Most UK travellers take out insurance – somewhere between 64 and 78 per cent, according to surveys by the Post Office, trade body Abta and GoCompare. Yet many of us risk having claims rejected by not correctly declaring medical histories.
Research by the insurer Staysure suggests that one in six adults does not disclose certain medical conditions (often because they are unaware of what needs to be declared) and this could invalidate their policies.
“When taking out travel insurance, it is important to answer all of the questions fully and honestly to ensure that you have the right cover for your needs,” says Fraser Lyall, a policy adviser for general insurance at the Association of British Insurers. “If you are unsure of what to declare, you should contact your insurer directly to check.”
What you need to disclose about your medical history is determined by your insurer, not an industry body. Insurers typically ask for about two to five years of medical information, including details of any conditions for which you have received treatment during that time.
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AllClear, for example, requires clients to declare any medical condition for which they have had a doctor’s appointment or treatment in the past two years. “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,” says the firm’s Garry Nelson. “Mild flu that did not require a GP appointment or prescribed medication would not need to be declared.”
Similarly, Staysure has a two-year timeframe for most health conditions.“Even if you no longer need active treatment, or have not taken medication for some time, the diagnosis still matters,” says the company’s chief growth officer, Simon McCulloch.
However, there are certain health problems – including cancer, heart or circulatory issues, mental health conditions, respiratory and renal conditions (relating to the kidneys) – that most insurers will need you to disclose, regardless of when you last experienced symptoms or were treated.
Some companies also require diabetes and asthma to be declared.
Obesity and weight-loss jabs
Most insurers regard obesity as a pre-existing condition even if you are not receiving treatment. Weight-loss jabs such as 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 body mass index (BMI) or a specific health condition – such as type 2 diabetes – many travellers 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.
If prescription medicine is taken without a doctor’s approval, this could void your cover or cause problems if you need to make a claim.
In many cases, mental health diagnoses (such as depression or anxiety) and neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD should also be disclosed, depending on your policy, even if you are not treating them 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 you to disclose menopause-related treatments such as HRT, others do.
The cost of claims
The biggest cost that travel insurance is designed to cover is for emergency medical treatment abroad – and the costs can be prohibitive.
Claims from long-haul destinations often exceed £5,000, according to Staysure while in Europe, the average medical and repatriation claim is £3,581.
Although the UK’s free Global Health Insurance Card gives 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.
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