Travel insurance
This section is about travel insurance and the options available for people who have or have had cancer. There is information about
Travel insurance is designed to provide you with compensation for anything that could go wrong while you are away. Usually, this means anything from having to cancel your trip to losing your suitcases. But the most important element is the medical expenses cover. If you don’t have cover and you are travelling to a country with high medical costs, or if you needed to be flown back in an emergency, the potential cost to you could be huge.
Insurance is a business dealing with risk. Some people think they have a right to insurance cover and cannot understand why companies are allowed to refuse them. But insurance companies only make money from people who don't claim. If they think the likelihood of you having to make a claim is too great, they are entitled to turn you down and are likely to do so.
Getting travel insurance when you have had cancer can be difficult. From the company's point of view, you are a bigger risk. As they see it, having been ill, you are more likely to need medical treatment while you are abroad. Or they may think that illness could make you cancel your trip at the last minute. But finding travel insurance is getting easier. Fortunately, many insurance companies are now looking at cases individually rather than refusing to insure everyone who has had cancer.
Some high street travel insurance companies will give you medical insurance as long as you have a certificate from your doctor saying you are fit enough to travel. You should be able to make claims on your insurance for emergency medical care abroad, even if that treatment is necessary because of your cancer. But to claim, you must have told them about the cancer when you applied for the cover. If they have knowingly taken this risk, they must pay according to the policy.
If you have had treatment for cancer during the 12 months before your trip, many high street travel insurance companies will only insure you for treatment or emergencies unrelated to your cancer. So you can get travel insurance, but if you need treatment as a result of the cancer, you will have to pay for it yourself.
Many high street travel insurance companies will give you medical insurance as long as you have a certificate from your doctor confirming that you have had no cancer treatment in the last 12 months and you are fit enough to travel.
You should be able to claim for emergency medical care abroad, even if that treatment is necessary because of your cancer. Again, this depends on you telling the insurance company about your full medical history when applying for the cover. If they have knowingly taken the risk, they must pay according to the policy.
The policies of travel insurance companies can be many and varied and some offer more appropriate cover than others. Be sure to shop around and check your policy carefully.
Whether you have had cancer or not, travel insurance costs vary depending on where you want to go. Medical costs in the USA are very high, for example, and so it is hardest to get cover if you are planning a holiday there. If you have an incurable cancer, particularly one that has spread, you may not get insurance for the USA and may have to rethink your holiday plans. A general guide is that insurance for Europe is cheapest, especially within the European Community. Next comes the rest of the world, excluding North America. And finally the most expensive is North America.
You may not be able to get the type of support or security you want from regular high street travel insurance companies. Many have exclusions on their policies for people who've had medical conditions such as cancer. An exclusion means that they will cover you for everything but what is listed as excluded. So if you have medical cover excluding your cancer, they would pay for any medical treatment that you needed, as long as it wasn't because of your cancer.
You may also want to check how the rest of the policy might be affected, for example, whether you would be covered if you had to come home early because of your cancer. Cover for medical needs related to your cancer may be possible, if certain conditions are met. If you can provide a doctor's certificate to say you are fit for travel or have not had any related treatment for 12 months or more, they may cover you.
If you have problems getting adequate cover, there are specialist insurance companies who provide policies designed for people with serious illness, terminal illness or disability. The policies on offer are many and varied and some are more exclusive than others. It is best to start by making make informal inquiries about your travel insurance. Some insurance companies may ask if you have been turned down for insurance by someone else already. If you have only made informal enquiries, you won't prejudice any future applications you make.
As a condition of covering you, some insurance companies insist that you must also get their travel insurance for everyone who is travelling with you.
All travel insurance policies require you to disclose fully any information about existing or pre-existing conditions. Even if you have had cancer in the distant past, you still need to tell the insurance company about it. If you don’t provide all the facts, the insurance company can rightly claim it was misinformed and may not pay out if you make a claim.
If you have a terminal illness or have not been passed fit for travel, then regular high street travel insurance firms will not cover you.
