While we all know the importance of travel insurance, thousands of Brits could be unknowingly invalidating their policies due to one commonly-overlooked rule.
An estimated 1.5 million people in the UK take GLP-1 drugs like Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy, either to lose weight or to manage diabetes symptoms.
But whatever the reason for using them, it needs to be declared with insurance providers when buying cover – something many aren’t aware of.
In a poll by market research firm Consumer Intelligence, more than a quarter of respondents said they didn’t know these jabs were classed as ‘medication for a pre-existing condition’ .
Although 24% of the 1,000 people surveyed categorised them as medical treatments, 11% said they’d be considered a cosmetic treatment for appearance and 10% labelled them as a lifestyle tool.
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Ian Hughes, chief executive of Consumer Intelligence, warned: ‘This confusion isn’t academic; it has real consequences for millions of Britons purchasing travel and health insurance.
‘When a quarter of the population doesn’t know whether their medication counts as a pre-existing condition, we’re seeing a perfect storm for claim disputes and coverage gaps.’
According to the Financial Ombudsman Service, there was a 19% increase in travel insurance complaints in 2024, and medical disclosure disputes were a leading cause among the 4,466 filed.
What happens if you don’t declare weight loss jabs to your travel insurance provider
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says on its website that you may not be covered if you ‘are dishonest and try to hide important details about your health’, advising people contact their insurer directly if they’re unsure about what to declare.
Although the rules aren’t clear cut – partly because likes of Mounjaro and Wegovy can be prescribed for ‘voluntary’ weight management (i.e. to those without an underlying medical condition) – they should still be disclosed at the point of getting a quote.
In some cases, this may put the price of your premiums up slightly. But keeping schtum could be far more costly.
‘Failure to [declare medication and the condition it’s prescribed for] is not a minor oversight – it’s a serious breach of your travel insurance contract,’ explains Niraj Mamtora, director at Forum Insurance.
‘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.’
By not telling them the drugs you’re taking, she says that insurance providers are ‘within their rights to refuse any claim, even if it seems unrelated.’
This means you could end up having to pay your medical bills out of pocket, and given the average travel insurance claim now sits at £1,724, that could turn your dream getaway into a nightmare that lasts long after you get home.
‘Non-disclosure is a gamble that’s simply not worth taking,’ Niraj adds.
What to do if you’re travelling abroad while taking weight loss medication
When you first book your holiday and purchase insurance (ideally as soon as possible afterwards) you should declare all pre-existing medical conditions and any medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.
Even if you’re prescribed weight loss jabs on a ‘voluntary’ basis, you may have to add obesity as the pre-existing condition, but if you’re not sure, speak to your provider.
Around the time of travel, you should check the rules of your destination country when it comes to bringing in prescription drugs, as some have different regulations and requirements you need to prepare for – particularly if that specific medication hasn’t been approved there.
Finally, ensure you carry a copy of your prescription or a doctor’s letter when travelling with medication, and be aware that airport officials may have questions about any medication they find.
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