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Travel insurance with cancer

(39 Posts)
susytish Tue 23-May-23 12:27:18

My husband has Sarcoma (rare cancer). We are hoping to travel to the USA at some point to visit our son and family, but he is having no luck with trying to get insurance. Looks like I may have to go alone.
Has anyone been in this position and managed to get insurance?

NotSpaghetti Tue 23-May-23 13:16:32

Have you been on the Cancer Research website?

The British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) can suggest brokers. They can look for travel insurance policies for people with cancer.

www.biba.org.uk/

Septimia Tue 23-May-23 14:56:38

I'm sure it's best to have travel insurance if you can find a company to cover your husband. However, my research suggests that it is not essential for travel to the US. If you were willing and able to pay for any medical treatment that your husband might need while there, you could still both go.

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 23-May-23 15:25:31

At US prices Septimia? You can’t be serious!

Septimia Tue 23-May-23 17:01:40

GSM, I know healthcare is astronomically expensive in the US, but it does seem such a shame that the OP's husband might have to miss out on seeing the family. And he might not even need medical care while he's there. I do hope that they find an insurance company that will help.

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 23-May-23 17:16:46

I really, really wouldn’t just cross my fingers and hope for the best. The result of so doing could be catastrophic unless you are extremely wealthy. I too hope that insurance can be found.

Davida1968 Tue 23-May-23 18:23:18

I agree fully with Germanshepherdsmum. When travelling to the USA you truly need good travel insurance which includes medical cover. (What if you were involved in an accident? Traffic or otherwise). Saga may be worth trying? I wish you success.

Fleurpepper Tue 23-May-23 18:31:39

Septimia

*GSM*, I know healthcare is astronomically expensive in the US, but it does seem such a shame that the OP's husband might have to miss out on seeing the family. And he might not even need medical care while he's there. I do hope that they find an insurance company that will help.

Honestly? Going to the USA without proper health/accident insurance would be just irresponsible madness.

crazyH Tue 23-May-23 18:38:04

Please don’t travel to the USA without insurance -

Callistemon21 Tue 23-May-23 18:46:39

Have you tried this company, susytish

We've used them for travelling to Australasia, but not travelling to the USA.

Callistemon21 Tue 23-May-23 18:47:16

Sorry, link:

www.allcleartravel.co.uk/medical-conditions/travel-insurance-for-cancer

PamelaJ1 Tue 23-May-23 18:47:20

We were going to risk going to Australia this year without cover but, luckily, we got insurance through Barclays. Our usual insurer wasn’t happy that I had a BCC on my nose and the matter was ongoing. When I suggested that perhaps I could be covered for everything else but if my problem was BCC related I wouldn’t be covered the woman I was talking to suggested I was trying to get her the sack!
We have a reciprocal health arrangement with Australia and family who live there but there is no way I would go to the USA without cover.

Callistemon21 Tue 23-May-23 18:50:40

PamelaJ1

We were going to risk going to Australia this year without cover but, luckily, we got insurance through Barclays. Our usual insurer wasn’t happy that I had a BCC on my nose and the matter was ongoing. When I suggested that perhaps I could be covered for everything else but if my problem was BCC related I wouldn’t be covered the woman I was talking to suggested I was trying to get her the sack!
We have a reciprocal health arrangement with Australia and family who live there but there is no way I would go to the USA without cover.

We had travel insurance with our Lloyds bank account (it covers up to age 80).
They would cover for accidents, loss of possessions, certain medical conditions but nothing related to a diagnosed cancer or other specified serious illnesses.

CatsCatsCats Tue 23-May-23 18:54:58

As Callistemon, we travelled with insurance, but without cancer protection. Is there any need to protect against it whilst on holiday? Just don't lose or forget any medication.

Candelle Tue 23-May-23 18:57:50

I, too, have been refused travel insurance so know how you feel.

Someone has given a link to travel brokers and this is the way to go but do start saving. The policies will be available but at a cost. Once, my insurance was more than the holiday.

Please do not consider travelling to the States without full travel insurance. Even a minor trip or fall could cost you thousands. I hear of horrific costs - £100,000 would not be unheard of for a moderate procedure/operation.

Oh, it may be worth considering a one-off policy, not an annual, as these would probably suit your need and thus you'd save overall. Unfortunately, travel to the USA and/or cruises is the most costly of all.

I am sure that your husband would love to see his son so blow the money - just go!

Oopsadaisy1 Tue 23-May-23 19:08:36

CatsCatsCats

As Callistemon, we travelled with insurance, but without cancer protection. Is there any need to protect against it whilst on holiday? Just don't lose or forget any medication.

The problem is that if the person insured is hospitalised / has an accident for any reason, the Insurers will try extremely hard to pin the problem on the Cancer or the Cancer Medication.
Risking you having to foot all the bills yourself and or going to court to prove that it had nothing to do with the Cancer diagnosis, also v expensive.
You need insurance that covers all existing medical problems.

Siope Tue 23-May-23 19:10:20

Another poster with cancer found insurance - there’s a link to the broker here.

www.gransnet.com/forums/chat/1313511-Is-this-fair?pg=3

She wasn’t going to the US, but they may still be able to help.

Marydoll Tue 23-May-23 19:13:36

My travel ins. with All Clear for four days in NY cost more than the holiday itself. I had annual travel ins with them, they cancelled that and made me insure each trip individually.
I don't have cancer, but they won't insure me at all now. I was told I had exceeded the number of conditions allowed on one policy! They were my last resort!
I wouldn't dream of going to the USA, without cover. That is madness!

Marydoll Tue 23-May-23 19:14:23

Oops , I was about to say that too.

SueDonim Tue 23-May-23 19:44:58

It is difficult to get insurance for the US. I had to shop around recently simply because I was awaiting the result of an investigation, which would never have required treatment on a two week trip.

Could you flip the journey around, Susytish and use the value of the flights and the potential cost of insurance to pay for your son and family to visit you?

Marydoll Tue 23-May-23 20:26:05

Sue, that is an excellent suggestion, if possible.

NotSpaghetti Tue 23-May-23 20:41:23

Do not try to get annual insurance - a second mortgage would probably be cheaper grin

Good luck.

Callistemon21 Tue 23-May-23 20:54:16

CatsCatsCats

As Callistemon, we travelled with insurance, but without cancer protection. Is there any need to protect against it whilst on holiday? Just don't lose or forget any medication.

Yes, but I wouldn't do it now.
We only did once; I used to take out additional insurance fairly cheaply on top of the Lloyd's one through a local broker.
It would have run out two-thirds of the way through our trip so I popped in to ask them to renew it and they said I was too old (66!) 😲
Too late, hopped on the plane and 🤞

Callistemon21 Tue 23-May-23 20:56:14

The problem is that if the person insured is hospitalised / has an accident for any reason, the Insurers will try extremely hard to pin the problem on the Cancer or the Cancer Medication

Yes, that's the problem Oopsadaisy

Iam64 Tue 23-May-23 21:05:28

My husband had metastasised cancer. He paid £2000 for a 2 week trip to Greece.
I would not go to the USA without rock solid health insurance cover.
I’ve just been to Greece with my European health card and private health insurance. It’s too risky with existing health conditions not to be very careful