COPD travel insurance

If your essential COPD medications or equipment are lost, stolen, or damaged during your trip, it can be tricky to find replacements abroad. With our Comprehensive and Signature policies, we offer Personal Assistance Services for situations just like this. We aren’t able to cover the cost of replacement medication, but our medical experts can help you locate and replace: 

• Inhalers and bronchodilators 

• Steroid medications 

• Antibiotics 

• Nebulizers and spacers  

Our emergency assistance team can liaise with local pharmacies and medical providers to ensure you get replacement medication quickly.  

If there’s a medical need to cancel your trip or cut it short, our priority is your safety. We’re here to help you with:  
 

• Cancellation cover from the date of policy purchase for single trips or the agreed start date for multi-trips.

• 24-hour medical emergency helpline with English-speaking support team.

• Support coordinating care with your medical team back home. 

• If you need to come home, we’ll coordinate with overseas and UK medical teams. 

• We’ll take care of your transport arrangements, including travel to your local hospital if needed.

• Help with accommodation if you need to extend your stay. 

• Assistance rebooking flights and transfers.

Shorter transit times can mean it’s easier to manage COPD symptoms, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to travel long distance. Speak to your doctor about what’s right for you. 

Consider whether to avoid short layovers. The upheaval between flights can be stressful and increases your overall time en-route. If necessary, consider a longer layover with an overnight stay at the airport, giving you time to rest.  

If you travel with oxygen, ask your healthcare provider to help calculate how much you’ll need for the journey, including extra for delays.  

Think ahead about what you need to pack, including medicines, snacks, blankets and neck rests. If you’re worried about the long journey, some light distraction could help the time pass, like a book or podcasts.  

A trip away can mean encountering new things that could trigger your COPD. It’s worth thinking about these when you book your destination and accommodation, and when planning your day-to-day activities.  

You might want to consider whether your accommodation has HEPA air filters, air conditioning, and is smoke free.  

Respiratory triggers for COPD can include: 

• Infections – check with your doctor which vaccines you may need before travelling, and if you’re up to date with flu, COVID and pneumonia vaccines 

• Pollution – if you’re considering a city break in a busy urban destination, check the air quality index first 

• Smoking – check if your destination still allows smoking indoors, including bars, restaurants and hotels  

• Weather – when choosing your destination, consider that cold and hot weather, humidity and hay fever can worsen COPD symptoms  

• Activities – consider how much walking or other activities are realistic for you so that you can make a fun itinerary more manageable  

The extent to which COPD affects your travels will depend on the stage of your condition, how well it’s managed, and whether it’s stable.  

The best person to advise on travelling with COPD is your doctor. They can check your lung function and discuss your symptoms with you to offer tailored advice on travelling.  

The following tips are important when travelling long distance with COPD: 

• Keep your medicines to hand rather than stowed away in your luggage 

• If you use oxygen, bring enough for your journey plus extra for delays  

• Plan how you’ll get around on your journey, including if you need any assistance at the airport or during changeovers   

• Avoid short layovers – consider flying direct or having a long layover where you can rest properly  

In an emergency, contact the local emergency services first, and then call our 24-hour emergency helpline. Our team will help arrange your care, find the most appropriate place for treatment and follow up care. 

Our helpline is open 24/7, 365 days a year: 

• Calling from outside the UK: +44 1403 288 414 

• Calling from USA or Canada: +1 844 780 0639 

• Calling from Mexico: +1 819 780 0639  

• Calling from the UK: 01403 288 414 

If you or someone on your policy is admitted to hospital or your outpatient treatment is likely to cost more than £350, contact us as soon as possible. Where you have a valid claim, and your medical expenses exceed £350 we will look to settle the bill directly with the medical provider where possible. 

If you have a non-urgent medical concern, such as sickness, headaches, or mild pain, contact our helpline first for advice on where to go for assistance. 

As good as travel insurance is, some things can’t be covered.  

You’re not covered for: 

• Travelling against your doctor’s advice 

• Claims for pre-existing medical conditions you haven’t told us about  

• Routine check-ups, planned treatment or non-emergency care 

• Travel for medical procedures abroad  

• Reimbursement for lost, damaged or stolen medicines or equipment 

• Incidents related to alcohol or controlled substances 

• Strike action that was common knowledge at the time of booking 

• Choosing private treatment when suitable public facilities are available 

• Choosing not to travel 
   

Discover more about what travel insurance covers. Always check your policy documents carefully to understand exactly what you’re covered for.  

When comparing travel insurance policies for COPD, you’ll want to look out for what’s covered and what’s not.  

The right travel insurance for COPD should: 
 

• Agree to cover your COPD and any other pre-existing conditions you have  

• Cover medical expenses, including necessary emergency travel home 

• Have a high medical cover limit 

• Help you replace lost, stolen or damaged medications

• Cover you for cancellations or interruptions during your trip 

• Include 24/7 emergency assistance services while abroad 

Learn more about what’s covered under our medical insurance for pre-existing medical conditions, or get a quote.