High BP? Asthma? Diabetes? Meaning of Travel Insurance 'Pre-Existing Condition'

You have high blood pressure. Or asthma. Or maybe diabetes that runs in the family. You're filling out a travel insurance form online. There's a question: "Do you have any pre-existing medical conditions?" You hesitate. Your finger hovers over "No." After all, it's just a little condition. They won't find out, right? Wrong.

Someone I know, travelled to the US with her family. She'd had hypertension for years but didn't declare it on her travel insurance application. She had a hypertensive crisis in New York. Hospital bill: $8,500 (about ₦13 million). The insurer denied her claim because she failed to disclose a pre-existing condition. She's still paying that debt.

How to properly declare pre-existing conditions, which insurers in Nigeria actually cover them, what it will cost you, and how to make sure your claim doesn't get denied.

What Counts as a "Pre-Existing Condition" for Travel Insurance?

Any medical condition you've been diagnosed with, received treatment for, or had symptoms of before buying the policy. Even if it's "under control."

Common conditions Nigerians need to declare:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure): very common
• Diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
• Asthma (especially if you use an inhaler)
• Sickle cell trait or disease
• Epilepsy or seizure disorders
• Heart conditions (angina, previous heart attack)
• Cancer (even in remission)
• Kidney disease
• Mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, bipolar)
• Allergies (severe ones, anaphylaxis)
• HIV/AIDS (some insurers cover, some don't)
  
  
  

What about "small" things? If you take regular medication for anything, declare it. Even if it's just thyroid medication or acid reflux. The insurance company will use any undeclared condition to deny your claim.

Personal story: My uncle has mild asthma. He only uses his inhaler once every few months. He didn't declare it because "it's not serious." In Dubai, he had an asthma attack triggered by desert dust. Hospital visit cost AED 3,000 (about ₦400,000). His travel insurance claim was denied because asthma was a pre-existing condition he didn't declare. He paid out of pocket.

Why Nigerian Insurers Ask About Pre-Existing Conditions (And What Happens If You Lie)

Insurance is about risk. Someone with diabetes is more likely to need medical care abroad than someone perfectly healthy. So insurers charge higher premiums or exclude certain conditions, to balance that risk.

What happens if you lie (don't declare)?

• Your claim gets denied: even for something unrelated. They'll investigate and find out.
• Your policy is cancelled: and you get no refund.
• You could be blacklisted: making it hard to buy insurance in the future.
• In extreme cases, it's insurance fraud: criminal charges (rare in Nigeria, but possible).

What happens if you declare honestly?

• Option 1: They cover you with a higher premium (maybe +20% to +50%)
• Option 2: They cover you but exclude that specific condition (e.g., "we cover everything except diabetes related claims")
• Option 3: They refuse to cover you (rare for common conditions like BP or asthma – more likely for serious conditions like recent heart attack)

An exclusion is better than a denial. If they exclude your diabetes but you break your leg skiing, you're still covered for the leg. If you hide the diabetes and then break your leg, they might still deny everything because you lied on the application.

Which Nigerian Insurers Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?

Not all insurers are created equal. Based on my research and conversations with brokers in Lagos (early 2026):

Important note: These policies change. Always call and confirm before buying. Don't rely on website FAQs.

Best Travel Insurance Company in Nigeria 2026

Real example: I helped my mother (68 years old, hypertension, mild diabetes) get travel insurance for a trip to London. AXA Mansard quoted her ₦95,000 for a 14 day policy (standard would have been around ₦40,000). They required a doctor's report from her physician in Lagos. She got the report, submitted it, and was approved within 3 days. No exclusions, just a higher premium.

How to Declare Pre-Existing Conditions (Step by Step)

Step 1: Get a current medical report from your doctor in Nigeria

Don't use last year's report. Insurers want something from the last 3 to 6 months. The report should include:

• Diagnosis and date of diagnosis
• Current medications and dosages
• Stability statement ("patient is stable on current medication")
• Any recent hospitalisations or complications

Step 2: Fill out the medical declaration form honestly

Every question. If asked "have you ever been hospitalised?" and you were hospitalised for malaria 10 years ago, say yes. If asked for your medication list, list everything, including supplements.

