Your pre-existing conditions may not be covered by your travel insurance plan, leaving you at risk overseas. Here’s why you can consider Income’s Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance instead.
The next time you’re planning an overseas trip, consider this: Not choosing the right travel insurance plan can leave you without coverage for your pre-existing conditions during your holiday. You may not be able to claim overseas medical treatment or hospital fees if your pre-existing medical condition flares up, even though you’ve paid for a travel insurance plan.
This nightmare scenario can happen if you or your family member is travelling with chronic health conditions that require ongoing care. These are common – diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, etc. – and in most cases are well-managed with ongoing medication. So, it shouldn’t matter if you go on a holiday while having these conditions, right?
But here’s the catch; there are what’s known as pre-existing conditions, which may not be covered by regular travel insurance plans. This means any claims arising from them could be denied, leaving you without protection.
To avoid this scenario, it will be good to consider a travel insurance plan that covers pre-existing conditions, such as Income’s Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance.
Table of contents
- What's a pre-existing condition travel insurance plan?
- How Income’s Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance can help
- Greater peace of mind with Income’s Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance
What’s a pre-existing condition travel insurance plan?
A pre-existing condition travel insurance plan (aka pre-ex plan) is a travel insurance plan suitable for travellers with medical conditions that require ongoing medication, treatment or care, which you knew of before the trip.
Regular travel insurance plans cover unexpected medical emergencies – a sudden broken leg, an unexpected illness, or severe food poisoning. Unless otherwise stipulated, regular travel insurance plans do not typically cover pre-existing medical conditions.
This is where pre-ex plans come in. On top of covering the same events as regular travel insurance plans, pre-ex plans also cover claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions, making them a suitable choice for those travelling with long-term medical conditions.
What’s considered a pre-existing medical condition?
Different insurers have different definitions of what constitutes a pre-existing medical condition, so it's important to verify with your insurer or check your policy conditions.
For Income’s Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance, pre-existing medical conditions are injuries or sickness which you knew about, have been diagnosed with, receiving treatment, or taking medication for, in the past 12 months before the start of your trip.
What are some examples of pre-existing medical conditions
Pre-existing conditions can include common healthcare conditions, such as:
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Eczema
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Heart conditions
Pre-existing medical conditions require long-term treatment and, in many cases, ongoing medication and medical consultations. While managing their pre-existing medical conditions seems routine, many travellers may not regard their health issues as requiring special attention.
As such, individuals with pre-existing medical conditions may neglect to consider getting pre-ex travel insurance. But this is a costly mistake that can be avoided by choosing the right travel insurance plan.
For travellers with pre-existing health conditions
Pre-ex plans like Income’s Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance are designed to fill a niche – providing coverage to persons travelling with pre-existing conditions. Income’s Enhanced PreX Travel also offers convenience – it is available for purchase online, with no medical check-up required.
How Income’s Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance can help
You may be wondering how useful a plan like Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance can be, and whether it’s worth paying the higher premiums for one (as compared to a regular travel plan). Well, these two real-life case studies (with pseudonyms for privacy) may help to clarify your queries.
Stroke while holidaying in Australia
Peter suffered a stroke unexpectedly while holidaying in Australia. He was previously diagnosed with numerous chronic conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure and dyslipidemia (unhealthy levels of fat in the blood). He was escorted back to Singapore via emergency medical evacuation for his treatment. Together with the medical expenses overseas, the total costs amounted to more than S$44,000.
Heart attack during UK trip
Pauline has been diagnosed with similar medical conditions as Peter, including diabetes, high blood pressure and dyslipidemia. While holidaying in the UK, she became unwell and had to be hospitalised. It turns out she had suffered an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) and also diabetic acidosis (a potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes). She had to be medically evacuated to Singapore, with costs amounting to over S$52,000.
For both Peter and Pauline, it was fortunate that they opted to purchase the right type of travel insurance for their health conditions. Otherwise, they could have been stuck with financial burdens after suffering a relapse overseas.
Greater peace of mind with Income’s Enhanced PreX Travel Insurance
If you or your loved ones have chronic long-term conditions, don’t risk not having the right cover. You may wish to consider Income’s Enhanced PreX for the protection you need.
With Income’s Enhanced PreX Insurance, you can enjoy:
- Up to S$300,000 for overseas medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation and sending you home coverage, due to pre-existing medical conditions1.
- Lowest co-payment in Singapore for travel inconvenience claims2, due to pre-existing medical conditions1.
- Complimentary overseas tele-consultation service3 for conditions that do not require urgent medical attention, such as colds, flu or allergies.
Sign up now for greater peace of mind on your next holiday!
Disclaimers
1. Claims arising from a pre-existing medical condition where you have been given a terminal prognosis with a life expectancy of under 12 months are not covered. Please refer to policy conditions for the precise definition of pre-existing medical conditions.
2. For trip cancellation, postponement, shortening and disruption under Enhanced PreX Superior and Prestige plans. A 25% co-payment will apply for claims due to pre-existing medical conditions.
3. This service is provided by Income Insurance’s appointed emergency assistance provider who is responsible for the provision of such service to you. Income Insurance shall not be responsible nor liable to you or any party in connection with the provision or use of or reliance on the service or any consequence arising from such provision, use or reliance, including any delay in the provision of the service. You will not be eligible to use this service if you cancel your existing/in-force travel insurance policy. Income Insurance may from time to time change the service provider or discontinue this service without prior notice. Terms and conditions apply. You can find the full terms and conditions at www.income.com.sg/travel-telemed.
Policy terms and conditions apply. Protected up to specified limits by SDIC.
All opinions expressed in this article are those of SingSaver and not of Income Insurance Limited (“Income Insurance”).
SingSaver has full responsibility and control over the accuracy and completeness of all information provided and intellectual property used in this article. Income Insurance does not have control over and is neither responsible nor liable to any party for the content of this article and intellectual property used in this article.
The information provided in this article is for general information only and does not constitute an offer, recommendation, solicitation or advice to buy any product(s). You should seek personalised financial advice before you purchase any insurance product. Purchasing an insurance product that is not suitable for you may impact your ability to finance your future insurance needs. Precise terms, conditions and exclusions of the insurance plan mentioned in this article are found in the policy contract which can be found at this link. This plan is underwritten and issued by Income Insurance.
Information is correct as at 21 November 2025.
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