Chronic Illness Travel Insurance: Comparing Staysure & Avanti for Pre-Existing Conditions

Why does getting travel insurance with a chronic illness feel so difficult? Especially if you’re 50+

This guide explains how Staysure and Avanti offer travel insurance for chronic health conditions at a reasonable price

Navigating the travel insurance maze with chronic illness — without overpaying.

When you live with a chronic health condition and love to travel — especially for longer stretches — finding the right travel insurance can feel like a minefield.

As a midlife solo traveller managing Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), I’ve learned firsthand how challenging it can be to get comprehensive, affordable cover that takes into account ongoing health issues.

Standard travel policies often fall short — either excluding pre-existing conditions entirely or limiting trip length and age eligibility.

After a lot of research (and many frustrating quote forms), I’ve narrowed down the best UK-based travel insurance providers that actually understand chronic illness travellers and offer longer-trip options: Staysure and Avanti.

Whether you’re planning a short break in Europe or an extended adventure in Asia, Staysure and Avanti both offer coverage for trips up to 3 months.

They also provide annual multi-trip policies — a great option if you’re planning multiple getaways throughout the year without having to arrange separate cover each time. Ideal for long-term or frequent travellers living with chronic illness.

💡 Worth Knowing: AllClear Travel Insurance offers cover for very high-risk or complex conditions and allows trips up to 365 days. However, it’s significantly more expensive — often 3–4x the cost of Staysure or Avanti. Unless you’ve been declined elsewhere or have a more serious medical profile, I wouldn’t bother.

Why Travel Insurance Is Harder with a Chronic Health Condition

If you’re in midlife and beyond, and managing a pre-existing condition, standard travel insurance just doesn’t cut it.

Most mainstream providers:

• ❌ Don’t cover chronic conditions at all
• ❌ Limit trip lengths to 30–50 days
• ❌ Have strict exclusions based on age, stability, or recent treatment
• ❌ Become significantly more expensive when you declare a condition

I found all of this incredibly frustrating — especially when I wanted to travel longer than a month and still feel protected. That’s when I started digging into insurers who actually understand chronic illness travellers — and discovered that a few solid options do exist.

My Experience as a Midlife Solo Traveller with FND

I have lived with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) for the last three years. I choose not to take medication and manage it through lifestyle, diet, yoga and mindset.

But even with a well-managed condition, insurance matters — especially for unexpected emergencies, managing flare ups or medical evacuation.

Before Travelling- Always Clear Your Travel Plans with Your Doctor

Before booking a trip or buying travel insurance, speak with your doctor. It’s a simple step that helps you:

• Confirm you’re fit to travel and gives you peace of mind
• Ask about destination-specific risks (climate, flying, etc.)
• Get documentation if required by the insurer
• Discuss how to manage your condition abroad

If you’ve had recent treatment or tests, the insurer may request medical clearance — so plan ahead.

What to Look for in Travel Insurance (If You Have a Chronic Condition)

If you’re managing a long-term illness, it’s essential to choose a travel insurance policy that actually works for you — not against you.

Here’s what to look for:

• ✔️ Pre-existing condition cover (not just general emergency care)
• ✔️ Trip length flexibility
• ✔️ Emergency medical care + repatriation
• ✔️ Trip cancellation due to illness
• ✔️ No strict age cut-offs
• ✔️ Clear, transparent medical screening
• ✔️ Reasonable cost for realistic coverage

Why There’s Not Much Difference Between Staysure and Avanti

Once you start comparing insurers, you’ll quickly realise: Staysure and Avanti aren’t just similar — they’re nearly identical in how they handle chronic conditions.

That’s because both are part of the Staysure Group and share the same medical screening system.

Here’s what that means:

• Same condition eligibility & medical definitions
• Same screening process (online or by phone)
• Similar coverage tiers and benefits
• Nearly identical policies for chronic conditions like FND, asthma, diabetes, etc.

Why You Should Still Get Quotes from Both:

Even though the core policies are the same, pricing can vary depending on your age, destination, and current promotions.

I ran identical trip details through both — and Avanti came out £100 cheaper for the same 3 month trip!

The main differences between Staysure and Avanti come down to:

• Price variation based on discounts or offers
• Website branding

So while there’s not much to compare in terms of condition coverage, it’s always worth checking both sites to find the best deal for your specific trip.

