Having a medical condition does not mean you cannot get travel insurance. Most people with pre-existing conditions can find cover, though you must declare your health accurately during the application process. Understanding how medical screening works helps you compare options effectively.
Reviewed by MySupermarketCompare Editorial Team
This page is for UK travellers who have one or more medical conditions and need travel insurance that accounts for their health situation. That includes people with:
If you are an older traveller, medical screening becomes particularly important. See our guides for travel insurance for over 65s and travel insurance for over 75s for age-specific considerations.
When you apply for travel insurance, you enter a contract based on the information you provide. Insurers assess risk using your answers, and this affects both whether they offer cover and at what price. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) requires insurers to handle claims fairly, but non-disclosure of relevant conditions can have serious consequences.
If you need to make a claim related to an undeclared condition, the insurer may reject it entirely. In some cases, failing to declare can void your entire policy, leaving you without cover for unrelated issues as well. The financial risk of travelling without valid insurance far outweighs any premium savings from incomplete disclosure.
Research cited by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) suggests that around seven in ten travellers who buy travel insurance declare at least one medical condition. For most, this has only a minor impact on finding cover. The key is accurate, complete disclosure during the screening process.
Medical screening is the process insurers use to understand your health. Most providers now offer online screening, though some still use telephone-based assessments for complex cases.
The typical screening process involves:
You select or search for your conditions from a list. Be thorough here. Include anything you have been diagnosed with, take medication for, or have received treatment for in the relevant timeframe.
For each condition, you answer questions about diagnosis date, current treatment, recent changes, hospital admissions, and how well-controlled it is. These details help insurers assess the level of risk.
Based on your answers, the insurer determines whether to offer cover, what terms apply, and what premium to charge. Some conditions may be covered with standard terms; others may require additional premium or specific exclusions.
You receive a quote that reflects your declared conditions. Review the terms carefully to understand what is and is not covered before purchasing.
While every insurer has its own screening criteria, the following categories of conditions typically require declaration. This is not an exhaustive list.
If you are unsure whether to declare something, declare it. It is better to mention a condition that turns out not to affect your quote than to omit one that later invalidates a claim.
When comparing travel insurance with medical conditions, you will encounter two broad categories of provider: mainstream insurers and specialist medical travel insurers.
Mainstream insurers offer travel insurance to the general population and include medical screening as part of their process. They can cover many common conditions, but may decline cover or charge high premiums for more complex health situations.
Specialist medical travel insurers focus specifically on travellers with health conditions. They often have more sophisticated screening systems, more experience assessing complex cases, and may offer better terms for conditions that mainstream insurers find difficult to price. These specialists are worth checking, particularly if your conditions add significantly to mainstream quotes.
Neither category is universally better. Comparing both types helps you see the range of options available for your specific situation.
Several factors influence how much you pay for travel insurance with pre-existing conditions. Understanding these helps you interpret quotes and make comparisons.
Some conditions carry higher risk than others. A well-controlled condition with stable medication typically attracts lower premiums than a recently diagnosed or unstable one.
Multiple conditions can compound risk. Each additional condition may increase your premium, though this varies by insurer and how conditions interact.
Recent hospitalisations, surgery, or changes in treatment can signal higher near-term risk. Time since last hospital admission often affects quotes.
Medical costs vary enormously by country. Destinations with expensive healthcare (such as the USA) typically result in higher premiums. Longer trips also increase exposure to risk.
Age and medical conditions often interact in pricing. Older travellers with conditions may face higher premiums than younger people with the same conditions.
Ready to compare quotes with medical screening?
Get Your QuoteUK residents can apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) through the NHS website, which provides access to state healthcare in EU countries on the same terms as local residents. Some travellers assume this replaces travel insurance, but it does not.
The GHIC does not cover:
For travellers with medical conditions, proper travel insurance is particularly important. If you need emergency treatment or repatriation, the GHIC alone will not cover the costs. Travel insurance provides financial protection for medical emergencies regardless of destination.
Yes. You must declare all pre-existing medical conditions when applying for travel insurance. Failing to disclose relevant conditions can invalidate your policy, meaning claims may be rejected. Insurers typically ask about conditions treated or monitored in the past 3-5 years, though some ask about longer periods.
A pre-existing condition is any illness, disease, or medical issue you have been diagnosed with, treated for, or received medication for before buying your policy. This includes chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes, cardiovascular issues, mental health conditions, and past cancers even if in remission.
It depends on the condition, its severity, and how well-controlled it is. Some conditions have minimal impact on premiums, while others may increase costs significantly. Comparing multiple providers is important because pricing varies considerably between insurers.
Many insurers offer cover to people with cancer, including those currently receiving treatment and those in remission. Specialist medical travel insurers often have more experience assessing cancer-related risks. You will need to answer screening questions about your diagnosis, treatment, and current health.
If your health changes significantly between buying your policy and travelling, you should contact your insurer. Changes in medication, new diagnoses, or scheduled treatments may need to be declared. Failure to notify changes could affect your cover.
The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) provides access to state healthcare in EU countries but is not a substitute for travel insurance. It does not cover medical repatriation, and treatment availability varies. Travel insurance provides additional protection regardless of where you travel.
Medical screening is the process where you answer questions about your health conditions. Insurers use your answers to assess risk and determine cover terms. Screening can be done online or by phone, and questions cover diagnosis dates, treatments, medications, and current health status.
Many insurers now cover mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, though you must declare them during screening. Cover terms and pricing vary by provider and the nature of your condition. Some policies exclude claims related to undeclared mental health issues.
Find cover that accounts for your medical conditions by comparing quotes from providers with integrated medical screening.
Compare Quotes NowThis page was created to help UK travellers with medical conditions understand declaration requirements and compare insurance options. Content is reviewed by our editorial team and updated as needed to remain accurate and useful.
Important information: MySupermarketCompare is a UK-based comparison website. We are not an insurer and do not provide insurance products directly. Cover is provided by third-party insurers, and availability, pricing, and eligibility criteria vary by provider. Always check policy documents for full terms and conditions before purchasing.
We may receive a commission from providers when you purchase through our links. This does not affect the price you pay or the order in which quotes are displayed.
This page does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your doctor about travel with medical conditions.
Last reviewed: February 2026
Get tips, guides, and exclusive offers for the insurance types you're interested in