Ultimate Travel Insurance & Disabilities Guide

Holidaying with a disability can come with some challenges, but it shouldn’t stop you from exploring and seeing the sites, it might just take a little bit of extra planning to get you there.

Ideally, travelling with your two-wheeled wagon should be happy and hassle-free. But anyone who’s ever gone long haul will know that travel tranquillity can quickly turn to madness and mayhem. Queues, delays and unknowledgeable ground staff can test anyone’s patience.

But before you call time-out on your grand plans, take pause. Our guide to disability travel will make holidaying as easy as 1-2-3!

With helpful hints from seasoned experts, you’ll score a truckload of travel insurance advice. Cruise your way through the planning process, learning which destinations will cater to those with mobility issues. Plus, we’ll outline top travel tips on how to book your accommodation, flight needs and general assistance.

So whether you’re planning an action-packed adventure or a relaxing retreat, we’ve got you covered. Our guide gets you geared up and ready to go!

Travel destinations for those with mobility issues

Travelling can be more testing for some, but don't let that put a downer on your destination dreams. New regulations have meant an increase in attractions, accommodation providers & transport services all having to accommodate to accessible tourism, so be ambitious with your holiday choice. Keep reading for our fun list of accessible holiday ideas.

Travel insurance & disabilities 101

Generally speaking, if you have a disability it’s not compulsory to declare it to your insurer. However, it can be tricky to give a blanket rule on cover that applies to all types of disabilities. Keep reading for more information.

Is a disability classed as a pre-existing medical condition?

We get that some disabilities may not be considered pre-existing illnesses in the eyes of the beholder. However, it can be a bit of a grey area when it comes to insurance.

A pre-existing medical condition (in the travel insurance world) can be broadly defined as an illness or injury you have had symptoms of or received medical treatment for.

As a rule of thumb, if you are after medical coverage for an unforeseen accident or illness on your holiday (that could be loosely related to your disability) then it's best practise to disclose your disability to your insurer.

Insurers usually categorise disabilities into three groups:

Automatically covered conditions with no extra cost

Congenital disabilities like vision or hearing impairments are not considered pre-existing illnesses and are automatically covered by most insurers and no medical assessment is required. Neither are physical or mobility disabilities such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy where you require the use of a wheelchair. Most insurers also automatically cover a range of minor pre-existing medical conditions that wouldn’t be considered to be disabilities such as asthma, hypertension diabetes, epilepsy, osteopenia and more. Provided that the condition has been stable for more than 12 months; there is no planned surgery, and you have not received treatment in the past 12 months.

Conditions that you need to declare and can pay an additional fee to insure

If your disability is under control, you have not been recently hospitalised and your doctor considers you fit to travel, you may be able to obtain cover, though usually at a higher cost. Disabilities that need to be assessed before cover can be granted include Coronary problems, lung disease, epilepsy, if you've suffered from a stroke, or any illnesses you've had surgery for in the last 2 years.

Conditions that are excluded

Some conditions are not covered by travel insurance under any circumstances, such as terminal illness or any illness which shortens your life expectancy, organ transplants, psychological & psychiatric disorders. It is important to note, that this information is general in nature and may vary from insurer to insurer.

My disability isn’t listed above, how do I know which category it falls into?

All medical conditions are assessed on a case-by-case basis, so if unsure it’s best to complete a medical form even if your disability is completely manageable. You may also be required to obtain a letter from your doctor authorising you are fit to travel.

Note: It is compulsory to complete a medical application if you need to be accompanied by a full-time carer on your holiday.

Does travel insurance cover medical equipment?

If you're travelling with a wheelchair, hearing aids, breathing equipment or other expensive apparatus you’re going to want to have it protected when you travel.

Most travel insurance plans have single item limits that apply to their cover; usually around $750 - $1000 per item. If you have a piece of medical equipment that exceeds this you’ll need to specify it and insure it separately. There is usually an upper limit (most commonly around $5,000) as to how much extra coverage you can purchase for your expensive items.

The following table highlights the additional high value items cover available from some of the Australian insurers in the market:

Is Your Apparatus Particularly Expensive?

If travel insurance doesn’t provide enough protection, you could also look at insuring your valuables under your home and contents policy. Before doing so, check that you are able to travel with the insured items and that they would be covered when you’re away from home.

Alternatively, business-insurance.aon.com.au may be able to help with cover for particularly expensive apparatus.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Wheelchairs?

Most Australian travel insurers do not specifically exclude cover for wheelchairs. But as explained above, cover limits will apply. If you have an electronic two-wheeler with all sorts of gizmos and gadgets, chances are standard cover isn't going to cut it, so you'll need to look into alternative options as explained above.

Almost all airlines will ask you to check your chair into the hold. So make sure yours is protected from those haphazard luggage handlers with a policy that offers cover for your luggage and personal belongings. Look for comprehensive cover that protects your wheelchair from theft, damage and loss that incurs on your travels.

Remember, you may not be covered if you leave your chair unattended or out of sight when it was stolen, so keep your eyes on it at all times.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Hearing Aids?

