Travel insurance with cancer

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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?

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.

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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 🤞

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

Good luck.

Sue, that is an excellent suggestion, if possible.

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?

Oops , I was about to say that too.

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!

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.

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.

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!