Specialist travel insurance for those with liver failure

Liver failure occurs when the liver is impaired and can no longer function as it should. It is a serious medical condition and the severity of the symptoms will depend on how much of the liver is still working. Once the liver has stopped functioning completely, a liver transplant may be needed.

Having said that, it’s possible to manage liver failure with healthy lifestyle changes, such as drinking less alcohol and eating less fatty food. Liver failure is usually the result of chronic (long-term) liver disease, which can be caused by excess alcohol and/or being very overweight. Making positive changes to what you eat and drink can help to repair some damage to the liver, which is the only organ in the human body capable of regeneration.

A diagnosis of liver failure needn’t rule you out of taking a much-needed and fulfilling holiday abroad, although it is vital to have specialist travel insurance for liver failure in place when you do. Liver failure can be an unpredictable condition, so the protection that medical travel insurance provides is essential.

Why do I need specialist travel insurance for liver failure?

While we can plan every aspect of a trip away, sadly things can still happen that we don’t expect. When you have a pre-existing condition like liver failure, a medical issue is right at the top of the list of worst-case scenarios, not just from the perspective of your health, but your finances too.

Overseas emergency medical care can be incredibly expensive, so the main purpose of travel insurance is to ensure that, if the unexpected happens, you get the treatment you need while you’re away and to protect you from the subsequent medical bills. Many standard travel insurance providers decline to cover those with existing medical conditions, but specialist providers like Free Spirit offer a more tailored, flexible service.

We can cover you for health problems that may arise relating to your liver failure during your trip, and even for any money, you have already spent if you need to cancel your holiday due to your condition*. And, because there are plenty of additional non-health related needs for travel insurance, we’ll cover you for those too, such as accidents, loss, theft and even transport delays*. Our specialist travel insurance cover can also include your entire travelling party under your policy.

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

How can I get specialist travel insurance for liver failure?

At Free Spirit, we’re proud to be able to offer medical travel insurance for liver failure. We aim to provide cover for most people with liver failure of any age, through a quick and easy medical screening process.

As long as your treating GP has confirmed that you are fit to travel, you are not on a waiting list for surgery, are having inpatient treatment or are waiting for tests or test results, we are able to offer cover for liver failure, subject to medical screening.

You can apply for a no-obligation travel insurance quote online, although in some cases we may need to speak to you over the phone before we can offer you a policy.

If you need to contact us by phone, or if you’d rather speak to someone about a quote, call us on 02392 419 080. Or, if you’d like any further information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Our friendly and knowledgeable team based here in the UK will ask you some questions about your medical conditions, so please have the information to hand when contacting us.

We understand that your condition and the way it impacts upon you is unique to you, but as an example, some of the questions we may ask about your liver failure include:

• Have you had a liver transplant?
• Are you on a waiting list for a liver transplant?
• Are you jaundiced?
• How many unplanned hospital admissions for this condition have you had in the last twelve months?
• Have you had oesophageal varices (swollen blood vessels) diagnosed?

Our questions help us to create a specialist travel insurance policy that is perfectly tailored to you and your condition.

This tailored approach to medical travel insurance is designed to give you the chance to enjoy your time away, worry-free. We want you to be confident in the cover we provide, which is why we’ll make sure you understand exactly what is included with your travel insurance for liver failure and how to make a claim if you need to.

Travelling with liver failure

If you are able to manage your condition, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to have a relaxing holiday with family and friends. However, making a few preparations ahead of your break can help you enjoy your time away even more.

As we mentioned previously, it is essential that your doctor is aware of your travel plans and is happy for you to go. You should speak to your doctor at least 6-8 weeks before you want to travel so that you have plenty of time to make any extra arrangements that may be necessary.

For example, you may need extra medication, vaccinations against hepatitis A and B, or if you are planning to travel by air to your destination, your doctor may want to assess your fitness to fly. Preparation is key, so start by talking to your GP, who will be able to advise you on how best to manage your condition.

You can also find more information on looking after yourself when you have long-term liver disease on the British Liver Trust website.