Pre-existing medical conditions

Our Visiting New Zealand travel insurance policy doesn't automatically cover pre-existing medical conditions, but you can extend cover to include our optional add-on, ‘Pre-existing medical conditions’ cover. This optional add-on doesn't cover all pre-existing conditions but includes a list of 'covered conditions'. When considering  Pre-existing medical conditions cover, please ensure the condition you want cover for is listed and meets our criteria of  cover before you apply and pay the additional premium. If your condition is not listed, does not meet our criteria, or you don't have a pre-existing medical condition, then you may not need to apply for this add-on.

If you don’t have a pre-existing medical condition, or do not wish to pay the additional premium to include the extra cover, you can still purchase a Visiting New Zealand travel insurance policy. However, you will not be covered for any claims that are associated with pre-existing medical conditions.

Common questions

We know that pre-existing medical conditions can be confusing, but it’s important you understand them, so you know what you are and are not covered for under the Visiting New Zealand travel insurance policy. Here are some common questions we get asked about PECs.

1. What is a pre-existing medical condition?

A pre-existing medical condition is any illness, injury, or health condition to which all the following apply.

• You know about it, or a reasonable person should have known about it before you the date your insurance starts.
• In the 3 years before the date of your insurance starts, any of the following applied.
  •  You sought or received medical help
  • Someone recommended you seek or receive medical help
  • A reasonable person would have sought or received medical help
  • You were waiting for medical help

In this definition, ‘medical help’ means the following.

• Advice from a health professional
• Tests, investigation, or specialist consultations
• Care, treatment, or medical attention, including surgery
• Medication or a script for medication

An illness, injury or health symptom doesn’t need a confirmed medical diagnosis to count as a pre-existing medical condition.

2. If I’m taking medication for a condition but the condition is stable, is this still considered to be a pre-existing medical condition?

Yes, any condition which you are currently on medication for, or have taken medication for, is considered to be a pre-existing medical condition.

3. My conditions are controlled, are they automatically covered?

No, your conditions are not automatically covered. The Visiting New Zealand travel insurance policy offers an optional add-on as an extension to your policy to include cover for a list of ‘covered conditions’ under C.8 Pre-existing medical conditions cover. To fully understand what is covered and what is not covered, please read the policy document.

Need some help?

If you would like to get in touch, we’re here to help. If you have any questions regarding our Visiting New Zealand travel insurance, you can:

Call us from New Zealand: 0800 784 691
Call us from overseas: +64 9 979 6597
Email us: info@scti.co.nz

Take the next step towards your journey in New Zealand and get an online travel insurance quote today.

What you need to know

This page provides a summary of the key terms only. As with all insurance policies, terms and conditions apply. For our terms and conditions (including information about exclusions, excesses and sub limits) we recommend you read the travel insurance Policy Document.