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Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
10 medical conditions you must declare to travel insurer when going on holiday
Admiral Travel Insurance have listed the top 10 most common conditions declared on travel insurance policies over the last year - failing to disclose all conditions can lead to higher costs Travel insurance is an essential part of holiday planning, providing a safety net should you require medical assistance while overseas. Experts are warning holidaymakers that failing to disclose all medical conditions when securing travel insurance could lead to higher costs. With medical repatriation fees potentially exceeding £100,000, Admiral Travel Insurance advises customers to fully inform their insurer about any medical diagnoses. Despite the availability of GHIC or EHIC cards for many UK travellers, these offer only limited protection and are not substitutes for comprehensive travel insurance. Cosmin Sarbu, Admiral's head of travel insurance, said: "For peace of mind and to ensure you are covered, it's always best to declare all medical conditions when taking out a travel insurance policy, before you travel." He added that while the likelihood of filing a medical claim is low, the financial and emotional toll of illnesses or injuries abroad can be significant. Sarbu warned: "If you haven't declared all medical conditions, you won't have insurance in place to cover all of the costs, this can mean you are responsible for paying tens of thousands to be treated and returned home safely should you try to make a claim." It's important to note that a GHIC or EHIC card does not cover the cost of medical repatriation, reports the Daily Record. Cosmin said: "Generally, we need to know about all medical conditions someone currently has. "With some conditions, such as heart problems, we need to know if someone has ever been diagnosed with them, even if they've now recovered and are no longer being treated for these." He emphasised the importance of full disclosure when seeking travel insurance quotes: "At Admiral, we ask about these when someone gets a travel insurance quote. "It's always best to include all medical conditions you've had or check with your insurer before you take out cover, if you're not sure." Cosmin also highlighted the company's efforts to ensure customers don't overlook any details: "We prompt customers when they go through a quote with us to remind them what medical conditions they need to tell us about. "Travellers need to tell us about what even might seem like a minor visit to a doctor or GP for advice, treatment or prescriptions, any ongoing investigation into their health or if they're waiting for a diagnosis. "They also need to declare if they're on a waiting list for inpatient treatment. If you're not sure what condition you were seen for, check with your doctor to ensure you include an accurate description when you buy your policy." Admiral's data found that the top ten most common conditions declared on travel insurance policies between May 2024 and March 2025 were: High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol Anxiety and/or Depression Asthma Diabetes Osteoarthritis Underactive Thyroid Coronary Angioplasty Hypertension Heart Attack Cosmin added: "Although insurance costs vary depending on the type of condition, how much a medical condition affects your premium also depends on other factors, like the number of people travelling on a policy, how long you're going for and the travel destination. "While it's not possible to say specifically how particular medical conditions can impact on premiums, Admiral has provided some examples to indicate how much a premium could increase by when adding some common conditions." Currently, Admiral provides cover for over 3,100 different medical conditions. There are some conditions that can't be covered, but Admiral said it's always worth running these past your insurer first, as it does vary case-by-case. Admiral will recommend specialist travel insurance alternatives through the MoneyHelper directory if they're not able to cover a medical condition. Cosmin said: "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. "If a customer requires medical treatment while abroad which is related to medical conditions that haven't been declared to us, we may decline their claim. Or if someone has failed to declare medical conditions which would have resulted in a higher premium, we may pay the claim on a proportional basis. "This means we will only cover the claim up to the percentage of the premium they have paid, and the customer will be responsible for any costs over and above the proportional settlement. "We never take the decision to refuse or proportionally settle a claim lightly and we will always work with the customer to ensure they receive adequate support in these cases. "However, they could end up having to pay medical treatment fees themselves and these can run into hundreds or even thousands of pounds." Cosmin continued: "We completely understand that some travellers might be worried about declaring medical conditions because they think it will increase the cost of their insurance. Declaring a medical condition doesn't always result in a higher premium and even if it does, the additional cost will ensure they are protected should the worst happen while they are away. "Some travellers might not be aware of what they need to declare. So, the best advice is to check with your travel insurer and to let them know about any medical conditions you have. "We always want to look out for our customers and encourage you to reach out if there's anything you're unsure of in the process of buying travel insurance." And there is one thing you don't have to declare. Cosmin said: "We don't consider menopause, whether requiring HRT or not, to be a medical condition and don't require customers to declare it."
