Why it matters to tell us about medical conditions
Go Insurance provides travel insurance for Australian travellers. This policy does not automatically cover all pre-existing medical conditions. Some common conditions are covered automatically, but only if You meet the eligibility criteria for those conditions.
We rely on the information You provide to assess Your circumstances and determine what We can cover. You should tell Us about any medical condition that applies to You, including conditions You:
When We ask whether You have any Pre-existing Medical Conditions, We mean any medical history, diagnosis, ongoing condition or symptom — not just conditions You want cover for.
If in doubt, tell us
It is always safest to declare a condition and let Us assess it. Complete a medical screening during Your quote, or talk to our team before You buy.
What is a Pre-existing Medical Condition?
In simple terms, it includes Your medical history and any symptoms or conditions You’re currently experiencing — whether diagnosed or not. It means any physical or mental illness, disease, injury, condition, disability or symptom that existed at or before the date of policy purchase, including any condition that:
This definition applies to any person whose health may affect the cover under this policy — including any Insured Person, Relative, Travelling Companion or anyone else upon whose health the Trip depends.
What about routine screening tests?
Routine screening tests are regular check-ups scheduled in advance as part of a regular preventative health program — for example, an age-based screening mammogram every 2 years, or a screening colonoscopy every 5 years.
If You are only due for a routine screening test, You do not need to declare the test itself. Routine screening tests are not treated as being “under investigation”, provided:
If a Medical Practitioner has advised follow-up testing due to symptoms, a concern or an abnormal finding, this is treated as being under investigation and must be declared.
What is my duty when I apply for cover?
Before You enter into an insurance contract, You have a duty to take reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation to Us when answering questions that We ask You and providing Us with information. This means answering Our questions fully and accurately, to the best of Your knowledge. The duty applies when You:
If You do not take reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation, We may cancel Your contract, or deny or reduce the amount We pay for a claim, in accordance with Our rights at law.
Read more about your duty to us.
Three categories of Pre-existing Medical Condition
Every Pre-existing Medical Condition falls into one of three groups. Working out which one applies to You is the first step.
Automatically covered
Listed conditions that meet all the eligibility criteria. No medical screening needed, and nothing to declare.
Must be declared
Conditions that require medical screening. These may be covered as standard, covered with special terms, excluded, or declined.
Cannot be covered
Some conditions and circumstances cannot be covered under any circumstance.
One screening means declaring everything
If You need to complete medical screening for any condition, You must declare all of Your Pre-existing Medical Conditions — including conditions that might otherwise qualify for automatic cover. You must answer all questions honestly and completely, even if You don’t want cover for a particular condition. This helps Us assess overall health and any interaction between conditions.
Automatically covered conditions
Some common, stable Pre-existing Medical Conditions may be automatically covered by the policy. To qualify, all of the following must apply:
High blood pressure and high cholesterol
If You have both high blood pressure and high cholesterol, You may qualify for automatic cover if each condition meets its own criteria and You meet the general eligibility criteria. However, You must complete medical screening if any other Pre-existing Medical Condition requires it — including any condition We always need You to declare, such as diabetes or other known cardiovascular disease.
Examples to help you
Automatically covered Pre-existing Medical Conditions
Provided You meet the eligibility criteria above, the following conditions are covered automatically. Select the button below to see the full list.
View the full list of automatically covered conditions
Acne
Asthma — provided You are under 60 years of age; have no other known or underlying respiratory conditions (including chronic bronchitis, COPD, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis and/or sleep apnoea); haven’t required cortisone medication except taken by inhaler or puffer; haven’t required hospital treatment for asthma in the last 2 years; and have been a non-smoker for at least 18 months.
Blindness and low vision
Cataracts
Corneal graft / corneal transplant
Coeliac disease
Deafness
Dermatitis
Ear grommets
Eczema
Food allergy — provided You do not suffer anaphylaxis following consumption of or exposure to the allergen.
Gastric reflux (reflux / GORD) — this is not the same as gastritis or peptic ulcer disease.
Gout
Hay fever
Hiatus hernia
High cholesterol / hypercholesterolaemia — provided it is managed in regular consultation with Your Medical Practitioner; Your cholesterol level is below 6.0 mmol/L; You do not have diabetes; if You also have high blood pressure, it meets the criteria for automatic cover; and You do not have any other cardiovascular disease (apart from high blood pressure). Examples of cardiovascular disease include coronary artery disease, angina, heart attack, stroke or mini-stroke (TIA), heart failure, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia or atrial fibrillation, valve disease, pacemaker insertion, stent insertion or bypass surgery.
High blood pressure / hypertension — provided it is managed in regular consultation with Your Medical Practitioner; You take no more than 2 blood pressure medications; there has been no change in medication or dosage in the last 6 months; You have been a non-smoker for at least 18 months; You do not have diabetes; if You also have high cholesterol, it meets the criteria for automatic cover; and You do not have any other cardiovascular disease (apart from high cholesterol).
