The simple explanation to a very important notion
First things first: no matter your age or medical history, any medical condition must have been “Stable and Controlled” for a certain time before your departure for that condition to be covered while on a trip. If a condition has not been “Stable and Controlled” for the 3 or 6 months (depending on your age) preceding your departure date, you won’t be covered should something related directly or indirectly to that medical condition happen while on your trip.
Required stability period for a pre-existing medical condition to be covered:
- Traveller aged between 3 months and 69 years old: 3 months before the departure date
- Traveller aged 70 and older: 6 months before the departure date
(Exceptions: High blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol require only 2 months of stability before the Departure Date.)
Do these options meet your needs?
- Reduced Stability: One of your pre-existing medical conditions won’t be “Stable and Controlled” for the required time before your departure date, but you want that condition to be covered. The option lets you reduce the required stability period of one or more of your medical conditions, bringing it down from 2, 3 or 6 months before the departure, to 30 days or even 7 days before the departure. A surcharge applies.
- Extended Stability: The required stability period of 3 or 6 months is increased to 12 months before the departure for all* of your pre-existing medical conditions, in exchange for a discount on your premium. (*Some exceptions apply.)
What else do you need to know?
Eligibility (Reduced Stability)
This option is offered to travellers aged 85 years and less. The approach differs, depending on the applicant’s age and trip length.
Conditions apply. Contact your representative or read the policy wording for details. Medical questions will be asked.
Coverage (Reduced Stability)
No matter if you are required to answer a medical questionnaire or not, the option allows you to reduce the required stability period for a pre-existing medical condition to be covered while on your trip.
We offer options to reduce your stability down to 30 days and 7 days prior to your departure.
In both cases, the option provides coverage up to $5,000,000 on the concerned condition(s). (Some of our competitors will offer similar options, but will only cover you up to $150,000 or $200,000. That’s not enough!)
Eligibility (Extended Stability)
This option is offered to travelers aged from 60 to 85 years (inclusive), who have seen a family doctor or nurse practitioner in the 18 months preceding the effective date of their protection.
Conditions apply. Contact your representative or read the policy wording for details. Medical questions will be asked.
Coverage (Extended Stability)
The required stability period for your pre-existing medical conditions to be covered on a trip is increased to 12 months before the departure, rather than the usual 3 or 6 months (depending on your age).
In the event of a claim, if a medical condition has not been “stable and controlled” for 12 months before the departure date, it will be excluded from your coverage.
Conditions apply. Contact your representative or read the policy wording for details. Medical questions will be asked
FAQs from travellers just like you
What do you mean by “Stable and Controlled”?
The stability of your medical conditions is probably the most important concept in your travel insurance policy, so understanding it is crucial.
For a condition to be “stable and controlled”, it must not have changed within the 3 or 6 months before your departure (3 months for insureds of 69 years old and less, 6 months for insureds of 70 years old and over). And by “change”, we mean (among others): no new diagnosis, no new prescription or modification to an existing prescription, no test or evaluation, no recommendation to be seen by a specialist, no new symptoms, no aggravation of the condition, etc.
You must also be aware that even though your doctor said you were “stable”, “brand new”, or “good to go”, it does not necessarily correspond to the definition of “Stable and Controlled” in the policy. In the event of a claim, we will refer to the latter so make sure that you read it carefully, and that you understand it. You may also ask your representative for information.
How much does the “Reduced Stability Period” option cost?
There is no fixed surcharge for the option. Premium is calculated upon a combination of various factors, including your age, the concerned medical condition, and your other medical conditions. The best way to find out what your premium will be is to ask for a quote!
What kind of discount can I expect if I get the Extended Stability Period option?
The discount is established using a variety of factors, such as your age, trip length, and your pre-existing medical conditions. But you can add this discount to other available discounts at the time of purchase to save a substantial amount. It’s worth asking about it!
You could be interested by these other options
Get a quote
Contact your broker, ask for a quote or speak with one of our sales representatives.
Some of the options may not be available on our online quoting tool.
Speak with your representative if necessary.