Major holiday warning to any Brits who take skinny jabs over ‘serious breach' that could cost you £1,000s

The Sun

6 days ago

UK TOURISTS have been warned about a potential travel insurance issue in the lead up to summer.
Travel experts revealed that failure to list skinny jabs on the documentation could cost you thousands.
Any Brits holidaying abroad have been reminded to list their skinny jabs on official documents.
Failure to do so could potentially jeopardise the validity of your travel insurance, reports Birmingham Live.
Experts at Forum Insurance have detailed how not declaring usage of weight management drugs such as Ozempic could cause you problems on holiday.
Niraj Mamtora, director at the company, explained that weight-loss drugs must be declared when taking out travel insurance, as it could be deemed as a breach of contract.
'Weight-loss medications are transforming lives across the UK, but too many travellers don't realise the insurance implications," he said.
"If you're using these drugs, you must declare both the medication and the condition it's prescribed for.
'Failure to do so is not a minor oversight - it's a serious breach of your travel insurance contract."
He broke down how this can impact your coverage when travelling abroad.
"If you need medical help overseas and haven't declared your medication, your claim can be refused and your policy cancelled," Niraj explained.
"The financial consequences can be severe.'
I was sick of trying fad diets and not losing weight but now I've shed FIVE STONE without fat jabs or silly eating plans
This means you could be faced with an insurer who is "within their rights" to refuse a claim.
"Non-disclosure is a gamble that's simply not worth taking," the expert continued.
"If you don't declare your medication or the underlying condition, your insurer is within their rights to refuse any claim, even if it seems unrelated.
'Many travellers only discover too late that their travel insurance claims are rejected, leaving them without support and facing potentially huge bills."
He revealed that the average medical claim abroad now exceeds £1,700, with costs rising significantly with age.
What are the other side effects of weight loss jabs?
Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects.
Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include:
Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts.
Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea.
Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset.
Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation.
Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort.
Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss.
Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating.
Serious side effects can also include:
Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon.
Thyroid tumors: There's a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic.
Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin.
According to the firm, there appears to be a "growing trend" in people looking to use Ozempic, or other types of weight-loss drug.
Niraj cited NHS data between March 2024 and February 2025, which showed that more than 83,000 "unique patients" in England were dispensed Ozempic.
He also revealed over 344,000 individuals possessed a prescription for weight-loss medications in the past year.
'With new drugs entering the market and millions more eligible for these treatments, the number of Brits travelling with prescription weight-loss medication is set to rise further," the director said.
If you're taking weight-loss drugs and planning a holiday abroad, make sure you have declared all pre-existing medical conditions and any other drugs to your travel insurance provider.
If you are taking medication which has not been prescribed or for "off-label" usage, this must also be disclosed as it can affect your travel cover.
"Carry a copy of your prescription or a doctor's letter when travelling with medication, and check the rules of your destination country regarding bringing in prescription drugs," the pro advised.
"Remember that insurance claims related to undeclared conditions or medications can be refused, even if the issue seems unrelated."
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