prescription skin patches at home in the last 12 months?

Don’t worry, we won’t rush you and we respect your health conditions are a sensitive subject. We will only use the information you give us to build a level of cover that suits you best.

I’ve already bought travel insurance for my back pain. Do I need to tell you if my condition changes?

Yes. It’s vital to update us if your back or neck pain changes or you’re given a new diagnosis. It means we can make sure you’re safe to travel with the confidence of knowing you have the right cover.