Asthma Travel Insurance

To get a quote by telephone, please contact us on 01273 773 017 or chris@jsinsurance.co.uk

JS Insurance provides Single Trip, Annual Multi Trip and Long Stay Travel Insurance to those who have Asthma.

Mild Asthma is automatically covered under all our policies at www.jsinsurance.co.uk.

Asthma is a common ailment that affects the airways - the small tubes that carry air to the lungs.

Travelling with Asthma:

Asthma should not restrict your holiday plans, but you need to plan ahead to minimise any problems. Discuss your travel plans with your doctor and research where you can get medical help and extra medicine when you arrive at your destination. However it is not advisable to travel during an asthma flare up.

Make sure you pack enough medication and inhalers to cover you for the entirety of your trip and include an extra supply in case of loss or a delay. Comprehensive travel insurance that covers your medical condition is essential and remember to take your European Health Insurance Card, if travelling in Europe.

It is important to always take your reliever inhaler onto the flight as hand luggage. If taking a long-haul flight you may also need your prevention inhaler and medication. If possible take your medication onto the flight as hand luggage because asthma medication would become less effective if it was to freeze in the hold. Contact your airline to discuss the current security situation regarding hand luggage. Remember to carry supporting documentation from your doctor detailing why you need to carry your medicine onto the flight.

Know what to do during an asthma attack, and do not ignore any gradually worsening symptoms. If you are travelling with a companion make them aware of your condition and inform them about what they can do to help you during an asthma attack.

Travelling to highly polluted cities may trigger a flare-up so it is important to be aware of the conditions at your destination. Travelling to mountainous and cold destinations may require an increase in medication, consult your doctor. People with asthma should not scuba dive.

Symptoms and Causes:

When a patient comes into contact with an asthma trigger their condition can become irritated leading to a tightening of the muscles around the walls of the airways. The lining of the airways also becomes inflamed and starts to swell. Consequently the airways become narrower causing breathing difficulties. A sticky mucus or phlegm can also build up which then causes a further narrowing of the airway. This is commonly referred to as an asthma attack. Asthma triggers include air pollutants, colds and viruses, pollen, household dust mites, smoke and some foods.

What causes asthma is not known but you are more likely to be a sufferer if you have a family history of asthma, eczema or allergies. Children whose parents smoke are more likely to suffer from asthma, and smoking during pregnancy also increases the risk. Environmental pollution is another contributing factor. Adult asthma may develop following a viral infection.

Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest. There is currently no cure for asthma but there are a range of medicines available to help control the disease so suffers can lead a normal life.

When getting a travel insurance quote for asthma, we will ask you a number of questions to ensure you get the right quote. These will include:

• Have you ever had a diagnosis made of chronic airways disease (eg chronic bronchitis or emphysema)?
• How old were you when this diagnosis was made? (over 50/ under 50)
• How long ago was the date of onset of your breathing problem?
• How many medicines do you take for your respiratory condition (count each inhaler as one medicine)?
• How many hospital admissions have you had for your respiratory condition in the last year?
• Have you needed treatment in an intensive care unit for this condition?
• Can you always walk 200yds on the flat without becoming short of breath?
• Have you ever been prescribed oxygen for use at home?
• Have you ever been a smoker?
• Do you use nebulisers as part of routine maintenance of asthma control?

Rapid changes in climate can bring on attacks, for example travelling in an air conditioned plane and then coming out into a tropical climate can trigger an attack. Asthma attacks often happen after a thunderstorm, this is because the grass pollens get ruptured and particles are released inot the atmosphere. Check the weather before you go:

Useful Websites: About Asthma - Asthma Information NHS - British Lung Foundation - Asthma Diagnosis

To get a quote by telephone, please contact us on 01273 773 017 or chris@jsinsurance.co.uk

This Insurance is arranged by JS Insurance, underwritten by Towergate Underwriting and administered by UK Underwriting Ltd on behalf of Ageas Insurance Limited.