Tommy has over 15 years experience within the insurance industry, and his primary focus is helping travellers find the right cover for their medical conditions.
Compare allergy travel insurance
Over 20% of the UK population are affected by one or more allergic disorder, but living with an allergy shouldn’t prevent you from travelling to new countries. Allergy travel insurance can help to open up new horizons to everyone from city-break lovers and back-packing wanderers alike.
When abroad, you can feel free to enjoy new foods and experiences by taking precautions to minimise the risk of developing an allergic reaction.
Allergic reactions can vary in severity, resulting in anything from mild itching and sneezing to hives, vomiting, or even life-threatening anaphylaxis. And, experiencing a reaction in an unfamiliar setting can be all the more stressful and frightening.
From stocking up on allergy medication to ensuring you get the right travel insurance cover before you take off, you can really relax in your surroundings and get busy sampling new exotic tastes and flavours without the extra worry.
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Travelling with food allergies
If you’re travelling with food allergies, there are things you can do to help reduce the risk of a food related allergic reaction and give yourself access to the correct and timely treatment in response to a reaction no matter the severity:
- Plan your travel in advance. If you’re flying, you can usually let the airline know that you or someone in your party has a food allergy. They can usually advise on in-flight meals and any measures they take to reduce your exposure to potential allergens.
- If you’re travelling to a non-English speaking country and don’t speak the native language, be prepared with a translation card. A translation card can be a quick and easy way to communicate the severity of the allergy and how a restaurant can help you avoid becoming ill.
- Take a little longer to examine a food menu to check for allergens, but be mindful of hidden ingredients. If in doubt, it’s best to avoid any meals you’re unsure about.
- If possible, observe food preparation areas, for example, if staff are using the same scoop for all flavours of ice cream. There could be an increased risk of cross-contamination if one of the flavours contains an allergen ingredient, so it’s best to steer clear if you want to avoid a reaction.
- Make sure you have any medication or supplies, like Adrenaline Auto-Injection pens, that you need. If you’re flying, you’ll probably need a letter from your doctor to allow you to carry things like liquid antihistamines or an EpiPen in your hand luggage.
- When you arrive at your destination, familiarise yourself with the location of nearby pharmacies, doctors, and the local emergency department. It’s also worth keeping a note of the emergency services number just in case you need to call for an ambulance.
Top tips for travelling with allergies
Dr Sarah Jarvis is the Clinical Director of the Patient Platform, an active medical writer, broadcaster, and the resident doctor for BBC Radio 2.
If you’re travelling with food allergies, there are steps you can take to help reduce the risk of a food-related allergic reaction and give yourself access to the correct and timely treatment in response to a reaction no matter the severity:
- Plan your travel in advance. If you’re flying, check your airline's policy on food allergy management. Most airlines will allow you to let them know in advance that you or someone in your party has a food allergy. They can usually advise on in-flight meals and any measures they take to reduce your exposure to potential allergens.
- If you have a severe nut or another food allergy, look for an airline that offers nut-free flights: some airlines will stop passengers bringing their own nuts onto a plane if there is a customer with a nut allergy on board. Others simply ask passengers to refrain from eating nut products in this case.
- Even if you've informed the airline in advance about your allergy, make sure you remind them on the day – at check-in, boarding and every time a snack or meal is offered.
- If you need to take food with you, check quarantine laws of the country you're travelling to for food restrictions.
- If you're flying alone, make the airline staff on board aware of your emergency treatment, just in case you have a severe reaction in-flight and they need to give urgent assistance.
- If you’re travelling to a non-English speaking country and don’t speak the native language, be prepared with a translation card. A translation card can be a quick and easy way to communicate the severity of the allergy and how a restaurant can help you to avoid becoming ill. You can find a range of these cards at Allergy UK's website.
- Take a little longer to examine a food menu to check for allergens but be mindful of hidden ingredients. If in doubt, it’s best to avoid any meals you’re not 100% sure about.
- If possible, observe food preparation areas, for example, if staff are using the same scoop for all flavours of ice-cream. There could be an increased risk of cross-contamination if one of the flavours contains an allergen ingredient, so if you have a severe allergy you should steer clear if you want to avoid a reaction.
- Make sure you have any medication or supplies, like adrenaline auto-injection pens, that you need. If you’re flying, the 100ml liquid rule for hand luggage does not apply to medication in liquid form, such as liquid antihistamine and you are allowed to carry an adrenaline auto-injector. However, you will need a letter from your doctor or proof of prescription, so be sure to arrange this in advance and keep it with your medication.
- Take a copy of your allergy action plan with you and keep it to hand at all times.
- When you arrive at your destination, familiarise yourself with the location of nearby pharmacies, doctors, and the local emergency department. It’s also worth keeping a note of the emergency services number just in case you need to call for an ambulance.
Travel insurance for nut allergy sufferers
The prevalence of nut allergy is on the rise, with approximately 1 in 50 children developing a peanut allergy in the UK (Allergy UK). Nut allergies can result in severe reactions such as difficulty breathing and anaphylaxis which require urgent medical attention.
Nuts (especially peanuts) are a common ingredient in many sweet and savoury dishes in other countries. Although many restaurants and food products around the world will provide suitable warnings, there can be a greater risk of a reaction abroad. It can sometimes be difficult to identify whether a snack or meal contains nuts or has been prepared in the vicinity of nuts, especially if there is a language barrier.
Medical Travel Compared enables people with nut allergies access to compare different specialist policies, so they can choose the right cover for their trip and condition. Having a nut allergy won’t stop you from exploring the far-flung corners of the globe.
