Travel Insurance for Sickle Cell Disease

What is sickle cell disease?

Sickle cell disease is an inherited condition affecting red blood cells. Instead of being soft and round, the cells can become stiff and crescent shaped. They don’t live as long, which causes anaemia, and they can block small blood vessels, leading to sudden episodes of severe pain known as sickle cell crises. You’ll find it in our blood and circulatory conditions section, alongside related conditions such as thalassaemia.

In the UK it’s most common in people with an African or Caribbean family background. People with the condition are also more prone to infections. It’s a lifelong condition, managed with medicines, vaccinations, and in some cases blood transfusions. The NHS sickle cell disease page explains it in more detail.

Why do I need to declare sickle cell disease for travel insurance?

Sickle cell disease is a lifelong pre-existing medical condition, and we need to know about it because a crisis can come on quickly while you’re away. Dehydration, cold water, long flights and the lower oxygen in an aircraft cabin are all known triggers, and infections can be more serious too. Any of these could mean hospital treatment abroad or calling off a trip.

If it isn’t declared, a claim linked to it, such as treatment for a painful crisis, could be refused or reduced.

Can I get travel insurance with sickle cell disease?

Yes, in many cases. What affects whether cover is offered is mainly how the disease has behaved recently. Frequent crises, recent hospital stays, complications such as acute chest syndrome or stroke, and regular transfusions are all considered. Sickle cell trait on its own is not the same as the disease and is generally treated differently.

What we’ll ask about your sickle cell disease

Screening for sickle cell disease happens online and is quick to complete. A few questions about your condition come up while you get a quote, and you can see the result as soon as you’re done.

What the result tells you

You’ll see the result once you submit your answers. Whether sickle cell disease has been accepted is stated on your quote, and an accepted condition is included in the premium shown there. If it can’t be included, you’ll be told before you buy.

If your health changes after you buy

Let us know about anything new before you travel: a crisis that puts you in hospital, a change to your treatment, a new diagnosis or a referral to a specialist. Your cover may need reviewing, and an unreported change could affect a related claim.

What sickle cell disease travel insurance can cover

Once sickle cell disease is accepted, a crisis while you’re abroad can be covered like any other emergency. If you’re admitted to hospital in Jamaica with severe pain and need fluids and pain relief, the cost of emergency treatment can be covered, as can medical repatriation if needed. All subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If a crisis just before departure means your doctor says you shouldn’t travel, cancellation cover may allow you to recover costs you can’t get back.

It won’t pay for routine transfusions or check-ups you’d planned abroad, or for anything to do with conditions you didn’t declare.

Single trip or annual cover with sickle cell disease

Going away just once? Single trip cover will do. If you visit family abroad or travel more than once a year, annual cover might suit, depending on your screening result.

Will sickle cell disease affect the cost of travel insurance?

Yes, it can, but the screening is what decides. Answer the questions in online medical screening and the result sets how sickle cell disease is reflected in your quote. Some questions may cover how it’s treated and how well controlled it has been lately. Other factors, like age, destination and how long you’re travelling for, are added in too. You’ll know the price before you go ahead.

Travelling with sickle cell disease: practical tips

These are general tips. They aren’t part of your insurance policy.

Dehydration is a well-known trigger for a crisis, and both flying and hot weather dry you out. Drink water regularly throughout the journey and while you’re away, and go easy on alcohol. Dress in layers too, because sudden cold, including fierce air conditioning or a cold swimming pool, can also set off pain.

Most commercial flights are fine for many people with sickle cell disease, but low oxygen can be a problem for some, especially on long flights. Ask your haematology team whether you need oxygen. Altitude is worth discussing too if you’re heading somewhere mountainous.

Infections are a bigger risk, particularly if your spleen doesn’t work well. Visit your GP or a travel clinic six to eight weeks before you go. Malaria is a serious danger for people with sickle cell disease, so if you’re travelling to an area where it’s found, take antimalarials exactly as advised and avoid bites. Check the TravelHealthPro country pages for your destination.

1. carry your crisis plan and a letter from your haematologist
2. pack the pain relief you normally use at home, with extra in case of delays
3. keep taking penicillin and folic acid if they’re prescribed
4. find out where the nearest hospital is when you arrive

How to get a quote

Tell us about your trip, answer the screening questions for sickle cell disease and any other conditions, then choose your cover. You’ll see what it costs first.

Get a Quote

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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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