ipswichtown
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Does any one have any advice about travel insurance and about travelling abroad, this will be my first time.
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Travel Insurance
- Thread starter ipswichtown
- Start date
- Status
Steff
Little Miss Chatterbox
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I consider myself fairly well traveled. I fly places several times a year. I wear a pump (and sometimes a CGMS), I take several daily pills, and I carry extra supplies in the form of insulin pens with me. I think I have all bases covered as far as traveling with diabetes and what I may be bringing with me.
The question comes up constantly in the forums. What do you need to do if flying with diabetes?
The answer: essentially nothing. So take a deep breath, and calm down.
I've never once had my diabetes be an issue. I do not bring a doctor's note with me when flying domestically. I do not tell the TSA agent that I have diabetes or am wearing a pump.
So far, I've had my pump mentioned twice at security checkpoints.
Each time the agent told me to take my cell phone off, I told them it was a pump, and they said "okay" and we moved on with things.
I have never had my diabetes supplies stashed in my bag mentioned. Not once.
TSA agents see diabetics everyday, multiples times each day. We're nothing new or exciting to them.
I do bring a doctor's note and copies of my scripts with me while traveling internationally. I do not do this domestically. When I travel within the US, I do not bring copies of scripts with me as CVS is local nationally and can look up my script, and my doctor's office is just a phone call away.
I do not worry about cooling my insulin while flying. All insulin can withstand room temperature for a few hours.
I do bring only solids- usually fruit snacks- to treat lows. They pack easier than juice, are not a spill risk (and therefore a sticky mess risk) and will not bring more attention to me at security.
I do carry my medications on me. Never check medications. Well, with one exception. It's a wise idea to pack one day's worth of medication separate from the rest of your medication (ie, checked bag, spouse's luggage, etc) so that if your bag with your medication gets lost, stolen, traded for someone else's bag at customs (I've had it happen), you have at least one day's worth of medication/supplies.
It's also wise to bring extra supplies. I typically only bring 1-2 days extra supplies/meds with me domestically (again, CVS nearby). This is just enough to get me through an unexpectedly long layover, canceled flight, or other unexceptedly lenghtened trip.
On international trips, I bring double the supplies I think I'll need. It's much harder to replace supplies internationally. Some countries still use U-40 insulin. Who wants more math at meal times? Any delays internionally will be much worse, as well.
I take advantage of layovers to walk the airport. It keeps my blood sugar in better check. It prevents DVTs. It makes the flights more bearable.
CGMS devices are supposed to be turned off for flights. I don't. It's a medical device.
Medical ID is always a good idea (thought I'm a bad example here).
Bring food. You won't regret it. Food is readibly available at the airport and on the plane, but it will cost you. There's no restrictions on food through security- just liquids.
also i would test every hour.
P.S THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME PERSONALLY I GOT THIS FROM A FORUM JUST TO SHOW YOU WHAT THIS PERSON DOES IPSWITCHTOWN
__________________
The question comes up constantly in the forums. What do you need to do if flying with diabetes?
The answer: essentially nothing. So take a deep breath, and calm down.
I've never once had my diabetes be an issue. I do not bring a doctor's note with me when flying domestically. I do not tell the TSA agent that I have diabetes or am wearing a pump.
So far, I've had my pump mentioned twice at security checkpoints.
Each time the agent told me to take my cell phone off, I told them it was a pump, and they said "okay" and we moved on with things.
I have never had my diabetes supplies stashed in my bag mentioned. Not once.
TSA agents see diabetics everyday, multiples times each day. We're nothing new or exciting to them.
I do bring a doctor's note and copies of my scripts with me while traveling internationally. I do not do this domestically. When I travel within the US, I do not bring copies of scripts with me as CVS is local nationally and can look up my script, and my doctor's office is just a phone call away.
I do not worry about cooling my insulin while flying. All insulin can withstand room temperature for a few hours.
I do bring only solids- usually fruit snacks- to treat lows. They pack easier than juice, are not a spill risk (and therefore a sticky mess risk) and will not bring more attention to me at security.
I do carry my medications on me. Never check medications. Well, with one exception. It's a wise idea to pack one day's worth of medication separate from the rest of your medication (ie, checked bag, spouse's luggage, etc) so that if your bag with your medication gets lost, stolen, traded for someone else's bag at customs (I've had it happen), you have at least one day's worth of medication/supplies.
It's also wise to bring extra supplies. I typically only bring 1-2 days extra supplies/meds with me domestically (again, CVS nearby). This is just enough to get me through an unexpectedly long layover, canceled flight, or other unexceptedly lenghtened trip.
On international trips, I bring double the supplies I think I'll need. It's much harder to replace supplies internationally. Some countries still use U-40 insulin. Who wants more math at meal times? Any delays internionally will be much worse, as well.
I take advantage of layovers to walk the airport. It keeps my blood sugar in better check. It prevents DVTs. It makes the flights more bearable.
CGMS devices are supposed to be turned off for flights. I don't. It's a medical device.
Medical ID is always a good idea (thought I'm a bad example here).
