If you’ve got a health condition (current or in the past), travel insurance can feel like a maze: confusing questions, jumpy prices, and the fear that one wrong tick-box could make a claim pointless.

This guide takes a very “Martin Lewis-style” approach: be properly covered, don’t pay more than you need to, and avoid the common traps that trip UK travellers up.

To anchor the topic, we’ll use the phrase martin lewis travel insurance pre existing medical conditions once here, but the goal is simple: help you buy the right cover with confidence.

Author expertise note: This is written from the perspective of years spent helping UK consumers compare policies, decode insurer wording, and avoid claim-refusal scenarios caused by disclosure mistakes.

How to get travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions without overpaying in the UK?

Why this topic is so confusing and why prices vary so much?

Travel insurers aren’t just pricing “you”. They’re pricing risk in layers: your age, destination (and healthcare costs), trip length, planned activities, and—crucially—your medical history.

Two people with the same condition can get totally different quotes because insurers weigh details differently, such as:

• how recently you had symptoms or treatment

• how stable the condition is

• whether you’ve had hospital admissions or medication changes

• whether you’re awaiting tests, referrals, or results

Here’s the mindset shift that saves you stress: you’re not trying to “sell yourself as healthy”. You’re trying to disclose accurately so your cover actually works.

What counts as a “pre-existing medical condition” in UK travel insurance?

There isn’t one universal definition across all insurers. But in practice, most policies treat a condition as “pre-existing” if it involves recent or ongoing symptoms, treatment, medication, medical advice, investigations, referrals, or changes in health—even if you personally think it’s minor or “sorted”.

Does a condition from years ago still count?

Sometimes, yes. Even if a condition feels historical, insurers may still ask if you’ve ever had it, or whether you’ve had any related treatment/symptoms within a certain period (often measured in months or years, depending on the insurer).

If you’re unsure, treat it like this:

• If the insurer asks a direct question that covers your situation, answer it exactly as asked.

• If the question is ambiguous, it’s safer to declare and let the insurer decide how it affects the premium than to guess and risk a claim problem later.

Do “minor” conditions need declaring?

Often, yes—if they appear in the insurer’s screening questions. “Minor” is personal; underwriting is not.

People commonly get caught out by conditions like:

• high blood pressure that’s controlled with tablets

• asthma that rarely flares

• anxiety/depression managed with medication

• high cholesterol

• musculoskeletal issues (e.g., back pain) if there was treatment or referrals

What medical conditions do you need to declare — and how far back?

If you’re searching for martin lewis travel insurance pre existing medical conditions, you’re usually trying to answer one question: “What do I actually need to tell them?”

What is a simple “declare it if…” rule-of-thumb you can apply?

Declare it if any of the following are true and the insurer’s questions capture it:

• you take medication for it (even if stable)

• you’ve had symptoms, flare-ups, or changes

• you’ve had GP or hospital appointments about it

• you’ve been referred, investigated, or are awaiting results

• you’ve had a change in dosage, new medication, or specialist input

What are the Common examples UK travellers ask about?

Diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure

These are routinely covered by many insurers—but pricing depends on stability, medication changes, and any complications.

Heart conditions, stroke/TIA history

Insurers tend to focus on recency (when it happened), ongoing medication, and any hospital admissions.

Cancer (in treatment or remission)

Expect detailed questions around diagnosis date, treatment status, recent follow-ups, and any ongoing medication.

Mental health (anxiety/depression and other conditions)

Many people hesitate to declare mental health conditions. But if medication, GP visits, referrals, or symptoms fall within screening questions, you should declare. It’s not about judgement—it’s about ensuring the policy can respond if you need help abroad.

Medications that can trigger disclosure questions (including weight-loss injections)

Some travellers are surprised that certain medications (including injections prescribed for weight management or diabetes) can trigger follow-up questions because insurers may associate them with underlying conditions and related risks.

What insurers usually expect you to disclose? 

What happens if you don’t declare a medical condition on travel insurance?

This is where UK consumer guidance tends to be blunt: non-disclosure can lead to a refused claim.

Even if your claim isn’t directly related to the condition, insurers may still check whether the policy was set up accurately.

Why “I didn’t think it mattered” is risky?

The common trap is assuming:

• “It’s controlled, so it doesn’t count.”

• “I haven’t had symptoms for ages.”

• “My GP never called it a condition.”

