Simon Calder warns holidaymakers to check as new emails being sent

UK travel journalist Simon Calder is urging holidaymakers to make sure they check carefully ahead of summer travel as a new email system is being rolled out. Research found nearly six million people admit they’ve intentionally failed to declare a medical condition when applying for insurance cover. This is despite nearly a third saying they have previously been ill or faced a medical emergency while abroad, according to Admiral Travel Insurance . Many travellers are unclear on what counts as a pre-existing medical condition, as nearly a third wouldn’t list weight-loss jabs prescribed by a GP, 17% aren’t aware that anti-depressants need declaring, and 16% wouldn’t mention ADHD medication. Where weight‑loss jabs are prescribed by a GP for conditions like obesity or diabetes, it’s the medical condition - not the medication - that must be disclosed. Not doing so could result in a reduced payout or invalidate cover. Meanwhile, a fifth believe they only need to declare conditions requiring ongoing treatment or medication - and 15% think a ‘pre-existing’ condition is only a chronic condition such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes. While it can vary by insurer, Admiral requires customers to declare anything they have seen a medical expert for in the last two years, and sometimes up to five years depending on the condition. This includes consultations, prescribed medication, treatment received, as well as any results, diagnosis, treatment or appointment they are still waiting for. Of those who admitted not declaring a medical condition, over a quarter said they feared it would increase the cost of their policy, while 16% did not think the condition was serious enough to mention. Admiral warns that failing to provide accurate information on your medical history could affect claims outcomes or leave travellers facing substantial bills if they need treatment abroad. Almost half of Admiral travel claims include a medical element. Simon Calder said: “Like everyone else, from the moment I book a trip, I simply want to look forward to it. Anticipation is a priceless element of any holiday. Equally, every traveller deserves peace of mind – and so you just need to make sure you are covered by travel insurance from day one. “The UK has a thriving and competitive travel insurance market, delivering great value. Yet cover is only effective if you are open and transparent about your state of health. Insurers are keen to protect travellers – but they need to be able to assess your particular situation and offer the right policy at the right price.” Admiral’s Head of Travel Insurance, Cosmin Sarbu, adds “Thinking it “won’t happen to me” is a big risk, the reality is we help thousands of customers who fall sick or are injured abroad every year. Many people worry that declaring a medical condition will automatically make travel insurance unaffordable, but that is not always the case. In many instances, cover can still be arranged at a modest cost. “What matters most is making sure your policy accurately reflects your circumstances. If you do not declare relevant conditions and then need treatment abroad, you could find yourself without the cover you expected. “We ask our travel insurance customers to declare all medical conditions, including any ongoing treatment, when taking out a policy. This is to ensure we can provide cover at an appropriate price for the customer based on their medical needs. Not doing so could leave someone underinsured if they make a claim or could invalidate their insurance entirely. “Travel insurance is there to provide peace of mind, particularly when overseas medical costs can run into thousands of pounds. To help holidaymakers get ahead of this we’re launching a new Something to Declare? checklist that should provide clarity and help break down what exactly needs to be disclosed on your policy, hopefully providing some peace of mind for any trips away. “It’s also important to check that you’re covered for the type of trip, whether it’s a cruise or a winter sports holiday, and that your insurance covers any activities you might plan to do. Based on the new findings, Admiral’s Travel team are also introducing email reminders to customers it identifies might not have declared everything. The new service is set to go live in the coming weeks. Admiral currently provides cover for over 3,600 different medical conditions.