Bring food. You won't regret it. Food is readibly available at the airport and on the plane, but it will cost you. There's no restrictions on food through security- just liquids.
also i would test every hour.
P.S THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME PERSONALLY I GOT THIS FROM A FORUM JUST TO SHOW YOU WHAT THIS PERSON DOES IPSWITCHTOWN
__________________
Last edited:
ipswichtown
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Thanks for that i am new to this site and learning how to use it
Copepod
Much missed Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi Ipswich Town
Travel insurance - simply ask a few companies, and if they charge extra for diabetes, then try somewhere else. Lots of regular companies are fine; specialist activity companies eg for mountain activies seem particularly good at treating people with well controlled diabetes as well as anyone else. However, always check details carefully to see level of cover, and if you want diabetes medication to be covered in event of loss or theft, then you may need to seek out specialist insurerers.
If travelling within European Union, plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland & Liechtenstein, then get a EHIC - online is easiest https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do This entitles you to the same level of medical care / prices as local residents, but doesn't cover repatriation in evetn of illness of accident.
Diabetes UK has guides to each country - ask Careline to email the relevent one(s). People who have travelled to the country you are visiting, whether or not they have diabetes, are also very sources of advice, so do ask around and on this board for specifics. The best general advice for travel in general is to try to learn at least some words in the lcoal language(s).
Travel insurance - simply ask a few companies, and if they charge extra for diabetes, then try somewhere else. Lots of regular companies are fine; specialist activity companies eg for mountain activies seem particularly good at treating people with well controlled diabetes as well as anyone else. However, always check details carefully to see level of cover, and if you want diabetes medication to be covered in event of loss or theft, then you may need to seek out specialist insurerers.
If travelling within European Union, plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland & Liechtenstein, then get a EHIC - online is easiest https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do This entitles you to the same level of medical care / prices as local residents, but doesn't cover repatriation in evetn of illness of accident.
Diabetes UK has guides to each country - ask Careline to email the relevent one(s). People who have travelled to the country you are visiting, whether or not they have diabetes, are also very sources of advice, so do ask around and on this board for specifics. The best general advice for travel in general is to try to learn at least some words in the lcoal language(s).
pump and travel
this is such a good post as it is my 1st time of overseas travel with my pump. Advised by the nurse to ensure they do not take it off me and put it through the machine as it will kill it. she has had a few instances of this. Flying out of manchester .
Do i have to inform the airline of my pump?
Tracy
this is such a good post as it is my 1st time of overseas travel with my pump. Advised by the nurse to ensure they do not take it off me and put it through the machine as it will kill it. she has had a few instances of this. Flying out of manchester .
Do i have to inform the airline of my pump?
Tracy
Copepod
Much missed Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
travel with pump - letter
Best have a letter stating that you wear a pump and that it musn't go through machine - nurse who advised this seems well placed to provide letter for you, not speciifically for just one journey, so you can reuse it, free of charge (GPs often charge, but hospital doctors & specialist nurses don't). It's more likely to be the airport security staff you will need to convince, if they are interested at all, rather than the airline. Perhaps have a translation of the letter, depending on which country you are visiting. Apart from that, base travel overseas with pump on your experineces oversea with injections - assuming you've done that already?
Best have a letter stating that you wear a pump and that it musn't go through machine - nurse who advised this seems well placed to provide letter for you, not speciifically for just one journey, so you can reuse it, free of charge (GPs often charge, but hospital doctors & specialist nurses don't). It's more likely to be the airport security staff you will need to convince, if they are interested at all, rather than the airline. Perhaps have a translation of the letter, depending on which country you are visiting. Apart from that, base travel overseas with pump on your experineces oversea with injections - assuming you've done that already?
Yes my nurse is doing the letter for me, and have been many times with the insulin injections, so will be lowering the insulin once i arrive as the heat makes me need less. Weird thing will be where does it go on my bikini and keeping it cool in the sun. Shouldn't be above 35 degrees though in Zante
thanks tracy
thanks tracy
sofaraway
Senior Member
I have used the DUK one and the one recommended by diabetes.co.uk, but the past 2 times I have just used the one that my package holiday has included, both which have been free for the usual cover. I then just informed them I had diabetes and I had to pay for that cover- which was less than ?10. So it isn't always cheaper to get the insurance from the companies that speficially advetises themselves to diabetics
Adrienne
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent
The pump can be worn ok to go through the normal walk through x ray machine no problem. The sensor however (if you use a CGMS anyone) cannot. It will need to be turned off until you reach your destination.
I have always used Esure for insurance. They are marvellous. I had Norwich Union quote me ?400 once for a week in France !!!!! Esure do not load for diabetes at all at the moment.
Some of my friends have found M&S good, they do load the policy for diabetes but not by much.
I used to ring the DUK suggested on but they were overly extortionately priced so don't bother now.
I have always used Esure for insurance. They are marvellous. I had Norwich Union quote me ?400 once for a week in France !!!!! Esure do not load for diabetes at all at the moment.
Some of my friends have found M&S good, they do load the policy for diabetes but not by much.
I used to ring the DUK suggested on but they were overly extortionately priced so don't bother now.
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