But screening questions can be broader than your everyday understanding. If you’re in doubt, declaring is usually the safer route.

How medical screening works and how to answer questions confidently?

Medical screening is basically a structured Q&A that helps the insurer assess risk and decide whether to:

• cover the condition as standard

• cover it with exclusions

• charge a higher premium

• decline (or refer you to specialist options)

To make screening less stressful, do this prep first:

• Medication list (name, dose, and what it’s for)

• Key dates (diagnosis, last symptoms, last treatment, last hospital admission)

• Any recent changes (new meds, dosage changes, new symptoms)

• Referrals/investigations (even if you’re still waiting)

• Your GP details (sometimes requested)

(That’s one of the only two bullet lists in this article.)

How to handle “stable/controlled” questions without guessing?

If the screening asks whether something is “stable” or “controlled”, answer based on what’s happened, not what you hope is true.

A practical way to think about it:

• If you’ve had no new symptoms, no medication changes, no extra appointments, and no investigations recently, you’re more likely to fit the insurer’s idea of stable.

• If anything has changed, say so and let the insurer decide.

What to do if the screening question doesn’t match your diagnosis?

Sometimes the listed conditions don’t match your wording (for example, your GP uses a different label). Don’t force a fit.

Instead:

• use the closest category offered

• add details if there’s a free-text field

• if it’s genuinely unclear, phone the insurer and make a note of what you were told (date/time/name)

Martin Lewis-style cost-cutters that still keep you properly covered?

This is where you can save money without cutting corners.

How It is Compared? – Mainstream → Specialist → Broker

A common UK best-practice approach is:

1. try mainstream comparison for your needs

2. if quotes are sky-high or exclusions appear, try specialist medical travel insurers

3. if still stuck, use a broker who deals with more complex medical histories

Also: buy cover as soon as you book so you’re covered for cancellation if something happens before you travel.

Annual multi-trip vs single-trip: Which is usually better when you have conditions?

If you’ll travel more than once in 12 months, annual cover can work out cheaper—even with declared conditions. But not always, especially if you’re doing one long-haul trip and nothing else.

Single-trip vs annual multi-trip – UK reality check

How to Choose the right medical limit and excess and what actually matters?

Overseas medical care and repatriation can be extremely costly, so a strong medical limit matters.

To avoid paying extra for the wrong thing:

• don’t obsess over tiny differences in baggage cover if your main risk is medical

• consider whether a higher excess genuinely saves money after you’ve declared conditions

• check whether the excess applies per claim (and whether medical claims have a separate excess)

When add-ons change everything: cruise, winter sports, altitude?

If you’re cruising, skiing, hiking at altitude, or doing anything remotely adventurous, don’t assume it’s included. These add-ons can materially change price and eligibility—especially if your condition could be affected by exertion, cold, or altitude.

If you’ve been declined, or cover is excluded — what can you do next?

Being declined feels like a dead end, but it’s often a sign you need a different route rather than “no cover exists”.

What to do if prices look unaffordable?

Try these (in order of least painful):

• change insurer (specialist medical provider vs mainstream)

• adjust excess (but only if it remains realistic for you)

• reconsider destination/length (some countries are dramatically pricier for medical risk)

• consider annual cover if you’ll travel more than once

• speak to a broker if your history is complex

Let’s explore a few realistic UK scenarios that show how this plays out:

Scenario A: You have controlled blood pressure and want a 5-night Spain break.
You declare it, answer screening honestly, and may find the premium is modest—especially if no recent changes.

Scenario B: You’re in cancer remission and planning a long-haul trip.
You’ll likely get more questions. Quotes vary widely, so specialist providers can be the difference between “no” and “yes”.

Scenario C: You’re awaiting investigation results before travel.
This is where people get stuck. The safest play is to disclose the investigation when asked and get clarity in writing (or via documented call notes) where possible.

What are the Pre-trip checklist: Reduce claim risk and travel with confidence?

Here’s the second (and last) bullet list—use it as your calm, practical checklist:

• Take a current medication list, plus spares in hand luggage

• Carry a copy of prescriptions (and a GP note if you think questions are likely)

• Carry your GHIC/EHIC if travelling where it applies, but don’t rely on it alone

• Make sure your insurer’s emergency helpline is saved on your phone

• Declare mobility aids or medical equipment if your policy asks

• If your health changes after buying, tell the insurer before you travel

On GHIC/EHIC: it can help with access to state-provided medically necessary care in certain places, but it doesn’t replace travel insurance and won’t cover things like repatriation.