Travel Insurance Comparison: Staysure vs Avanti

Here’s a chart comparing them, you can see there’s not much in it:

Feature	Staysure	Avanti
Pre-Existing Conditions	Covers 1,000+ conditions	Same system; same coverage scope
Medical Screening	Online & phone	Online & phone
Trip Length (Single Trip)	50 days standard + Up to 100 days add on (age under 70)	104 days standard (long-stay single trip)
Trip Length (Multi-Trip)	35–50 days per trip	35–50 days per trip
Annual Multi-Trip Policies	Yes – annual cover available with multi-trip feature	Yes – annual cover available with multi-trip feature
Age Limits	No upper age limit (except 100-day add-on capped at 70)	Generally senior-friendly (same limits)
Coverage Tiers	Three tiers of cover	same
Cancellation for Illness	Yes (if stable & declared)	Yes (same policy wording)
Pricing	Often affordable	Often affordable
Extras	Add-ons for cruise, winter sports, gadgets	Similar add-ons
Best For	Trips under 100 days	Long-stay trips up to 104 days

Remember: Even though they’re from the same group and share the same screening system, always get a quote from both — prices can vary. In my case, Avanti was £100 cheaper for the same 3-month trip!

Which Should You Choose?

Your Priority	Go With…
Cheapest quote on the day	Compare both!
Trip under 100 days, age under 70	Staysure
Trip over 100 days, but under 104	Avanti

Things to Watch Out For

Even with trusted providers like Staysure and Avanti, there are important things to keep in mind:

• Declare your condition honestly and as early as possible
• Meet stability requirements — usually 3 to 6 months without major changes or treatment
• If you’re awaiting tests or diagnosis, coverage may be declined
• Routine treatments aren’t covered — only emergency care and flare-ups
• You may be asked for medical screening or documentation
• Trip length is capped for Staysure at 50 days standard, with a 100-day add-on available. If you want the add-on, make sure you select it!

Types of Coverage from Staysure & Avanti

Both Staysure and Avanti offer three main tiers of travel insurance protection:

• 🟢 Basic / Essentials
  Covers essential needs, including emergency medical care and accepted chronic conditions.
• 🔵 Comprehensive / Classic
  Adds trip cancellation cover, higher benefit limits, and additional extras.
• 🟣 Signature / Deluxe
  Top-tier protection featuring the highest cover limits and optional add-ons like cruise cover or winter sports.

How to Apply for Travel Insurance

1. Get a Quote
   Visit the insurer’s website and enter your trip details to receive a price estimate.
2. Declare Your Medical Conditions
   Declare any pre-existing conditions—over 1,000 are covered—and enjoy a fast, user-friendly process.
3. Choose the Right Trip Length
   For trips longer than 50 days, remember to select the 100-day add-on if using Staysure.
4. Review Policy Details
   Carefully check your coverage limits, exclusions, and any special terms.
5. Buy Online
   Complete your purchase and receive your policy documents instantly, digitally or by mail.

Tips for Getting the Best Quote

• Be 100% honest and thorough with your medical declarations.
• Apply early, especially if you want trip cancellation cover.
• Check whether your trip qualifies for the 100-day add-on (if using Staysure).
• Compare single-trip versus annual cover based on your travel plans.
• Don’t pay for extras you won’t use—stick to what you need.
• Contact Staysure (or Avanti) if you’re unsure about your eligibility or have questions.

Beyond the Medical: Baggage, Valuables & Cancellations

While medical cover is a top priority for travellers with chronic conditions, it’s worth noting that Staysure and Avanti aren’t just about health insurance.

Both also offer comprehensive insurance for baggage loss, stolen valuables, travel delays, trip cancellation, missed departures, and more — depending on the level of cover you choose.

Using Price Comparison Sites

I also recommend using comparison sites like MoneySupermarket to get an overview of your options.

I did this myself, and while the comparison showed several providers, I found that getting a direct quote from Avanti was actually the cheapest for my trip. So, it’s worth doing both: use comparison sites to get a sense of the market, then check direct quotes from your preferred insurers.

Not in the UK?

While Staysure and Avanti are ideal for UK travellers, they’re not available in Europe and beyond. Here are a few global alternatives to look at:

• US: Try Allianz or Seven Corners
• Canada: Check Blue Cross or TuGo for chronic condition coverage

Final Thoughts: Travel Safe, Travel Smart

Finding good travel insurance when you live with a chronic illness can be frustrating — but it’s not impossible.

Both Staysure and Avanti offer solid coverage tailored to travellers with pre-existing conditions. Having the right insurance gives you peace of mind, so you can focus on what really matters: living well, exploring new places, and not letting chronic illness hold you back.

Ready to travel with peace of mind?

Get a quote from Staysure or Avanti and find the right cover for your next trip.

Remember – it’s important to compare: Even though they’re from the same group and share the same screening system, always get a quote from both — prices can vary significantly!

Are you ready to start planning your solo trip?

Download my Destination Checklist to help with your personal reflection and planning.

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I’d Love to Hear From You!

Have you travelled solo with a chronic condition? Or are you thinking about it? Feel free to share your thoughts or experiences in the comment section below.

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Orchids to Olives

Journeys of self-discovery, wisdom, healing and friendship