Disclosing any medical conditions is essential because you could invalidate your travel insurance policy if you don't. A medical issue can send quotes for cover soaring, but it is not worth risking going abroad without a policy.
The Rising Cost of Cover
Bernie Lawrence, a 77-year-old retiree from Fleet, Hampshire, says he nearly fell over when he saw the travel insurance quote after developing heart problems. Lawrence, who usually travels with his wife Barbara, 79, had always been active before suffering chest pains while running in 2018. Nine days later, he underwent quadruple bypass surgery.
Before the surgery, the couple bought annual travel insurance policies for Europe for under £100. However, after the operation and as they aged, prices rose sharply. In 2022, they paid £302 for the same cover. After he suffered briefly from atrial fibrillation and was placed on an NHS waiting list for an echocardiogram, they were quoted £1,200. Unable to wait months, he paid privately for the scan. Once he had the all-clear, his quote went to £584. The couple paid £805 in 2024 and £1,009 this year for annual cover before a Mediterranean cruise.
Lawrence believes insurance companies view older people as a cash cow, but acknowledges you can't argue with them given his age and medical history.
The Risk of Going Uninsured
Despite never making a claim, Lawrence insists on having cover. However, a survey by AllClear suggests 18% of Britons will risk travelling abroad this summer without insurance, leaving them vulnerable to big medical bills. Two years ago, insurers paid out £262bn for medical expenses for UK travellers needing emergency care abroad.
James Daley, founder of Fairer Finance, warns that travel insurance can become very expensive with pre-existing conditions, especially for countries like the US where there is no reciprocal health agreement. Medical emergencies there can cost tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Finding the Right Cover
Policy costs depend on age, condition, destination, and duration. Price comparison websites allow searches for policies with pre-existing conditions, but it's crucial to check the small print. If mainstream sites fail, specialists like Medical Travel Compared, PayingTooMuch, or AllClear can help. A broker via the British Insurance Brokers' Association may also assist.
When applying, insurers ask about medical issues over a certain period, usually the last five years, but this can vary. If you have recovered and received no further treatment, you do not need to disclose it. Tommy Lloyd of Medical Travel Compared recommends insuring the entire travelling party under one policy to ensure consistent cancellation and curtailment cover.
Common Conditions and Costs
Some conditions like anxiety, high blood pressure, arthritis, and asthma add only a few pounds to a policy. However, being under investigation or waiting for treatment can lead to high costs. Disclosing all conditions is essential to avoid invalidating your policy.
Our price check for a 57-year-old traveller on a seven-night trip to Spain showed: no condition £12.43, anxiety £12.43, asthma £14.65, angina with one heart attack £18.76, breast cancer (all-clear) £13.94.
In 2021, the Financial Conduct Authority introduced rules requiring insurers to signpost customers to specialists if unable to provide cover or if the premium exceeds £200. An Association of British Insurers spokesperson recommends shopping around and comparing factors like trip length, destination, and excess.
Case Study: Ian Wardle
Ian Wardle, 68, from Hatfield Peverel, Essex, was quoted up to £6,000 for travel insurance after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Diagnosed in July 2020, he underwent chemotherapy and maintenance treatment until end of 2022. After recovery, he found affordable cover for trips to the Maldives but was shocked by quotes for a solo motorbike trip to the US. He eventually found cover through AllClear for about £1,000 annually, emphasising the importance of speaking to someone rather than buying online.