Hip replacement — if the procedure was performed over 12 months ago but less than 10 years ago.
Knee replacement — if the procedure was performed over 12 months ago but less than 10 years ago.
Macular degeneration
Menopause — provided You do not suffer from osteoporosis.
Overactive / underactive thyroid — provided the condition is not caused by a tumour. Automatic cover does not extend to autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto’s; You will need to complete medical screening for these.
Peptic ulcer disease (stomach / duodenal ulcer) — this is not the same as gastritis or reflux / GORD.
Psoriasis
Pregnancy — subject to the Pregnancy section of the PDS and General Exclusion 34.
Rhinitis
Sinusitis
Skin cancer — limited to basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) only.
Urticaria (hives) — provided they are not associated with anaphylaxis or any other life-threatening allergic reaction.
Conditions we always need you to declare
These fall into two groups. Group A applies no matter how long ago the condition occurred. Group B applies only where the condition is recent, ongoing or significant. Select each button below to see the conditions.
View Group A — conditions to declare regardless of when they occurred
Heart conditions — such as angina, heart attack, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, pacemaker, valve disorders, bypass surgery, stent insertion, heart failure, congenital heart defects, hypertensive heart disease, or any other condition affecting heart structure, rhythm or function. This does not include high blood pressure or high cholesterol that meets the criteria for automatic cover.
Chronic respiratory conditions — such as COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, asthma that does not meet the criteria for automatic cover, cystic fibrosis, sleep apnoea, a history of lung surgery, or any other condition requiring home oxygen or inhaled corticosteroids.
Chronic digestive or liver conditions — such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diverticular disease, chronic liver disease including cirrhosis, chronic pancreatitis, recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, or any digestive condition causing ongoing symptoms or complications.
Diabetes — Type 1 or Type 2.
Progressive neurological conditions — such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease or Huntington’s disease.
Bleeding or bone marrow / blood cell disorders — such as haemophilia or other bleeding disorders, sickle cell disease, thalassaemia, or severe or chronic anaemia.
Kidney conditions involving abnormal kidney function — such as renal impairment or failure, chronic kidney disease, dialysis, nephritis, or any history of abnormal kidney function.
Autoimmune conditions — such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s, ankylosing spondylitis or scleroderma.
Immunodeficiency or immunosuppression — such as primary immune disorders, organ transplant history, or long-term immunosuppressant medication.
Cognitive or memory conditions affecting daily function or decision-making — such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or significant cognitive impairment.
Bone density conditions — such as osteoporosis.
Any new or undiagnosed symptoms, or worsening of a known condition.
Any condition likely to impact Your ability to travel or cause a claim.
View Group B — conditions to declare if recent, ongoing or significant
Cancer (other than BCC or SCC) — where, in the last 10 years, You have been diagnosed with cancer; received treatment for cancer (including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy or targeted therapy); had a recurrence, spread or ongoing cancer; or been advised You require ongoing treatment. If Your cancer was treated and You have been in complete remission for at least 10 years with no recurrence and no ongoing treatment, You do not need to declare it under this category.
Stroke, mini-stroke or TIA — where You have had a stroke or TIA in the last 10 years; and/or You have ongoing symptoms or impairment, require ongoing follow-up, or take medication prescribed to prevent recurrence.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) or other blood clot events — where You have had a DVT, PE or blood clot in the last 5 years; and/or the condition is recurrent or unprovoked; and/or You require ongoing anticoagulant treatment; and/or anticoagulant therapy has been recommended or prescribed, including for travel.
Epilepsy or seizures (including fits or convulsions) — where You have had a seizure in the last 10 years; and/or You take medication to prevent seizures; and/or You require ongoing follow-up, specialist care or monitoring.
Mental health conditions (including depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, personality disorders or other psychological symptoms) — where, in the last 5 years, symptoms have required treatment, counselling or medication; and/or symptoms have resulted in hospital admission; and/or in the last 5 years the condition or symptoms have impaired Your ability to travel, or resulted in You cancelling or cutting short a trip.
Digestive conditions or events — where, in the last 5 years, You have had symptoms, treatment, specialist review, hospital admission or surgery for a digestive condition or event (for example diverticulitis or diverticular disease, pancreatitis, hepatitis or fatty liver, gallbladder attacks, bowel polyps requiring ongoing review, gastrointestinal bleeding, or abdominal surgery for gastrointestinal issues); and/or You have been advised You require ongoing follow-up or treatment.
Kidney stones — where You have had kidney stones in the last 5 years; and/or stones are recurrent; and/or the condition has required hospital treatment, surgery or procedures; and/or You have ongoing symptoms.
