Asthma travel insurance – cover and benefits

We complete online medical screenings for travelers with asthma, where you will be offered a range of quotes from a number of the UK's leading medical travel insurance providers. In addition you can speak to one of our specially trained UK call centre team on the phone where you will be offered a quote for an Our Travel Insurance policy.

On or off-line you will find arthritis travel insurance cover for single trip and annual travel insurance and we can offer cover for all age groups too!

Planning

 Is very important. Discuss your travel plans with your GP before you depart on your travels, ensuring you allow plenty of time for any extra preparations. Are you visiting family members with a pet that could make your asthma worse?  If so, think about contingency plans like staying in a hotel or ensuring that the pet stays out of your bedroom. If you are staying in a hotel, ensure you get a non-smoking room and, where possible, try to find a hotel with air conditioning. You’ll breathe best in a clean, cool room.
 

Destination

 Factors like destination or humidity could make your asthma worse so bear this in mind when choosing a destination. If you’re seeking sun, remember that warm climates also tend to be humid – which makes them ideal for pollen and mould, which can exacerbate your asthma if it is allergic asthma. If your asthma is triggered by cold, you may find a drop in air temperature to be an issue. Air pollution particularly in far Eastern cities may also add to breathing difficulties.
 

Medication

Take additional supplies of your asthma medication in case it is lost or damaged. Keep your medication in your hand luggage and easily accessible, if possible. However you should always make sure that you comply with current airline restrictions regarding the carriage of medicines. Contact your departure airport or visit their website for up to date information.
Keep medications in their original containers and within easy reach, in case you have an asthma attack. Also, it is a good idea to keep a list of your medications and dosage details in your wallet or purse. If you require oral steroids for flares then pack a course of steroids to have in case you develop worsening symptoms. If you’re travelling to a different time zone, ask your doctor how your medication schedule will be affected. Is it ok to skip a day, to adjust for a time difference? Is it better to keep with your regular schedule, which means taking medication at a different time of day while you’re travelling?
 

Speak to your doctor

Ask your GP to write a brief letter that details your medical history, medications, and general asthma management plan, and consider getting a translated version as well. Keep the letter in your handy. That way, any health care provider can get a summary of your health status if and when required. You should get the name of a qualified doctor and hospital wherever you’re travelling to. Your health care provider may be able to suggest someone.
 

Give yourself a check-up

Does your asthma seem under control? If not, then perhaps now is the time to make changes. Review your asthma management plan with your doctor. Make sure you’re aware of and can take action to avoid the right triggers, taking the right amount (and kind) of medication, and using your inhaler properly.
 

Physical activity

Scuba diving is generally not recommended for asthma sufferers and should be avoided. Exercise-induced asthma could be affected by the exertion of climbing or walking and exploring your holiday destination.
 

Immunisations

Anybody travelling with asthma can usually receive the relevant immunisations for their particular destination resort. Any recent use of high dose oral steroids should be mentioned when attending for immunisation. Annual influenza immunisation is recommended for those with asthma who require continuous or repeated use of inhaled or oral steroids or with previous exacerbations requiring hospital admission. Pneumococcal immunisation is also recommended for those with severe asthma who require continuous or frequently repeated use of steroid tablets.
 

Air travel

If you have well controlled asthma and are fit you should have no problems with air travel however, if you have severe asthma, you may have difficulties due to reduced air pressure within the cabin. As a general guide, if you can walk for 50 meters at a steady pace without feeling breathless or needing to stop, you should be able to cope with the reduced cabin pressure. If you cannot do this, then you should seek medical advice before you travel. Oxygen can be arranged for air travel if required but has to be confirmed prior to departure and will sometimes incur an additional charge. Certain airlines will not carry passengers with breathing problems requiring additional oxygen.
 

Altitude

Generally asthma sufferers have no greater tendency to suffer the effects of altitude or acute mountain sickness than others. If the asthma is well controlled, once acclimatised most people should be able to cope at high altitude. However, high altitude may affect the performance of inhalers.

 

Contact

If you wish to contact us about this policy or you have any other questions, please telephone us during office hours, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, on 01592 858386 or click here to complete the contact us form ».