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
10 medical conditions that must be declared to insurers when going on holiday
Holidaymakers must be up front about all diagnoses when buying their travel insurance Travel insurance is a crucial part of booking a holiday in case the worst happens and you need medical help while abroad. And experts have warned that when taking out cover, there are a list of medical conditions you must declare or risk a hefty bill. With the cost of medical repatriation estimated at £100,000 or more, Admiral Travel Insurance said that it pays to make sure your provider is aware of all medical diagnosis. Although many Brits may have a GHIC or EHIC card, these only provide limited cover and therefore shouldn't be seen as a replacement for travel insurance. Cosmin Sarbu, Admiral's Head of Travel Insurance, said: "For peace of mind and to ensure you are covered, it's always best to declare all medical conditions when taking out a travel insurance policy, before you travel. "Although the chances of having to make a medical claim are slim, illness or injuries can be both very distressing and expensive to resolve. "If you haven't declared all medical conditions, you won't have insurance in place to cover all of the costs, this can mean you are responsible for paying tens of thousands to be treated and returned home safely should you try to make a claim," reports Lancs Live. Medical repariation is not covered by a GHIC or EHIC card. Cosmin said: "Generally, we need to know about all medical conditions someone currently has. With some conditions, such as heart problems, we need to know if someone has ever been diagnosed with them, even if they've now recovered and are no longer being treated for these. "At Admiral, we ask about these when someone gets a travel insurance quote. It's always best to include all medical conditions you've had or check with your insurer before you take out cover, if you're not sure. "We prompt customers when they go through a quote with us to remind them what medical conditions they need to tell us about. Travellers need to tell us about what even might seem like a minor visit to a doctor or GP for advice, treatment or prescriptions, any ongoing investigation into their health or if they're waiting for a diagnosis. "They also need to declare if they're on a waiting list for inpatient treatment. If you're not sure what condition you were seen for, check with your doctor to ensure you include an accurate description when you buy your policy." Admiral's data found that the top ten most common conditions declared on travel insurance policies between May 2024 and March 2025 were: Ranking 1 High Blood Pressure 2 High Cholesterol 3 Anxiety and/or Depression 4 Asthma 5 Diabetes 6 Osteoarthritis 7 Underactive Thyroid 8 Coronary Angioplasty 9 Hypertension 10 Heart Attack Cosmin said: "Although insurance costs vary depending on the type of condition, how much a medical condition affects your premium also depends on other factors, like the number of people travelling on a policy, how long you're going for and the travel destination. "While it's not possible to say specifically how particular medical conditions can impact on premiums, Admiral has provided some examples to indicate how much a premium could increase by when adding some common conditions." Currently, Admiral provides cover for over 3,100 different medical conditions. There are some conditions that can't be covered, but Admiral said it's always worth running these past your insurer first, as it does vary case-by-case. Admiral will recommend specialist travel insurance alternatives through the MoneyHelper directory if they're not able to cover a medical condition. Cosmin said: '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. 'If a customer requires medical treatment while abroad which is related to medical conditions that haven't been declared to us, we may decline their claim. Or if someone has failed to declare medical conditions which would have resulted in a higher premium, we may pay the claim on a proportional basis. "This means we will only cover the claim up to the percentage of the premium they have paid, and the customer will be responsible for any costs over and above the proportional settlement. 'We never take the decision to refuse or proportionally settle a claim lightly and we will always work with the customer to ensure they receive adequate support in these cases. "However, they could end up having to pay medical treatment fees themselves and these can run into hundreds or even thousands of pounds.' Cosmin continued: 'We completely understand that some travellers might be worried about declaring medical conditions because they think it will increase the cost of their insurance. Declaring a medical condition doesn't always result in a higher premium and even if it does, the additional cost will ensure they are protected should the worst happen while they are away. 'Some travellers might not be aware of what they need to declare. So, the best advice is to check with your travel insurer and to let them know about any medical conditions you have. 'We always want to look out for our customers and encourage you to reach out if there's anything you're unsure of in the process of buying travel insurance.' And there is one thing you don't have to declare. Cosmin said: "We don't consider menopause, whether requiring HRT or not, to be a medical condition and don't require customers to declare it."