As we’ve said, you need to get written confirmation of fitness from your doctor. This is so even if you have not had any treatment for some time. It is always best to get advice from your doctor anyway before going abroad, even if it is only for a few days.
If you have an annual or multi-trip policy then you will need to provide an updated confirmation certificate from your doctor every time you travel.
If you are travelling to a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EEA includes all EU countries plus Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. The EHIC replaces the old E111 form, which is no longer valid. The EHIC entitles you to free medical care in the country you are visiting. The countries included in this agreement are listed in the leaflet that comes with the card.
You need to take the health insurance card with you if you want to benefit from reciprocal health service agreements. But you may have to pay for some things at the time and then claim the money back later. The card doesn't cover the costs of any medical treatment that you have planned in advance. It will only cover you for unforeseen medical needs. But if you need continued treatment for an ongoing illness while you are abroad, such as regular injections, this will be covered by the EHIC.
You can apply for a card online on the NHS Business Services Authority website. You can also apply for a card by phone on 0845 606 2030, or by post. To apply by post you'll need to pick up an EHIC form from your Post Office.
Note: reciprocal health service agreements do not always cover the full cost of treatment. They do not cover the cost of getting you home in an emergency, for instance. It is always advisable to have travel insurance even when travelling around the EU. But you'll still need a European Health Insurance Card because your insurance company may not cover the cost of treatment that the card covers. If you try to claim in full, they may say you should have had a card! So it is important to check the small print! There is more information about these health agreements in the 'Health Advice for Travellers' booklet available from your Post Office or online from the Department of Health.
If you want to go to an EEA country or Switzerland specially for medical treatment, you need to get an E112 form. You might want to do this perhaps if you are having to wait too long for an operation (or other treatment) in the UK and you could have it done sooner abroad. It will be your responsibility to arrange the treatment. The treatment can be provided free or at reduced cost by obtaining an E112 form. This has to be authorised by the Department of Health. First you will need to contact your local health commissioner and your GP surgery will be able to give you their details. You will need to provide a letter from your NHS consultant confirming that you need the treatment and stating why you should receive it in the other country. You must be entitled to receive the treatment concerned on the NHS. If you are going abroad and paying to have treatment privately, you do not need an E112.
Don’t forget to take the E112 form with you when you travel abroad for your treatment. There is information about the E112 form on the NHS Choices website.
If you are having trouble getting cover, you may find it easier to get a specialised policy. An insurance broker can try to arrange a policy for you. Or can give you a list of insurance companies with special policies for people with cancer or terminal illness.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIIBA) can find you brokers who will advise cancer patients and can arrange travel insurance.
Association of British Insurers
51 Gresham Street,
London,
EC2V 7HQ
Phone: 020 7600 3333
Email: info@abi.org.uk
Website: www.abi.org.uk
British Insurance Brokers Association
8th Floor John Stow House
18 Bevis Marks
London
EC3A 7JB
Phone: 0870 950 1790
Email: enquiries@biba.org.uk
Website: www.biba.org.uk
Brokers make a service charge so it is always best to make an informal approach to a number of brokers before making a decision. Satisfy yourself that they are familiar with the concerns of cancer patients and are aware what is available for people who have or have had cancer. Some possible brokers and insurance companies are listed below, but you must always make your own inquiries and find an insurer and policy you are happy with.
The best advice is to shop around and start well in advance of your planned holiday. It is worth getting quotes from well known or general travel insurance companies, particularly if you are no longer having treatment and your cancer is in remission. Insurance companies do change their position on insurance cover frequently, so it is almost impossible for us to give you an accurate list of companies that will give you insurance. We provide this information in the hope that it will be helpful to those who are having problems finding insurance.
The companies we list below may be useful for people with cancer, particularly those who are on treatment or have symptoms.
Please note: we are passing on this information in good faith. We have heard of most of these companies through recommendations from visitors to our website. We are not recommending them, or saying they will definitely insure you.
