Updating travel insurance

[kitchengardener]

Hello just after a bit of advice. I was diagnosed with CLL at the beginning of November (2018) and have been told that I do not need any treatment other than regular checks and blood tests. I am 66 years old.

My husband (he is 67 and in general good health) and I have an annual travel insurance policy which covers us for Europe, UK and cruises, we took out a seperate policy (before I was diagnosed) for cover for our recent trip to Cape Verde. Our annual policy will expire halfway through our planned 30 day trip to Portugal in March. Can anyone advice the best way to handle this i.e. an add on to declare my CLL and then a whole new policy for the last two weeks and afterwards. I need to know what people disclose and which are the best companies to use. My consultant said she can give me written information to support applications. I feel very well now and did not feel ill before the start of my tests (I just have enlarged lymph nodes in my neck which come and go, sometimes very noticeable and other times hardly there.

Thanks for any advice you may be able to share.

[Jm954 Administrator]

Hi, it’s very important that you disclose all your medical information to your current insurer to ensure your cover.

If you’re well then watch and wait shouldn’t adversely affect your premiums too much and there are number of travel insurance companies that specialise in cover for people with health conditions. To the right of your post you’ll see previous discussions and recommendations on the subject.

Best wishes, Jackie

[very]

Hi my husband was diagnosed at 54 he is now 74 we always declared his CLL, his travel insurance premiums were not increased until he started chemo at the ripe old age of 70. We also live in the UK.

Regards Jenny

[Hidden]

Any travel policy you took out before diagnosis will be honoured by the insurer but you need to tell them. This happened to me before a trip to China.

Getting insurance after diagnosis is a mine field. Many insurers will provide but not for CLL unless an extra fee is paid.

You do need insurance for CLL cover for instance if you got a severe bout of travellers tum and needed rehydration in hospital. You trip and break your arm. Insurers will use any excuse not to pay out.

I’ve been treated successfully yet I can no longer get cruise cover.

A friend of mine with ovarian cancer got no questions asked travel insurance from the union they once joined whilst working!

[Redlion]

Have to agree that declaring is a must. However you may find that the insurer you are currently with will unduly load your premium. You may find it a more economic proposition to cancel your current policy and re-insure with an insurer that is more medical condition friendly. I can recommend World First who gave me an annual european policy for about £75 last July when I was 4 weeks into treatment. Good luck and have a good holiday.

[charliegirl]

I can also recommend World First and have been insured by them when I thought I was uninsurable.

Their questionnaire includes in depth questions about CLL and treatment.

Never ever fail to disclose. Dangerous if you need emergency treatment which could include repatriation.

Good luck with your travels

Charlie Girl

[Newdawn Administrator]

World First declined to insure me this time round and I suspect they put a risk weighting on the longer you’re insured with them. I was still on W&W. A few members have experienced this. However they are worth approaching but always have a EHIC card too because at the moment, they expect initial treatment to be in a public hospital in the EU.

Newdawn

[stunned]

please make sure you ask about this and don't just do it online. I booked insurance for a 5 day trip to San Francisco, before I told them about CLL it was £53 for me and my friend, the minute I told them it went up to £117. What I didn't realise was that they had also loaded the excesses not only for me but for anyone named on the policy, the excesses were £520.

So its not only the premium that goes up but the excesss to. Be Careful.

Unfortunately I had to cancel the holiday because they thought I needed treatment.

For my own curiosity, I went onto the insurance website and did another quote for someone with CLL who was having treatment. It asks if you are having treatment, the minute I ticked yes, the premium went up to £983. It didn't even ask which treatment. Other insurance companies wouldn't even insure me.

Unfortunately you need to shop around, but again, be careful.

Anne