Epilepsy 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 Epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a condition that causes somebody to have repeated fits which can be also known as seizures.

The cells in the brain communicate with each other by using electrical impulses. During an epileptic seizure, the electrical impulses are disrupted, which can cause both the brain and the body to behave strangely. This may cause:

• Twitching of the muscles
• Abnormal sensations (such as tingling on one side of the body or awareness of a strange taste or smell)
• Emotional symptoms such as fear or 'deja vu'
• Loss of consciousness.

Epilepsy attacks do not normally last very long - they vary from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. Once the attack has finished the brain resumes back to its normal electrical activity.

Epilepsy is more common to start in young children or the elderly.

Some causes of Epilepsy are:

• Abnormalities in the development of the brain
• Infections such as meningitis or encephalitis
• Brain tumours
• Lack of oxygen during birth
• Trauma, which may not be recalled by the patient Seizures can be brought on by: stress, lack of sleep, dehydration, excessive alcohol consumption, excitement or anxiety.

Epilepsy can often be treated with Anti-Epileptic Drugs (AEDs). They act specifically on the brain and attempt to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.

Flying abroad should not be a problem for an epileptic unless one of your triggers, such as anxiety or sleep deprivation, may be aggravated by flight conditions.

It is best to inform the person you are travelling with and also the cabin crew as they will also have received full first aid training so will be on hand should the need arise.

Also if you are travelling to a different time zone then make sure you are adjusting your medication times accordingly.

Do not forget to keep your medication in your hand luggage during a flight, but make sure you comply with current airport security procedures. Contact your departure airport and airline for information. Take enough medication with you to cover your entire trip plus some extra in case of delays or lost luggage.

Medical Screening:

If awake, do you normally lose consciousness during a fit/seizure?

• How many fits/seizures causing loss of consciousness have you had in the last four weeks?
• How many fits/seizures causing loss of consciousness have you had in the last six months?
• How many unplanned hospital admissions have you had for epilepsy/seizures in the last year?
• How many different medicines do you take for your epilepsy/seizures?
• How long ago was your first fit/seizure?
• If not already declared to us, is your epilepsy/seizures caused by?

For travel within the EU then make sure you carry your European Health Insurance Card with you.

If you are travelling with others, we can include them on the policy, even if they do not have any pre existing medical conditions.

Useful Websites: Epilepsy Information - Epilepsy Society

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.