Osteoporosis travel insurance

Osteoporosis is a condition that affects the bones, making them weak and more prone to breaking. The density of the bones lessens naturally as we age, but in someone with osteoporosis, this happens more quickly.

It’s a very common condition – the Royal Osteoporosis Society estimates that there are more than 3 million people in the UK who have osteoporosis. Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men are, mainly because they stop producing the hormone oestrogen – needed for healthy bones – after the menopause. As it doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort, osteoporosis can go undiagnosed for many years; it is usually only when a fracture happens that the condition is brought to light.

Having osteoporosis does mean you have to take extra care to look after yourself day-to-day, but it certainly doesn’t mean you can’t explore the world.

Why do I need specialist travel insurance for osteoporosis?

If you have osteoporosis, you’ll already know how important it is to minimise the risk of having a trip or fall. Unfamiliar places can make it trickier to control this risk and, while this shouldn’t stop you travelling to new destinations, it does make taking every precaution a necessity. The most important of these is undoubtedly travel insurance, which is there to cushion you from the costs of expensive overseas medical care, should you need it while on holiday.

You may have had trouble finding standard travel insurance providers who agree to cover your osteoporosis, but that’s where specialist travel insurance is different. Policies like the ones we provide are designed specifically for people with existing health conditions like osteoporosis, so you should never have to consider going abroad uninsured.

We provide non-medical travel protection alongside medical cover too – from cover for delayed or disrupted flights, cover for your important travel documents, luggage and medical aids, to cancellation insurance. If you were to suffer a fracture that meant you couldn’t take your holiday as planned, this last feature helps you recoup the money you’ve already spent on accommodation and/or travel to and from your destination*.  Take a look at the full list of benefits included with all of our specialist travel insurance policies and our two levels of cover.

*Cover is subject to the terms, conditions and limits of the Insurance Policy.

Getting travel insurance for osteoporosis

There are two ways to receive a no-obligation quote for osteoporosis travel insurance from us – online, through our simple web-based application system, or over the phone on 02392 419 080. You can use our online system anytime. Our team is based in the UK and consists of friendly, knowledgeable advisors.

Whatever way you choose to contact us, we will ask you a few questions about your osteoporosis. These will cover how it affects you, such as:

• How many broken bones and/or fractures you have had in the last five years.
• Whether you have had any spinal and/or compression fractures AFTER your diagnosis with osteoporosis.

Travelling with osteoporosis

If you have osteoporosis, you will be used to taking care as you go about your life, but it’s still worth getting your GP’s input on your travel plans before making any bookings. They will be able to tell you if they think your trip is suitable for you if there are any extra precautions you may need to take and if there are any activities in particular that you should avoid. Your GP will also supply you with extra osteoporosis medication to cover your trip if you need it, and they can give you a doctor’s letter giving you permission to carry it, which is very important for some destinations.

If you haven’t yet decided what kind of holiday you might like to take, keep accessibility and convenience in mind when weighing up your options. It won’t help you to have to transport heavy bags yourself, or to stay somewhere with lots of hills or stairs, for example. A coach trip can be a good way to travel for people with osteoporosis; not only will you have help with your luggage, but you will also be taken right up to the doorstep of each place you’re staying.

Make sure you have the appropriate gear to take away with you; a lightweight, easily-manoeuvrable case and sensible footwear with good grip are essential. Your shoes should be as comfortable and non-slip as possible. If you buy new ones, take some time to wear them in before you go, just so you’re used to the way they feel. If you’re jetting off somewhere with a pool, deck or other potentially slippery surfaces, you might want to get some waterproof shoes.

When flying or on long road journeys, try to move around often to avoid stiff joints and aching muscles. Travelling by sea can be tricky; take extra care moving around the ship and make sure you are secure in your seat, especially on rough seas.

When you arrive, take a minute to check your accommodation for trip hazards, like loose electrical cords and/or rugs and mats. It’s a good idea to store your luggage off the floor too if you can.

While many standard travel insurance companies decline to cover pre-existing conditions such as osteoporosis, a specialist provider like Free Spirit is dedicated to offering medical travel cover. Our travel insurance can cover people of any age with medical conditions*.

In many parts of the world, it often does not take much to run up large medical costs, should the unexpected happen.  Therefore, Free Spirit travel insurance specifically designed to cover osteoporosis is essential. You need to be certain that you will be able to access the healthcare you might need wherever your travels take you, and that you will not be left with the bill. Our policy also provides, as standard, cover for cancellation, repatriation, cutting short your trip, personal possessions, passport & documents, travel delay and missed connections.

Contact us today to find out more about our travel insurance for osteoporosis. You can apply for a no-obligation quote online or, if you’d rather speak to someone, call our friendly team of UK-based travel insurance specialists.

*subject to terms, conditions and limits of the insurance policy.