Travel Insurance for Dementia

What is dementia?

Dementia isn’t one illness. It’s a word for a set of symptoms caused by damage to the brain, and it sits within our neurological conditions pages. Memory problems are the best known sign, but dementia can also affect planning, language, judgement, mood and how someone finds their way around.

The most common type is Alzheimer’s disease. Vascular dementia, caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, is next, and there are others such as dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia. Symptoms usually get worse over time, though the pace varies a lot from one person to the next. The NHS dementia pages have more on the different types and the support available.

Why do I need to declare dementia for travel insurance?

Dementia is a pre-existing medical condition and has to be declared. We need to know because being away from home can increase confusion, which raises the chance of falls, wandering or a hospital stay abroad. Health can also change between booking and departure, so a trip may need cancelling. If dementia isn’t declared, a related claim could be refused or reduced, whether it’s for treatment or for travel costs lost because the trip couldn’t go ahead.

Can I get travel insurance for someone with dementia?

Often, yes. Whether cover is offered depends largely on how advanced the dementia is, whether the person needs help with everyday tasks, whether they’ve had recent falls or hospital admissions, and whether they’re travelling with someone. Many people answer the screening on behalf of a parent or partner, which is fine as long as the answers are accurate.

What we’ll ask about dementia

Dementia screening with us is done online and is quick and easy. It asks a few relevant questions about the condition, and the result appears on screen the moment you’re done.

Your result

The screening gives you an answer on the spot. If dementia has been accepted, the quote will say so, and the price it shows already includes it. Should it not be possible to include it, you’ll know before you pay.

Changes in health before the trip

Symptoms can move on in a matter of weeks. If there’s a new diagnosis, a change in medication, a fall that leads to a hospital admission, or a referral for further tests before departure, tell us. The cover may need reviewing, and an unreported change could put a related claim at risk.

What dementia travel insurance can cover

Once dementia is accepted, emergency medical treatment abroad can be covered, along with repatriation if a doctor decides the person needs to come home with medical support. A typical example is someone who becomes very confused on holiday in Cyprus because of a urine infection, and needs a few nights in hospital. That kind of emergency can be covered, subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If their health gets worse before you leave and a doctor advises against travelling, cancellation cover may help with non-refundable costs. It’s worth checking whether a travelling companion’s own policy would cover them cutting a trip short too.

Planned care abroad isn’t covered, and nor is anything linked to a condition that wasn’t declared.

Single trip or annual cover with dementia

A single trip policy suits most people planning one holiday. If you travel together several times a year, annual travel insurance may be available, depending on the screening result. Remember to declare any change in health during the year.

Will dementia affect the cost of travel insurance?

Dementia can be reflected in the premium, depending on how the screening turns out. Our online medical screening may ask how the dementia is treated and how well it’s controlled, and many people complete it on behalf of a relative. The traveller’s age, destination and length of trip are considered too. Before anything is bought, the price is set out on screen.

Travelling with dementia: practical tips

The following is general guidance for carers and families. It isn’t part of the insurance.

Familiar places tend to work better than new ones. A hotel you’ve stayed in before, a shorter journey or a self-catering apartment where you can keep a home routine can all reduce confusion. Long layovers and late arrivals are best avoided where you can.

Airports can be overwhelming. Most UK airports offer assistance for hidden disabilities, and many recognise the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard. Book special assistance through the airline at least 48 hours ahead. Staff can help with security, a quieter place to wait and boarding.

Keep an up to date photo and a card with the person’s name, your phone number and the hotel address in their pocket or bag. Some families use a GPS tracker or a medical ID bracelet as well. Agree what to do if you get separated.

Pack all medication in hand luggage with a printed list of what’s taken and when. Keep to home time for doses if you can, and ask the GP or pharmacist how to handle a big time difference. The travelling abroad with medication guide has more practical detail.

Heat, dehydration and infections can all make confusion worse very quickly. Keep drinks close by, build in rest, and don’t be afraid to see a doctor early if something seems off. You may also find our Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia pages useful.

How to get a quote

Enter the trip details, then work through the medical questions for dementia and anything else that needs declaring. The price appears before you pay.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Neurological Pages

• ADHD Travel Insurance
• Alzheimer's Travel Insurance
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Travel Insurance
• Bell's Palsy Travel Insurance
• Benign Brain Tumour Travel Insurance
• Cerebral Palsy Travel Insurance
• Cluster Headaches Travel Insurance
• Dementia Travel Insurance
• Down's Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Encephalitis Travel Insurance
• Epilepsy Travel Insurance
• Febrile Seizures Travel Insurance
• Head Injuries Travel Insurance
• Huntington's Disease Travel Insurance
• Migraines Travel Insurance
• Motor Neurone Disease Travel Insurance
• Multiple Sclerosis Travel Insurance
• Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Travel Insurance
• Neuropathy Travel Insurance
• Parkinson's Disease Travel Insurance
• Restless Leg Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Trigeminal Neuralgia Travel Insurance

Don't worry if your condition is not listed above - we cover plenty more medical conditions.
* Please note that cover will vary depending on individual medical screenings.

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