Travel Insurance for After Surgery

Going on holiday after you’ve had surgery? Recovering from surgery can be both physically and emotionally demanding, but when your doctor says you’re fit to travel, a holiday can offer the rest you need. AllClear’s Travel Insurance after surgery is designed to protect you against unexpected medical costs, cancellations, or complications linked to your condition. With over 20 years of experience covering travellers after operations — from keyhole and heart surgery to joint replacements — we make sure you’re free to relax with complete confidence

At AllClear we’re committed to providing everyone a quote, especially if you are unable to obtain Travel Insurance elsewhere. This means if you’ve recently had surgery, you should consider one of our specialist Travel Insurance policies.

The risks of making a claim

When you get a quote, the online medical screening process will monitor the risks of you needing to make a claim. You could be claiming to cancel your holiday or because you need emergency medical treatment while you’re away.  Therefore, if you’ve had an operation recently, there will be certain risks which will be taken into account during the quote process.

Declaring the surgery you have had

Please note, you will not need to declare the surgical procedure directly. Instead, you will need to declare the medical condition that you needed the surgery for. Afterwards, the quote process will ask related questions – which might include questions about having surgery, but not always. For example, if you are looking for Travel Insurance after heart surgery, you should declare the heart condition(s) that you have.

The importance of comprehensive cover

It’s important that you are fully covered after your surgery, in case you have a medical emergency when away. The 24-hour emergency assistance team will then be on hand to help you make any emergency arrangements you might need. This is especially useful if you have no local knowledge and don’t speak the language of the country you are visiting.

The medical emergency assistance company will liaise on your behalf with the doctors and service providers, saving you hours of potential hassle and worry. You will also be avoiding thousands of pounds in potential bills, should the worst happen when you’re far from home.

• Before taking out a policy that provides you with Travel Insurance after surgery, it’s vital that you get confirmation from your doctor that you are fit-to-travel.
• If you already have an annual multi-trip policy in place, have had surgery, and are now considering going on holiday again, you should check with your doctor that you are considered  fit-to-travel once more. If  you travel against the advice of a doctor or medical practitioner you could invalidate your cover which may mean any claim will be rejected.
• It’s essential that you declare all of your pre-existing medical conditions to us. Including the medical condition for which you have required surgery.
• Your Travel Insurance will  cover the cost of any emergency medical treatment that is necessary whilst you are away. You should be aware, however,  that if you’re travelling for the purpose of receiving medical treatment abroad, you won’t be covered.

As long as you have been declared fit-to-travel we could offer you a quote. So whatever medical conditions have caused the need for surgery, you can get specialist Travel Insurance that takes care of your needs.

In some cases, your medical condition may require multiple surgeries. This might mean you are on a waiting list for treatment. With many policies you will not be covered for cancellation if you need to cancel for that reason.

However, you have the option to add Waiting List Cover to AllClear Gold and Gold Plus policies. This means you will be covered if you need to cancel or cut short your trip because of being on a waiting list, for example if the date of your operation coincides with your travel dates.

During your quote, you’ll be asked if you are on a waiting list during our medical warranty questions. When you answer ‘yes’, you will only be offered policies that are suitable. Waiting list cover is only available on single trip policies.    

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There are a number of different types of surgery, each of which will place its own demands on the body and affect your recovery time. No person and no operation are all the same.  Therefore, as well as getting your Travel Insurance after surgery quote,  there are a number of things you might want to thing about when planning a holiday after surgery. We have put these tips together:

Think about how active you want your holiday to be

• If you are recovering from a minimally invasive procedure like laser eye surgery you may be able to be a lot more active than a more major operation. Your doctor or consultant should be able to  help guide you in these decisions.

Air travel

Your airline may restrict when you can travel after surgery. Make sure you check with your medical team and the airline as early as you can.  Some operations, like joint replacements, might limit air travel for 3 months or more. As a rough guide, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says that before flying, you should allow:

• one day after simple cataract or corneal laser surgery.
• one day after a colonoscopy.
• one to two days after keyhole surgery.
• four to five days after simple abdominal surgery.
• seven days after more complicated eye surgery
• 10 days after chest surgery or a coronary artery bypass graft.
• one to two days after surgery where a plaster cast is applied – if you have a broken arm or leg, it will affect where you can sit; for example, you won’t be allowed to sit in an emergency seat and you may have to purchase an extra seat if you cannot bend your knee to sit normally.
• two to six weeks after surgery for retinal detachment that involves having a gas bubble put in your eye.
• If you are travelling after you have had a pacemaker fitted, check out our specific page for more information.

Risk of DVT

If you’re flying after recent surgery, especially on the hips or knees, you’re at an increased risk of deep vein throbosis (DVT), a blood clot in one of the deep veins in your body, usually in your legs. Other factors may also increase your risk of DVT, including if:

If you’re at high risk of DVT, you can speak to your GP. They may get advice from your surgeon. You can take steps to reduce your risk of DVT, such as drinking plenty of water and moving around on the plane. According to the NHS website, the risk of developing a travel-related DVT is low, even if you’re classed as moderate to high risk.

Destination choices

• Avoid travelling to an area with poor sanitation or high rates of infectious diseases. Your immune system may be temporarily less robust following your surgery. You may have a reduced ability to fight off infections.

Tips for travelling after surgery

Recovering from surgery doesn’t have to mean putting your travel plans on hold. With the right preparation and advice from your doctor, you can enjoy your trip safely and comfortably. Here are some practical tips to help you travel with confidence after an operation:

1. Get medical clearance before you go – Always speak to your GP or surgeon before booking a trip. They can confirm when you’ll be fit to travel, prescribe any medication you might need, and help you plan around your recovery time.

2. Check your airline’s post-surgery policy – Airlines have specific waiting periods after operations. For example, at least 10 days after chest surgery or one day after keyhole procedures, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Check in advance to avoid complications or denied boarding.

3. Choose the right destination and travel pace – Avoid long-haul flights and destinations with extreme heat, humidity or high altitudes until you’ve fully recovered. Opt for accessible accommodation close to medical facilities if you’re still in the early stages of recovery.

4. Move regularly and stay hydrated – After recent surgery, you may be at higher risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), especially after hip or knee operations. Drink plenty of water, stretch your legs, and walk up and down the aisle every hour on flights longer than four hours.

5. Carry your medication and documents – Keep all medication in its original packaging and store it in your hand luggage. Bring your prescription, a doctor’s letter explaining your condition and any medical devices you use.

6. Give yourself time to rest – Even if you feel well, recovery continues after your trip begins. Allow for downtime, avoid overexertion and listen to your body — rest is just as important as adventure.

7. Take out specialist Travel Insurance after surgery – Comprehensive Travel Insurance after Surgery protects you if your recovery doesn’t go as planned. It covers emergency medical care, cancellations and repatriation, giving you full peace of mind while you’re away.

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