People with autism, a neurodevelopmental condition, experience impaired social interaction, communication, and behavioral norms. If you are autistic, you may be concerned about whether or not you need to disclose your condition when obtaining travel insurance. Today we’ll review the question of Do I need to declare Autism on travel insurance and some of the considerations you should make before deciding whether or not to disclose Autism on your travel insurance application.
Do I need to declare Autism on travel insurance?
Yes, you need to declare Autism on travel insurance. If you have a preexisting condition like Autism and don’t tell your insurance company, you probably won’t be covered when traveling. Suppose something happens while you’re traveling, and you haven’t told your insurance provider that you have Autism. In that case, they may not pay for your medical care.
You should disclose your Autism to your travel insurance company for the following reasons:
Individuals with Autism may have varying degrees of impairment due to the condition’s spectrum nature. You may require additional medical attention while traveling if your Autism is severe.
Autism may hamper communication and social interaction. Because of this, getting assistance in an emergency while traveling may be difficult.
As a result, people with Autism may struggle with pressure and anxiety. An autistic meltdown is possible if someone experiences a stressful situation while traveling.
Reading the fine print of your travel insurance policy is essential if you have Autism. Find out exactly what is and isn’t included. You should also notify your insurance company of your autism diagnosis before you leave.
Tips for taking a trip with an autistic person: Do I need to declare Autism on travel insurance?
Think your trip through thoroughly. This entails checking where you plan to go to see if they provide accessible lodgings and activities for persons with Autism.
Gather your comfort necessities, such as headphones with active noise cancellation, a weighted blanket, and a fidget spinner, and place them in a bag.
To further accommodate your needs, please bring a copy of your autism diagnosis and a note from your doctor.
Tell your fellow travelers that you have Autism and provide them with suggestions on how to help.
Take it easy on yourself and others around you. It’s not easy to have a good time while traveling with Autism, but it’s not impossible.
Is Autism considered a preexisting condition for travel insurance?
Travel insurance companies consider Autism a preexisting condition. Insurance companies might utilize higher rates or even deny coverage for individuals with Autism.
Travel insurance companies consider any health issue that you had when you obtained coverage as a preexisting condition, although the exact definition of this term varies from company to company. Doctors typically treat Autism as a preexisting condition since it is a lifelong disorder often diagnosed in young children.
However, several notable outliers exist. Some insurers may cover a diagnosis of Autism after the purchase of insurance. If you have maintained stability for a sufficient period, such as a year, some people may be willing to overlook your pre-existing ailment.
To ensure you are aware of any preexisting condition exclusions in your travel insurance policy, read the policy’s fine language. You can also enquire about your insurance company’s autism coverage by calling them directly.
Tips for getting travel insurance with Autism:
Get your policy started as soon as you are capable of. You’ll have more time to shop for a provider willing to fulfil your needs.
Tell your insurance company the truth about your health. Your claim could be refused if you donate false information regarding your health.
You should investigate being covered despite any preexisting conditions. The premiums on such insurance are higher; however, they may be worth it for the piece of mind they provide.
What information should be provided when declaring Autism on travel insurance?
You should include the following details in your autism declaration when purchasing travel insurance:
Diagnosis of Autism and any comorbidities, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and epilepsy.
A person with Autism requires help with basic tasks like getting dress up, communicating, or moving about to a certain degree.
How are healthcare professionals currently medicating and treating the autistic person, including administering speech, occupational, and behavioral therapies?
Sensory overload, meltdowns, roaming, and flight anxiety are some difficulties a person with Autism could encounter on the road.
An autistic person’s unique travel needs include a private room, a friend to talk to, or a service animal.
This information will allow the travel insurance company to tailor coverage to your specific requirements better. You can prevent issues and conflicts by including this information when claiming medical costs, cancellations, or curtailment due to autism-related incidents.
Travel insurance providers that cover autism and other medical conditions are wonderful options. UK-based travel insurance firm Free Spirit covers a wide range of pre-existing conditions and accepts customers of any age. AllClear Travel, another UK travel insurance company, covers prior medical conditions like COVID-19. The Lighthouse Autism Center in the US provides travel advice for autistic children.
Are there any travel insurance policies that specifically cater to individuals with Autism?
The following are some examples of companies that offer autism-specific travel insurance:
Free Spirit:
No age restrictions or preexisting conditions are excluded from coverage with Free Spirit, a specialised travel insurance plan. It can cover persons with and without preexisting medical conditions on the same policy and offers both single-trip and annual policies. Visit their website at 0800 170 7704 to get a fast quote and coverage.
