Travel Insurance for Allergies
Living with an allergy can naturally bring some uncertainty, especially when planning a holiday. However, arranging travel insurance that covers allergic reactions while you're away can help ease pre-trip worries.
Holiday Extras travel insurance policies come with protection for things like emergency medical care, cancellations and lost baggage. Our bronze, silver and gold cover levels give you the flexibility to choose the protection that suits your trip, so you can travel with confidence.
Is an allergy a pre-existing medical condition?
It can be a little confusing to know which allergies to declare as pre-existing medical conditions on a travel insurance policy, as allergies can vary in their severity. Something as simple as nut allergy can vary greatly in degrees of seriousness, some people experiencing only minor discomfort, while others suffering life-threatening symptoms. You could also display symptoms of a potential allergy, not yet diagnosed.
As a general rule of thumb you should declare an allergy on your travel insurance if you have received a diagnosis, a prescription, a change in treatment or your condition has not remained stable in the period leading up to your policy start date.
What if I choose not to declare my allergy?
You must declare all your medical conditions, allergies included. If you don't declare your medical conditions, and you need medical treatment or advice while on your trip, you will be responsible for all the medical costs, and you won't be able to submit a claim.
How to deal with allergies abroad
If you have allergies, a bit of preparation can make all the difference in enjoying a smooth, stress-free holiday. Whether it's a food allergy, hay fever, or another condition that calls for some extra planning, we're here to help.
For information regarding travelling with allergies, check out our Top Tips for Travelling with Allergies page.
Need to know what to do in the event of an emergency abroad? Jump to this section on what to do in the event of a medical emergency.
What are the benefits of buying a Holiday Extras insurance policy?
- Flexible cover levels - Pick from bronze, silver, or gold policies to suit your trip plans and budget, whether you're going all out, or keeping things simple.
- Support for pre-existing conditions - Most medical conditions are considered, with a quick and easy online screening process.
- Medical support abroad, made easy - Every policy includes free access to AnywhereGP, a 24/7 virtual medical support service for non-urgent help while you're away.
- Extra cover, if you want it - Add-ons are available for things like gadget protection, winter sports, or extreme activities, so you can tailor your policy to your plans.
- Award-winning protection - We've been voted Best Insurance Provider for 16 years in a row.
Over 40 years experience in travel services.
Voted Best Insurance Provider 16 years running – since 2009.
Tailored policies to suit your personal requirements.
£13.8 million paid in claims last year, providing reliable support when it matters most.
Smart, simple cover with help from our AI assistant, SYD.
Compare travel insurance cover levels
Choose from three different levels of cover, each with its own cover limits. Ranging from a simpler 'Bronze' plan to a higher level 'Gold' plan, you can tailor your policy to suit your needs. Browse the key benefits below, or see the full breakdown in our cover-level table and Policy Documents.
Bronze
| £15,000,000 | Emergency medical and repatriation expenses |
| £1,000 | Cancellation & Cutting your trip short |
| £2,000 | Personal belongings |
| £500 | Personal money |
| £500 | Gadget Cover |
Silver
| £20,000,000 | Emergency medical and repatriation expenses |
| £2,500 | Cancellation & Cutting your trip short |
| £3,000 | Personal belongings |
| £750 | Personal money |
| £500 | Gadget Cover |
Gold
| Unlimited | Emergency medical and repatriation expenses |
| £5,000* | Cancellation & Cutting your trip short |
| £5,000 | Personal belongings |
| £1,000 | Personal money |
| £750 | Gadget Cover |
*Or as specified on your schedule
AnywhereGP: 24/7 Medical Help
Powered by Air Doctor
We're thrilled to introduce AnywhereGP, powered by Air Doctor – your on-the-go medical solution abroad!
Included FREE with every Holiday Extras travel insurance policy, it provides fast, reliable medical support for everything from minor illnesses to urgent concerns, keeping you supported along the way.
Need emergency medical help abroad? Here's what to do
If you are in need of emergency medical attention, please make sure you call local emergency services before anything else.
Use Reciprocal Health Agreements
If your destination has a health agreement with the UK, you can use your EHIC or GHIC card to access medical treatment. This may help cover some or all of your medical expenses.
Contact the Assistance Team
If you're admitted to hospital, call our assistance team as soon as possible.
When to Call: After you've been admitted but before paying for any medical treatment.
Why It's Important: Not contacting the team could limit your coverage, even if your claim is valid.
Important: Save Your Documents
Keep all receipts and doctor's notes from your time abroad safe – they'll be needed for your insurance claim. For more details, visit the official guidance on medical attention abroad.
24/7 Emergency Assistance
Our team is here to help, wherever you are:
| Outside the USA, Canada, or Mexico: | +44 (0) 1403 788 718 |
| In the USA or Canada (Toll-Free): | +1-844-780-0494 |
| In Mexico: | 00 1 819 780 0494 |
Looking for information regarding a different condition?
It's important to get the right level of cover for your trip, especially when travelling with pre-existing medical conditions. We believe everyone deserves a hassle-free holiday. That's why we consider most medical conditions.
To find out more, visit our page dedicated to travelling with medical conditions.
Let us answer your questions
Can you claim for allergies?
If you require emergency medical treatment abroad due to an allergic reaction, then you may be entitled to make a claim, provided you declared this condition to us. There are other factors that can influence whether you are entitled to claim or not - it's good to be aware of these by reading your policy documents.
In the event of a medical emergency abroad, you should always call local emergency services before anything else. You can then call the assistance team once you have sought medical help, who will be able to talk you through the next steps.
Do you need to declare hay fever on travel insurance?
Allergies are classed as a pre-existing condition, so you should always declare hay fever when taking out a travel insurance policy. It's best to cover yourself, rather than miss something off and potentially invalidate your policy.
Do I need a doctor's letter to travel with an EpiPen?
It's not always required, but it's a good idea to carry a doctor's letter or a copy of your prescription when travelling with an EpiPen. You might also want to let your airline know in advance. Doing this can help you avoid problems at security or in countries that need proof of prescription medication.
A doctor's letter should confirm that you have a life-threatening condition and include their name, contact details, and signature.
How do I declare my condition?
You can declare any medical conditions by clicking 'get a quote'. You will be asked to fill in a few details about your trip and about yourself, and then you will be asked some questions about your health. You should answer all questions correctly enter any medical conditions that you have at the 'medical screening' stage.
Holiday Extras Travel Insurance is sold and administered by Holiday Extras Cover Limited, registered office address: Ashford Road, Newingreen, Hythe, Kent CT21 4JF.
Holiday Extras Cover Limited is an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, registration number 828848. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting: http://register.fca.org.uk
Holiday Extras™ is a Trading Name of Holiday Extras Cover Limited. The insurance is underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited. Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 13436330 and whose registered office address is 1 Fen Court, London, United Kingdom, EC3M 5BN.
Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Firm Reference Number 955859. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting: http://register.fca.org.uk