Which pre-existing medical conditions do I need to declare for travel insurance?

Key takeaways

• A pre-existing condition is any health condition you’ve been diagnosed with, treated for, or are awaiting diagnosis

• Failing to disclose a pre-existing condition to an insurer can invalidate claims

• You can usually get travel insurance with a pre-existing condition, but you may have to use a specialist provider

What are pre-existing conditions? 

A pre-existing condition is any health or medical condition you've been diagnosed with, had treatment for, or are awaiting diagnosis of. It also includes ailments you are waiting on a diagnosis for, as well as mental health conditions . 

Different insurers have different definitions about what counts as a pre-existing condition. But in general, insurers need to know about the following: 

• Long-term or chronic conditions, such as asthma, Crohn’s disease , high blood pressure , diabetes , high cholesterol, or epilepsy . 

• Any condition you are waiting for surgery for 

• Anything yet to be diagnosed — for example, if you’re waiting for test results 

• Any ailment you have seen your GP about, had medication for, or been to hospital about in the past two years 

• Serious conditions you have ever had, such as a heart attack , stroke, or cancer

• Conditions for which you have been given a terminal prognosis 

Do I need travel insurance if I have a pre-existing condition?

Although not legally required, holiday insurance is a sensible investment. It provides peace of mind that you’ll be covered for any costs or emergency medical expenses you incur such as:

• cancellation cover (if your condition worsens before your trip)

• medical costs abroad (such as the cost of hospital treatment if you get ill on your holiday)

• repatriation (if you need special arrangements to get you back to the UK)

Having a pre-existing condition makes it more likely that you’ll need medical attention during your trip. Medical treatment can run up costs in the thousands of pounds, and having an insurance policy that covers your pre-existing condition means that you won’t be left with the medical bill.

Whether you’re planning a week in the sun or an adrenaline-filled winter sports trip , travel insurance that covers any pre-existing conditions will mean that you can enjoy your holiday without worrying about the cost of any medical issues that might arise.

📣 Did you know? 34% ^{^} of all travel insurance claims are for medical expenses, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). The average payout was for £1,528 ^{^} .

Do I need to declare pre-existing conditions to my travel provider? 

Yes. Before offering you cover, the insurer will want to work out the likelihood of a claim, and so they will ask about your pre-existing conditions. 

If you’re unsure whether a particular medical condition is relevant, tell your insurer about it anyway. This includes conditions that are managed with medication, or only flare up now and again. This will give you peace of mind that you are fully covered.

Remember, if you have couples travel insurance or family travel insurance , the insurer will need to know about pre-existing conditions for everyone covered by the policy. 

Do I need to declare the medications I'm taking to my travel insurer?

Yes, you should always declare any over-the-counter or prescription medication you are currently taking when buying travel insurance. This includes medical products that you may be using purely for cosmetic reasons, such as GPL-1s like Ozempic and Mounjaro.

What is medical screening for a travel insurance policy? 

If you tell your insurer you have a pre-existing condition , you might have to take part in medical screening. This is where the insurer asks you questions about your medical history, particularly relating to your pre-existing condition. They might want to know about:

• Any recent hospital admissions

• Any planned treatment

• Any medication you are currently taking

• Any tests you are awaiting results for

The information will be used to make sure you have the right cover in place, and at the right price for the insurer. 

The questions will vary depending on your condition. For example, if you have osteoarthritis, the screening process might ask if you have had any joints replaced or resurfaced, if you use mobility aids, and if you’ve had any unplanned hospital admissions in the past 12 months. 

Failure to answer these questions honestly can invalidate your policy, so it’s important you answer all the insurer’s questions as truthfully as you can.  

Will my insurer cover pre-existing conditions? 

When you tell an insurer about a pre-existing condition, it will do one of the following: 

• Offer cover on a standard policy at no extra cost 

• Offer cover but exclude the pre-existing condition 

• Charge a higher premium to cover your condition 

• Refuse to offer insurance 

Many common conditions are covered by most mainstream travel insurers. For example, the Post Office covers diabetes, asthma, and some heart conditions on a case-by-case basis.  

These conditions might be exclusions on other policies, so you should always check with your provider. What’s covered and what’s not will be explained on your policy documents.

Is there specialist travel insurance for pre-existing conditions?

Yes, there are travel insurers who specialise in offering cover to people with more severe medical conditions. So if you’re turned down for travel insurance due to health issues you can often still get insurance via a specialist insurer.   

The government-backed MoneyHelper has a directory of specialist travel insurance providers which can help if you have a serious medical condition or disability.

These providers are experts in covering travellers with pre-existing conditions and will carry out medical screening to ensure you can find the right travel insurance and level of cover for you. You might also be offered extra cover relevant to your condition, such as cover for medical equipment or lost medication. 

What happens if I don't disclose a pre-existing medical condition to my travel insurer? 

Failing to tell your travel insurer about a pre-existing condition is called “non-disclosure”, and can mean you’re not covered in the case of a medical emergency.  

If this happens, you’ll have to pay for treatment and associated costs yourself. While this might be affordable in some countries, it will be eye-wateringly expensive in other destinations, especially if you have a serious condition. For example, treatment for a stroke in the US can cost more than $40,000 (roughly £31,000). 

As well as costs for medical treatment, a declined claim could also mean you’re not covered for cancellation, curtailment, or repatriation as a result of your condition. 

Can travel insurers access my medical records?

Yes, if you make a travel insurance claim, your travel insurer can request access to your medical records and therefore find out you had a pre-existing condition you did not disclose.

Insurers cannot access your records without your consent, but if you refuse to grant it your claim is likely to be rejected and your policy deemed invalid. 

Do I need to tell insurers about any changes to my health? 

If you already have travel insurance – whether a single trip or an annual multi-trip policy – you’ll need to keep your insurer updated about any new medical conditions you have. Insurers will usually have a helpline you can call.

Travel insurance companies call this “ongoing duty of disclosure” or “change in health” and they might charge an extra premium due to your condition. 

The golden rule is that honesty is the best policy when it comes to pre-existing conditions. It’s better to pay a bit more for travel insurance so you can relax on your holiday, safe in the knowledge you’re fully covered. 

Where can I find cheap travel insurance for a pre-existing condition?

If you have a pre-existing condition and are looking to buy travel insurance, the best place to start is comparing quotes .

Travel insurance for pre-existing conditions starts from £5.07 ^{^} but the average price our customers pay for travel insurance with a medical condition is £13.87 ^{^} . The cost will vary on the specific condition and level of cover you require.

If you find that you’re unable to find adequate insurance for your condition, you can also try a specialist provider . Although generally more expensive, these are also better equipped to help with your particular needs.

Frequently asked questions