Correctly filling out your travel insurance form could save you tens of thousands of pounds, according to insurance experts. Complaints about travel insurance are at their highest level since the pandemic, according to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
The dispute resolution service recorded more than 4,400 complaints in 2023/2024, with disgruntled holidaymakers sharing their concerns about flight delays, lost luggage and levels of emergency assistance after falling ill abroad. Failing to disclose your medical history when filling out the insurance form could lead to astronomical medical bills and a lot of stress, so here’s everything you need to know about health insurance abroad so you can enjoy your holiday stress-free.
Is travel insurance worth it?
Paying a little extra for travel insurance when booking your next holiday could save you from receiving a huge medical bill worth tens of thousands of pounds in the post.
“A tailored travel insurance policy should be one of your holiday essentials, no matter where you go or for how long,” says Simon McCulloch, Commercial Director at Staysure Insurance. “It offers cover for unexpected events such as medical emergencies, cancellations, lost luggage and more.
“The two main areas that need to be covered are cancellation and medical emergencies,” explains McCulloch. “The cost of a medical emergency abroad and repatriation to the UK can be considerable, so travel insurance is there to offer travellers peace of mind and protection against financial loss in unforeseen situations.”
Alice Lawson, associate director of insurance at Holiday Extras, agrees, adding: “In the rare circumstances where something does go wrong, it can be dangerous or expensive not to have the right travel insurance in place. The biggest costs holidaymakers face if something goes wrong abroad are often medical bills or medical repatriation (a special plane or helicopter to transport people still receiving medical treatment, plus the trained medical professionals who travel with them).
“Medical repatriation alone, from Europe alone, can cost between £30,000 and £60,000, so the financial risk of travelling without adequate insurance can be high.”
What kind of conditions should I declare?
“It’s important to declare all pre-existing medical conditions to your insurer in order to get a policy tailored specifically to your needs,” says McCulloch. “This includes long-term or chronic medical conditions (such as diabetes or heart disease), recent or ongoing medical treatments, major health conditions such as cancer, or any condition for which you’ve visited a doctor, had surgery, or taken medication.”
Alex Cross, head of insurance at Tesco Bank, also advises travellers to declare any psychological conditions they suffer from, such as anxiety, depression or eating disorders. “Honesty really is the best policy when it comes to travel insurance, as failure to declare conditions can invalidate the policy,” says Cross. “Transparency is essential in all cases, as saving a few pounds on your travel insurance premium is more than offset by the high cost of medical bills abroad if you are not covered.”
Lawson agrees, saying that even minor conditions, such as mild asthma, should be disclosed on the form. “Asthma is a pre-existing chronic condition, even if you consider it mild, you will need to disclose it to your insurance provider,” Lawson says.
What if I am in good health right now?
“Even if you are in good health or your symptoms are well controlled, it is important to disclose any past or current medical conditions,” McCulloch advises. “Insurance companies need this information to accurately assess risk and provide appropriate coverage.”
But I won’t be doing anything risky on my trip. Do I still need to declare it?
Even if you’ve booked a relaxing getaway to the Mediterranean and don’t plan to lift a finger once there, it’s worth declaring your medical history on your insurance form.
“Travel insurance is all about providing peace of mind and support in case something goes wrong, and not everything that can go wrong is a result of risky activities, so it is absolutely necessary to declare everything,” urges Lawson. “If you fail to declare a relevant condition to your insurer, your insurance may become invalid.”
What about surgeries and injuries?
“If you’re awaiting surgery, you’ll need to declare that. If you’ve already had surgery, you may need to declare that – it will depend on when it was done and what it was for. If you’re not sure, check with your insurance provider,” Lawson says.
Should I get specialized insurance for certain conditions?
If you or a family member has a more complex condition, it may be worth paying more for a specialized insurance plan.
McCulloch says: “For certain medical conditions, it may be beneficial to look into specialist travel insurance that offers more comprehensive coverage tailored to your specific needs.”
