Traveling With Diabetes: Jennifer Grawey's Guide to Travel Insurance, Preparation, and Peace of Mind

Published August 05, 2026

Travel is one of life's greatest experiences, but for people living with diabetes, it often comes with a unique set of challenges. Managing medications, navigating time zone changes, planning meals, and preparing for unexpected disruptions can make travel feel more complicated than simply booking a flight and packing a suitcase.

This topic is especially personal to me. My grandfather lived with diabetes and passed away before I was born, but his journey with the disease left a lasting impact on my family. Hearing stories about the daily challenges of managing diabetes helped me understand that it's a condition that requires planning, awareness, and resilience. As I've built a career planning extraordinary vacations, I've often thought about how those same challenges can become even more complex when someone is far from home.

That's one reason I wanted to write this article. I hope to be a resource for travelers living with diabetes by sharing expert advice, practical travel tips, and information that can help them travel with greater confidence. To gain additional insight, I spoke with Jennifer Grawey, Head of Business Development at Faye Travel Insurance, about the unique considerations diabetic travelers should keep in mind before their next trip.

Whether you're planning your first international trip or you're a seasoned traveler looking for additional peace of mind, her advice offers valuable guidance for making travel safer, less stressful, and more enjoyable.

The Misconception That Keeps Many Travelers Under Insured

One of the biggest challenges Grawey sees isn't a lack of travel insurance options. It's a lack of understanding about how those options work.

Many travelers assume that because diabetes is considered a pre-existing condition, they won't qualify for meaningful travel protection. As a result, some travelers skip travel insurance altogether or fail to explore the options available to them.

According to Grawey, that assumption is often incorrect.

"Many travelers assume a pre-existing condition like diabetes automatically isn't covered. In reality, some plans offer a pre-existing medical condition waiver if you meet the eligibility requirements."

The details vary by provider and policy, but understanding whether a waiver is available can be an important part of the planning process. Travelers should carefully review eligibility requirements and ask questions before purchasing a plan.

Grawey also stresses that not all travel insurance policies handle pre-existing conditions the same way.

"Don't assume all plans treat pre-existing conditions the same. Understanding whether a plan offers a waiver, and purchasing within the eligibility window, can make a significant difference."

Why Buying Travel Protection Early Matters

Many travelers don't think about travel insurance until shortly before departure.

That's one of the biggest mistakes Grawey sees.

"The biggest mistake is waiting too long to buy coverage."

Beyond potentially missing eligibility windows for benefits such as a pre-existing medical condition waiver, waiting can also lead travelers to make rushed decisions based solely on price.

According to Grawey, travel protection shouldn't be evaluated simply by finding the cheapest option. When comparing plans, she recommends paying close attention to:

• Emergency medical coverage limits

• Medical evacuation benefits

• Trip cancellation protection

• Trip interruption coverage

• Travel delay benefits

• Assistance services

• Exclusions and limitations

• Eligibility requirements for pre-existing condition waivers

"Price doesn't tell you how much protection you're getting."

She encourages travelers to look beyond reimbursement benefits and consider the support available during a trip. Companies such as Faye combine travel protection with 24/7 assistance services that can help travelers navigate disruptions, locate medical resources, and access support when they're far from home.

Why Travel Disruptions Can Hit Harder for People With Diabetes

Every traveler experiences delays, cancellations, and itinerary changes from time to time. For travelers with diabetes, however, those disruptions can create challenges that go far beyond frustration.

Extended delays can affect medication schedules, meal timing, hydration, and blood sugar management. Missed connections can turn a routine travel day into an exhausting marathon. Lost luggage becomes significantly more problematic if medications or supplies are packed in checked bags.

"Delays can disrupt meal schedules, medication timing, and access to supplies, making planning even more important."

She says travelers should always keep medications and diabetes supplies in their carry-on luggage rather than checking them.

"Extended delays, lost baggage containing supplies, and itinerary changes can all make managing diabetes more challenging."

In addition to packing essential items in a carry-on, travelers should consider bringing extra supplies whenever possible. A little extra preparation can provide peace of mind when unexpected delays occur.

Some travel protection providers have also begun offering benefits designed to help travelers manage delays more comfortably. For example, Grawey notes that a qualifying flight delay with Faye can provide complimentary airport lounge access, while longer delays may trigger immediate funds delivered digitally through the company's app.

The Surprises Travelers Don't See Coming

Most travel preparation focuses on getting to the destination. Yet according to Grawey, many of the biggest challenges emerge after travelers arrive.

Changes in routine can have a significant impact on diabetes management.

A vacation may include:

• More walking than usual

• Different meal times

• Unfamiliar foods

• Changes in sleeping patterns

• Increased physical activity

• Longer periods spent outdoors

"Many underestimate how much time zone changes, increased walking, and different meal schedules can affect blood sugar management."

While these may sound like positive parts of travel, they can still require additional planning and awareness.

Navigating Time Zone Changes

Crossing time zones presents unique challenges for travelers who use insulin.

