Travel Insurance Expert and Head of Communications
Last updatedDecember 11 2025
14 min read
Heading abroad for some much-needed relaxation? We’ll keep you fully covered in the event of an emergency. Our travel insurance for Crohn’s disease means you can take us with you, whatever you’ve got planned.
Can you get travel insurance if you have Crohn’s disease?
Yes, we can provide you with travel insurance if you have Crohn’s disease. 30% of people with Crohn’s feel that their condition limits their options to travel abroad. We want to change that. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to get travel insurance for your trip. Our Crohn’s disease travel insurance covers medical emergencies related to your condition. It will even cover repatriation back to the UK if you need it.
Why is Crohn’s disease travel insurance so important?
The latest research estimates that over 500,000 people across the UK have Crohn’s or Colitis. That is around 1 in every 123 people. If you’re travelling with Crohn’s, it’s important to know how to navigate the specific challenges that come with it.
Here’s why getting Crohn’s disease travel insurance is an absolute must:
Covers emergency medical expenses: Don’t get stuck with a hefty medical bill while you’re away. People with Crohn’s disease are 50% more likely to have an episode of illness while travelling, according to one study. Our Crohn’s disease travel insurance offers up to unlimited cover for medical expenses.
Covers repatriation: Crohn’s is a complicated condition, and some countries will not have adequate treatments. If you experience a complication, it’s important to make sure you can be repatriated back to the UK for treatment.
Covers cancellation: Two major symptoms of Crohn’s are fatigue and chronic pain. One study showed that 43.8% of travellers with Crohn’s had to cancel or alter their plans due to their condition.
Protects your belongings: Lost the bag that contains your medication? Crohn’s medication can cost as much as $987.56 (£765) for a single vial in the US. With InsureandGo, you’ll be covered if you need to buy emergency medication abroad.
Help when you need it: We know that travelling with a pre-existing condition like Crohn’s can be challenging. That’s why we also offer a 24/7 emergency medical helpline.
At InsureandGo, we make it possible for you to travel knowing you’re covered. There’s a reason 99% of our customers would recommend us to family and friends3.
What does InsureandGo’s Crohn’s disease travel insurance cover?
What’s covered?
Our travel insurance for Crohn’s disease includes:
We strive to provide as much cover as possible. However, there are some situations that no travel insurance will cover. For example:
You cannot cover events or reasons to claim that took place before you booked the trip or purchased insurance. Insurance exists to cover unexpected events outside of the insured’s control
Claims which are less than the excess for that section of cover. For example, you cannot claim a £40 lost item if your baggage excess is £60
All of our travel insurance policies include cover for cancellation of your trip, but there may be some exclusions. For example, you won’t be covered to cancel if you simply decide not to go
We will consider all pre-existing medical conditions, find out more about medical travel insurance. The excess and the amount of cover available will vary depending on the level of travel insurance you buy. To check the policy exclusions and what is and isn’t included, take a look at our policy wording.
The best travel insurance for your holiday
Every trip is different, which is what makes them so fun. But this means you might need slightly different types of cover. Not sure what you need? Here’s what we’d suggest.
Departing for warmer waters?Cruise insurance means that you’re protected against missed departures and cabin confinement. We’ll even cover the cost of any unused excursions.
Spending a little longer abroad?Single trip travel insurance covers you for up to 365 days of consecutive travel.
Need a hole-in-one?Golf insurance covers you and your beloved clubs, so you can both sleep easy and focus on your short game.
Choose a cover level to suit your travel needs
Black
Gold
Silver
Medical expenses and repatriation
Unlimited
£15 million
£10 Million
Cancellation and curtailment
£10,000
£7,500
£5,000
Travel delay
Up to £650
Up to £540
Up to £450
Personal belongings
£5,000
£2,500
£2,000
Legal Expenses
£60,000
£50,000
£15,000
Standard Excess
Nil
£50
£60
How much does travel insurance cost if you have Crohn’s disease?
