The rising popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as semaglutide (Wegovy and Ozempic), tirzepatide (Mounjaro), and liraglutide (Saxenda), along with other medications like Orlistat and Alli, is prompting urgent warnings from travel insurance providers. As more UK residents turn to these treatments, insurers caution that failing to disclose their use when purchasing travel insurance could result in cancelled policies and significant out-of-pocket medical costs abroad.
Experts say that many travellers either avoid revealing their medication use or mistakenly believe that purchasing weight-loss drugs privately exempts them from disclosure. Niraj Mamtora, director at Forum Insurance, emphasized the risks, noting that using drugs like Ozempic without declaring them, along with the underlying medical condition for which they are prescribed, violates the terms of most insurance contracts. If a medical issue arises overseas, and the traveller has not disclosed their medication, insurers may reject any claims and cancel the policy outright.
Mamtora described non-disclosure as a serious and potentially costly mistake. He explained that insurers have the right to deny claims even if the incident seems unrelated to the medication or condition. The financial stakes are high, with the average overseas medical claim now exceeding £1,700 and rising sharply for older travellers.
According to data from The Pharmacist, an estimated 1.5 million people in the UK were using weight-loss injections as of March 2025. NHS figures show that between March 2024 and February 2025, over 344,000 individuals in England were prescribed weight-loss medication, including more than 83,000 who were given Ozempic. These numbers are expected to grow as more drugs become available and eligibility expands.
Given these trends, insurance providers advise all travellers using prescription weight-loss drugs to fully declare both their medical conditions and medications when buying travel insurance. They also recommend carrying prescriptions or doctors’ letters when travelling and verifying rules in destination countries for bringing such medications.
Failure to disclose any relevant health information may result in denied insurance claims, leaving travellers vulnerable to expensive medical bills. Insurers are urging travellers to avoid the risk and ensure they are fully covered before going abroad.
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