Ongoing or recurrent musculoskeletal conditions (including back and neck pain) — where, in the last 2 years, they have required medical or allied health treatment such as physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment or osteopathy, imaging, specialist review, injections or surgery, and/or have limited normal activities.
Hospital admission or day surgery for any reason in the last 2 years.
If You have an automatically covered condition and a condition that must be declared, You must complete medical screening and declare all conditions.
Other conditions in the last 2 years
You must also declare any condition not listed above if, within the 2 years before Your policy commences, it:
View examples of conditions you may need to declare
Recent injuries or surgery and procedures — such as fractures, dislocations, tendonitis, bursitis, arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair or day surgery.
Respiratory infections — such as pneumonia, bronchitis or chest infections requiring antibiotics.
Other infections or allergic reactions — such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), gastroenteritis, cellulitis, shingles or allergic reactions, especially if they required medical treatment, medication (including antibiotics or steroids), testing or a medical review.
Ear, nose and throat issues — such as ear infections, vertigo or tonsillitis.
Conditions related to significantly high or low body mass index (BMI) — a BMI over 35 or under 18.5, including diagnosed obesity or being underweight.
Acute gastrointestinal complaints — such as gastritis or gallbladder attacks.
Any short-term condition that required medical treatment, medication, tests or a medical review — such as chest pain, fainting or abnormal test results.
This helps Us assess recent or short-term conditions that may affect Your Trip or a claim. If You are unsure, We recommend You declare it during medical screening, or contact Us to discuss Your situation before purchasing Your policy.
Conditions we cannot cover
We do not provide cover for any claim arising from, related to, or exacerbated by any of the following conditions or circumstances:
If any traveller has any of the above, please contact Us before purchasing so We can explain what options are available under this policy.
Routine screening tests are not treated as being under investigation where they meet the criteria set out above. However, if follow-up testing is advised due to symptoms, a concern or an abnormal finding, this is treated as being under investigation and must be declared.
How to complete medical screening
To apply for cover of a Pre-existing Medical Condition that is not automatically covered, You can complete medical screening online at goinsurance.com.au at the time of policy purchase, by calling Us on 1300 819 888, or through Your travel agent or broker.
Select the traveller
Choose the traveller who needs medical screening.
Answer the questions
Work through the eligibility questions for that traveller.
Declare every condition
Enter each Pre-existing Medical Condition separately, answering honestly and completely.
Review and submit
Check Your answers before submitting the screening.
Our decision
If You complete medical screening, We may discuss the outcome with You by phone. We will also provide it in writing — for example in a quote, email or online — including whether We can:
Any exclusion, limitation, increased excess and/or premium loading We offer will be confirmed in writing and, if You purchase the policy on that basis, shown as a Special Condition on Your Certificate of Insurance.
Where the risk is assessed as too high, We may decline to offer any medical cover. In that case Your policy is still available for purchase, but it will exclude all medical-related benefits and Your premium will be adjusted accordingly.
If another traveller on the policy needs medical screening, You’ll need to complete the process for them separately.
What an excluded condition means
You must declare all Pre-existing Medical Conditions during screening, even if We later exclude a condition, decline to cover it, or offer cover on terms You don’t accept.
Where We offer cover for a declared condition only if You pay an additional premium, You can choose whether to include it. If You accept, the condition is covered subject to any special conditions We apply. If You don’t accept, We may still offer the policy with cover for that condition excluded, and Your premium will be adjusted accordingly.
If a Pre-existing Medical Condition is shown as excluded on Your Certificate of Insurance, We treat it as an Excluded Condition. We won’t pay claims to the extent they are caused by, arise from, result from or relate to that condition — including any symptom, consequence, deterioration, recurrence, flare-up or progression of it, or treatment, investigation, monitoring, medication, surgery, rehabilitation or follow-up care relating to it. This applies across all sections and benefits.
Part of your claim may still be paid
If an otherwise covered event happens and an Excluded Condition materially contributes to it — meaning it contributes in a way that is more than minor or trivial — We will still pay the reasonable portion of the claim that would have been incurred if the Excluded Condition had not contributed. Any additional cost attributable to the Excluded Condition is not covered.
For example: You break Your ankle, which is a covered event. You also have an Excluded Condition that slows healing or requires a longer hospital stay. We may pay the costs that would normally apply for the ankle fracture, but not the extra costs reasonably attributable to the Excluded Condition.
To work out the payable portion, We may need medical and billing evidence to separate the costs. We determine it acting reasonably, based on the evidence available — and if You ask, We will explain in writing how We worked it out.
If Your health changes before You travel
If You develop a new medical condition or new symptoms, or a known condition worsens, after purchasing Your policy but before travelling, You must either:
If You don’t do either of these before departure, We may not provide cover for any claim arising from, related to or exacerbated by that condition. This applies whether or not the condition was previously declared to and accepted by Us.