Typically, travel insurance costs go up if you have Crohn’s disease.
Crohn’s is considered a pre-existing medical condition, which means we will assess its risk level. This can lead to higher premiums compared to standard policies.
There are also other factors to consider. This includes:
The severity of your condition. If your Crohn’s is well-managed with no recent hospitalisations or flare-ups, your premium will likely be lower. But if you have frequent flare-ups, have required surgery, or take immunosuppressant medication, this may increase the price of your quote.
Where you’re travelling to. Different countries have different healthcare costs. The USA, Canada and Japan are notoriously expensive. Travelling to countries with limited medical facilities can also increase costs, as medical evacuation might be necessary in severe circumstances.
How long you’re going for. Longer trips mean higher insurance costs. The simple reason being there’s a bigger chance of experiencing a Crohn’s-related incident during this time.
Your medical history. If you’ve had recent hospital visits, surgery, or medication changes, this can raise the cost.
Your age. Older travellers generally face higher insurance costs, especially with a pre-existing condition. This is simply because there’s a heightened risk of something happening.
Do I have to declare my Crohn’s disease?
Yes, you must declare your Crohn’s disease when applying for travel insurance. You will also need to declare any other pre-existing medical conditions during your quote process. If you don’t, it could invalidate your policy. This means you won’t be covered for any Crohn’s-related medical emergencies or trip disruptions.
We may ask you about:
The severity of your symptoms
Any recent hospitalisations or surgeries
Medications you’re taking
Whether you’ve had any complications
Even if your Crohn’s is well-managed, it’s still vital to declare it.
Will Crohn’s disease affect my travel insurance?
In short, yes. Having Crohn’s disease will affect your travel insurance. The impact on your policy depends on the factors named above, such as symptom severity, recent treatments, and your destination.
With InsureandGo, we will create a policy to make sure you’re fully protected for medical emergencies, cancellations, and unexpected flare-ups.
Crohn’s disease travel insurance with other pre-existing medical conditions
If you have Crohn’s and other pre-existing conditions, you’re not alone. 78% of people who live with Crohn’s disease also have at least one other pre-existing condition. But we believe that having pre-existing conditions shouldn’t stop you from travelling. We’ve helped more than 27 million travellers go abroad, and we can help you too.
Before we can give you a quote, you’ll need to do a medical screening. During this process, we’ll ask you a few questions. This is so we understand your Crohn’s disease better, and we can give you the level of cover that you need. Some of the questions we might ask include:
When were you diagnosed with Crohn’s?
What medications do you take to manage it?
When was the last time you were admitted to hospital for treatment?
If you’ve got other pre-existing conditions, you need to declare each of them during the medical screening process. Remember that our medical warranty defines a pre-existing condition as anything where you have been:
To a hospital, clinic, or GP surgery for medical treatment within the last two years. This also applies to remote consultations, either on the phone or through an app.
Placed on a waiting list, which might mean you’ll have to miss your trip.
Your GHIC will only cover you for state-provided healthcare, either for free or at a lower cost. You will receive treatment as if you were a local resident. If you’re planning to go abroad and you have Crohn’s, taking out proper travel insurance is important. A GHIC will not be enough.
Crohn’s is a complex condition, and you may struggle to get treated abroad. If you need to be repatriated back to the UK for treatment, the cost can be in the tens of thousands of pounds.
How to book our Crohn’s disease travel insurance
There’s so much to think about when planning a holiday. At least getting a quote for your Crohn’s disease travel insurance is easy.
1. Let us know about your trip
Tell us where you’re going, who you want to cover and when you want the policy to start. We’ll ask you about your condition and any other pre-existing medical conditions.
It’s quick and easy to give us this information, online or by phone.
After you’ve given us all the details we need, we’ll send you a quote. You can either buy your policy there and then or save the quote for the future.
Our experts say…
“Living with Crohn’s disease can make it more complicated to travel, but our travel insurance for Crohn’s disease makes things a little easier. Just think about the types of cover you’ll need, and you should be all set. Medical cover is important in case you have an emergency when abroad.”
