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Do I need to declare my high cholesterol when booking travel insurance?

Making sure you've got everything in order before you set off on holiday can feel a bit overwhelming — and it really shouldn't be.

If you're living with high cholesterol, or even if you're all clear but have previosuly suffered from it, all insurance providers class it as a pre-existing medical condition. It is crucial that you declare when booking your holiday cover so you know that whatever happens, your health is completely taken care of with a trustworthy insurance policy.

Before you buy one of our policies you will go through a straightforward process where you are asked a number of routine questions regarding your medical history. Our screening process considers the sensitivity of your condition and is administered under complete discretion. It is a very straightforward process and we ask you a number of questions to fully determine the best type of cover for you. Below is just a sample of what you can expect:

How will having high cholesterol affect my insurance policy?

Your insurance policy we will base upon a few straightforward and simple questions to evaluate your condition. Giving us the most information about your condition is imperative in order for us to provide you with the best, individually tailored policy for you. Broadly speaking, the more manageable and stable your condition is, the less it will affect the cost of your insurance policy. We would like to state that this will naturally vary from person to person.

To give you an accurate and fair price for your policy, our team of insurance experts take into account a number of factors before giving you a quote:

  • Level of risk - Our insurers assess the severity of your condition, doing so based on the answers you provide during your screening.
  • Age - The likelihood of having to make a claim tends to increase according to the age of the traveller, so this is taken into account when we draw up your policy.
  • Destination - With some locations, the only suitable healthcare facilities available are privately run, and so cost more. In this case, you may find that the price of your policy is slightly higher to reflect this.

    • If you have a pre-existing medical condition we always recommend that you speak to your GP for any medical advice around travelling with high cholesterol, or how much medication to bring with you.

    For more general information about travelling with high cholesterol, head over to our Top Tips for Travelling with High Cholesterol page.

    Advice for travelling with high cholesterol:

    Getting organised before you travel is key to a smooth experience. Use this checklist to get started:

    See Your Doctor

    It's a good idea to see your doctor before you travel to discuss your travel plans and get advice tailored to your condition.

    Keeping active

    Exercise can really help when it comes to reducing cholesterol, so whenever you get the chance:

    • Stretch your legs and take a short walk if you can. If you're on a plane, maybe book an aisle seat — that you have the freedom to have a walk up and down the plane.
    • Near the beach or a pool? Have a quick swim every day to get your blood pumping!
    Get Covered with Travel Insurance

    Make sure your policy includes pre-existing conditions like high cholesterol, so you're covered for any surprises.

    Pack Your Essentials
    • Keep your medication in your hand luggage - along with a copy of your prescription and a little extra, just in case.
    • Consider the fact that you might have to alter your medication routine slightly if you're travelling across different time zones too.

    The British Heart Foundation has a very thorough and helpful guide to travelling abroad with high cholesterol and keeping it in check.

    For further information about high cholesterol or for support, you can also visit the NHS and Heart UK, who also offer incredible insight and suggestions to managing your life around high cholesterol.

    Diet

    What you eat and drink plays a huge part in your cholesterol levels, so try ensuring you have the healthiest intake. Trying to incorporate low-cholesterol foods into your diet is an amazing way to keep on top of things.

    Below are a list of "super-foods" that are great at lowering your cholesterol:

    • Fibre-rich food such as - Broccoli, Kale, Beans, Legumes, Avocado
    • Fruits like - Apples, berries, passion fruit
    • Opt for wholegrains, like - Wholegrain bread, Wholewheat pasta, Brown rice
    • Healthy fats - Olive oil, nuts, seeds, fatty fish such as Salmon and Tuna
    • Foods with added sterols and stanols (i.e. Benecol drinks)

    Try to pick something from these groups when ordering in restaurants, or cooking for yourself to incorporate these super foods!

    Plan for the Airport

    Book meet and greet airport parking to enjoy a stress-free start to your journey. If you require additional help, arrange airport assistance in advance, as many terminals are vast, and walking long distances might not be ideal.

    With regard to any other medical conditions, be sure to have a read up on our pre-existing conditions travel insurance page.


    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