A Fit to Travel certificate can help show that You were fit to travel at the time of departure. Any claim related to that condition will still be assessed based on Your medical status when You started Your Trip. You should only travel if You are confident You are medically fit — if You are not, You may not be covered for medical-related claims during the Trip, although You may be able to lodge a cancellation claim instead.
To be considered, the certificate must:
If You notify Us, We will review the change and confirm whether any updates to Your cover are needed. We reserve the right to amend Your policy to reflect changes in Your health or risk. Any changes will be confirmed in writing.
What happens if a condition isn’t declared?
If You realise before You travel that You forgot to tell Us about a medical condition, contact Us as soon as possible. In many cases We can review the information and confirm whether any changes to Your cover are needed.
If You don’t tell Us about all Pre-existing Medical Conditions when required, We may reduce or refuse a claim, charge an additional premium and/or cancel the policy, in accordance with applicable law. This may apply even if the non-disclosed condition did not directly cause the claim — if it affected Our assessment of the risk, or the terms on which We would have offered cover.
Choosing not to include cover for a declared condition does not change Your obligation to answer medical screening questions honestly and completely. If a condition should have been declared but wasn’t, We may assess any claim involving it as if it were an Excluded Condition.
Pregnancy cover
If You are pregnant when You purchase this policy, or if pregnancy occurs after, You will be covered under the terms of the policy — as long as the event causing Your claim is covered by the policy, is connected to Your pregnancy, and occurs prior to the end of the 24th week of pregnancy.
Gestational age is calculated in weeks and days from the start of the last menstrual cycle, or from a staging ultrasound. We offer this coverage for a single pregnancy and multiple pregnancies, such as twins or triplets, provided there have been no complications to Your current or any previous pregnancy prior to purchasing the policy.
Provided there have been no complications before purchase, cover for pregnancy-related illnesses such as hyperemesis (severe morning sickness), gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia or similar becomes effective at the time of policy purchase. If You have experienced pregnancy-related illness or complications related to Your current or a previous pregnancy, including miscarriage, these are considered Pre-existing Medical Conditions and must be disclosed to Us if You wish to include cover for Your pregnancy.
We do not provide cover for pregnancies after the 24th week of gestation. We also do not cover medical costs typically associated with pregnancy, childbirth or medical care for the newborn.
Talk to us before you buy
If You’re unsure whether a condition qualifies for automatic cover, We recommend declaring it during medical screening, or contacting Us before purchasing Your policy. You can also read more about Pre-existing Medical Condition cover in the Product Disclosure Statement.
Frequently asked questions
What Australian travellers most often ask about declaring medical conditions.
Do I have to declare a medical condition if it’s well controlled?
It depends on the condition. If it’s on the automatically covered list and You meet all the eligibility criteria, You don’t need to declare it. If it’s a condition We always need You to declare, You must declare it even if it’s stable and well managed.
I had cancer years ago — do I still need to declare it?
Only if it falls within the last 10 years. If Your cancer was treated and You have been in complete remission for at least 10 years with no recurrence and no ongoing treatment, You don’t need to declare it under that category — though You may still need to if other rules apply, such as a hospital admission in the last 2 years.
What happens if I need medical screening for just one condition?
You must declare every Pre-existing Medical Condition for that traveller — including any that would otherwise be automatically covered. You must also answer honestly even for conditions You don’t want cover for.
Do I need to declare a condition that hasn’t been diagnosed yet?
Yes. Symptoms and health concerns count even without a diagnosis, and conditions currently being investigated must be declared. If You’re waiting on tests, results, a specialist review or surgery, tell Us.
Does a routine check-up or screening test count as being investigated?
No, provided it’s a regular preventative test scheduled in advance — such as an age-based mammogram or screening colonoscopy — it isn’t investigating symptoms, it hasn’t been brought forward due to symptoms or concern, and You haven’t been told of an abnormal finding requiring follow-up. If follow-up is advised for any of those reasons, it must be declared.
What happens if a condition is excluded from my cover?
We won’t pay claims to the extent they’re caused by or relate to that condition. But if an otherwise covered event happens and the excluded condition only contributes to it, We’ll still pay the reasonable portion that would have been incurred without that contribution.
Do I need to declare conditions for people not travelling with me?
The definition applies to anyone whose health may affect Your cover — including a Relative, Travelling Companion or anyone else whose health Your Trip depends on. Cancellation cover is strictly limited where a claim arises from that person’s pre-existing condition, so it’s worth checking the PDS before You buy.
What if my health changes after I’ve bought my policy?
You must either contact Us as soon as possible so We can reassess Your cover, or obtain a Fit to Travel certificate from a Medical Practitioner before You depart. If You do neither, We may not cover a claim arising from that condition — even if it was previously declared and accepted.
Get a quote with your conditions assessed
Complete Your medical screening as part of the quote process, and You’ll know exactly what’s covered before You travel.