Step 3: Submit the form and doctor's report

Some insurers let you upload online. Others require email or in-person submission. AXA Mansard has an online portal for medical declarations.

Step 4: Wait for underwriting (usually 2 to 7 days)

They might come back with:

• Approval (with or without premium increase)
• Conditional approval (exclusion for that condition)
• Request for more information (e.g., recent blood pressure readings)
• Denial (rare for stable conditions)

Step 5: Pay and download your policy

Once approved, pay online. Double check that the policy document mentions the declared condition and any exclusions.

My mistake: I once helped a friend declare his asthma. He rushed and didn't mention he also uses a steroid inhaler (only mentioned the rescue inhaler). The insurer later tried to deny a claim because he "failed to disclose all medications." Always list everything.

What If Your Condition Is Excluded or Denied?

Excluded (they cover everything except that condition):

• Accept it if the exclusion is reasonable. For example, if they exclude your knee arthritis but you're not planning to run a marathon, fine.
• But if they exclude your diabetes and you're travelling to the US (where diabetes complications are expensive), maybe look elsewhere.

Denied (they refuse to cover you at all):

• Try another insurer. Old Mutual and Allianz are more flexible (but more expensive).
• Consider a specialist "pre-existing condition travel insurance" from international providers. EKTA Travel Insurance offers coverage for pre-existing conditions if you go through their medical screening process. You'll answer a few health questions, and they'll tell you immediately if you're covered. No Nigerian bank card issues? They accept international payments easily.
• Travel without cover for that condition, but that's a risk I wouldn't take.

Real example: A neighbour of mine, Mr. Olu, had a heart attack two years ago. He's fully recovered but on medication. Leadway and AXA Mansard both declined to cover him for a trip to Canada. Old Mutual accepted him with a 90% premium increase (₦190,000 for a 10 day trip instead of ₦100,000). He paid it. He said: "Small money compared to a Canadian hospital."

Check if EKTA Insurance will cover your pre-existing condition, get a free quote here

How Much Extra Will You Pay? (Real Numbers)

Based on quotes I gathered for a 10 day trip to the UK (baseline ₦25,000 for a healthy 35 year old):

For longer trips or older travellers, multiply accordingly. A 60 year old with hypertension travelling for 30 days could pay ₦100,000+.

Travel Insurance Cost in Nigeria

Common Struggles Nigerians Face (And Solutions)

Struggle 1: "I don't have a recent doctor's report"

Solution: Visit a general hospital or private clinic. A basic check-up and report costs ₦10,000 to ₦25,000. It's worth it. Some insurers accept a letter from your regular pharmacy if you've been on stable medication for years (ask first).

Struggle 2: "The online form doesn't have a place to declare my condition"

Solution: Call them. Or buy the policy and then immediately email their underwriting department with your declaration. Do not wait. Get written confirmation that they've received your declaration.

Struggle 3: "The premium is too high, can I negotiate?"

Solution: Sometimes, yes. If you have a mild condition and can prove it's stable (e.g., normal BP readings for 6 months), ask for a review. Some insurers have discretion to lower the loading.

Struggle 4: "What if my condition changes after I buy the policy?"

Solution: If you're diagnosed with a new condition after buying the policy, it's not pre-existing. You're covered. But if you stop taking medication or have a complication before travel, you must notify the insurer. They may adjust or cancel your policy.

Real example: My friend's father had well controlled diabetes. He bought travel insurance, declared it, got approved with a 40% loading. Two weeks before travel, his blood sugar spiked and he was hospitalised for two days. He notified the insurer. They said: "You can't travel until you're stable." He postponed his trip. His policy was moved to the new dates. If he had travelled and had an emergency, they would have denied the claim because he wasn't stable at departure.

A Quick Note About Flight Delays (Even With Pre-Existing Conditions)

Here's something unrelated but useful. If your flight to or from Europe is delayed by 3+ hours, you could be entitled to €250 to €600 (₦200k to ₦600k) cash compensation, regardless of your health conditions. The rules apply to flights departing EU or arriving into EU on EU airlines.

