Outline:
The Importance of Disclosing Medical Conditions When Traveling
A significant number of UK travelers take out insurance before their trips, with estimates ranging from 64 to 78 percent according to various surveys. However, many individuals risk having their claims rejected due to not properly disclosing their medical histories. Research by the insurer Staysure highlights that one in six adults fails to disclose certain medical conditions, often because they are unaware of what needs to be declared. This oversight can lead to policies being invalidated.
Fraser Lyall, a policy adviser for general insurance at the Association of British Insurers, emphasizes the importance of answering all questions fully and honestly when purchasing travel insurance. “If you are unsure of what to declare, you should contact your insurer directly to check,” he advises.
What Needs to Be Disclosed?
The specific medical information that needs to be disclosed is determined by the insurer rather than an industry body. Typically, insurers ask for two to five years of medical history, including details of any conditions for which treatment was received during that time.
For example, AllClear requires clients to declare any medical condition for which they have had a doctor’s appointment or treatment in the past two years. Garry Nelson of AllClear explains, “If you were diagnosed with asthma 20 years ago but haven’t needed treatment or check-ups in the past two years, you wouldn’t need to declare it with us.” Similarly, mild flu that did not require a GP appointment or prescribed medication would not need to be declared.
Staysure has a two-year timeframe for most health conditions. Simon McCulloch, the company’s chief growth officer, notes, “Even if you no longer need active treatment, or have not taken medication for some time, the diagnosis still matters.”
However, there are certain health problems—such as cancer, heart or circulatory issues, mental health conditions, respiratory and renal conditions—that most insurers will require disclosure, regardless of when symptoms were last experienced or treated. Some companies also require diabetes and asthma to be declared.
Obesity and Weight-Loss Jabs
Most insurers consider obesity a pre-existing condition even if treatment is not currently being received. Weight-loss jabs like Mounjaro are available only on prescription in the UK, but some firms do not require these to be declared if they are being taken exclusively for cosmetic reasons. However, since these medications are commonly prescribed to patients with a high BMI or specific health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, many travelers will need to declare them.
“Prescription medicines that are becoming increasingly common, such as weight-loss injections, may not be something people immediately think of as relevant but they are important for insurers to know,” says McCulloch. Taking prescription medicine without a doctor’s approval could void your cover or cause problems if you need to make a claim.
Mental Health and Other Conditions
Not only physical issues matter when it comes to declaring medical conditions. Mental health diagnoses, such as depression or anxiety, and neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD, should also be disclosed depending on the policy, even if they are not being treated with medication.
“The golden rule is simple: if in the past two years you have been diagnosed, prescribed treatment or sought professional help, whether that is through medication or talking therapies, it should be declared,” says McCulloch. While some insurers do not require disclosure of menopause-related treatments such as HRT, others do.
The Cost of Claims
The primary cost that travel insurance is designed to cover is emergency medical treatment abroad, which can be extremely expensive. According to Staysure, claims from long-haul destinations often exceed £5,000, while in Europe, the average medical and repatriation claim is £3,581.
Although the UK’s free Global Health Insurance Card provides access to state healthcare in the European Economic Area and some other countries on the same basis as residents, it does not cover repatriation or other expenses. Insurers routinely check NHS records if a claim is made. If an undisclosed condition comes to light, it may invalidate the policy.