Recovering from a stroke is a significant journey. For many people, being able to travel again represents a real milestone, whether that’s a family holiday, a trip to see loved ones abroad, or simply getting away for a well-earned break.
Getting travel insurance after a stroke is perfectly possible. This guide explains what to expect, how the process works, and what your cover looks like if something goes wrong while you’re away.
In this guide:
Yes. Having had a stroke does not disqualify you from getting travel insurance with Post Office. We don’t turn people away on the basis of stroke history alone.
When you get a quote you’ll go through our medical screening process, so we can understand your situation and make sure your policy reflects it accurately. That way, if anything does go wrong while you’re away, your cover is valid and your claim can be processed without complications.
Not all medical conditions can be covered, but eligibility also depends on factors like your age and how long you’re going away for. If we can’t offer you a policy, we’ll refer you to a provider which specialises in cover for people with pre-existing health conditions.
It’s worth taking a few minutes to get a quote and see where you stand.
When you declare a stroke during the quote process, we’ll ask you some questions to help us understand your history and current health. This isn’t about catching you out, it’s about making sure your policy gives you the right cover.
You can expect to be asked about:
Based on your answers, we’ll be able to tell you whether we can offer you cover and at what cost.
It’s important to answer all screening questions fully and accurately. If you make a claim and your medical records show a condition that wasn’t declared, your claim could be rejected and your policy cancelled. This applies not only to a claim that’s directly related to your stroke, but also to conditions that might be linked to it, such as high blood pressure or atrial fibrillation, which are common in people who have had a stroke.
Full disclosure protects you. It means your cover is genuine, and you have the right medical cover in place to help you if you need it.
A transient ischemic attack, or TIA, is sometimes called a mini stroke. It shares many of the same symptoms as a stroke but the effects are temporary, usually resolving within 24 hours. TIAs are, however, a recognised warning sign of future stroke risk and are taken seriously by medical professionals and insurers alike.
As with strokes, having had a TIA does not disqualify you from getting travel insurance with Post Office. We assess each application individually. The key thing is to declare a TIA if you’ve had one. Being upfront about it is always the right approach.
If you’ve gone through medical screening, declared your history and your policy is in force, you will be covered for emergency medical treatment if you suffer a stroke or related event abroad. This includes hospitalisation, specialist care, and, if medically necessary, repatriation back to the UK, up to the limits in your policy.
Post Office travel insurance includes emergency medical and repatriation cover as standard across all three cover levels, with limits of up to £5 million on Economy, £10 million on Standard and £15 million on Premier. Given the potential cost of emergency neurological care and air ambulance repatriation, having adequate cover in place is particularly important for stroke survivors travelling abroad.
If you are admitted to hospital abroad, contact the Post Office emergency medical assistance line as soon as possible on +44 (0) 208 865 30741. They will be able to advise on next steps and talk you through how to make your claim. This can of course also be done by a family member if you’re not in a position to speak on the phone.
If you have no prior history of stroke and suffer one abroad, this would be treated as an unexpected medical emergency, and your standard travel insurance policy would apply. Emergency medical expenses and repatriation cover would be in force, up to the limits, as they would for any other sudden illness or injury, provided your policy is valid.
Post Office Travel Insurance is an award-winning provider2 which has paid out over £79 million in claims over the past 5 years
Here are some of the key aspects of our offering:
You can easily get a quote online and take out a policy today. On average, getting a quote takes a matter of minutes.
Post Office does not disqualify people on the basis of having had a stroke, it will depend on your full health picture along with other factors. You will need to go through medical screening, and the outcome will depend on your individual circumstances, including how recent your stroke was and what treatment you are currently receiving. Getting a quote is the quickest way to find out where you stand.
If you have declared your stroke history and been accepted for cover, your policy will include emergency medical expenses and repatriation cover in the event of a stroke or related event abroad. It will also include trip cancellation cover, personal baggage cover, and any other sections included in the level of cover you have chosen. The exact scope of your cover will be set out in your policy certificate and wording, so be sure to read it carefully.
There is no fixed answer. Your premium will be higher than it would be for someone with no stroke history, but the exact amount depends on the factors above, as well as your destination and the length of your trip. The most accurate way to find out is to go through the quote and screening process online.
Yes, it needs to be declared. A TIA still carries an elevated risk of a future stroke and will be factored into your application. That said, as with a full stroke, having had a TIA does not automatically prevent you from getting cover. Many people with a TIA history are able to get a policy in place.
1 Calls to 03 numbers will cost no more than calling a standard geographic number starting with 01 or 02 from your fixed line or mobile and may be included in your call package dependent on your service provider. Calls may be monitored or recorded for training and compliance purposes.
2 Post Office has won the following awards: Post Office won a “Best Travel Insurance Provider” award at the Your Money Awards in 2023, 2025 and 2026
3 Medical Assistance Plus is not available for trips taken in the UK, only for international travel. The service allows up to 3 separate medical events per person listed on the policy, and up to 3 appointments per event. All appointment charges are covered by your travel insurance policy. You will not need to pay any excess fees for this service. You may need to pay for your prescription upfront and claim on your return home.
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