Most Commonly Overlooked Medical Conditions

When planning a holiday, most of us dream about sun-soaked beaches, exciting excursions, and evening meals by the sea, not buying travel insurance. But if you have a pre-existing medical condition, ensuring your travel insurance reflects your true health status is essential. It’s not just a formality - it’s a crucial step in protecting your health, finances, and peace of mind while you’re away.

At Medical Travel Compared, we understand that talking about your health can feel uncomfortable or even intrusive. But transparency with your travel insurance provider is not only important - it’s vital.

In this article, we’ll walk you through some of the most commonly under-declared medical conditions, why they’re sometimes left off applications, what the risks are if you don’t disclose them, and how easy it actually is to get covered properly.

Why Do People Avoid Declaring Conditions?

There are a few common reasons people don’t disclose their medical history:

Lack of awareness: Some people simply aren’t aware of the resources, benefits, or support available to them. Without the right information, they may overlook opportunities that could make a significant difference in their travel insurance.

Fear of increased premiums: In contexts like insurance or healthcare, there is often a worry that disclosing certain information or using services might lead to higher premiums or costs. This fear can deter people from accessing the protection they need.

Assuming it’s “not relevant”: People frequently dismiss certain options or resources because they believe these don’t apply to their specific situations, even when they do. This assumption can lead to missed opportunities or unutilised services.

Embarrassment: Many individuals feel self-conscious or embarrassed about seeking help or discussing certain issues, particularly if they perceive them as personal shortcomings. This can prevent them from taking the necessary steps to address the problem.

Rushed or last-minute booking: When individuals leave tasks to the last minute, they may make hasty decisions or skip important steps in the process due to time constraints. This can lower the quality of the protection or even result in missed deadlines.

However, the belief that leaving out conditions will save money can backfire badly. If you need medical treatment abroad and haven’t declared a relevant condition, your claim could be denied, leaving you with thousands in out-of-pocket expenses.

Commonly Under-Declared Medical Conditions

Some medical conditions are far more likely to be left undeclared than others. This often happens because:

• The condition is seen as minor or well-managed
• The person feels embarrassed to talk about it
• They simply don’t realise it needs to be declared
• They're worried about paying more for cover

Let’s break down the conditions that are most commonly forgotten - or deliberately left off - insurance forms.

READ MORE: What Do I Need to Declare on My Travel Insurance?

Long-Term Conditions That Feel Like “Normal Life”

When you’ve been managing a condition for years, it’s easy to overlook it as just part of daily life. But “controlled” doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the most common chronic conditions, and one of the most frequently under-declared. Even when it’s well-managed with medication, it increases your risk of complications such as stroke, dizziness, or heart issues - any of which could derail your trip if not covered.

READ MORE: Travelling with High Blood Pressure

Diabetes

Whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, this condition must be declared. Travel, changes in diet, and physical activity can all impact blood sugar levels. If you experience a hypo or diabetic emergency abroad, medical treatment could be costly without the right cover.

READ MORE: Diabetes and Travel

Conditions People Don’t Realise Need Declaring

Many people simply don’t know that some “milder” or more manageable conditions still need to be disclosed.

Allergies

From nut and shellfish allergies to bee stings or hay fever, allergic reactions can quickly become medical emergencies. If you carry an EpiPen or have had reactions in the past, insurers need to know - even if your symptoms are usually mild.

READ MORE: Travelling with Allergies

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

Often dismissed as a “nuisance” rather than a medical concern, IBS can cause serious disruption when travelling. Triggers like unfamiliar food, stress, or changes in routine can lead to flare-ups. Declaring IBS ensures you’re covered if symptoms worsen and require medical help abroad.

Sensitive or Personal Health Concerns

Certain conditions carry stigma or are highly personal, making people hesitant to disclose them. But insurers aren’t there to judge - they’re there to help when you need it most.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

STIs such as herpes, chlamydia, or genital warts are often left undisclosed on travel insurance applications due to embarrassment or fear of judgment. However, even when dormant or well-managed, these conditions can still trigger complications or flare-ups while travelling, particularly if you rely on medication. Being fully transparent ensures you receive the protection you need while abroad.

Mental Health Conditions

While awareness of mental health has significantly improved over the past decade, stigma around disclosing mental health conditions still lingers. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and others can feel deeply personal, yet it’s crucial to acknowledge them. These conditions are not only increasingly common but can also be exacerbated by the stresses of travel, jet lag, or unfamiliar environments. Being upfront about mental health is an important step toward managing these challenges effectively.

Short-Term or Recent Illnesses

Short-term or seemingly minor health issues are just as important to disclose, especially if you needed medical assistance to help treat the sickness.

Colds and Flu

If you’ve recently visited a doctor for flu symptoms, it may seem minor. But complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia can develop while travelling and lead to denied claims if your insurer wasn’t informed.

Chicken Pox/Shingles

Chicken Pox or Shingles can often be managed at home with proper care and treatment. However, if you went to see your GP to discuss treatment, then you must ensure that you disclose the condition.

Failing to disclose such conditions could lead to complications with your cover, especially if you experience an unexpected flare-up or related health issue while travelling.

READ MORE: Can I Fly with Chicken Pox/Shingles?

Why Honest Declaration Matters

Being transparent about your medical history helps ensure:

You’re Properly Protected: Emergencies happen. Accurate disclosure ensures that your insurance covers treatment, medication, repatriation, and more if needed.

Peace of Mind: No second-guessing. No worrying whether your policy will hold up if something happens abroad.

Valid Claims: With a fully declared policy, your insurer is far more likely to approve claims without dispute or delay.

READ MORE: How to Make a Successful Travel Insurance Claim

How to Declare Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Declaring your conditions is usually quick, straightforward, and fully confidential. Here’s how to do it:

Know Your Medical History: Keep a list of your current diagnoses, any long-term conditions, medications you take, and recent hospital visits or treatments. Whilst we will not need to know the specific medication names, we will need to know what conditions these were/are prescribed for.

Answer Questions Honestly: It might be tempting to downplay a condition, in the hopes of saving a few pounds on your policy premium. But dishonesty is just as bad as non-disclosure. Make sure you answer all questions, not just medical ones, accurately and truthfully.

Medical Screening Tools: Here at Medical Travel Compared, we use a Medical Screening Tool that can help you to easily declare your medical conditions. For each condition, you will be asked some questions to help determine the severity of your condition, ensuring that it is declared accurately and correctly.

READ MORE: Medical Screening Tool

Ask if You’re Unsure: Not sure whether a condition counts? Don’t guess - ask. Our support team is here to help clarify. You can start a conversation with our Help Desk by clicking the icon in the bottom corner of the screen, or send an email to the team at contact@medicaltravelcompared.co.uk, who will be able to answer any questions you may have.

Final Thought: Your Safety Matters Most

Honesty really is the best policy when it comes to travel insurance. Declaring your pre-existing medical conditions gives you the protection you need, keeps your claims valid, and gives you the freedom to travel with confidence.

At Medical Travel Compared, we help thousands of travellers find specialist cover tailored to their health needs - quickly and affordably.

Ready to travel with confidence? Start comparing quotes today and discover just how easy it is to get covered correctly.