Guidance issued as holidaymakers risk losing tens of thousands if they fail to declare medication

26 March 2025

  • Co-op Insurance warns travellers of the importance of declaring medical conditions and medication to their insurance provider.
  • The member-owned business reveals it saw individual medical claims as high as £66,000 last year, and the average medical claim was over £1,200.
  • Research commissioned by the insurance provider also found that almost three-fifths (57%) of Brits have been on holiday without travel insurance.
  • Co-op Insurance advises on the policy requirements travellers taking medical treatments should be aware of, regardless of their insurance provider.

Co-op Insurance is issuing an urgent warning to holidaymakers taking medication for pre-existing conditions as data shows they could be thousands out of pocket if they fail to declare it. The member-owned business shared that policyholders who do not declare certain pre-existing conditions is a particular cause of claims being rejected. Medical claims can prove especially costly as the average claim in 2024 was over £1,200.

With the highest pay out to a policyholder on a single medical claim amounting to over £66,000 in 2024, Co-op Insurance is urging travellers taking medication to declare them and check the conditions of their travel insurance to ensure that they are fully covered while abroad.

Many of those travelling abroad may not realise that they need to declare certain medication, however treatments such as HRT and anti-depressants will need be declared when taking out a travel policy.

What’s more, holidaymakers may also fail to declare ‘one off’ incidents such as a broken bone that occurred in the last two years and long-term conditions that patients may deem under control such as high blood pressure.

You must disclose if you or anyone else insured on your travel insurance policy has: - Taken any prescribed medication or required medical treatment within the last two years - Been a registered in or out-patient at a hospital, clinic or GP surgery in the last two years - Been advised of a terminal illness

Alarmingly, research commissioned by Co-op Insurance found that almost three-fifths (57%) of Brits admitted they have been on holiday without travel insurance. Meanwhile, a quarter (25%) of adults aged between 25-34 always go on holiday without travel insurance, which puts them at risk of facing significant costs should they require medical treatment. ***

However, almost one in four (23%) 25-34-year-olds admitted that they have had a serious accident or illness abroad, which highlights the importance of having the right cover in place.

Co-op Insurance is advising holidaymakers to ensure that they obtain travel insurance as soon as they book their holiday and adhere to the requirements below, regardless of which insurance provider they choose:

  • Changes in state of health

  • Particularly for annual cover, it’s important that you tell your insurance provider, and consult with your doctor or GP if you or anyone else insured on the policy:

  • Develops a new condition.
  • Experiences a change in an existing medical condition.
  • Has their medication changed

Graham Ward-Lush, Head of Travel at Co-op Insurance said:

"After a cold winter, many people will be looking forward to jetting off on their holidays to enjoy some warm weather.

"However, all too often, people fail to declare certain pre-existing conditions, which can end up costing them thousands should they require medical treatment abroad.

"We urge those heading abroad to provide the correct medical details and fully understand the terms and conditions of their policy.

“We want to ensure that people get the right insurance policy and know exactly how they are covered so that rejected claims and unexpected high costs can be avoided."

Policy holders are also encouraged to use their Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) abroad as it entitles them to the same treatment in EU countries as local citizens. However, this is not a substitute for travel insurance and not all European countries accept the GHIC so policy holders should check before they travel. **

For a limited time, Co-op Insurance has doubled the discount on annual travel insurance for its member-owners. The 10% annual policy discount ends 31 March 2025, but member-owners will continue to save 5% on single trip travel insurance.

To find out more about Co-op travel insurance click here: https://www.coop.co.uk/insurance/travel-insurance

Further requirements to adhere to when travelling:

Reasonable Care

  • Make sure you take all reasonable care to protect yourself and your belongings while driving or as a passenger. Regardless of whether it’s against the law to do so where you are travelling, you must:

  • Wear a helmet on a motorbike or moped

  • Wear a seat belt, front or back while in a car

  • Alcohol

  • Of course, providers don’t expect you to avoid alcohol consumption on your trips or holidays, but they won’t cover any claims arising from illness or injury resulting from excessive drinking.

  • Trip Duration (Single Trip only)

  • Make sure your insurance policy spans the entire duration of your holiday. If your policy spans five days but your holiday lasts seven days, you won’t be covered on the sixth and seventh day.

- Balconies

  • A claim involving a fall from a building or balcony won’t be covered, except:

  • If the building or balcony itself is shown to be defective or does not comply with safety standards; or

  • In circumstances where your life is in danger, or you are attempting to save human life

Ends

All medical claims data from Zurich Insurance Company Ltd IES Limited *Average medical claim cost based on 2024 full year was £1208.65. Highest claim settled for £66,121.98

** https://www.coop.co.uk/insurance/travel-insurance/medical-travel-insurance

*** Data from survey conducted by Opinion Matters and commissioned by Co-op Insurance, with a sample of 2000 Nat Rep

For more information please contact: pressoffice@coop.co.uk

About Co-op

Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives with interests across food, funerals, insurance and legal services. Owned by millions of UK consumers, the Co-op operates over 2,400 food stores, over 800 funeral homes and provides products to over 5,000 other stores, including those run by independent co-operative societies and through its wholesale business, Nisa Retail Limited.

Employing almost 60,000 people, the Co-op has an annual turnover of over £11billion and is a recognised leader for its social goals and community-led programmes. The Co-op exists to meet members’ needs and stand up for the things they believe in.