Guide to Buying Travel Insurance When You Are Disabled

What is disabled travel insurance?

While Arch RoamRight does not offer a specific disabled travel insurance product, our travel insurance plans are designed so that individuals with disabilities may have coverage, provided they are cleared by a physician to travel.

If you have a disability and are planning to travel, it is recommended that you check with your doctor prior to booking your trip in order to confirm that you are fit for travel. Before you purchase a policy, please read it carefully to see how pre-existing conditions are addressed within that policy. In some cases, a waiver for pre-existing conditions is available. Keep reading to learn more about pre-existing conditions. 

Arch RoamRight travel insurance policies can often cover claims arising from certain disabilities, so long as the disability does not make you disabled from travel as declared by your doctor.

This may include conditions such as the following. This is not a comprehensive list, and may include other conditions as well:

• Muscular dystrophy
• Polio
• Spina Bifida
  
• Paraplegia
• Dysphasia
• Cerebral Palsy
• Amputations

What can travel insurance cover if you are disabled?

For travelers with disabilities, an Arch RoamRight travel insurance plan affords all the same coverage as for travelers without disabilities.

This can include coverages such as:

• Trip Cancellation: If you can’t go on your trip due to an unexpected reason
• Trip Interruption: If you’re already on your trip and need to return home for an unexpected reason
• Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense: For medical emergencies that may occur when traveling
• Emergency Dental Expense: For dental emergencies that may occur when traveling
• Medical Evacuation: In an emergency, provides transportation to a medical facility that can provide appropriate care
• Security Evacuation: Assistance in the event of natural disaster, civil uprising, military coup, or political unrest
• Baggage & Personal Effects Coverage: If your baggage is lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed

Pre-Existing Conditions

Travelers with disabilities are also eligible for the Pre-Existing Conditions Exclusion waiver if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Purchase your travel insurance plan within 21 days of making your first trip payment;
• Insure the entire non-refundable cost of your trip;
• Must not be disabled† from travel at the time your premium is paid; and
• This must be the first and only booking for this same time period and destination.

^†For definitions, please refer to the travel insurance policy.

Under most Arch RoamRight travel insurance policies, a pre-existing medical condition is defined as:

“An illness, disease, or other conditions during the 180 day period* immediately prior to the effective date of the insured’s coverage for which the insured or insured’s traveling companion, business partner, or family member: 1) received or received a recommendation for a test, examination, or medical treatment; or 2) took or received a prescription for drugs or medicine. Item (2) of this definition does not apply to a condition which is treated or controlled solely through the taking of prescription drugs or medicine and remains treated or controlled without any adjustments or change in the required prescription throughout the 180 day period* before your coverage is effective under the policy.”

*Based on the travel insurance policy you purchase, this lookback period may differ.

The Pre-Existing Conditions Exclusion waiver is available with the Arch RoamRight Preferred, Elite, Pro, and Pro Plus plans.

What conditions are excluded?

Under Arch RoamRight travel insurance policies, mental, nervous, or psychological disorders are excluded from coverage unless you are hospitalized for that condition while the policy is in effect for you. Pre-existing conditions, as defined in the section above, are also excluded, unless you meet the qualifications for a waiver of the pre-existing conditions exclusion.

Are there additional costs for travel insurance if you are disabled?

No, there are no additional costs for travel insurance under an Arch RoamRight policy. However, based on your specific travel needs, you may want to consider adding some optional upgrades to your plan that can increase the benefit limits for emergency medical coverage.

Do you need extra insurance if your mobility equipment is expensive?

When traveling with expensive mobility equipment, it is important to understand what kind of coverage you have with your other insurances, such as your homeowners insurance.

Prior to purchasing travel insurance, take the time to understand both the benefit limits for Baggage and Personal Effects coverage as well as the exclusions as they relates to coverage for medical equipment.

Under Arch RoamRight plans, artificial limbs and hearing aids are not covered.

Travel ideas for travelers with disabilities

Travel is one of the most inclusive industries around with many companies specializing in making the travel experience enjoyable for everyone.

African safaris and cruises are two very popular travel experiences for travelers with disabilities. These types of trips are generally low-impact when it comes to physical activity, but still provide the once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.

There are many other travel companies that specialize in travel arrangements for those with disabilities (even some that will teach you to surf!), and we recommend you research your options on your own to ensure that the experience fits your unique travel needs and desires.

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.