AllClear:
AllClear is an insurance company that covers people traveling with a variety of medical issues, including Autism. It provides coverage for the COVID-19 virus and provides both single-trip and annual plans. Defaqto, an independent financial information firm, also gave it a perfect score of 5 stars. Visit their website or call them at 0800 848 86083 to receive a free, tailored quotation only for you.
Able2Travel:
Able2Travel is a travel insurance company that caters to those with preexisting medical issues like Autism. It provides single-travel policies, including coverage for emergency medical care of up to £10 million and trip cancellation of up to £5,000. It also includes accusations concerning Covid-19. You can contact them at 01892 839 501 or their website to request a price quote.
What are the consequences of not declaring Autism on travel insurance?
Insurance denial
Not disclosing Autism on a travel insurance application might have serious ramifications, including a possible denial of coverage. Insurance companies won’t cover you if you don’t tell them about any preexisting conditions, including Autism. If you don’t, your claim could be denied, and you’d have to pay for your injuries or illnesses out of pocket.
Limited Coverage
Your insurance company may grant some coverage even if they don’t outright reject your claim. Any treatment, hospitalisation, or medicine you need that is directly related to your Autism may be denied by your insurance carrier. This may put you in a precarious financial position in the event of an unexpected expense.
Legal Consequences
It’s also against the law to lie about having Autism when applying for travel insurance. Making a claim without being completely honest about your health situation is potentially fraudulent. Insurance fraud is a federal offence that carries significant penalties.
Insurance Rate Increases
Last but not least, a rise in travel insurance premiums is possible if Autism is not disclosed. Insurance companies calculate your risk based on your medical history and any pre existing diseases. The insurance company may assess you as a bigger risk if you don’t come clean about your condition.
Can autistic people travel internationally?
Some autistic people may find it distressing or difficult to travel internationally due to the problems and barriers they may encounter. Examples of such difficulties include:
- Anxiety-inducing or sensory-overwhelming shifts in one’s daily routine or surrounding environment.
- Challenges in expressing oneself, fitting in socially, and meeting cultural expectations
- Problems with discrimination and exclusion in the tourism and transportation industries
However, autistic persons who travel worldwide can take advantage of several positive experiences and possibilities, including:
- Gaining knowledge, experience, and insight that can improve their lives
- Where to go and what to do that caters to people with Autism, and how to find communities that can help
- Trying out new places and people to see if anything clicks with their tastes or interests
There are some tools available to help you plan and prepare for an international trip if you are autistic or if you have an autistic family member who wants to go with you. For instance:
You can plan a trip that considers your every whim by learning everything there is to know about your desired location and how you intend to get there.
Headphones, fidget toys, comfort objects, and sensory aids are all good examples of what you could bring along to assist you in dealing with stress.
Suppose you have Autism and require special assistance or accommodations. You can let an airline, airport, hotel, or other service provider know about it.
It is a useful information to give on the airport, public transit, and area attractions via apps, guides, and websites.
You can find other autistic travelers and locals willing to share their insights and experiences by joining an online group or forum.
Can autistic people travel independently?
Individuals on the autism spectrum have a wide range of strengths and weaknesses. While some autistic persons can travel without assistance, others may need it. Many aspects, including the autistic person’s level of functioning, communication abilities, sensory difficulties, anxiety, navigation skills, and personal preferences, make it impossible to say whether or not they can travel freely.
Autistic people who want to travel freely or improve their skills can use a few general tips. For instance:
Traveling alone requires learning how to get from one place to another. Autistic people need autonomous travel training. Travel training can help autistic persons articulate their goals and needs, control their emotions, follow directions, engage with others, ask for help, and tolerate their environment and mode of transportation’s sights, sounds, and scents.
Viewing the route beforehand reduces anxiety and uncertainty. Before traveling, research your route, transportation, sites, stops, schedules, fares, and potential problems. Use a map, app, website, video, or photo or get hands-on experience with a buddy or colleague.
In an emergency or miscommunication, a card with your name, address, phone number, and diagnosis is helpful. Introduce yourself to local police and provide them a photo and any necessary personal information in case of an emergency.
Find aircraft, marine, or shared ride groups to get there. Several organizations can help autistic persons book flights, cruises, or ridesharing services like Uber or Lyft. Wings for Autism from [The Arc] produces virtual airports to assist autistic people and their families fly. [Autism on the Sea] helps autistic people and their families book cruises with accessible facilities and events. Autism Speaks advises on using rideshare applications safely.
Do I need to declare Autism on travel insurance | Conclusion
Finally, if you have Autism, you should let your travel insurance company know so they can properly cover you in an autism-related emergency. You should weigh the seriousness of your illness, your travel destination, and the details you’ll need to disclose about your Autism before making a final decision. Suppose you are honest and provide accurate details. In that case, you can guarantee that you will be fully insured, allowing you to relax and enjoy your trip without worry.
