Overview

• Officials urge travellers to disclose existing or pending physical and mental health conditions, as well as planned activities, to avoid invalidating policies.
• The FCDO illustrates potential costs if cover fails, citing £25,000+ for a broken leg in Spain, £80,000+ after a quad bike crash in Greece, and £150,000+ for hospital treatment in the United States.
• Money Saving Expert notes that definitions differ by insurer, with questions often covering medical history from the past three to five years or longer.
• Commonly disclosed conditions include epilepsy, heart issues, asthma, diabetes, mental health conditions, arthritis, gout and Crohn’s disease, with additional disclosure needed for surgeries, ongoing treatment and pending tests.
• MoneySuperMarket says cover is available for pre‑existing conditions though premiums may be higher, and the FCDO advises carrying policy details and the insurer’s emergency contact number and sharing them with companions and family.