Hearing aids can vary significantly in value from a couple of hundred into the thousands. Depending on how much yours are worth will make all the difference to your coverage options.

When comparing travel insurance luggage cover levels, $10,000 limit might sound like plenty, however, what most people fail to realise is that that sub-limits exists for each item. You may in fact only be able to claim a maximum of $750 per item which may not provide enough cover for your high-value hearing aids.

If your hearing aids are especially exxy, just like a wheelchair (or any other piece of medical equipment) you’ll need to insure those items separately to ensure they are protected when you travel. Refer to additional high-value item cover in the table above.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Prosthetics?

Now, we'd hardly class a prosthetic as a piece of luggage, however, it may be a good idea to tell your insurer if you do wear a prosthetic based on the following story.

In May 2017 Southern Cross refused to pay a 26-year-old student more than $1,500 for her damaged leg as her prosthetic was considered "baggage" and should have been declared as a specified item. You'll be pleased to hear the insurer has since changed their decision and covered the cost to fix or replace the prosthetic.

May this be a lesson to you to declare everything at the time of purchase. However irrelevant it may seem.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Mental Illness?

Historically insurers were reluctant to provide cover to those with mental illnesses, however, an increasing number of companies on the market are now offering varying degrees of cover. Cover will depend on a range of factors;

• Some companies will now offer cover by assessment for mental illnesses such as anxiety disorder, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and stress. Once these are assessed cover may be granted, which could cost you an additional premium.
• Some insurers will cover for mental illness if the traveller has not suffered and/or sought help for that condition in the previous five years.

Our mental illness travel insurance guide can provide further information.

What Else Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Medical: A bout of food poisoning, an unfortunate case of whip-lash, a nasty case of malaria. Really anything can happen on your holidays. Luckily your policy will cover the exorbitant expenses of overseas hospital cover.

Cancellation fees and lost deposits: An unexpected earthquake, an unforeseen accident on route to the airport or a severely sick family member would really put a hiccup in your holiday. Your travel insurance will cover cancellations for events such as natural disasters, accidents, hijackings, severe sickness or injury.

Luggage and personal effects: Theft, loss and damage to your belongings is common on trips overseas. Your travel insurance has your back when it comes to pocket pinchers and suitcase snatchers.

Personal liability: If you injure someone or are held accountable for damaged property the consequences could be disastrous, particularly when you are unfamiliar with local laws and regulations. In such an event, your policy will cover your liability costs, to a degree.

What Does Travel Insurance Not Cover?

Unattended items: Keep a strong hold over all your belongings as leaving your stuff unsupervised will not be covered for.

Being intoxicated: Whether your drink of choice is a beer or glass of wine, all claims related directly to alcohol and drugs will not be paid. Have fun in moderation!

High-risk activities: From rock climbing to scuba diving, adrenaline junkies are spoilt for choice on their holidays. But watch out, as participating in risky activities may not be covered by your policy. Be sure to scan your policy’s small print to check out which of your preferred heart pounding activities are covered.

Pre-existing conditions: As we've already mentioned, pre-existing conditions or disabilities that exist before you travel are generally not covered. Check your policy wording to see what conditions are covered automatically, and which ones require a medical assessment first.

Seniors travel insurance

Complaints and ailments are part of life, and unfortunately the older we all get, the more of these we tend to encounter. But that doesn't mean you're over the hill yet. A few handy tips for seniors travel insurance has you ready for white-haired wanderlust.

Age limits: If you’re over 60 finding reasonably priced seniors travel insurance can be tricky, however, this doesn’t mean you should compromise on cover. While a few companies do not cover travellers over the age of 70, there are still plenty of options available. Insurers such as 1Cover, Boomers, Fastcover, QBE have no age limits, and Insure & Go and Travel Insurance Saver cover up until 100 years.

Travel insurance increases in price the older you get: Even if you are fitter than most without any pre-existing conditions or mobility issues you will probably find that your travel insurance quotes are higher than younger holidaymakers.

Pre-existing disabilities can be a concern for senior travellers: It’s essential to declare all pre-existing illnesses to your insurer, as failing to do so could potentially invalidate your entire policy. Disclosing your condition won’t necessarily hike up the price of your policy. Rather, providing your insurer with a thorough health evaluation can help you access the best possible medical assistance should you require it. In the worst-case scenario, not disclosing your condition(s) can hinder your treatment and see you liable for significant medical costs.

Watch out for cruise cover: If you’re planning to hop on board, picking the correct destination is essential when buying travel insurance. Many people don’t realise that once your cruise ship has left port, you are no longer covered for hospital or medical expenses by Medicare or your usual private health care provider. Even if you’re just cruising around Australia, make sure you purchase a Pacific policy so that you’re protected on board.

Beware of increased excesses and any benefit limits that apply: Insurers will often increase the excess payable on medical claims for senior travellers. So, it’s a good idea to understand how much you’d need to pay if you ended up in the hospital to avoid any nasty surprises at claim time. A standard excess of around $100-$200 is often increased to $2,000 - $3,000 for travellers 80 years and over for claims that relate to injury or illness. The standard excess generally remains unchanged for non-medical events, such as lost luggage.