Local Spain
21-05-2025
- Health
- Local Spain
What Brits in Spain need to know about the GHIC health card
GHIC stands for UK Global Health Insurance Card, it enables those who are usually resident in the UK to get necessary healthcare in the European Economic Area, including Spain. This is not be confused with the EHIC which is the European Health Insurance Card for citizens or residents in the EU. If you have residence in Spain and are covered for public health here, you can apply for this instead and use this when you travel to other countries participating in the scheme. Who is GHIC for? It's designed to be used for UK nationals on holiday or who are temporarily in Spain. It could also be used during your first three months of living in Spain before you get issued residency permit or visa such as before you apply for the digital nomad visa. It cannot be used if you live here full time and have residency. In this case you will either have access to the public healthcare system if you pay into the social security regime or you will have to get private health insurance. What type of healthcare does the card cover? It's important to remember that it is not a replacement for travel insurance and the UK government still recommends that you don't travel without some type of health insurance. This is because the card does not cover: Repatriation or flights back to the UK for treatment Treatment in a private medical facility Ski or mountain rescue It's also not designed to be used for regular visits to the doctor for minor health complaints like a GP appointment. It should instead be used for emergency healthcare. It specifically covers: Emergency treatment and visits to the emergency room Treatment for routine medical care for long-term or pre-existing medical conditions Routine maternity care, but not if you're deliberately coming to Spain to give birth If you do need treatment for ongoing pre-existing conditions such as kidney dialysis for example, you will have to organise this in advance of your trip, you can't just turn up to a hospital in Spain and expect to be treated. The same applies for maternity care, unless you feel like there's a problem, in which case you can go to the emergency room. How to apply for the card A UK GHIC can be applied for through the NHS website and every member of your family needs their own card. It is completely free if applied for through the official channel and lasts for up to 5 years. According to the website, you must include the following data: full name address date of birth National Insurance number Health and Care number (if you're from Northern Ireland) After you've submitted your application, you will be e-mailed within 24 hours to say whether it has been approved or not. Once it has been approved, you will receive your card in the post within 15 working days. If your card has expired, you can apply for a new card up to nine months before your current card runs out. If you are already in Spain and you need emergency treatment, but haven't applied for your GHIC card or forgot it, you can request a Provisional Replacement Certificate or PRC from the Overseas Healthcare Team. You or the hospital can request one by emailing: Remember, when getting treated you will need to show your card along with your passport. How to claim a refund if you've been charged incorrectly If you have been charged for treatment in Spain even though you have GHIC or PRC, the NHS says that you should ask for a copy of your invoice and make sure you get a receipt. To claim a refund for healthcare that is supposed to be covered, you can download the form here and send it to NHS Overseas Healthcare Services. You need to attach your receipts and any other necessary documents from the hospital. You may need to include information such as: The NHS Overseas Healthcare Services will then decide whether or not you are eligible for refund.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
What is a GHIC, which countries accept it and how do you apply? What to know
While packing to go on holiday means you'll be getting organised and gathering all the boarding passes and passports for your trip, having a GHIC with you could help with travel costs should you need it. Currently, some passengers may still be using an EHIC, but what is it and what are they used for? Here's everything you need to know about EHICs and GHICs. The Post Office website explains: "If you fall ill or are injured on a temporary visit to an EU country, a valid GHIC or EHIC will entitle you to the same emergency or necessary state healthcare as its local citizens. Nothing to see here, just casually working preparing my graphics for tonight's LIVE summer special (ITV 8pm)... Oh, in front of Concorde! — Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) May 20, 2025 "This often means healthcare would be provided for free or at a much lower cost than they'd be without a valid card." You might already have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), and you can continue to use this until the expiry date printed on the card is reached. It's important to note that EHICs and