![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2168058093.jpg\")
\n\t\tIt\u2019s vital to declare medications when buying a travel insurance policy (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tIt\u2019s vital to declare medications when buying a travel insurance policy (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
While we all know the importance of travel insurance<\/a>, thousands of Brits could be unknowingly invalidating their policies due to one commonly-overlooked rule.<\/p>\n An estimated 1.5 million people in the UK take GLP-1 drugs like Mounjaro<\/a>, Ozempic<\/a> and Wegovy, either to lose weight<\/a> or to manage diabetes symptoms<\/a>.<\/p>\n But whatever the reason for using them, it needs to be declared with insurance providers when buying cover \u2013 something many aren\u2019t aware of.<\/p>\n In a poll by market research firm Consumer Intelligence, more than a quarter of respondents said they didn\u2019t know these jabs were classed as \u2018medication for a pre-existing condition<\/a>\u2019 .<\/p>\n Although 24% of the 1,000 people surveyed categorised them as medical treatments, 11% said they\u2019d be considered a cosmetic treatment for appearance and 10% labelled them as a lifestyle tool. <\/p>\n \t\t \t\t\t\tSign up to The Getaway newsletter\t\t\t<\/p>\n Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration.\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ian Hughes, chief executive of Consumer Intelligence, warned: \u2018This confusion isn\u2019t academic; it has real consequences for millions of Britons purchasing travel and health insurance.<\/p>\n \u2018When a quarter of the population doesn\u2019t know whether their medication counts as a pre-existing condition, we\u2019re seeing a perfect storm for claim disputes and coverage gaps.\u2019<\/p>\n According to the\u00a0Financial Ombudsman Service, there was a 19% increase<\/a>\u00a0in travel insurance complaints in 2024, and medical disclosure disputes were a leading cause among the 4,466 filed.<\/p>\n What happens if you don\u2019t declare weight loss jabs to your travel insurance provider<\/p>\n The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says on its website that you may not be covered if you \u2018are dishonest and try to hide important details about your health\u2019, advising people contact their insurer directly if they\u2019re unsure about what to declare.<\/p>\n Although the rules aren\u2019t clear cut \u2013 partly because likes of Mounjaro and Wegovy can be prescribed for \u2018voluntary\u2019 weight management (i.e. to those without an underlying medical condition) \u2013 they should still be disclosed at the point of getting a quote.<\/p>\n In some cases, this may put the price of your premiums up slightly. But keeping schtum could be far more costly.<\/p>\n \u2018Failure to [declare medication and the condition it\u2019s prescribed for] is not a minor oversight \u2013 it\u2019s a serious breach of your travel insurance contract,\u2019 explains Niraj Mamtora, director at\u00a0Forum Insurance<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u2018If you need medical help overseas and haven\u2019t declared your medication, your claim can be refused and your policy cancelled. The financial consequences can be severe.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t By not telling them the drugs you\u2019re taking, she says that insurance providers are \u2018within their rights to refuse any claim, even if it seems unrelated.\u2019<\/p>\n This means you could end up having to pay your medical bills out of pocket, and given the average travel insurance claim now sits at \u00a31,724, that could turn your dream getaway into a nightmare that lasts long after you get home.<\/p>\n \u2018Non-disclosure is a gamble that\u2019s simply not worth taking,\u2019 Niraj adds.<\/p>\n What to do if you\u2019re travelling abroad while taking weight loss medication<\/p>\n When you first book your holiday and purchase insurance (ideally as soon as possible afterwards<\/a>) you should declare all pre-existing medical conditions and any medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.<\/p>\n Even if you\u2019re prescribed weight loss jabs on a \u2018voluntary\u2019 basis, you may have to add obesity as the pre-existing condition, but if you\u2019re not sure, speak to your provider.<\/p>\n Around the time of travel, you should check the rules of your destination country when it comes to bringing in prescription drugs, as some have different regulations and requirements you need to prepare for \u2013 particularly if that specific medication hasn\u2019t been approved there.<\/p>\n Finally, ensure you carry a copy of your prescription or a doctor\u2019s letter when travelling with medication, and be aware that airport officials may have questions about any medication they find.<\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"point](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2200929553.jpg\")
\n\t\tAround 1.5 million Brits use GLP-1 drugs (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Passengers](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-1473910675.jpg\")
\n\t\tInsurers can refuse your claim even if it seems unrelated (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\nMORE: Martin Lewis says 728,000 Brits are unknowingly eligible for \u00a32,200 HMRC payout<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: I\u2019m starting over after a messy divorce \u2014 it\u2019s left me totally skint<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: All the food and drink banned on EasyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and TUI flights<\/a><\/p>\n