**Britons Urged to Disclose All Health Conditions on Travel Insurance to Avoid Financial Fallout**
A significant number of UK holidaymakers are jeopardising their financial safety by failing to fully disclose all relevant health details when purchasing travel insurance, a new survey has found. This troubling trend, highlighted by research commissioned by travel insurance provider Staysure, reveals widespread misunderstandings of disclosure requirements and the potentially severe consequences of cutting corners.
The study surveyed British adults who had travelled in the last twelve months, revealing that one in six admitted to being less than truthful about their health status when arranging travel cover. Alarmingly, a quarter of those questioned had opted to travel without any insurance at all, while one-in-five confessed they had deliberately booked trips knowing their policies provided incomplete coverage.
Financial pressures loom large, with many respondents attributing their decision to omit details of so-called ‘non-serious’ medical conditions to the desire for cheaper premiums. It appears a common misconception persists that such omissions are harmless, particularly when travellers are primarily concerned about protection against trip cancellations or lost luggage rather than medical emergencies.
A spokesperson for Staysure emphasised the risks associated with this approach, stating, “Travellers must be as honest and detailed as possible when declaring their health status for insurance policies. Skipping medical details, however minor they seem, can leave people dangerously exposed financially if they require treatment abroad.”
The research further indicated a widespread lack of awareness regarding which health conditions must be disclosed to insurers. The requirement to declare prescriptions for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) commonly used to address menopause symptoms or medications for weight management, for example, was not understood by many respondents. Similarly, a significant proportion did not appreciate the need to report high blood pressure, recent surgeries, or histories of serious organ or heart conditions.
Staysure pointed out that, in the event of a medical claim, insurance companies routinely check NHS records to verify the accuracy of a policyholder’s disclosure. Any discrepancies—such as undeclared conditions or hospital visits that occurred prior to taking out insurance—can result in claims being invalidated. Should this happen, affected travellers could be left facing unmanageable medical bills without any safety net.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the fear of a claim being rejected and being left stranded overseas with enormous medical expenses was cited by seven in ten survey respondents as their greatest worry while travelling. The cost of repatriation or urgent medical procedures can be astronomical; for example, an air ambulance to return from Spain can exceed £45,000.
Despite these risks, the majority of those polled—four out of five—expressed the view that travel insurance offered good value for money, and a significant proportion reported having made a claim in the past. Staysure’s spokesperson stressed the importance of informing insurers of any recent changes to health, even if they may not lead to increased policy costs. “A simple update about a new prescription or GP visit could make the crucial difference and prevent unexpected bills running into the thousands.”
To support travellers in making informed decisions, the insurer has released a list of the health conditions travellers most commonly neglect to mention when applying for cover. These are: menopause/HRT, weight loss medication, hearing problems, arthritis, osteoarthritis, recent GP or hospital appointments, chronic back pain, thyroid issues, altered health status or medication changes, and mental health conditions.
In summary, while the urge to save money ahead of a holiday is understandable, experts urge Britons not to underestimate the value of full disclosure with their travel insurance provider. The minimal effort involved in sharing up-to-date medical information could avert life-changing financial burdens, ensuring peace of mind wherever the journey leads.