Travel insurance for Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis, and a related condition called diverticular disease, affect the Large intestine (colon). “Diverticula” describes small bulges that can form on the side of the large intestine. Diverticula are common and most people are likely to develop them as they age and experience no ill effects.

If you have diverticulitis or you have had it in the past, a relaxing holiday may be just what you need. As long as your doctor sees no reason why you cannot travel, you should be able to head overseas with no problems but it’s essential to first protect yourself with a travel insurance policy that covers diverticulitis.

Why do I need medical travel insurance for diverticulitis?

Even if you are taking medication for your diverticulitis and it is under control, it can lead to several complications, as we mentioned above. Or, you might have had diverticulitis earlier in life, but as you are probably aware, it is possible for it to recur.

Diverticulitis is an unpredictable condition but having travel insurance in place can make sure you can access emergency healthcare overseas in the event that you need it. What’s more, you won’t be left with a large medical bill afterwards, since your travel insurance will be there to cover the costs.

Our travel insurance cover is effective from the moment you confirm your policy. With it in place, you needn’t worry about losing out on your flight and accommodation costs* if a health issue causes you to cancel your trip.

Other benefits of our specialist travel insurance include:

• Loss or damage cover for your medication and travel documents.
• Cover to help you return home if a medical situation means that you cannot travel home as planned, then need further accommodation and alternate flights.
• When your flights are delayed or cancelled.

Medical travel insurance providers, like Free Spirit, are best-placed to offer cover to those with pre-existing health conditions, such as diverticulitis. Unlike many standard providers, we do not automatically exclude people with medical conditions, and we aim to cover people of any age.

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

How can I get diverticulitis travel insurance?

We make getting a no-obligation quote for diverticulitis as straightforward as we possibly can. We will need to ask you questions about your diverticulitis and how it affects you so that we can provide you with the most suitable cover. Of course, exactly what we ask you may vary, but in general, you can expect to be asked the following questions:

• Have you had any surgery for your diverticulitis?
• Do you have any symptoms at the moment?
• In the last two years, how many unplanned hospital admissions have you had?

You can apply for a quote online at a time to suit you. Our user-friendly online application system will guide you through the process. Sometimes though, we may need to speak to you to clarify something; if this is the case, we will ask you to call us.

If you’d rather speak to someone, or you need to discuss your medical circumstances, you could speak to a member of our friendly UK-based team. They are available on 02392 419 080. 

Looking after yourself on holiday when you have diverticulitis

Before you make any definite travel plans, make an appointment to see your doctor to discuss travelling with diverticulitis and confirm whether or not they are happy for you to go. They will be able to prescribe additional medication to cover your stay if necessary and provide you with a letter detailing your prescriptions. If you have taken antibiotics to help with the symptoms of your diverticulitis in the past, they may recommend taking a supply of these with you too.

Having, or having had diverticulitis, you’ll know how important it is to eat plenty of fibre. This still holds true while you’re on holiday; sticking to a fibre-rich diet can help to prevent diverticulitis from flaring up while you are away. Take advantage of the fresh, local fruit and vegetables of the area you are visiting (try and ensure you eat five different types a day). This also applies to beans and pulses, cereals and whole grain and whole wheat foods, which are all high in fibre. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water, and try to avoid drinking too much alcohol.

Don’t forget about your journey either; pack some fibre-rich snacks you can opt for over traditional in-flight food, which tends to be salty and high in fat.

If you do experience a worsening of your diverticulitis while you are away, try switching to a fluid-only diet until you feel better again. Stick to foods like clear soup, pulp-free fruit juices, and jelly. You could also take a supply of paracetamol with you in case of mild pain (not aspirin or ibuprofen as these can upset your stomach), as well as some bulk-forming laxatives.