Travel insurance with cancer

scottygirl_2

Hi my husband and have booked our first holiday abroad this year we booked just before Christmas . A few weeks ago he has been diagnosed with early prostrate cancer and has been told it should clear with tablets and to just carry on life as normal.we have his first appointment next week to discuss his diagnosis but I am wondering if any can advise how this will affect travel insurance as I didn't book it at time off holiday as we were advised we can look for insurance later.my husband will be 79 at time of travel and is otherwise very fit and healthy . Thanks for any advise

ellay864

Have you tried contacting Macmillan? They can advise on financial matters and will be able to give you lists of insurers who will insure cancer patients. You can try the other general insurance companies but face the fact that once you have to declare existing conditions, some won't touch you with a bargepole.
Another reason for going to a specialist company is that they may even recognise that early stage prostate is a quite manageable cancer and, without knowing what his actual drugs are, there's a good chance he won't be limited much due to either disease or side effects.
And all the very best to your husband - it's good you have such a positive outlook, and hopefully he'll be over the worst soon

travelgran

"I didn't book it at time off holiday as we were advised we can look for insurance later".
The following comment may not be applicable in your case but while it's true that you don't have to buy the travel company's insurance you do need to buy it very promptly otherwise you have no cover for cancellation at all.
I hope your husband is OK and the holiday goes well.

Katiehound

I think you are going to have to look for a specialist travel insurance here- you have 2 no-nos! cancer and age. Many insurance companies only go up to age 75. AA insurance (who wouldn't insure me!!) gave me a number to ring if I had problems obtaining insurance. Sorry I've lost it- (didn't need it-) so clearly there are companies out there who can help. Be prepared to pay a good amount.

bluenoseam

I would speak to MacMillan or maybe even Maggies if they're more accessible to you, both should be able to give you better advice than your specialist would be able to give.

Unfortunately you'll probably find a few issues, mostly down to cost, I'm 4 years clear of a "good" cancer and even for a week in the Balearics if I disclose everything I'm looking at a minimum of 20 times higher for insurance. To put it into some context, my cheapest quote without discloser was £5 and I had 40+ companies to chose from, with full discloser only 5 companies ranging from £113 to £300, all with excesses which were frankly scary! I get it, I've been pretty ill, but I'm more likely to be hurt by a martian wielding a pea-shooter than my cancer is of returning, so it's beyond a joke!

But speak to the organisations above, they're best placed to know who covers cancer patients and who (if any) do so at a reasonable rate. Be warned though, those who do insure you may elect to do so without offering to insure you for any outcomes related to the diagnosis!

TJ044

scottygirl wrote: »

Hi my husband and have booked our first holiday abroad this year we booked just before Christmas . A few weeks ago he has been diagnosed with early prostrate cancer and has been told it should clear with tablets and to just carry on life as normal.we have his first appointment next week to discuss his diagnosis but I am wondering if any can advise how this will affect travel insurance as I didn't book it at time off holiday as we were advised we can look for insurance later.my husband will be 79 at time of travel and is otherwise very fit and healthy . Thanks for any advise

You will need to wait and see what the Doctors say at you appointment next week as they will want to know the latest from you DR when they quote. There are some companies mentioned on MSE who specialise in travel insurance for people with pre existing medical conditions, you could start there.

Good luck with your appt next week.

Archergirl

What a shame you waited to book ins, this is the very reason you should have it in place AS SOON as you book your holiday.
I know this is not what you need to hear now and I do hope your husband makes a full and swift recovery, as long as it's caught early I am sure he will be fine xx

martindow

Archergirl wrote: »

What a shame you waited to book ins, this is the very reason you should have it in place AS SOON as you book your holiday.
I know this is not what you need to hear now and I do hope your husband makes a full and swift recovery, as long as it's caught early I am sure he will be fine xx

It is true that insurance as early as possible is best and will cover you in case you need to cancel.

It seems that the OP is able and wanting to travel so I think you would be obliged to tell the insurer of any material changes if insurance was already in place. In this situation would they not want to ask for an extra premium to cover the changed circumstances?

littlereddevil

I've been insured before with cancer but it excluded the specific cancer at the time

jacques_chirac

I can recommend Staysure - they allow you to either pay extra or exclude pre existing conditions.