Most Nigerians never claim this money because they don't know. Compensair handles the paperwork for you, no win, no fee. They take 25% if they win. It's free to check eligibility. So if your London to Lagos flight was delayed last year, check it.

What to Do If You Need Medical Care Abroad (With a Pre-Existing Condition)

Same process as regular claims, but with extra steps:

1. Call the 24/7 emergency line immediately: tell them about your pre-existing condition. They'll guide you to an approved hospital.

2. Keep all medical reports:  especially ones that say whether the illness is related to your pre-existing condition or a new issue.

3. Get a letter from the attending doctor: explaining the diagnosis and whether it's a complication of your known condition.

4. Submit your claim with the declaration proof: include the original medical questionnaire you filled out and the insurer's acceptance letter.

Why this matters: If you have diabetes and you get food poisoning (unrelated), your claim should be paid even if diabetes is excluded. But you need the doctor's letter to prove the food poisoning wasn't a diabetes complication.

Personal story: I travelled with an aunt who has hypertension. In Ghana, she had a bad reaction to malaria medication (not related to her BP). She went to a clinic. The doctor wrote a letter clearly stating "adverse drug reaction, unrelated to hypertensive condition." Her insurer (which excluded hypertension claims) paid the full ₦180,000 bill within 2 weeks because the condition was new and unrelated.

Checklist: Before You Buy (Pre-Existing Conditions)

•  Get a current medical report from your doctor (less than 6 months old)
• List all diagnosed conditions, even "minor" ones
• List all medications (name, dosage, frequency)
• Note any recent hospitalisations or changes in condition
• Call at least 3 insurers to ask if they cover your specific condition
• Compare premiums and exclusions, not just price
• Read the policy wording: search for "pre-existing" and "exclusion"
• Submit your declaration in writing (email or portal) and save confirmation
• Keep a copy of your medical report and declaration with your travel documents

FAQ: Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions in Nigeria

Q: Can I buy travel insurance if I have HIV in Nigeria?

Yes, but only a few insurers cover HIV. AXA Mansard and Old Mutual have policies for stable HIV (CD4 count above certain level). You'll need a doctor's report. Premiums are significantly higher (sometimes double). Many standard policies exclude HIV completely.

Q: Do I need to declare a condition that was cured years ago (e.g., malaria, typhoid)?**

No. Acute infections that are fully resolved don't count. But chronic conditions (asthma, diabetes, hypertension, epilepsy, sickle cell), yes, even if you've been symptom free for years.

Q: What if I don't know I have a condition?

If you've never been diagnosed, you can't declare it. But if you have symptoms and suspect something but never saw a doctor, that's a grey area. Insurers can argue you "should have known." Best to get checked before travelling.

Q: Will my Nigerian health insurance (NHIS, HMO) cover me abroad?

No. Almost never. Don't rely on it.

Q: Can I buy travel insurance after I'm diagnosed abroad?

No. You must buy before you leave Nigeria. Policies bought after departure exclude pre-existing conditions entirely.

Q: What's the penalty for not declaring a pre-existing condition?

Claim denial, policy cancellation, no refund, and potential fraud investigation. I've seen it happen multiple times. Not worth it.

Q: Does EKTA Travel Insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Yes, they have a medical screening process. You answer a few health questions, and they'll either offer cover, exclude the condition, or decline. It's fast and fully online. Start your EKTA quote here 

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Final Advice for Nigerians with Health Conditions

Here's the honest truth from someone who's helped family members navigate this:

Declaring a pre-existing condition is stressful. It costs more money. It takes more time. You might feel like they're judging you. But hiding it is gambling. And the house always wins. Pay the extra premium. Get the doctor's report. Declare everything. Then travel with peace of mind knowing that if something happens, your insurance will actually pay.

If you're on regular medication, carry enough for your trip plus a week extra. Also carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor explaining your condition and medications. Some countries (like UAE) have strict rules about bringing certain drugs.

Now go enjoy your trip and take your blood pressure medication with you.

Do you have a pre-existing condition and have you bought travel insurance in Nigeria? Share your experience in the comments, which insurer accepted you and how much did you pay?

Disclaimer: This information is for general purposes only. Always verify current policies with official sources before making decisions.