Latest news with #ForumInsurance
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Ozempic users who forget to do one thing are ‘gambling' with holiday nightmares
More and more people in the UK are using Ozempic and Wegovy, according to NHS data. The drug has the potential to cause issues for travellers who don't check all their paperwork Ozempic and Wegovy should be extra careful before jetting away on holiday, or else they may face a hefty bill. The rise of the drugs, which are primarily used to manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes but are also taken as a way to lose weight by a growing number of Brits, has the potential to cause travel insurance issues. Recent NHS data shows that between March 2024 and February 2025, more than 83,000 unique patients in England were dispensed Ozempic, while over 344,000 people received a prescription for similar medications overall in the past year. Forum Insurance has warned Ozempic and Wegovy users that they must declare their usage when arranging travel insurance, or they could lose their cover and face huge medical bills abroad. Niraj Mamtora, director at Forum Insurance, said: '(Drugs like) Ozempic are transforming lives across the UK, but too many travellers don't realise the insurance implications. 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. If you need medical help overseas and haven't declared your medication, your claim can be refused and your policy cancelled. The financial consequences can be severe.' 'Non-disclosure is a gamble that's simply not worth taking. 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." The average medical claim abroad now exceeds £1,700, and costs rise significantly with age. Mamtora has shared his advice for those travelling with this kind of medication. Declare all pre-existing medical conditions and any medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, when purchasing travel insurance. If you are taking medication without a prescription or for off-label use, you must disclose this, 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. Remember that insurance claims related to undeclared conditions or medications can be refused, even if the issue seems unrelated.
Daily Mail
30-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Travel warning for Brits on weight loss jabs as little-known 'breach' could cost you thousands
British tourists have been warned about a travel insurance issue that could cost them thousands. 'Skinny jabs' such as Ozempic and Mounjaro need to be declared on any official insurance documents. Niraj Mamtora, director at Forum Insurance, has warned that failing to declare weight management drugs when you take out travel insurance could be considered a breach of contract. He told Birmingham Live: 'Weight-loss medications are transforming lives across the UK, but too many travellers don't realise the insurance implications. '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.' The expert explained that tourists could see their 'claim refused' and 'policy cancelled' if they don't declare their medication. Niraj added: 'Non-disclosure is a gamble that's simply not worth taking. 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.' The warning comes as the firm reports that a 'growing trend' in people using weight-loss jabs could only make insurance issues more likely. '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,' advised Niraj. 'Remember that insurance claims related to undeclared conditions or medications can be refused, even if the issue seems unrelated.'
The Sun
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Major holiday warning to any Brits who take skinny jabs over ‘serious breach' that could cost you £1,000s
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." 2
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Seven common DIY mistakes that can invalidate your home insurance and cost up to £6,000
WHETHER you love it or not, DIY is essential if you want to keep your home in tip top shape - but some mistakes could cost you £1,000s. Forum Insurance has revealed the seven common DIY errors that can invalidate your home insurance and see you denied a claim. 1 From accidentally drilling into pipes or wiring, to improperly installed decking, it could cost you £1,000s if you're not covered. Here are the mistakes you'll want to avoid, and how much making them could cost you. Accidentally drilling into pipes or wiring - £6,600 Drilling into walls to hang up artwork or shelving is a common DIY task - but hit piping or wiring, and it could prove costly. Repairs for burst pipes can cost up to £600 while electrical damage may mean you need to rewire, costing up to £6,000. Insurers may also refuse a claim if the damage has been caused recklessly or the work was carried out by someone unqualified. To cover yourself insurance-wise, make sure your policy includes accidental damage cover. Plumbing or electrical work - £5,000 Tackling plumbing or electrical work yourself without holding the relevant qualifications can lead to trouble. Not only can it invalidate your home insurance policy, it can also prove fatal. Botched plumbing can cause water damage costing up to £5,000 to repair while poor electrical work increases fire risks which can cost £10,000s worth of damage. Always hire a registered professional to carry out any key works like this to ensure nothing goes awry. Cut car insurance costs and save money Skipping wall preparation - £3,500 Failing to properly clean, sand and prime walls before painting them is one of the most common DIY mistakes, Forum Insurance said. But it can prove the most costly if it leads to peeling, blistering and moisture damage insurers class as "preventable deterioration". Forum said with the average painter charging £500 a day, it could take a week (£3,500) for them to strip, dry, prime and repaint any walls to rectify the mistake. Make sure you always clean, sand and prime surfaces before painting, and if you're painting a damp-prone area, use moisture-resistant primers. You can pick up primer paint from Toolstation from around £12. If you've got home insurance, make sure your policy includes cover for "consequential damage" from DIY work. Improperly installing sheds or garden decking - £3,000 If you're planning on installing or repairing sheds or garden decking in time for summer, make sure they're properly anchored, meaning they're bolted to the ground securely. Don't do this, and strong winds or a storm can more easily rip them up and cause damage to your home or neighbouring properties. What is home insurance? Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals all you need to know about home insurance... Home insurance is designed to cover you in the event of fire, flood, or theft or loss of any item inside it. There are two types of home insurance policy - contents and buildings. Buildings insurance covers the cost of repairing any damage to the structure of your property which might have been caused by a fire or flooding. The "building" includes elements like your roof, walls and floors as well as permanent fixtures such as windows or fitted kitchens. Contents insurance says what it does on the tin - it covers you in case the contents of your home are damaged, lost or stolen. You can buy either buildings or contents policies separately, or combined so you are covered across all scenarios. Not all home insurance policies cover the same things though, so it's worth shopping around. You can use price comparison websites like Compare the Market, GoCompare and Uswitch. Most home insurance policies also come with an "excess" - the amount you have to pay towards a claim. Increasing your excess will see your policy go down, but means you'll have to fork out more if you have to make a claim. Many home insurance policies class any accidents occurring due to improperly bolted decking or sheds as preventable meaning you won't be covered if it happens. To protect yourself insurance-wise, ensure your policy covers damage from uninsured outdoor features. Neglecting routine maintenance - £1,500 Even not keeping on top of simple DIY tasks can end up costing you a fortune. Issues like blocked gutters, cracked walls, or damaged roof tiles can escalate into major problems if left alone. For example, water seeping into your home from clogged gutters can cost hundreds in repairs, while roof damage can cost £1,500 to fix. Insurers may reject a claim for damage caused by you not carrying out regular upkeep too. Most debris in blocked gutters can be removed yourself, but any cracked walls or damaged roof tiles may require a professional. You'll have to front up the cost to pay for any works done, but it could save you more money in the long run. Poorly securing fixtures - £1,000 Fixing a TV, shelving unit or mirror to the wall badly can lead to it falling. Not only will you be left with a broken item, but will likely have to repair the floor and wall too, which could cost you up to £1,000. Your insurer might deem you've been negligent in installing something improperly as well and not pay out. Make sure you use heavy-duty wall anchors and are using the right drill bits to not crack the wall. Check whether your insurance policy covers for damage caused by improperly secured fixtures as well. Ignoring manufacturer guidelines when installing or modifying appliances - £700 Installing or modifying common household appliances incorrectly can end up costing you £100s. Improper installation of washing machines can lead to £400 in water damage, for example. To avoid falling foul of this mistake, make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation. Employ a professional for complex jobs and keep a track of any work carried out with photos and receipts in case you need to make a claim and want to prove you've followed the right protocols.