Satisfied customer with a very competitively priced policy
“Alan was extremely helpful, talking me through my application and reassuring me regarding my husband’s medical condition. We’ve received a very competitive price, with full cover for all of my husband’s medical conditions. I am a very satisfied customer.”
Travelling with Crohn’s disease: tips and recommendations
Travelling with Crohn’s disease requires some extra preparation. But with the right planning, your trip should be smooth sailing.
Here are helpful tips to keep in mind.
Plan your trip ahead
Choose destinations with good healthcare access.
Get travel insurance covering Crohn’s-related emergencies.
Research nearby hospitals and pharmacies.
Manage your medication
Pack extra medication in its original packaging with prescriptions.
Split supplies between hand luggage and checked bags.
Check travel restrictions on medications.
If you’re travelling with a stoma
Bring extra stoma supplies and wipes.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing and use a travel card explaining your condition for security checks.
Packing essentials
Hand sanitiser, wipes, and a doctor’s letter explaining your condition.
Safe snacks and oral rehydration sachets.
A little preparation goes a long way. Plan well and enjoy your trip!
Crohn’s disease travel insurance FAQs
Can I travel if I have Crohn’s disease?
Yes, you can travel if you have Crohn’s disease. You might need to make some adjustments to your trip, but it is possible. One medical review found that 89% of people with Crohn’s had been abroad in a year period.
If you’re planning to travel with Crohn’s, think about what you will need. Try to plan as far in advance as possible, so that you have time to stock up on any medications you might need. It might also be worth talking with your doctor to get some health advice.
Can I be covered if I’m still waiting for a diagnosis?
We will need to know more about your condition before we can confirm your cover. Until a diagnosis is made, it’s difficult to assess the level of risk, which may affect the terms of your policy. Once we have more information, we can look at your options and see how we can help.
Can I still be covered if I’m waiting for surgery?
We’ll need more details about your condition and upcoming surgery before we can confirm your cover. Until we know more, it’s difficult to say how this might affect your policy. Once we have the full picture, we can explore your options
Will Crohn’s affect where I can travel?
Potentially. Countries with expensive healthcare (like the USA) may increase your insurance costs. Remote areas with limited medical facilities can also be risky if you need urgent treatment. Always check healthcare access before booking.
Do I need a fit-to-fly letter or travel approval from my doctor?
Not always, but some airlines may request one if you have a stoma, require medication, or have had recent surgery. It’s best to check with your airline and carry a doctor’s note explaining your condition and medications.
If you’re unsure, we can help guide you on what’s needed.
Is Crohn’s considered a pre-existing condition?
Yes, we – and most insurance providers – consider Crohn’s to be a pre-existing condition. We define a pre-existing condition as:
If you’ve been to a hospital, clinic, or GP surgery for medical treatment within the last two years. This also applies to remote consultations, either on the phone or through an app.
If you’ve been placed on a waiting list, which might mean you’ll have to miss your trip.
If you’ve been told you have a terminal illness.
Who can buy an InsureandGo Crohn’s travel insurance policy?
All our travel insurance for Crohn’s disease policies are available to UK residents. This means:
Someone who has been living in the UK or the Channel Islands for at least six of the last 12 months
If you’ve got more questions about how our travel insurance for people with Crohn’s disease or more general travel insurance queries, have a read through our FAQs.
Travel advice
Our travel advice section offers handy tips and guides to specific countries, from what documents you need to what you might visit while you’re there.
Travel insurance reviews
If you want to know what our customers think of us, and why they rate us so highly, have a read through some of the reviews they’ve left us.
InsureandGo’s Gold achieved a Which? Best Buy. InsureandGo’s Gold and Black policies have been 5-star rated by Defaqto.
Based on 1,692 responses, correct as of 24/07/2025.
Based on 1,692 responses, correct as of 24/07/2025.