How to claim if something goes wrong abroad?

If you’re hospitalised or need urgent treatment, most insurers want you to:

• call the emergency assistance line as soon as reasonably possible

• keep receipts and documentation

• obtain medical reports (and discharge notes if admitted)

This matters because insurers often need to approve major costs (especially private treatment or repatriation planning).

What UK travellers commonly struggle with? – Typical discussions online

Across UK consumer communities, recurring themes tend to be:

• Screening questions feel too hard (people worry they’ll answer “wrong”)

• Medical records don’t match what they remember (diagnoses and notes can differ)

• Fear of being punished for honesty (premium jumps after disclosure)

• Confusion about “awaiting tests” (people don’t know whether to declare it)

Community-style recommendations often come down to: declare, take your time, and don’t be afraid to phone for clarity—because the cost of guessing can be much higher than the cost of doing it properly.

What are the Common UK traveller mistakes and How to Avoid them?

Buying insurance too late

Buying “later” usually saves nothing and can cost you cancellation protection if health changes before your trip. In UK practice, the safest move is to buy as soon as you book.

Assuming a bank packaged account automatically covers conditions

Some packaged accounts have travel insurance, but pre-existing conditions often require declaring and may not be covered automatically. Treat it like any other policy: read terms, disclose, confirm cover.

Not updating the insurer if your health changes after booking

If your medication changes, you have new symptoms, or you’re referred for tests after you buy the policy, you may need to tell the insurer. This is one of the easiest ways to accidentally end up with mismatched cover.

Conclusion: The simplest safe approach for UK travellers with medical conditions

You don’t need perfect health to get decent travel insurance. You need a repeatable process:

1. gather your details

2. disclose clearly during screening

3. compare properly (including specialist providers if needed)

4. buy as soon as you book

5. update the insurer if anything changes

If you came here searching martin lewis travel insurance pre existing medical conditions, your “what to do next” is simple: start with accurate disclosure, then shop around with confidence.

Here’s what you can do next: pick your trip details, run screening with your information in front of you, and compare like-for-like cover—not just the cheapest headline price.

What are the Future trends UK travellers should watch?

• More focus on smoother routes to specialist cover for complex medical histories

• Screening experiences improving (some providers simplifying questions), but also tighter checks where medical history is unclear

• More travellers using GHIC/EHIC correctly as support, not a replacement for insurance

FAQ about “Martin Lewis Travel Insurance Pre Existing Medical Conditions”

1. What counts as a pre-existing medical condition for travel insurance?

Anything that falls within the insurer’s screening questions—commonly conditions involving medication, symptoms, treatment, investigations, referrals, or recent medical advice.

2. Do I have to declare controlled high blood pressure?

If the screening questions ask about it (diagnosis/medication/monitoring), yes. Controlled doesn’t mean irrelevant.

3. What happens if I don’t declare a medical condition?

It can create claim problems later, including refused claims, because the policy may be treated as misrepresented.

4. Can travel insurance cover cancellation due to a flare-up?

Often yes, if the condition is declared and covered, and the policy includes cancellation cover for medical reasons (check wording).

5. Is annual cover cheaper than single-trip if I have medical conditions?

Sometimes. If you’ll travel more than once, annual can be better value—but check per-trip duration limits and that your condition is covered each trip.

6. Does GHIC replace travel insurance if I have medical conditions?

No. GHIC/EHIC can help with state-provided medically necessary care in certain places, but it doesn’t replace travel insurance and won’t cover repatriation.

7. Can I get cover if I’m awaiting tests or results?

Often yes, but it can increase premiums or trigger exclusions depending on what’s being investigated. Disclose what the screening asks and phone if unclear.

8. What should I do if my health changes after I buy the policy?

Tell the insurer before you travel—especially if medication changes, you have new symptoms, or you’re referred for tests. Don’t hope it “won’t matter”.

9. Can I get cruise travel insurance with pre-existing conditions?

Yes, but you usually need cruise-specific cover (because of onboard medical care and itinerary complexity) and full medical disclosure.

10. What documents should I travel with?

A medication list, prescriptions, GHIC/EHIC (where relevant), and insurer emergency contact details are the most practical starting point.