Travelling with Anaphylaxis

What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that comes on quickly and can be life threatening. Within minutes the throat or tongue can swell, breathing can become difficult, and a person may feel faint, go pale and clammy, or collapse. Triggers can include foods like peanuts or shellfish, bites from insects or bee stings, or medicines such as penecillin. 

It is treated straight away with adrenaline, usually from an auto-injector such as an EpiPen or Jext, followed by a call for an ambulance. People who have had an anaphylactic reaction are normally prescribed auto-injectors and asked to carry them at all times. Read more on the NHS anaphylaxis page.

Why do I need to declare anaphylaxis for travel insurance?

A history of anaphylaxis is a pre-existing medical condition, and so is the allergy behind it. You'll need to declare this allergy because a reaction abroad can be life-threatening and usually means emergency treatment, often followed by a hospital stay. Unfamiliar food, menus in another language, and insect stings all make exposure harder to avoid. You could also experience a reaction before you travel, so may need to make a claim for cancellation on medical grounds.

If it isn’t declared, 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 anaphylaxis?

Usually you can. Whether cover is offered depends on the screening result, and how settled things have been can make a difference, along with whether you also have asthma.

What we’ll ask about your anaphylaxis

Declaring your anaphylaxis online doesn’t take long. The screening asks about what you’re allergic to and whether you’re at risk of life-threatening reactions. After that, carry on declaring any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions you have.

Once you’ve finished the medical declaration, you’ll go through to the quote page. If your anaphylaxis and your other conditions can be covered, you’ll see a list of quotes, and the premium shown includes the cost of cover for your medical. If we can’t provide cover, you’ll know before going any further.

If your health changes before travelling

Reactions can happen without much warning. If you have another reaction, your treatment is changed, you’re referred to an allergy clinic, or you’re diagnosed with a new allergy between now and departure, you must let us know. We may have to review your cover and refer your medical details to the underwriters, and sometimes we may not be able to proceed with cover. If changes in your medical go unreported, a future claim can be affected or denied.

What can anaphylaxis travel insurance cover?

When anaphylaxis is accepted, a reaction while you’re away is handled as a medical emergency. Say you eat something in Thailand that contains a hidden nut and need an ambulance and a night in hospital: emergency treatment can be covered, and so can bringing you home with medical support if that becomes necessary. This is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If a serious reaction just before departure means you’re told not to travel, cancellation cover may help you get back non-refundable costs.

The policy won’t pay for planned treatment abroad, such as allergy testing or desensitisation you arrange there, and it won’t pay for claims linked to a condition you didn’t declare.

Will anaphylaxis affect the cost of travel insurance?

There may be an effect on the cost. The answers you give during online medical screening decide how much, and you could be asked how your anaphylaxis is treated and how well the allergy behind it is controlled. Where you’re going, how long for and your age matter as well. Nothing is payable until you’ve seen the quote.

Single trip or annual cover with anaphylaxis

For one holiday, single trip insurance keeps things straightforward. Regular travellers may prefer annual travel insurance, which covers every trip in the year. Whether annual cover is available depends on your screening result.

Travelling with anaphylaxis: practical tips

The advice below is general and isn’t part of your insurance.

Take your auto-injectors everywhere, and keep them on you rather than in a suitcase or hotel safe. The NHS advises carrying two. Check the expiry dates before you leave and pack a spare set if your GP will prescribe one. Most airlines allow them in the cabin, but a letter from your doctor saves awkward questions at security. Adrenaline doesn’t like extremes of heat or cold, so keep them out of direct sun, away from a hot car and out of the hold.

Speak to the airline before you fly if food is your trigger. Policies on nut announcements and buffer zones vary a lot between carriers, and none can promise a nut-free flight. Many people with food allergies take their own snacks and wipe down the tray table and armrests.

Eating out abroad needs a little more planning. Allergen labelling rules differ outside the UK, and a restaurant may not understand how serious your allergy is. A translated allergy card in the local language is a simple way to explain it. Self-catering for some meals takes the pressure off.

If stings are your trigger, wear shoes outdoors, cover sweet drinks and be careful around bins and fallen fruit. Before you go, learn the local emergency number (112 works across the EU) and find the nearest hospital. The TravelHealthPro country pages are useful for health information on your destination, and our wider allergies page may also be relevant.

1. make sure whoever you travel with knows how to use your auto-injector
2. wear a medical alert bracelet or carry a card that says what you’re allergic to
3. keep antihistamines in your day bag if your doctor has suggested them

How to get a quote

Enter your trip details, declare anaphylaxis along with any other conditions, and choose the cover that suits you. The price is shown 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.