What is a Medical Declaration?

Depending on the number of conditions and the severity, a medical declaration can be a lengthy process so be prepared for this and ensure you have the details of your condition and medication to hand.

The short answer, yes.

Failure to declare all of your medical conditions can result in a claim being denied, and with the cost of healthcare abroad easily rising into the thousands you could be left facing a hefty medical bill.

It is fair to say some medical conditions we just ‘live with’ and you may feel they are not significant enough to cause you any problems either before you go on holiday or whilst you are there. This is not the case, always ensure you declare ALL conditions to the insurer and let them decide if they need to be included.

Many travellers worry that disclosing all their medical conditions will automatically lead to a significant increase in premiums.  In reality, well-controlled conditions such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol usually result in only a small increase of a few pounds, if any increase at all. 

It is important to remember the travel insurer is there to protect you from financial loss should anything go wrong, but in order for insurance to work in the way it is designed to, you need to be honest and transparent at policy purchase stage. Bear in mind, travel insurance is a contract and can only pay out on the terms stated regardless of the how tragic and emotive the situation is. This is why it is so important to make sure you are buying a policy that is suitable for your individual needs.

We all understand that changes to our health can happen unexpectedly, and it’s not always possible to predict them.

If you receive a new diagnosis or there is any change to an existing condition — even something as simple as a non-routine GP or hospital appointment with no further treatment required — you must inform your insurer as soon as possible. They will review the update and reassess the level of risk.

In most cases, the change is simply noted on your policy and there is no impact on your premium. Occasionally, there may be a small increase to reflect the updated risk. In rarer situations, depending on the nature of the condition, the insurer may need to withdraw cover.

If this happens, insurers will usually offer one of the following options:

• Continue with the policy and submit a cancellation claim for your holiday costs, or
• Cancel the policy and receive a partial refund of your premium

As terms can vary between insurers, it’s always best to check directly with your provider for full details.

If you need to make a claim for cancellation, curtailment, or medical expenses relating to a declared condition, and you have provided accurate and complete information, your insurer will be able to handle your claim quickly. They can confirm cover with the treating hospital, liaise directly with medical staff, and manage billing on your behalf.

If you require medical treatment abroad, you should contact your insurer as soon as possible and keep any itemised receipts for expenses you have paid.

However, if your medical declaration was incomplete or inaccurate when you purchased your policy — even unintentionally — your insurer may reduce the payout or decline your claim altogether. In the event of a claim or medical emergency, insurers need to quickly confirm that your policy covers your circumstances.

To do this, the claims team may contact your GP to verify your medical history and compare it with the information you provided when taking out the policy. If there are discrepancies, further investigation will be required. This can delay the process and, in some cases, result in your claim being declined.

Even where a claim is ultimately accepted, these delays can be significant. To avoid this, it’s important to provide full and accurate medical information when purchasing your policy. This helps ensure that any claim — whether for medical expenses, cancellation, or curtailment — can be processed as quickly and smoothly as possible.