A guide to declaring medical conditions: how to ensure you’re fully covered

We can cover all types of pre-existing medical conditions, up to a high level of severity.  

We can also provide cover for some more complex circumstances, including terminal conditions and diagnosed conditions where you’re on a waiting list for treatment. Your individual medical circumstances are considered during the screening process, so it’s important to declare all of your existing medical conditions and answer the questions accurately.

Once your conditions have been declared and accepted, your policy can provide cover for emergency medical expenses and medical repatriation relating to those conditions, subject to the terms and limits of the policy you choose.

Are there any medical conditions you cannot cover? ¶

Although specialist travel insurance can provide options for many people who have existing health conditions, not every condition or medical circumstance will necessarily be covered under every policy.

Whether we can offer cover depends on your medical history, the information you provide during screening and the terms of the policy available to you. Some circumstances may result in additional terms, a higher premium or a decision that we cannot offer the cover you need.

It is important not to assume that a condition is covered simply because you have been offered a travel insurance  

If you are unsure whether your circumstances can be covered, our team can help you understand the options available. 

Many travellers assume they only need to mention “serious” illnesses. However, we assess risk based on your full medical history, not just current symptoms.

For trusted healthcare guidance when travelling abroad, visit the NHS travel health advice and the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) page. The GHIC card is valid in all EU member states, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

A GHIC is a free card that can give eligible UK residents access to medically necessary state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in participating European countries, on the same terms as people who live there. This may mean paying the same local patient contributions as residents.

A GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. It does not cover everything, such as private healthcare or medical repatriation back to the UK, so it is important to have suitable travel insurance as well.  

Please note that travel insurance policies will not cover private healthcare unless the emergency assistance team deem it to be required. 

We offer travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions and can help guide you through the process clearly and confidentially. 

A simpler way to assess your medical needs ¶

Rather than treating everyone with the same condition in the same way, medical screening considers the answers you provide about your health and circumstances to help assess the cover and price available to you. 

Many people worry that declaring medical conditions automatically means sky-high premiums. But specialist travel insurance works differently.

Fairness Through Data ¶

Using this medical risk model can also prevent customers from being unfairly overcharged.

A well-managed medical condition does not automatically make you a high-risk traveller. Factors such as stability, medication control, lifestyle, and time since treatment can all influence pricing.

That’s why honest disclosure is so important. The more accurate the information, the more likely the screening process is to identify suitable cover at the right price.

What Happens if Your Needs Are Very Specialist? ¶

Some travellers have highly complex medical histories, terminal diagnosis, or multiple ongoing conditions. In these situations, standard insurers may struggle to provide cover, which is where we come in.

We can help with more complex cases, as we’re a specialist travel insurer focused on age and medical conditions. This means you are less likely to be left without options simply because your circumstances are unusual.

Whether you’re awaiting treatment, managing several conditions, or travelling after a recent diagnosis, specialist expertise can make a real difference in helping you travel with financial protection.

Will my premium go up if I declare pre-existing medical conditions? ¶

Declaring a pre-existing medical condition can affect the price of your travel insurance, but it doesn’t automatically mean your premium will be expensive. The price is calculated using several factors, including your destination, the length of your trip, the number and ages of the travellers, and their medical conditions.  

The important thing is to declare your medical conditions fully and accurately. This allows your health circumstances to be taken into account when your quote is calculated and helps ensure you have the appropriate cover if you need to make a claim.  

You’ll see the exact cost when you complete your quote, including the cost of any additional options you choose. 

Medical emergencies overseas can be extremely expensive, especially in destinations without reciprocal healthcare agreements.

If you need to return to the UK for medical reasons, repatriation may involve specialist transport, medical staff and arrangements to make sure you can travel safely. Depending on your circumstances and destination, these costs can run into thousands of pounds or more.

The amount varies considerably, so there is no single figure that applies to every traveller. The important point is that suitable travel insurance can help protect you against eligible costs that could otherwise be difficult to meet yourself.

Even forgetting to mention a seemingly minor condition could create problems later if it is connected to a claim.

What happens if I forget to declare a medical condition? ¶

If you realise after purchasing your policy that you forgot to declare something, contact us immediately. In many cases, the information can be updated before you travel.

The sooner you correct the omission, the better protected you are likely to be.

You can also learn more about how claims are handled on the Goodtogo claims process page.

5 Minutes to Prepare: What You Need for Your Screening ¶

Completing your travel insurance medical screening is usually quicker and easier when you have the right information ready beforehand.

Here’s a simple checklist to help you prepare:

Before You Start Your Screening, have this information to hand

• Your medical conditions and diagnoses
• Dates of recent hospital visits or treatment
• Details of any upcoming tests or appointments
• Information about recent surgery
• Travel destination and trip dates

Being accurate and prepared helps ensure you receive appropriate cover and reduces the risk of delays or confusion later. 

Properly declaring your medical conditions is one of the most important steps you can take before travelling abroad. It helps ensure your policy is valid, your claims are protected, and you can enjoy your holiday with confidence.

At Goodtogo, we understand that travelling with medical conditions can feel uncertain. That’s why specialist expertise, clear medical screening, and support matter so much.

Whether you’re managing a long-term condition or planning a trip after recent treatment, we’ve got you covered.

Get a Quote – Our smart screening finds the right price for your health¶

Get a travel insurance quote, or, if you’re still unsure what to declare, speak to one of our experts for guidance and reassurance before you travel.