Taking unprescribed medication in a foreign country invalidate travel insurance?

recci

Does taking unprescribed medication in a foreign country even if its legal in that country, invalidate your travel insurance? I recently went on a trip to Thailand and while i was on the plane over a guy sat next to me had the cold and he coughed and spluttered the whole way their. Two days later I had it, then it developed into a nasty cough with a spit. I went into a pharmacy and they recommended I take amoxicillin. I have been prescribed this many times in the UK so thought it would be ok. I took one 500mg pill then a couple of hours later became sick and had to go to hospital in Thailand. They said it was unlikely to be the amoxicillin and likely mild heat stroke due to being ill in the sun. I ended up getting several tests and drip and it cost me 16000baht. I am now trying to claim this back on my UK travel insurance but they are taking a long time to get back to me. Will this likely invalidate my insurance or will it be covered. Antibiotics are perfectly legal to buy over the counter in Thailand.

Ayr_Rage

I wouldn't be surprised if your insurer refuses your claim unless you have a firm diagnosis of an illness from the hospital and documentary evidence to confirm that.

Heat stroke is pretty much a self-inflicted condition.

DullGreyGuy

If the diagnosis is heatstroke then its unconnected with the anti-biotics and so the fact you took what in Thailand, and much of the world, is an over the counter medicine isnt relevant and won't be considered recreational drug use. 

Ayr_Rage said:

Heat stroke is pretty much a self-inflicted condition.

Many conditions could be argued to be self inflicted, at least partially, but insurance still covers smokers with lung cancer, obese people having heart attacks etc. 

recci

The diagnosis does not say heat stroke it just says unlikely to be a drug allergy and that ecg was given along with other tests and that patient recovered after Hydration and bed rest. I have sent them the documents with all tests and bills etc.

I think the diagnosis was actually Palpitations