Travel insurance could be at serious risk for travellers who fail to declare the use of popular weight-loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. As the demand for GLP-1 receptor agonists continues to rise, so do the chances of costly insurance complications for those who don’t fully disclose their medical details before heading abroad.

Over the last year, drugs like semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy), tirzepatide (Mounjaro), and liraglutide (Saxenda) have become widely used for both weight management and diabetes. Alongside these, many people also take weight-loss pills such as Orlistat or Alli. But what many don’t realise is that not declaring these medications can leave them without coverage if they fall ill or need medical help overseas.

Some travellers may avoid listing these drugs because they were purchased online, are used off-label, or simply due to embarrassment. However, insurance providers are clear: all medications and pre-existing health conditions must be disclosed when purchasing travel insurance, regardless of how or why the drugs are taken.

Niraj Mamtora, director at Forum Insurance, warns that skipping this step isn’t just a small mistake. “Failure to do so is not a minor oversight—it’s a serious breach of your travel insurance contract,” he says. If you’re hospitalised or need medical care while travelling, and your insurer finds out you didn’t declare your medication, your claim can be denied and your entire policy cancelled.

Even worse, insurers can refuse claims that appear unrelated to the medication. That means even if you’re seeking treatment for something not obviously linked to your weight-loss drug use, the insurance company can still walk away from the bill. That could leave you facing thousands—or even tens of thousands—of pounds in overseas medical costs.

To protect yourself, there are a few essential steps travellers should take:

• Always declare any medications you’re using, even if they were bought privately or without a prescription.

• List the condition the medication is prescribed for, such as type 2 diabetes or weight management.

• Carry proof of your prescription or a letter from your doctor, in case airport or customs officials ask.

• Check the drug laws in your destination country—some places restrict certain medications or require pre-approval to bring them in.

As more people turn to medical solutions for weight loss, the fine print of travel insurance has never been more important. Before you pack your bags, ensure your policy will protect you, because one small omission could result in a major financial disaster.