UK travel journalist Simon Calder is advising holidaymakers to carefully review and declare their full medical history before travelling this summer. This comes amid new research revealing that nearly six million people have knowingly failed to disclose medical conditions when applying for travel insurance.
The study, conducted by Admiral Travel Insurance, also found that almost a third of travellers have experienced illness or medical emergencies abroad. Confusion over what constitutes a pre-existing condition remains widespread: almost one-third of respondents would not declare prescribed weight-loss injections, 17% are unaware that antidepressants must be disclosed, and 16% would omit ADHD medications.
It is important to note that if weight-loss injections are prescribed by a GP to treat conditions like obesity or diabetes, it is the underlying condition that must be declared, not the medication. Failure to do so could reduce claim payouts or invalidate insurance coverage altogether.
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Furthermore, 20% of travellers believe they only need to declare conditions requiring ongoing medication or treatment, while 15% think “pre-existing” solely refers to chronic illnesses such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes. Admiral’s policy requires disclosure of any medical consultation, treatment, or prescribed medication within the last two to five years, depending on the condition, including any pending appointments or diagnoses.
Among those who admitted to non-disclosure, over a quarter feared that declaring a condition would raise their insurance costs, and 16% believed their condition was too minor to mention.
Admiral warns that providing inaccurate medical information can jeopardise claims and potentially lead to costly medical bills abroad. Nearly half of Admiral’s travel insurance claims involve a medical issue.
Simon Calder noted, “Once you’ve booked your trip, anticipation is everything. But peace of mind is paramount, and that starts by ensuring your travel insurance is accurate and comprehensive from day one. The UK’s competitive insurance market offers great value — provided you’re honest about your health to secure the right policy at the right price.”
Cosmin Sarbu, Admiral’s Head of Travel Insurance, added, “Thinking ‘it won’t happen to me’ is a risky gamble. Thousands of customers get sick or injured abroad every year. Many worry that declaring a medical condition will make insurance unaffordable, but often it doesn’t — affordable cover can still be arranged.
“The key is transparency. If you don’t declare relevant conditions, your claim could be denied, and your policy invalidated. We ask customers to disclose all ongoing treatments so we can tailor cover fairly and effectively.”
To aid travellers, Admiral is launching a new “Something to Declare?” checklist to clarify what needs to be disclosed and provide peace of mind when buying policies. They’re also introducing an email reminder system for customers who might have omitted important medical information. This feature will go live within weeks.
Admiral currently offers coverage for over 3,600 medical conditions and urges travellers to also verify that their policy covers their planned activities, whether cruises, winter sports, or other adventures.