Planning your next trip

Even for those without disabilities, trips overseas can be daunting. You don’t speak the language, you don’t know your way around, the food isn’t what you’re used to. But that’s all part of the adventure! Everyone with a disability has different needs and it might even take a couple of trips to get the right balance of a relaxing break, without all the comforts of home. Take the plunge by following some of our tips for travelling with a disability below.

Location Location Location First things first, you need to decide on a destination that’s going to be brilliant and not a burden. When choosing your accommodation, pick a place that’s centrally located so you’re close to attractions, restaurants, shops. Booking a place that’s truly accessible should also be your number one priority. What may be deemed "accessible" at home may not be the same abroad. Make sure you understand the situation with toilets, ramps, steps, lifts, pool access thoroughly before you hand over your credit card.

Research your route Cobbled stone lanes, narrow streets and steep steps may be the makings of a fairytale, but not ideal for those on a set of wheels. Don’t let your chair hinder your holiday dreams, research your route so you don't suffer from destination disappointment. Know what you're getting into before you arrive so you can be prepared.

Facilitated flying Flying can be trying whether you have a disability or not. Delays, gates that take an hour to get to, lost luggage, you name it. When booking flights, book an aisle seat near a toilet and inform staff of your needs when boarding. Arrive early at the airport to avoid the worst of the queues and to ensure you are not rushed and worried. When booking flights the airline will need to know the dimensions of your wheelchair and will want to know if it is manual or electric.

Travelling on wheels Consider how frustrating it would be to try and fix a flat or in a foreign terrain. Make sure your two-wheeler is in good nick before it goes on its holidays. Most airlines won’t allow you to take an electric wheelchair in the cabin, so take everything out of the storage compartments before checking it in.

Puppy protection Assistance dogs are generally allowed to travel on the floor of the cabin on domestic flights. International flights may be trickier because of quarantine laws and airport rules in the country you're travelling to. You'll also need to consider the requirements when returning your prized pup back into Australia. Our guide to travelling with pets can help further.

Arrange your attractions Check for disability discounts at major tourist attractions. In most of Europe, admission to attractions is free for people with disabilities while the carer pays a reduced price, or vice versa. Cha Ching! If you have a mobility parking badge, take it with you - the sign for people with disabilities is universal. Some attractions need to be booked and paid for in advance. In Australia, you can also get a free ticket to many attractions using a National Companion Card. Whoop whoop!

Ready your rental Planning a road trip? Pre-book your wheelchair modified vehicle well in advance if you so need. Turning up to the airport without a ride could really put a dampener on your holiday dreams. The key to successful holidays when you have mobility difficulties is planning and preparation!

Choose your tours If you’ve decided to visit the Vatican, gander at the Grand Canyon or snorkel in the Barrier Reef, make sure that your tour operator knows your requirements before you finalise the booking. If you’re organising with an accessible tourism company, chances are they have it all covered already. If not, ask about access, ramps, steps, toilets, tour numbers and whether they regularly cater for those with disabilities.

Be methodical with your meds Pack enough to cover the length of your entire trip, you wouldn’t want to be in the Mozambique and misplace your meds. Medications have different names throughout the globe, so know the actual drug you require, not just the brand. Different countries have varying guidelines on what is legal, (e.g. medicinal marijuana) so check this before you go booking an exotic escape and end up banged up abroad. Oh er!

Get travel insurance Everyone who travels needs travel insurance whether they have disabilities or not. Accidents happen, and if you find yourself ill or injured in a foreign country, you could be faced with huge medical bills for treatment and hospitalisation. Trips also get cancelled for a variety of reasons and

Packing Checklist

Travelling by chair involves a little more consideration when packing. Necessary items go well beyond clothing and toiletries and can involve potentially fragile medical equipment and must-have medications.

Here's a short, snappy list to get you started...

• Puncture kit
• Spare nuts, bolts, spokes
• Wheelchair battery charger
• Portable ramp
• First Aid Kit
• Medication
• Painkillers
• Insect repellent
• Vaccination records
• Flight confirmations
• Travel insurance
• Passports
• Credit Card
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Shower Gel
• Sun cream
• Baby wipes
• Comfortable loose clothing for travel
• Light trainers
• Headphone splitter
• Adapters
• Ipad/laptop
• Camera, spare battery, spare memory card
• Old phone, chargers

Useful Links

Whether you've decided to have an African adventure or Balinese beach break, it's vital to get organised before your trip. With visas to schedule, vaccinations to get, itineraries to plan and travel arrangements to book, we'd forgive you for being a tad overwhelmed. The following useful links will help take some of the stress out of the prepping.

• Free lonely planet accessible travel guides
• Qantas carer concession card
• Companion card
• Can go everywhere
• Vision Australia
• Go Africa Safaris
• Leisure options
• Havewheelchairwilltravel
• AU Smart Traveller
• NZ Safe Travel