Travel Insurance for Allergies

What are allergies?

An allergy is the immune system overreacting to something that’s usually harmless, such as pollen, dust mites, pet hair, certain foods, insect stings or medicines. It comes under our other medical conditions category. Reactions are often mild, with sneezing, itchy eyes, a rash or a runny nose.

Some reactions are more serious, and a small number of people have severe reactions known as anaphylaxis, which is a medical emergency. Allergies often run alongside eczema and asthma. The NHS allergies page covers common triggers and treatment.

Why do I need to declare allergies for travel insurance?

A diagnosed allergy, particularly to a food, a drug or insect stings, is treated as a pre-existing medical condition. We need to know because a reaction abroad can need emergency treatment, and unfamiliar food, labels in another language and different kitchen practices make accidental exposure more likely. A serious reaction before you travel could also mean cancelling.

If an allergy that should be declared isn’t, a related claim could be refused or reduced.

You won’t need to declare every medical condition you’ve ever had or been diagnosed with, only those that fall into the initial set of medical questions.

Can I get travel insurance with allergies?

Usually, yes. Many policies treat minor seasonal hay fever differently from a diagnosed food or drug allergy, so check the screening questions carefully. Whether an allergy is accepted depends on the screening result, and linked conditions like asthma play a part.

What we’ll ask about your allergies

Our online screening is easy to follow. It asks a few questions about your allergies, including what you’re allergic to and whether you’ve had a serious reaction. When you’ve declared this condition, carry on with any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

Finishing the medical declaration takes you through to the quote page. Provided your allergies and your other declared conditions can be covered, you’ll be presented with a list of quotes. The premium you see already includes cover for your medical, and if we cannot provide cover, you’ll know before going ahead.

If your health changes before travelling

Allergies can change, and reactions can catch you out. If you have a serious reaction, you’re given a new prescription, you’re referred to an allergy clinic, or you receive a new allergy diagnosis between now and departure, you must let us know. It may mean reviewing your cover or referring your medical situation to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to proceed with cover. Not telling us about a change in your medical can lead to a future claim being affected or denied.

What can allergy travel insurance cover?

Once your allergy is accepted, emergency treatment abroad for a reaction can be covered. If you eat a dish in Thailand that contains peanuts and need emergency treatment in hospital, the costs can be covered, and so can repatriation if your doctors decide it’s needed. Subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If a reaction before departure means your doctor advises you not to go, cancellation cover may help you recover non-refundable costs.

The policy won’t cover planned allergy treatment abroad or claims linked to allergies you didn’t declare.

Will allergies affect the cost of travel insurance?

Your allergy may affect the price. What you tell us in our online medical screening decides how much, and it may include questions about how the allergy is treated and how well it’s controlled. Your age, destination and trip length are factored in regardless. If you’re unsure, run through the screening and see the price before buying.

Single trip or annual cover with allergies

For a single holiday, single trip cover works well. If you’re travelling a few times a year, annual multi-trip cover may be cheaper overall, depending on your screening result.

Travelling with allergies: practical tips

These are general suggestions. They don’t form part of the cover.

Food allergies need the most planning. Learn how to say what you’re allergic to in the local language, or carry a translated allergy card. Restaurants abroad don’t always label allergens the way UK places must, so ask, and be wary of buffets where serving spoons get swapped between dishes.

Tell your airline about a serious food allergy when you book. Airlines vary in what they can do, and few can promise an allergen-free cabin, so take your own snacks.

If you’ve been prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors, carry two with you at all times and keep them in your hand luggage. Check expiry dates before you go, and keep them out of extreme heat. Antihistamines in your day bag are useful for milder reactions.

Hay fever seasons differ around the world. Pollen can peak at different times from the UK, so check the forecast for your destination. Insect stings are more of a risk on outdoor holidays, so cover food and drinks outside and wear shoes on grass.

1. know the local emergency number before you arrive
2. carry a letter from your GP explaining your allergy and medication
3. check our guide to travelling abroad with medication

How to get a quote

Enter the trip details, answer the medical screening including your allergies, and choose your cover. You can see the price before you buy.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Other Medical Pages

• Allergies Travel Insurance
• Anaphylaxis Travel Insurance
• Angioedema Travel Insurance
• Chronic Pain Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Disability Travel Insurance
• Endometriosis Travel Insurance
• Fibroids Travel Insurance
• Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke Travel Insurance
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Travel Insurance
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Post-Viral Fatigue Travel Insurance

Don't worry if your condition is not listed above - we cover plenty more medical conditions.
* Please note that cover will vary depending on individual medical screenings.