On long-haul flights, managing medication isn't simply a matter of remembering to take it. Travelers may need to adjust schedules based on shorter or longer travel days.

"Crossing time zones can affect your insulin schedule, especially on longer trips."

She recommends discussing travel plans with a healthcare provider before departure to determine whether adjustments to medication timing or dosage may be necessary.

Because every person manages diabetes differently, personalized medical guidance is essential when planning international travel.

Traveling With Insulin Pumps and CGMs

Technology has made diabetes management easier than ever, but devices require their own travel preparations.

For travelers using insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), or other diabetes-related technology, Grawey recommends taking several precautionary steps before a trip.

These include:

• Packing devices in carry-on luggage

• Bringing backup supplies

• Carrying a doctor's letter describing medical equipment

• Reviewing TSA guidelines before departure

• Having a backup plan in the event a device malfunctions

A few simple precautions before leaving home can help prevent unnecessary stress at the airport or abroad.

What If You Lose Access to Insulin Abroad?

One of the most frightening scenarios for diabetic travelers is losing access to insulin while traveling internationally.

If that happens, Grawey recommends taking action immediately.

Her first advice is simple: seek medical care and contact your travel protection provider as soon as possible.

While routine prescription refills generally aren't covered benefits, travel assistance teams may be able to help locate medical resources quickly.

"Travel assistance teams can help locate urgent medical care or a nearby pharmacy."

For travelers navigating an unfamiliar healthcare system in a foreign country, having access to around-the-clock assistance can make a stressful situation far easier to manage.

Travel Insurance Isn't Just About Claims

Many people view travel insurance as something that only matters after a problem occurs.

Grawey believes that's a misunderstanding.

For travelers with chronic health conditions, the assistance component of travel protection can be just as valuable as the financial benefits.

Whether it's finding an English-speaking doctor, locating a nearby pharmacy, identifying a hospital, or getting support during a travel disruption, assistance services can help travelers solve problems in real time.

That added support can be especially valuable when travelers are dealing with health concerns in unfamiliar destinations.

Looking Beyond Medical Concerns

Because diabetes travelers are understandably focused on health-related issues, they sometimes overlook more common travel disruptions.

"While it's important to understand how a plan handles pre-existing conditions, travelers should also consider more common disruptions like delays, cancellations, missed connections, and baggage issues."

A cancelled flight can derail a carefully organized itinerary. A delayed connection can require an unplanned hotel stay. Lost luggage can create significant challenges when travelers need immediate access to important items.

While these situations are frustrating for anyone, they can become even more complicated for travelers managing diabetes.

"Travel protection isn't for the trips that go as planned. It's there for the unexpected."

The Credit Card Coverage Trap

Another area where travelers often make assumptions is credit card travel protection.

Many premium travel cards advertise valuable travel benefits, leading consumers to believe they are fully protected simply because they purchased their trip with a particular card.

Grawey says that assumption deserves a closer look.

"Many credit cards advertise travel benefits, so it's easy to assume they provide comprehensive protection. In reality, the benefits vary widely from card to card."

Dedicated travel protection plans may offer benefits such as:

• Emergency medical coverage

• Medical evacuation coverage

• Trip interruption benefits

• Travel delay protection

• 24/7 travel assistance services

Credit card protections are often more limited and may not provide the same level of support.

One of the most common gaps, according to Grawey, involves emergency medical evacuation coverage.

"Credit cards rarely offer emergency medical evacuation coverage or high limits for emergency medical scenarios."

For travelers managing diabetes or other chronic conditions, understanding those differences before departure is crucial.

Three Questions Every Traveler With Diabetes Should Ask

If Grawey could encourage travelers to ask just a few questions before leaving home, these would be among the most important.

Do I Qualify for a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Waiver?

Understanding eligibility requirements can help travelers determine whether additional protections may be available.

What Should I Do If I Need Urgent Medical Care Abroad?

Knowing the answer before an emergency occurs can save valuable time and reduce stress.

What Travel Assistance Services Are Available?

Many travelers don't realize how much support assistance teams can provide when it comes to locating doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, transportation, and other critical resources.

According to Grawey, asking these questions before purchasing a policy can make a meaningful difference later.

Travel With Confidence, Not Fear

For all the extra planning diabetes may require, Grawey believes it should never become a reason to stay home.

With the right preparation, travelers can confidently explore new destinations, navigate unexpected disruptions, and focus on enjoying the experience rather than worrying about what might go wrong.

"Don't let diabetes stop you from traveling. With some planning and the right preparation, you can have an amazing trip without worry."

Before booking your next international trip, take time to review your health needs, talk with your healthcare provider, and evaluate your travel protection options. Understanding your coverage before departure can make all the difference when the unexpected happens.

To learn more about travel protection options, pre-existing medical condition waivers, and 24/7 travel assistance services, click the button below and explore plans designed to help travelers protect the trips they've worked hard to plan.