Travel insurance with cancer

Hey, those of you who have criticised what I said!

I didn't say they should go without travel insurance, simply that they would be allowed into the States without it. Some countries won't let you in without insurance. I was just pointing out that there was a - very much - last resort option.

Have you tried contacting MacMillan? If you Google MacMillan travel insurance there’s a number to ring for advice. They would surely be the best people to point you in the right direction. Good luck

The whole question of travel insurance is worrying. I spoke to a friend last week who is going with her husband to the US and travelling around for 3 weeks. Knowing her husband had a heart attack a few ago I asked her how they go on with getting insurance. She said usually they manage OK and I told her I had trouble one year because I had a BCC removed. She said “oh well, we declare that but we keep quiet about some other things.” I pointed out that this would void his insurance but she didn’t seem bothered! I was staggered because she is a retired Practice Manager at a Medical Practice!!! She might as well throw their insurance money down the drain.

There is an advert on tv at the moment actually highlighting their cover for those with cancer.
Can’t remember which company it is, will take notice next time I see it.

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lizziedrip it was Macmillan advertising on the TV.

primrose I spoke to a woman with multiple health problems that she didn’t share with her insurer. When questioned she explained that she either wouldn’t get cover or it would be too expensive. She may as well have flushed her money down the loo.

susytish, have you considered inviting your son and family over - and funding their travel expenses - instead? With hospital appointments and the tiring travel, surely that would be easier?

Sometimes, if your family are living abroad you really just want to feel closer to them and seeing their lives in their own space is really lovely. I see that Hetty (and others) have a solution by bringing famulily here and it's a sensible option but it is not the same.

I hope you can find some insurance suzytish and that you and your husband are able to make that journey!

I used to recommend Insure and Go as a travel insurance company in general.
They have been good for pre existing medical conditions in the past.

Not sure what they would be like in this specific instance.
Worth ringing them up in my opinion.

But yes, I wouldnt dream of not declaring everything.

If you don't declare everything, you render your insurance null and void.
Travel companies go through your medical records with a fine tooth comb, looking for a way out.

A colleague's son fell from a balcony in Greece, suffered brain damage and was in intensive care. The insurance company tried to find ways not to pay out.

Please don't consider travelling abroad without insurance. In the 1990's my husband and I flew to Canada for a wedding. We were fully insured, but not expecting to use the cover.
However, just days after the wedding my husband became ill. He was airlifted from the local hospital to a large hospital in Toronto.
After treatment and an over night stay he returned by light aircraft.
The bill came to several thousand pounds all those years ago. Goodness only knows what it would cost at today's prices.

Last year I took out 12 months insurance policy for holidays in the UK.I was 79 and declared everything including Diabetes type 1 and recent anal cancer.In October I ended up in hospital with low sodium levels and had to cancel two holidays.The insurance company paid up in full.
I didn't bother trying to get insurance this year with my past record and also turning 80.
Two coach holidays successfully taken and three more booked.
Three weeks ago I ended up in hospital with various bladder and kidney problems. The balance was due on a Warners holiday so sadly had to cancel ,only losing the deposit.
Fortunately we have two more coach holidays booked in October and November.
I would never consider going abroad again.

I’ve not booked any hols abroad this year. We usually go in June and Sept. Our calendar is full up with appts for hospital, nurse, doctor, X rays, physio, blood tests etc etc

It was bad enough trying to get insurance for my OH’s high BP when he was on 2 meds. He is now on 7 or 8 so there is no chance. You also have to declare any hospital appts you’ve had or have booked in the next 6 months so that’s a big NO as well.

fancythat that was the insurer that refused me although we’d used them for years and they were excellent when we got stuck in Australia because of Covid.
I wonder if the problem is exacerbated by the fact that most staff are working from home and haven got a senior member of staff around to check with?