Travel insurance with a cancer diagnosis.

When my husband was ill, we couldn't go abroad, although, at first, he had treatment only monthly. His condition was expected to deteriorate rapidly at some point, so it was against doctor's advice to travel far. It was three years before that happened - but still, we were limited to the South of UK.

nandad

Get your friend to check with their bank. One of my friends got cover through Barclays she and her husband have many health issues including cancer and they only paid a ridiculous amount including cruise cover. Another friend got theirs through Nationwide.

We had free cover with our bank account and had to pay an extra £400 for annual cover . We were honest about all our ailments though none of them life threatening .

Thank you everyone for all your helpful information. My friend is contacting various companies. Hopefully she will get some idea if she can get insurance.

Don't forget that it very much depends where she might want to visit. Insurance to the USA will be much much more than (say) France - because of the very high medical costs there.

My son (not Cancer but other health issues) can only afford single trip insurance as yearly is astronomically expensive.

People on the Lymphoma Action site recommend Insurewith.

My niece was involved in a serious RTA about 18 months ago and has been left with lots of health issues. Eye problems, surgery following broken neck, shoulder and leg pains, dreadful migraines, neurological problems, couple of fingers amputated etc. she is on 22 tablets a day.

She declared absolutely everything and M and S quoted her About £70 for insurance which beat most others.

Thanks. I'll pass it on. I think she tried Staysure, but there was no way of adding the information that would show she was a better risk than most with her condition. It's worth revisiting though.

Doodledog

*Your friend needs a company where she phones and discusses her situation with an advisor.*
In our experience she'll get a much better quote that way than a box-ticking online company.

Does anyone know of such a company, please? My mum is looking for cover, and gets ruled out because of a condition that is not (in her case) as bad as it sounds. If she could explain to someone it might be different.

Yes, Staysure. They have real people who, although they have to 'box tick' are friendly and helpful. A diagnosis in itself is not necessarily the issue; we have found that uncertainty, or awaiting further confirmation of diagnosis is more likely to be a problem. Good luck!

62Granny

I used to work in a cancer unit and we advised Stay Sure , who very good by all accounts.

Staysure failed me. I was told I had too many conditions! No matter who you try, it depends on what else is wrong with you.

I can't get insurance at all and I don't have cancer.
If you are awaiting investigations or results, that also affects your application for travel insurance. There are so many variables involved.

In the good old days, when I could obtain travel insurance, I was only permitted single trip insurance, my yearly one was cancelled.

I used to work in a cancer unit and we advised Stay Sure , who very good by all accounts.

I cant vouch for the cost.
If things are straightforward, I think the costs are resonable.

I got one just recently but the main question was if I was having ongoing treatment which I m not so I was surprised how easy it was it was around £50 and I did it quite pain free online

Doodledog

*Your friend needs a company where she phones and discusses her situation with an advisor.*
In our experience she'll get a much better quote that way than a box-ticking online company.

Does anyone know of such a company, please? My mum is looking for cover, and gets ruled out because of a condition that is not (in her case) as bad as it sounds. If she could explain to someone it might be different.

You could try Insure and Go.
You will get to speak with someone.
They do do box ticking, but will refer to a higher up colleague if/when things dont quite fit.

I had an operation for lung cancer in May 22. I applied for travel insurance for this summer and the cost was £400 approx. so I left it. I’m now being monitored 6 monthly as I had no further treatment. I’m keeping everything crossed.

Initially I thought I would never be able to get affordable insurance. This summer in August I applied to “InsuranceWith” and received a quote for £74. I took it.

Initially you need to apply online but they will stop you from going too far before they ask you to give you telephone number so they can call back. They are a specialist insurer. I found out about them via Roy Castle. MacMillan also has discussions about insurance for cancer patients.

Get your friend to check with their bank. One of my friends got cover through Barclays she and her husband have many health issues including cancer and they only paid a ridiculous amount including cruise cover. Another friend got theirs through Nationwide.

My favourite travel insurers are Insure&Go and the Post Office. Both offer cover for pre-exisitng conditions, including cancer.

I discovered that they were far more reasonable and offerred just as much cover, case for case, as the specialist, health-related companies

My husband is suffering from terminal throat cancer & we managed to get insurance with good to go,It was affordable for a weeks holiday to Lanzarote.The other companies I tried were out of the question,all ridiculously expensive.

Staysure are excellent or maybe saga, but I believe Saga @are expensive

My Dh had cancer a few years ago but because he wasn’t receiving any treatment there wasn’t a problem with the insurance

I speak on the phone to Just Travel and list my health issues. It just means the premium is a bit higher but not exorbitant.

There shouldn’t be a problem over travel insurance unless in a terminal state.
I’ve had cancer twice, plus other typical ailments due to age and am travelling abroad this year for the second time insured with Just Travel, no problem.

Your friend needs a company where she phones and discusses her situation with an advisor.
In our experience she'll get a much better quote that way than a box-ticking online company.

Does anyone know of such a company, please? My mum is looking for cover, and gets ruled out because of a condition that is not (in her case) as bad as it sounds. If she could explain to someone it might be different.

"First World" is the company my husband used for his mum's travel insurance when she came with us.

Your friend needs a company where she phones and discusses her situation with an advisor.
In our experience she'll get a much better quote that way than a box-ticking online company.
The cost will depend on her medical circumstances, where she wants to travel to and how long for.

I hope you can sort it out between you, it'll certainly give her a boost if she can still travel 🙂

StaySure and Allclear Travel offer medical travel insurance.
There are other firms too if she looks at a comparison site, to find out what they cover.

I am sure there was advice on Macmillan Nurses site about this.