Why Inclusive Coverage for Existing Conditions Must Become a Priority

19 February 2026 / 4 min read

Demand for more inclusive travel insurance is rising around the world, as travellers increasingly expect cover that reflects their real medical needs. Drawing on Verisk’s latest research into the Canadian market, this blog examines how traveller expectations are changing, and how insurers can meet this demand while maintaining sustainable risk management.

Canada’s older travellers aren’t slowing down. They’re travelling often and staying away for extended periods. At the same time, their health profiles are becoming more complex. Nearly half live with at least one existing medical condition. That combination – high frequency, long stays, and more complex health – creates a host of challenges for insurers.

It also creates a very real opportunity.

Over the past year, I’ve been speaking with insurers across Canada and taking a deeper look at how older travellers approach insurance, particularly for their existing health conditions. Verisk’s new research, carried out with Ipsos Canada, provided me with the most detailed picture yet. It shows clearly that older travellers are a highly valuable market and are prepared to walk away if they can find more inclusive coverage elsewhere.

The pre-existing condition gap is really about loyalty

The majority (83%) of Canadians aged 55+ understand that travel insurance policies often restrict cover for existing medical conditions. However, their understanding falls short when it comes to how these restrictions apply specifically to them. According to our research, 42% of Canadians aged 55 and older have an existing condition, and yet half (53%) aren’t sure how their insurer addresses such conditions. About a third (30%) aren’t confident their coverage meets their medical needs abroad, and 60% don’t always read their policy details.

At the same time, these travellers expect a fast buying journey, with two-thirds purchasing in under 30 minutes. If medical assessment doesn't integrate with a smooth purchase journey, it risks frustrating or deterring customers who are already confused by the status quo.

And because medical verification typically happens at the claims stage, rather than at the point of sale, travellers with existing conditions face the risk of denied claims at the moments when they most need support. Many policies rely on stability clauses, but definitions of “stable” vary by insurer, which can cause confusion. As a result, travellers may assume their condition is covered, only to discover during a claim that it is not.

The result is uncertainty on both sides. Travellers with existing conditions lack confidence in their coverage, while insurers face claim disputes and the potential reputational fallout. In a market where older travellers are actively comparing providers, this uncertainty creates a clear opening for competitors that offer greater clarity and confidence.

In fact, perhaps the most important insight of the research is this: 80% of older travellers with a pre-existing condition would consider switching insurers if another provider offered better coverage. Among snowbirds (Canadians who migrate to warmer climates during the winter months), that figure rises to 92%.

This is a serious loyalty gap. The insurers that close it will be those that can mesh accurate medical risk assessment with a customer-friendly buying experience.

What’s holding insurers back?

In my conversations with insurers, it has become clear that finding the right balance between speed and accuracy is the key to unlocking this market. Travel insurance is a high-volume product, and older travellers now expect a digital buying experience that is as straightforward as any other online purchase, even with inclusive coverage for existing conditions.

Traditional, manual underwriting is unrealistic in this context. It is simply not practical to have medical specialists scrutinise every application, yet insurers still need sufficient medical accuracy to price risk sustainably. Historically, those requirements have been difficult to reconcile.

The most successful providers will be those that can underwrite pre-existing conditions at the point of sale, offering inclusive coverage without compromising the integrity of their pricing. Automated medical risk assessment offers a way forward, giving insurers an accurate view of risk while fitting naturally into the purchase journey.

Tools such as Verisk’s Travel Risk Rating Tool are already helping global travel insurers provide customers with clear, immediate decisions about their coverage and the confidence to travel. Instead of confusing stability clauses, travellers receive clarity and peace of mind at the moment they buy the policy. Insurers, meanwhile, get a streamlined claims journey with fewer disputes, lower reputational risk, and an enhanced customer experience.

A market ready for a solution

The vast majority of older travellers with pre-existing conditions are ready to switch providers in search of better coverage. Many are already actively searching for more inclusive policies, while others say they haven’t switched because they haven’t yet found a better alternative.

Evidently, the opportunity is wide open and the risk of inaction is significant.

Travel insurers that modernise their approach to pre-existing conditions – particularly those that bring inclusive underwriting into the purchase journey – will be best placed to win this market in the years ahead.

This demographic is growing, travelling widely, and shows a remarkable willingness to vote with their wallets. Meeting them with the right solutions is not only a competitive advantage, but a reaffirmation of the core purpose of insurance: being there for customers when they need it most.

Learn more about the findings

This article only scratches the surface of what the research uncovered. The full white paper explores Canadian traveller behaviour, insurer challenges, and the tools available to bridge the gap.

Follow the link to download the full white paper.

Learn more