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Sleep Apnoea And Travel Insurance

Sleep apnoea is a common pre-existing medical condition. This doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get travel insurance, but you need to disclose your condition when you’re booking your travel insurance.

If you’re not sure whether your sleep apnoea will be covered or not, all you need to do is let us know about your condition while you’re buying your travel insurance policy. That way you’ll know if you’re covered if anything happens to you because of your condition.

How do i let you know about my sleep apnoea? 

The process is simple and quick. You don’t need to call us and you don’t need to provide doctor’s certificates or other documents. All you need to do is fill out a simple questionnaire when you’re purchasing a policy online.

You’ll be asked about pre-existing conditions during your online purchase and if you select ‘yes', you’ll fill out the questionnaire. This is where we’ll ask you everything we need to know about your sleep apnoea.

Once you’ve filled out this questionnaire, you’ll immediately find out your travel insurance options.

 

Get A Quote & Medical Assessment 

 

travelling with Sleep Apnoea

Sleep apnoea is a chronic sleeping and breathing disorder. People who have sleep apnoea have pauses in their breathing when they’re asleep. These pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes and could occur up to 30 times or more per hour.

Sleep apnoea itself isn’t generally a huge concern - it’s the effects that can be problematic. Sufferers of sleep apnoea get a poorer quality of sleep and can have lower energy levels in general.

When you travel, you want to feel as good as possible. Here are some tips that might help with sleep apnoea while you’re away.  Please note, the below is general advice only and is not intended to replace the advice or information from a registered body or your doctor.
 

Tips for travelling with Sleep apnoea
  • Being in a new time zone could be disruptive to your sleep. Ask your doctor about what you can do to make sleeping easier when you’re in a different bed and on a different schedule.
  • You might consider travelling with a CPAP machine.  A CPAP is an appliance that applies mild air pressure to the upper airway so that the airway stays open.
  • If you do travel with a CPAP machine, you might need to: 
    - Carry a letter from your doctor showing you have approval to carry your CPAP machine.
    - Bring an extension cord in case you’re staying somewhere without powerpoints close to the bed.
    - ​Check your machine can be used with different voltage and remember your adapter.
  • If you want to use your CPAP machine on the plane, then you might need to obtain approval from the airline to use it on your flight and make sure you’re near a power source on the flight.
  • You could also use a MAD/MAS dental appliance when you travel. These are small and compact and should be easy to take with you when you travel.

Sleep Apnoea Related FAQs

  • Can I get travel insurance if I have sleep apnoea?
  • In most cases we can offer cover for sleep apnoea. You must disclose your sleep apnoea by completing a medical assessment online before purchasing your policy.

  • Do I need to tell you about my sleep apnoea?
  • Yes, you must disclose you sleep apnoea by completing a medical assessment online before purchasing your policy.

  • What if my partner has sleep apnoea?
  • If your partner has sleep apnoea and they are taking out a travel insurance policy, you must disclose their sleep apnoea by completing a medical assessment online (but you will need to make sure you have their permission). 

  • What if i develop sleep apnoea after i’ve bought travel insurance?
  • If your sleep apnoea was newly diagnosed and you didn’t have any signs, symptoms or investigations prior to purchasing you policy, and your doctor says your fit to travel, then you may still have a provision to claim for unforeseen incidents that arise from your sleep apnoea.

    For any future policies, you would need to carry out a medical assessment before purchasing your policy.

  • Is my CPAP machine insured when I travel?
  • If you own a CPAP machine, cover may be provided under the Luggage and Personal Effects section of the policy . See the PDS for full terms and conditions. 

    You also have the option to specify it as a High Value Item for up to a value of $5,000, provided that the item is less than 12 months old and you have the original receipt in the event of a claim. You can specify High Value Items during the policy purchase process. Please note: we do not provide cover for mechanical fault.

READ ALL FAQS

 

Do you need to know About...

 

pre-existing Conditions

A pre-existing medical condition is something that must be disclosed when you’re purchasing travel insurance. Find out what they are and how they affect your travel insurance.

Pregnancy

You or someone you’re travelling with is going to have a baby…so you’ll need to find out how travel insurance works for pregnant women.

Repatriation

Repatriation is the process of returning a person home after a medical emergency or at worst case death. Being covered for repatriation is important for people who are travelling, so read the ins and outs.

Vaccinations

It’s important that you have all the right vaccinations before you travel. From malaria to meningococcal, find out what you need to know about vaccinations and travel insurance.

 

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One Last Thing: Handy resources for Travellers with sleep apnoea


Sleepright sell a range of CPAP machines and other sleeping devices that might help with sleep apnoea - some of which might be suitable for travellers.







 

 

 

The Australasian Sleep Association is the peak scientific body in Australia & New Zealand representing clinicians, scientists and researchers in the broad area of Sleep. Visit their sleep apnoea page. 

 

 

 


 

 

visit sleep.org


IAMAT are a non-profit organization who help travellers plan a healthy trip,  and connect travellers with reputable English-speaking doctors. They are a useful point of contact for anyone travelling with a health condition.


Arthritics often travel with medication from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Find out what you need to know on Medicare Australia’s official page for Australians overseas.