Travel Insurance for Iron Deficiency Anaemia

What is iron deficiency anaemia?

Iron deficiency anaemia happens when you don’t have enough iron to make the red blood cells your body needs. With fewer of them, less oxygen reaches your tissues. Tiredness is the classic sign, along with shortness of breath, a pale complexion, headaches and a heartbeat you can feel. It’s one of the most common blood conditions seen by GPs.

Heavy periods and pregnancy are frequent causes. Others include bleeding from the stomach or bowel, a diet low in iron, or a condition that stops iron being absorbed properly, such as coeliac disease. Treatment is usually iron tablets, sometimes an iron infusion, and doctors will look for the reason behind it. The NHS iron deficiency anaemia page goes into the details.

Why do I need to declare iron deficiency anaemia for travel insurance?

If iron deficiency anaemia has been diagnosed or you’re having treatment for it, it usually counts as a pre-existing medical condition. We ask because low iron can leave you tired, breathless or dizzy, which might lead to a fall or a visit to a doctor abroad. We also need to know if the cause is still being looked into, as further results could change your plans.

A claim connected to anaemia that wasn’t declared could be refused or reduced.

Can I get travel insurance with iron deficiency anaemia?

In most cases you can, and your medical screening result shapes whether cover is offered. Anaemia that is mild and responding to tablets is a different picture from one that needed a blood transfusion. The screening also asks whether the cause has been found. If you’re still waiting for investigations such as an endoscopy or colonoscopy, that can make a real difference to the outcome.

What we’ll ask about your iron deficiency anaemia

Medical screening is done online and is quick and easy. You go through a few questions relevant to your anaemia, none of them tricky, and you get an answer instantly once the last one is done.

What you’ll see when screening is done

A decision is given the moment screening ends. The quote tells you whether your anaemia has been accepted, and if so, the premium already includes it. Where it can’t be included, you’ll find that out before paying, so you can decide what to do next.

Let us know if anything changes

Should your health change after you’ve bought the policy, get in touch before you travel. That means things like new test results, a new diagnosis, a referral for further investigations, a change in treatment or a spell in hospital. We may need to review your cover, and leaving a change unreported could put a related claim at risk.

What iron deficiency anaemia travel insurance can cover

With anaemia accepted on your policy, emergency medical care abroad that relates to it can be covered. Imagine feeling dizzy and breathless on a walking holiday in Madeira and being admitted to hospital for a few days. Treatment costs could be claimed, and repatriation too if you needed medical support to fly home, subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

There’s also cancellation cover for the time before you go. If you become unwell and a doctor advises against travelling, you may be able to reclaim non-refundable costs.

A policy won’t pay for iron infusions or other treatment you planned to have abroad, or for problems linked to anything you didn’t declare.

Single trip or annual cover with iron deficiency anaemia

If it’s just one trip, single trip travel insurance may be all you need. Planning several breaks? Annual travel insurance covers them under one policy, if your screening result allows it.

Will iron deficiency anaemia affect the cost of travel insurance?

It could. Any effect on the price depends on how you answer online medical screening, which may ask how the anaemia is being treated and how well it’s controlled at the moment. Standard details such as age, destination and trip length are taken into account too. The price is always shown before you buy.

Travelling with iron deficiency anaemia: practical tips

The suggestions here are general travel advice and aren’t part of your cover.

Take enough iron tablets for the whole trip and a few days more, and pack them in your hand luggage. Tablets are better absorbed with a drink containing vitamin C, like orange juice, and less well with tea or coffee, so think about timing at breakfast. Keep them well out of reach of children, as iron can be very harmful to a child who swallows it.

Low iron can leave you short of breath sooner than usual. The air in a plane cabin has a little less oxygen than on the ground, and the same is true at altitude. If you’re planning a trip to the mountains, or have been feeling very breathless, ask your GP whether your levels have recovered enough.

Tiredness is the symptom most people notice. Plan an easier first day after travelling, keep hydrated in hot weather, and sit or lie down if you feel lightheaded rather than trying to push on.

Iron tablets often cause constipation, and a change of diet abroad can make it worse. Plenty of water, some fruit and a walk each day all help. If you get diarrhoea instead, from a stomach bug say, a pharmacist can advise whether to carry on with your tablets.

If your anaemia is linked to heavy periods, take more supplies than you think you’ll need, as brands abroad may differ.

How to get a quote

Start with your trip details, then answer the medical questions about your anaemia and any other conditions. You’ll see the full price before you pay.

Get a Quote

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* Please note that cover will vary depending on individual medical screenings.

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