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If you have a health condition, or have had one in the past, you might be wondering whether you need to declare it when you take out travel insurance.
The short answer is it’s always best to be upfront with insurers about any health issues you might have, or you risk invalidating your cover if you need to make a claim. However, sometimes it’s not always easy to know whether you should disclose minor ailments, conditions that you’re now recovered from, or medical procedures that might be planned for after your break.
Here, we explain what you do and don’t need to declare when buying travel insurance so that you’ll have peace of mind that you’ll be fully protected while you’re away.
Which medical conditions do you need to declare when buying travel insurance?
When you take out travel insurance, insurers will want to know if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.
These are defined as any medical condition which you’ve had symptoms of in the last two years, or which you’ve received treatment for, been prescribed medication for, or have had a medical consultation about.
Even if you’ve now fully recovered from the condition, or you’re able to manage it so that it doesn’t cause you any issues, you should still let your insurer know about it.
You always need to declare any heart or cardiovascular conditions you’ve had at any time, including high blood pressure or cholesterol, or if you’ve ever suffered a stroke.
Rhys Jones, travel insurance expert at Go.Compare, said; “Travellers should always declare any pre-existing medical conditions when applying for cover. While some people worry this will dramatically increase premiums, failing to disclose medical information means an insurer could reject a claim.
“Comparing specialist providers after declaring medical conditions often produces more affordable options than travellers expect.”
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What about any medical conditions I have now?
If you have an ongoing medical condition, or one that has recently developed, again you will need to declare this to your insurer.
Your insurer is likely to have a few follow up questions, so it’s worth being prepared for these. The sort of things they might want to know include:
- Whether you’re currently taking any medication or are receiving treatment for your condition
- Whether you’ve had surgery, or have any scheduled
- What follow ups/ check ups you’ve had or have booked in
If you’re currently undergoing treatment for a medical condition, are under referral or awaiting an operation, you might be asked to provide confirmation from your doctor that it’s safe for you to travel.
Which medical conditions does travel insurance cover?
This will vary widely depending on which travel insurer you go to. Some insurers specialise in covering holidaymakers who have pre-existing medical conditions, whereas others may not provide cover for these conditions in their standard policies.
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What if I develop a health issue after buying cover?
If you’re diagnosed with a medical condition after buying travel insurance, you will need to let your insurer know as soon as possible.
They might be able to amend your policy so that it includes cover for your new condition. You may have to pay an additional premium for this, but it means you’ll be covered if the condition causes you issues while you’re away.
If you don’t declare any new health condition or changes to your health, then you may not have any protection in the event that you need emergency treatment while you’re away.
Finally….
Whether you have any health conditions or not, travel insurance can provide valuable protection against financial losses in case things go wrong unexpectedly. Although you aren’t legally required to have it, not having cover could prove an expensive mistake if you need medical treatment, or if you have to cut short or cancel your trip.
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Sun, sand and 20% off Admiral Travel Insurance
Ready to jet off to your dream destination? Use code RLSS20 for 20% off your travel insurance. Travel with less stress knowing you’ve got a safety net if something goes wrong. Terms and conditions apply. Offer ends 31 December, 2026.
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