Forum Insurance has revealed the reasons why travellers on 'skinny jabs' such as Ozempic and Wegovy should always declare their weight-loss medication before heading abroad. Olivia Palamountain reports

Millions of Brits using breakthrough weight-loss medications such as Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy could be unknowingly putting themselves at risk of hefty medical bills abroad, travel insurance experts are warning.

As prescription "skinny jabs" become increasingly mainstream - with NHS data showing over 344,000 people received weight-loss medication prescriptions in the past year alone - travellers are failing to declare their usage to insurers, potentially voiding their coverage entirely, says Forum Insurance.

The oversight could prove financially devastating, with average medical claims abroad now exceeding £1,700 and insurers within their rights to refuse any claim if medications haven't been properly disclosed.

Niraj Mamtora, director at Forum Insurance, says: “Weight-loss medications like Ozempic are transforming lives across the UK, but too many travellers don’t realise the insurance implications. If you’re using these drugs, you must declare both the medication and the condition it’s prescribed for.

“Failure to do so is not a minor oversight - it’s a serious breach of your travel insurance contract. If you need medical help overseas and haven’t declared your medication, your claim can be refused and your policy cancelled. The financial consequences can be severe.

"Non-disclosure is a gamble that’s simply not worth taking. If you don’t declare your medication or the underlying condition, your insurer is within their rights to refuse any claim, even if it seems unrelated."

Forum Insurance's Top Tips for Travelling with Weight-Loss Medication

• Declare all pre-existing medical conditions and any medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, when purchasing travel insurance.

• If you are taking medication without a prescription or for off-label use, you must disclose this, as it can affect your travel cover.

• Carry a copy of your prescription or a doctor’s letter when travelling with medication, and check the rules of your destination country regarding bringing in prescription drugs.

• Remember that insurance claims related to undeclared conditions or medications can be refused, even if the issue seems unrelated.