The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office has issued a warning to Brits who are planning to travel abroad, urging them to declare one detail or risk paying thousands
The Foreign Office has issued a stern warning to Brits, advising them to declare a crucial detail on their travel insurance or risk facing potential bills exceeding £150,000.
It’s no revelation that securing your travel insurance is an essential part of holiday planning, providing financial protection if you encounter any issues while abroad. Travel insurance is designed to cover unexpected hospital bills, lost or stolen items, trip cancellations and even emergency transport. Without it, these costs can be incredibly steep when in a foreign country.
However, when applying for coverage, neglecting to disclose any past medical conditions could completely invalidate your insurance.
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The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) stated: “If you travel internationally you should buy appropriate travel insurance before you go, covering you for existing physical or mental health conditions (including those currently under investigation) and any activities you will be doing whilst you are away.
“If you do not have appropriate insurance before you travel, you could be liable for emergency expenses, including medical treatment, which may cost thousands of pounds.”
More specifically, it advised: “Declare existing conditions or pending treatment or tests so that you are covered if there are related complications during your trip; failing to declare something may invalidate your travel insurance.”
The FCDO provided examples of how much this could ultimately cost you if it nullifies your insurance:
- Fall and break your leg in Spain, you will need hospital treatment and possibly medical evacuation/repatriation – £25,000+
- Quad bike accident in Greece, and you need surgery and medical evacuation/repatriation – £80,000+
- Stomach bug or infection treated in a hospital in the USA and possibly medical evacuation/repatriation – £150,000+
Money Saving Expert (MSE), the brainchild of Martin Lewis, highlights that some insurers may request a comprehensive medical history spanning several years.
The site advises: “It’s important to carefully read the questions asked by the insurer – they may want to know of medical conditions or visits for medical attention within the last three, four or five years, and some insurers may even want to know your medical history even further back, as you’re usually considered to be more likely to make a claim.”
As reported by the Express, MSE also lists some of the most common medical conditions that need to be disclosed when buying travel insurance, although this list is not exhaustive:
- Epilepsy
- Heart conditions (including high blood pressure or cholesterol)
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Mental health conditions (including depression, eating disorders, anxiety)
- Arthritis
- Gout
- Crohn’s disease
Price comparison giant Money Supermarket points out that travel insurance could be pricier if you have a pre-existing condition. It explains: “Yes, you can get travel insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition, although it might be more expensive than standard travel insurance. This is because an insurer sees you as a higher risk of making a claim on the policy.
“However, there are still lots of policies to choose from for those with pre-existing conditions. They cover a wide range of health problems and there are also specialist insurers who can help.”
Before jetting off, the FCDO advises holidaymakers to have their insurance policy details at hand, including the policy number and emergency contact number for your insurer.
“Share your policy details with people you’re travelling with and friends or family at home, in case they need to contact your insurance company on your behalf,” it suggests.