How to Fill in a Medical Declaration Form

Why the medical declaration form matters

The medical declaration form is the foundation of your travel insurance contract. In the UK, insurers operate on the principle of 'utmost good faith', meaning they rely on you to provide a complete and honest history of your health. This process, often called medical screening, allows the insurer to calculate the risk of you requiring medical attention while abroad. If you omit a condition, even by accident, the insurer may argue that the policy was issued on a false premise. This can result in the entire policy being voided, leaving you to pay for hospital stays or emergency repatriation out of pocket, which can cost tens of thousands of pounds in destinations like the USA or Spain.

What you must disclose on the form

You are generally required to disclose any condition for which you have taken prescription medication, seen a doctor, or attended a hospital appointment within a specific timeframe set by the insurer. This often includes chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes, but also includes past surgeries or mental health conditions. It is a common misconception that you only need to declare 'serious' illnesses; however, even well-controlled conditions must be listed.

• Any heart-related or circulatory conditions regardless of when they occurred
• Breathing conditions such as asthma, COPD, or sleep apnoea
• Cancer or any growths, even if currently in remission
• Recent surgeries, including day-case procedures or biopsies
• Mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or eating disorders
• High blood pressure or high cholesterol managed by medication
• Any condition currently awaiting investigation or test results

What is typically not covered

If you choose not to declare a condition, any claim related to that condition or its complications will be excluded from cover. Furthermore, most standard UK policies will not cover 'terminal' conditions where a doctor has provided a prognosis of less than six months from the date of return. You also cannot usually get cover for conditions where you are travelling against medical advice or specifically to seek treatment abroad. If you have a complex medical history, a standard high-street insurer might decline to offer cover entirely, requiring you to seek a specialist provider through the MoneyHelper directory.

Factors affecting the cost of your premium

The answers you provide on the medical declaration form directly influence the 'medical loading' or additional premium you pay. Insurers look at the stability of your condition, the number of medications you take, and the likelihood of the condition flaring up in your chosen destination. For example, a heart condition may cost more to insure for a trip to the USA than for a trip to France due to the vast difference in local healthcare costs. Some insurers may also apply a higher medical excess, meaning you pay more towards the initial cost of a claim related to your declared conditions.

Choosing the right cover for your conditions

When completing the form, ensure you have your medical records or a list of your medications to hand. Accuracy is vital. If your health changes between the time you buy the policy and the date you travel, you must inform the insurer immediately to update your declaration. This is a requirement under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012, which protects consumers but also mandates honest disclosure. If a standard insurer cannot cover you, look for those who specialise in pre-existing conditions as they often have more nuanced screening questions.

• Check the 'look-back' period, which is usually 2 years for most conditions
• Verify if the policy covers your specific destination's healthcare costs
• Ensure the emergency assistance 24-hour helpline is UK-based
• Check if the policy includes cover for emergency medical repatriation
• Confirm that all travellers on the policy are covered for their specific needs

Evidence required for claims

If you need to make a claim for medical expenses, the insurer's claims department will likely request access to your GP records. They will compare your medical history against the answers you provided on the medical declaration form. If they find a discrepancy - such as a condition you failed to mention - they have the right to reduce the payout or reject the claim entirely. This is why it is better to over-disclose than to risk under-disclosing. Always keep a copy of your completed declaration alongside your policy schedule for easy reference during your trip.

The role of GHIC and FCDO advice

While a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) provides access to state-provided healthcare in the EU at a reduced cost, it is not a replacement for travel insurance. A GHIC will not cover private medical costs or repatriation to the UK. Additionally, you must check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice for your destination. If the FCDO advises against 'all travel' or 'all but essential travel' to a location, your insurance and medical cover will typically be invalidated, regardless of what you disclosed on your medical declaration form.

Practical checklist for the declaration process

Before you start the online screening process or call the insurer, gather all necessary information to ensure the form is completed accurately. Taking ten minutes to double-check your facts can prevent a multi-thousand-pound loss later. Remember that the definition of a 'pre-existing condition' can vary slightly between insurers, so read their specific definitions carefully before ticking 'no'.

• List all prescription medications and their exact dosages
• Note the dates of any hospital admissions in the last 5 years
• Have the names of any specific surgeries or procedures ready
• Check with your GP if you are unsure about a specific diagnosis
• Review the policy wording for the definition of 'stable' conditions
• Keep a record of the reference number for your completed screening