Are you really covered? The medical details you must tell your travel insurer

You’ve planned the perfect getaway. Your bags are packed, your tickets are ready, and you can almost feel the sunshine. But there’s one important thing many travellers overlook: making sure their travel insurance truly has them covered.

Surprisingly, 1 in 6 UK adults admit they haven’t been fully honest about their health when buying travel insurance, according to a recent study by Staysure.

In an effort to cut costs, 25% said they’d be happy to leave out a ‘non-serious’ health condition to get a cheaper policy. But while saving money may feel like a win in the short term, it can lead to unexpected – and expensive – problems down the line.

Why some people skip medical declarations

The research uncovered a few common reasons people don’t share their full health history:

• 23% thought it wasn’t needed because they only wanted cancellation or baggage cover.
• 18% believed a condition controlled by medication didn’t need to be mentioned.
• 17% didn’t think they needed to declare a previous heart attack or organ condition.

But even if a condition feels under control, it still needs to be declared on your travel insurance. If you cancel your trip because of it – or need treatment abroad – your claim could be declined if you didn’t include it in your policy.

Unfortunately, 14% of travellers said they personally know someone whose medical claim was denied because of an undeclared condition. And that kind of stress is the last thing anyone wants when they’re meant to be relaxing.

Can insurers check your medical records?

Yes – and many do. When someone makes a claim, insurers may check NHS medical records to verify that the information matches what was declared on the policy.

Any recent GP visits, medication changes, or diagnoses not declared could invalidate your policy. That’s because insurers need a full picture of your health to assess the right level of cover – it’s part of the two-way trust that makes your policy work. And getting caught out abroad is something nobody wants to deal with on holiday.

That may explain why 71% of people say their biggest fear is having a claim turned down, and 69% worry about being stuck abroad with a medical bill they can’t pay.

And it’s a valid concern – medical treatment overseas can be eye-wateringly expensive. Whether it’s an overnight stay or an emergency flight home, the costs can quickly escalate. That’s why being honest upfront is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself.

The top 10 conditions travellers forget to declare

Many travellers simply don’t realise what counts as a ‘medical condition’ for insurance purposes. The survey highlights some of the most commonly missed declarations:

1. Menopause/HRT (75%)
2. Weight loss medication (67%)
3. Hearing difficulties (66%)
4. Arthritis (53%)
5. Osteoarthritis (53%)
6. Recent GP or hospital visits (52%)
7. Chronic back pain (51%)
8. Thyroid conditions (48%)
9. Changes to health or medications (45%)
10. Mental health conditions (41%)

Most of these are manageable conditions that people live with every day. But that doesn’t mean they’re automatically covered – so it’s important to let your insurer know.

What happens if you forget to declare something?

Even if you don’t mean to leave something out, forgetting a medical condition could still affect your cover. If you realise you’ve missed something after you’ve bought your policy, contact your insurer as soon as possible. Many providers, including Staysure, can update your policy – and it’s better to do it before you travel.

What if your condition is under control?

Many travellers assume that if a condition is stable or managed with medication, it doesn’t need to be mentioned. But even controlled conditions – like high blood pressure or diabetes – must still be declared. Your insurer isn’t judging your health, they’re just making sure you have the right level of cover in place if something changes.

It’s not always more expensive

People often worry that declaring health conditions will dramatically raise their premium. But in many cases, the increase isn’t as much as people expect – and it can be worth it for the peace of mind. Not every declared condition adds to the cost.

How many people skip travel insurance altogether?

Worryingly, 27% of travellers admit they don’t take out insurance for every trip – and 22% knowingly travel without full cover.

Yet with 26% of people having had to make a claim in the past, it’s clear that things do go wrong. Fortunately, 81% said their travel insurance was worth the money – and for good reason.

Travel insurance isn’t just about medical emergencies either. It can help with missed flights, lost luggage, or last-minute cancellations – all of which can derail a holiday.

Why it pays to be honest about your health

A spokesperson for Staysure explained: “Declaring all your medical conditions means you’re financially protected if something happens while you’re abroad – or if you need to come home early. Last year alone, the average cost of an air ambulance from Spain was over £45,000.”

They added: “Travellers must tell us if they’ve recently seen a doctor or changed medication. Not every update will increase your premium – but it could be vital if you need to make a claim.”

It’s worth remembering that every policy is different. Some insurers may offer specialist cover or additional benefits – so it’s always worth comparing options and reading the small print.

Top tips for declaring medical conditions

To make sure your policy works for you, here’s what to do:

1. Be upfront – tell your insurer about any health conditions, medications, or appointments.
2. Don’t guess – if you’re unsure what to declare, check with your provider or your GP.
3. Keep things updated – Let your insurer know if anything changes before your trip.
4. Ask questions – most insurers will be happy to clarify what’s needed.
5. Review your documents – before you travel, double-check your policy documents and contact your provider if you spot any errors.

Peace of mind means more freedom to enjoy your trip

The whole point of travel insurance is to help you relax, knowing that if anything unexpected happens, you’re protected.

That starts with getting the medical declarations right – not just to meet policy requirements, but to make sure you have the right level of support when you need it.

The good news? Being honest about your health doesn’t mean you’ll automatically pay more. And in many cases, it means you’re more likely to be looked after if something goes wrong.

At Staysure, we believe everyone deserves to travel with confidence. That’s why our travel insurance covers most pre-existing medical conditions, with no upper age limit – so you can focus on enjoying every moment of your journey.

Whether it’s a relaxing beach holiday or a trip you’ve been planning for years, get covered today and travel with confidence.