Direct Line Insurance
Direct Line Insurance ask you a series of questions before they can give you a definite answer. They will probably cover you if you have had no treatment in the past 3 years. They are unlikely to cover you if you have been diagnosed in the past 12 months or if you are terminally ill (dying from your cancer).
Tel: 0845 246 8910
Freedom Travel Insurance
Freedom travel insurance offer specialist travel insurance for people with cancer. Their cover is underwritten by a very large insurance company called AXA.
Freedom Insurance Services Ltd
Richmond House
16 - 20 Regent Street
Cambridge
CB2 1DB
Tel: 01223 454 290
Website: www.freedominsure.co.uk
Free Spirit
Free Spirit is a specialist travel insurance policy for people with pre-existing medical conditions, including cancer. You may be able to get a quote online, but if they need more information about your current health status they might ask you to ring them instead. If your cancer is advanced, and you're no longer having active treatment, phone for a quote, rather than trying online.
Free Spirit
P J Hayman & Company Ltd.
Stansted House
Rowlands Castle
Hampshire
PO9 6DX
Phone: 0845 230 5000 (8am-6pm Monday-Friday)
Website: www.free-spirit.com
InsureCancer (Medi Travelcover Ltd)
InsureCancer will cover people with cancer for all destinations, including the USA. They will consider cover for people who are in treatment and people with advanced cancer. Their main requirement is that your consultant gives approval for you to make your trip.
Insure cancer
76 Crooksbury Road,
Farnham
Surrey
GU10 1QD
Phone: 01252 780190
Email: Enquiries@InsureCancer.com
Website: www.InsureCancer.com
It's So Easy Travel Insurance
Provides travel insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions.
It's So Easy Travel Insurance
27 Old Gloucester Street
London WC1N 3XX
Phone: 0845 222 4205 (Medical Screening Line)
Phone: (annual policies) 0845 222 2226
Email: hello@itssoeasytravelinsurance.com
Website: www.itssoeasytravelinsurance.com
J. D. Insurance and Medical Brokers
J.D. have a policy called 'travel insurance for the medically disadvantaged'.
J.D. Insurance and Medical Brokers
44 High Street,
Farnborough,
Kent
BR6 7BA
Phone:01689 859102
Leisurecare Insurance Services Ltd
Provides specialist insurance for travel to European countries for people under the age of 65.
Leisurecare Insurance
Shaftesbury Centre,
Percy Street
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN2 2AZ
Phone: 01793 750 150
Orbis Insurance Services
Provides cover for people with pre-existing medical conditions
Orbis
Bureau House
49-51 St Leonards Road
Bexhill On Sea
East Sussex
TN40 1JA
Phone: 01424 220 110
Website: www.orbisinsurance.co.uk
Email: cover@orbisinsurance.co.uk
Pulse Insurance
Specialises in providing travel and other insurance for people who are considered 'high risk' by the insurance industry generally.
Pulse
P.O. Box 4815
Tincleton
Dorchester
Dorset
DT2 8WA
Phone: 01280 850666
Email: admin@pulse-on-line.com
Website: www.pulse-insurance.co.uk/
Saga
Saga can provide travel insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions who are 50 years old and above. There is no upper age limit. They will also cover people travelling with you who are younger than 50.
The Saga Building
Middelburg Square
Folkestone
Kent
CT20 1AZ
Phone: 0800 015 8055
Email: travel.insurance@saga.co.uk
Website: www.saga.co.uk/travelinsurance
Travelbility
Provides travel insurance created for people who are disabled and those with pre-existing medical conditions. The company say they will provide single trip or annual multi trip policy and will consider worldwide cover.
Travelbility
Peregrine House
Falconry Court
Bakers Lane
Epping
Essex
CM16 5DQ
Phone: 0845 338 1638 (Monday to Friday - 9.00am to 5.30pm)
Email: enquiries@travelbility.co.uk
Website: www.travelbility.co.uk
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