GHICs do not replace travel insurance – you still need to organise insurance before your trip. You can use an EHIC in a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland. If you're visiting the following places, you can use a GHIC, according to the NHS: A country in the European Economic Area (EEA) Montenegro Australia Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man St Helena, Tristan and Ascension If one of the following applies to you, you can use a GHIC in Switzerland: You're a British national You're a Swiss national You're an EU citizen You're a refugee You're a stateless person You're a family member of someone who holds one of the above nationalities or statuses The UK government wants to add more countries to the list where GHICs can be used, so check before you travel. Don't risk your travel plans! These quick checks will help you #GetTravelReady 1️⃣ Expiry date - is it valid for your destination? 2️⃣ Damage check - any tears, stains, or loose pages? 3️⃣ Enough blank pages for visa stamps? Need to renew? — His Majesty's Passport Office (@HM_Passport) May 14, 2025 If you need to apply for a GHIC, you can head to the NHS website. Applying for a GHIC is free, and you should avoid using unofficial websites that could charge you. When applying for a GHIC, which lasts up to five years, you will need to provide your full name, address, date of birth and national insurance number. Recommended reading: Travel expert issues 'crucial' passport warning ahead of holiday season Can you still use a red passport for travelling in 2025? Rules to follow 2025 hand luggage sizes for Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2 and other airlines You can apply for a new EHIC if: "You're living in the EEA or Switzerland and have been since before 1 January 2021 with a registered S1, E121, E106 or E109 form issued by the UK "You're living in the EEA or Switzerland since before 1 January 2021 with an A1 issued by the UK "You're a national of the EEA or Switzerland who has legally resided in the UK since before 1 January 2021 and are covered under the Withdrawal Agreement – you may not be covered if you are also a UK national or if you were born in the UK "You're a family member or dependent of an entitled individual already listed". You can find out more about travelling abroad via the government website.
Wales Online
08-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Foreign Office urge UK tourists in Spain to claim 'necessary' health item
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The Foreign Office and Department of Health and Social Care have issued a warning to UK tourists heading to Spain about a "necessary" medical card. Under the 'Healthcare for UK nationals visiting Spain' section, the official bodies have urged travellers to obtain a UK-issued Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). It is important to take this abroad with you because if an accident is to occur while abroad, you will be able to have access to state healthcare for free or at a reduced cost while in Spain. However, the government stated it is imperative to understand the GHIC (or EHIC) card is not a replacement for health insurance, and it is key to have both of these items before travelling to the country. READ MORE: UK tourists send 'luck' to Tenerife and Majorca as they cancel holidays The website states: "With a GHIC or EHIC, you can get medically necessary treatment in Spain on the same basis as a Spanish citizen. This means that you'll get healthcare services for free or at a reduced cost. "A GHIC or EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance - it does not cover everything, such as mountain rescue or being flown back to the UK (medical repatriation). Make sure you have both before you travel to Spain. "You may need to pay in full for treatment if you do not have a GHIC, EHIC or Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC)." If you were to fall ill abroad, the card must be shown to a state hospital practitioner or a doctor, and if you have either lost it, or it has been stolen, you must apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC). GHIC cards can last up to five years and can be applied for on the NHS website, it comes in place of the EHIC card, but they both do the same function. Those who still have an EHIC card should not worry as the GHIC card has been introduced, as UK residents can still use the old EHIC card until it has expired. READ MORE: Jet2 boss warns UK tourists in Spain over anti-tourism fears The NHS describes the EHIC/GHIC card as: "The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA), and some other countries, on the same basis as a resident of that country. "This may be free or it may require a payment equivalent to that which a local resident would pay. 'The UK GHIC has replaced the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you have an existing EHIC, you can continue to use it until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you'll need to apply for a UK GHIC to replace it. "You can apply for a new card up to nine months before your current card expires.'
