Yes, in most cases you do. Insurers usually classify high cholesterol as a pre-existing medical condition, so you’ll need to declare it when you apply for travel insurance. Here’s why it matters, what you’ll be asked and how to keep your cover affordable.
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Why declaring high cholesterol matters
High cholesterol is common and often well managed with medication, but most travel insurers still treat it as a pre-existing condition. You can read more about the condition on the NHS website.
That means you need to answer the insurer’s medical screening questions honestly. If you don’t, and you later make a claim, the insurer could refuse or reduce it, or cancel your policy. This can happen even if your cholesterol is controlled with statins and hasn’t caused problems for years, because the insurer needs the full picture to price the risk.
A claim linked to your heart, such as a heart attack or stroke, is where this matters most. Without the condition declared, you could be left paying for expensive medical care abroad yourself.
What will the insurer ask?
When you apply, you’ll usually complete a short medical screening. Typical questions include:
- Have you ever been diagnosed with high cholesterol?
- Are you taking medication, such as statins?
- Have you had any related complications, such as angina, a stroke or a heart attack?
- Are you regularly reviewed by a GP or specialist?
Just having high cholesterol doesn’t automatically mean a higher premium. If it’s well controlled and you’ve had no cardiovascular problems, many insurers will offer standard terms, sometimes with no increase in price.
Can you still get affordable travel insurance?
Yes, and it’s often cheaper than people expect. A few things help:
- Answer every question accurately. An accurate screening makes sure your quote and your cover match.
- Check what’s included. Some policies limit or exclude cover linked to pre-existing conditions, so read the policy wording before you buy.
- Consider an annual policy. If you take more than one or two trips a year, annual cover is often better value than several single-trip policies.
- Choose the right level of cover. Make sure it includes medical emergencies, cancellation and repatriation, and avoid paying for extras you won’t use.
- Keep your details to hand. Your medication names and doses and the date of your last review make the screening quicker.
What does travel insurance cover if you declare it?
Once your high cholesterol is declared, your policy can protect you for:
- Emergency medical treatment abroad
- Cancellation or curtailment due to health-related issues
- Medical repatriation, which means getting you home if needed
- 24/7 emergency assistance
Cover varies between providers, so always read the policy wording. Some insurers may ask you to be stable, meaning no recent changes to medication or hospital visits, before offering full cover. A GHIC or EHIC card can help with state healthcare in some countries, but it doesn’t replace travel insurance. Our guide on do you need travel insurance with a GHIC or EHIC card explains the difference.
What if your health changes after you buy?
Tell your insurer if your health changes between buying your policy and travelling. A new diagnosis, a change in medication or a hospital visit can all affect your cover, and your policy wording will say what you need to report. For annual policies, the same applies throughout the year, and you’ll usually be asked again at renewal.
What about other conditions?
High cholesterol often comes with other conditions, such as high blood pressure, and each one needs to be declared separately. If you also have a heart condition, see our guide on how much is travel insurance with a heart condition. For mental health conditions, take a look at do you have to declare anxiety on travel insurance.
Being upfront pays off
Declaring high cholesterol is quick, often costs little or nothing extra and means you’re covered if something goes wrong abroad. Being upfront with your insurer is the simplest way to make sure your cover works when you need it.
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