Key facts
- Medical expenses claims were the most common type of travel insurance claim in 2024, representing one-third of all claims.
- A quarter of travellers did not disclose medical conditions, believing it would increase their cover cost.
- Insurers generally require disclosure of conditions from the past 2-5 years, with some policies requiring updates for changes in health.
- Specialist medical insurers often have a greater appetite and expertise for covering medical risks.
- Failure to declare conditions can lead to claims being invalidated, potentially leaving travellers with tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds in medical bills.
Medical expenses claims constituted the largest portion of travel insurance claims in 2024, accounting for one-third of all claims, an increase from 29% the previous year. Millions of travellers are reportedly risking invalidating their insurance by not declaring pre-existing medical conditions (PEMCs). A quarter of individuals admitted to not disclosing conditions due to fears of increased premiums, despite having experienced medical issues abroad previously. While most insurers can cover PEMCs, this typically requires explicit declaration and may incur additional costs. Data from Go.Compare indicates that while premium hikes for declaring PEMCs have been stable for single and multi-trip policies, they have widened for backpacker policies, with premiums rising by 17% for those not declaring conditions and 26% for those who do between 2023 and 2025. Insurers generally request details on conditions from the past two to five years, and many policies require policyholders to report any changes in health after the policy has been taken out. Confusion exists regarding what constitutes a 'change in health' and which conditions need declaration, with some travellers unaware that antidepressants or ADHD medication require disclosure. Specialist medical insurers are highlighted as a valuable resource for individuals struggling to find affordable cover for PEMCs.