Declaring your allergies
When comparing travel insurance quotes, you may need to declare any allergies. Making a pre-existing medical condition, like an allergy, known to the travel insurance provider will ensure you get the best possible cover tailored to your needs.
Even if you’ve never needed to use an adrenaline pen or required medical intervention for your allergy, it’s still best to make sure you have the correct specialist cover. Allergic reactions can be unpredictable in their severity and you could end up needing expensive medical treatment or a costly hospital stay that you will need to make a claim for.
Including cover for allergy or anaphylaxis on your travel insurance policy may result in a small additional charge. But, if you fail to declare your condition and need to make a condition-specific claim, your standard insurance policy will be void and you could end up footing a rather large medical bill on your return home. Declaring your allergies is in your best interests.
What does allergy travel insurance cover?
Opting for allergy travel insurance cover brings additional benefits should you need to make a claim for an allergic reaction while you’re away. Extended specialist allergy cover can offer protection against hospital bills and help to take the stress out of making alternative travel arrangements. Your travel insurance premium is likely to cost a little more, but it’s worth the peace of mind of knowing you won’t need to worry about expensive medical fees should you have a reaction.
Unrelated to your condition, a standard travel insurance policy typically covers:
- Holiday cancellation
- Personal accidents
- Emergency medical and repatriation expenses
- Mobility aids
- Missed connection
- Belongings and baggage loss
- Theft of passport, money, and documents
However, if you have a pre-existing condition like an allergy you’ll need a specialist allergy travel insurance policy with extended cover. If you have an allergic reaction on holiday, an extended policy with Medical Travel Compared will give you:
- access to a 24-hour emergency medical assistance line from abroad
- cover for unplanned medical treatment
- cover for the cost of replacement medication
- cover for holiday cancellation if you’re unfit to fly or travel due to an allergic reaction before your departure date
Compare allergy travel insurance quotes
Get travel insurance for allergies with us. We ask the relevant questions to give you the right cover.
Compare allergy travel insurance quotes quickly and easily online with Medical Travel Compared. Free and independent, all you need to do is answer a single medical screen. You’ll get access to a selection of suitable allergy policy quotes from reliable insurers, so you can make your mind up in the comfort of your own home.
You can find out more about travelling with an allergy and get advice and tips about managing your allergy with Allergy UK.
Compare allergy cover simply today, without being placed on hold and without needing to repeat yourself.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Allergy travel insurance is a specialist cover designed for individuals with allergies, including food allergies and other sensitivities. It ensures you're protected against unexpected medical expenses resulting from allergic reactions while travelling.
This type of policy provides peace of mind, covering hospital bills, replacement medication, and even cancellations due to allergic reactions.
Yes, it’s important to inform your insurance provider about any allergies, even if you've never experienced a severe reaction or required emergency treatment.
Declaring your allergies ensures you receive cover tailored to your needs. Failure to disclose pre-existing conditions like allergies may void your policy, leaving you unprotected in case of an incident.
Specialist allergy travel insurance typically includes:
- Emergency medical expenses due to allergic reactions.
- Replacement costs for essential medication such as EpiPens.
- 24/7 emergency medical assistance while abroad.
- Cover for holiday cancellations if an allergic reaction prevents you from travelling.
- Emergency medical repatriation.
- Standard benefits like baggage protection, missed connections, and theft of personal items.
Yes, specialist policies are available for severe allergies, including nut allergies. These policies ensure you're protected against serious reactions, such as anaphylaxis, which may require urgent medical attention while abroad.
Make sure to compare policies to find the one that offers comprehensive protection for your specific needs.
Yes, it is possible to get travel insurance cover if you have multiple severe allergies.
You should disclose all your allergies during the application process to ensure that the insurer can provide accurate coverage.
It’s simple! With Medical Travel Compared, you can enter your trip and medical details once, and we'll show you quotes from over 30 trusted providers.
From there, you can review and choose the best policy for your allergies and travel plans, all without making any calls or filling out additional paperwork. Compare quotes today.
If you experience an allergic reaction while travelling:
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Contact the 24/7 emergency assistance helpline provided by your insurer to access support and guidance.
- Retain all medical reports and receipts for your claim.
For more guidance on travelling with allergies, read our guide found here.
Yes, most travel insurance policies can provide cover for individuals carrying an adrenaline auto-injector, such as an EpiPen. Always make sure to read over your documents.
Absolutely! Follow these tips for a safer trip:
- Carry translation cards if travelling to a non-English-speaking country to communicate your allergies effectively.
- Check airline policies for food allergy management and nut-free flights.
- Bring medication, like Adrenaline Auto-Injectors (EpiPens), along with your doctor's letter or prescription.
- Familiarise yourself with local pharmacies and emergency services at your destination.
- Wear a medical ID, which discloses your allergies. You can even create a medical ID on most (if not all) smartphones, if you'd rather not wear one.
For more guidance on travelling with allergies, read our guide here.
We strongly advise against this.
Without declaring your allergies, any travel insurance claims related to an allergic reaction may be invalid, leaving you responsible for significant medical expenses. Furthermore, your provider may invalidate your policy, leaving you unprotected.
Always be transparent to ensure appropriate and reliable cover.
The cost depends on factors like the severity of your allergy, your destination, and the length of your trip.
While it may cost slightly more than a standard policy, the added protection ensures peace of mind throughout your travels.
Compare quotes quickly online to explore cost-effective options tailored to your needs.
READ MORE: How is Premium Calculated
* * Price is based on 1 traveller aged 61, who has declared Allergies and is travelling to France for 7 nights. The price is correct as of January 2025. Prices may vary according to your individual requirements.
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