Insurance cover for travel to France with CLL

[JIDD]

I'm going to Paris for a week in September. I have my GHIC but looking for insurance for just that period comes up with quotes around £300. Anyone have any bright ideas?

[Newdawn Administrator]

It cost much less than that for the three of us to travel abroad recently with Staysure. If you haven’t already tried them, you can get a quote here;

staysure.co.uk/single-trip-...

Newdawn

[JIDD in reply to Newdawn]

Makesure want £400.32 for a 7 day trip to Paris. £100 more than my existing quotes. Staysure even more.

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to JIDD]

That’s very curious (and annoying for you) JIDD. I’m wondering what it is about your age/health profile that’s pushing the premium up because I have a number of co-morbidities. Do you perhaps have unresolved issues under investigation because that really gets the insurance companies nervous. I’m dreading checking out our premium for a trip soon because we have unresolved health appts/results pending 🤨

Newdawn

[kitchengardener2 in reply to Newdawn]

Insurance is a big worry when you have health issues. We will start looking for travel insurance again soon and we are prepared for huge costs. Staysure were always good to us, recommended by Macmillan but that was when I was watch and wait. My fear now is because I am being treated that they will see me more of a risk. Another reason I want this silly heart situation sorting, I don't mind taking medication if I need it but I don't want to have to disclose something unnecessary.

[devonrr]

Amazingly expensive. Do you have other medical problems? If you used an online medical comparison site try again and trawl through the many others online. But always check the policy for what it covers before you buy. Used Staysure before, insured to go and presently Makesure. 2 weeks in Borneo- the insurance was £246 and I thought that expensive because of Covid cover and price rises to cover travel disruptions.

[JIDD in reply to devonrr]

Thanks devonrr

Makesure want £400.32 for a 7 day trip to Paris. £100 more than my existing quotes. Staysure even more.

[devonrr in reply to JIDD]

Wow. Have you said you have a terminal condition or something because no you are chronic with CLL. Perhaps it’s the age difference as you are 5 years older. My 6 days in Holland at Easter was £36!

A task for the blood cancer charities- find a travel insurance provider!

[JIDD in reply to devonrr]

Thanks devonrr

Staysure quote £340.86 for 7 days trip to Paris. Much the same as quotes already received.

[Poodle2 in reply to JIDD]

You should try a yearly policy. They are often cheaper than e.g. a weekly one or even if they are roughly the same, at least you get a full year.

[JIDD in reply to Poodle2]

Thanks Poodle2. Take your point but I have no other trips in mind at the moment so that's not an attractive option. Thanks again also to devonrr and Newdawn. I'm still looking and will report back when I make a decision.

[Annie1920 in reply to JIDD]

If you or your parents or your partners parents were ever in the services the Service Pensions Society do insurance with no questions asked bar 'are you travelling against medical advice' also remember cancer treatment I'd free of complimentary payment in france

[Poodle2]

I used Avanti insurance last year and paid just over £100 for a whole year.

[JIDD in reply to Poodle2]

Thanks Poodle2

Avanti wanted even more than the others sadly.

[Poodle2 in reply to JIDD]

Oh sorry, that's a shame. I'm sure you will find one with the help of others.

[Newdawn Administrator]

World First might be worth a punt;

world-first.co.uk/home/trav...

Newdawn

[JIDD in reply to Newdawn]

£316.59 sadly!

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to JIDD]

That’s pretty high if it’s for a single trip cover. Good luck with your search.

Newdawn

[jabee]

May be worth trying Insurancewith. If they won’t quote online they are happy to arrange a conversation with an underwriter who will give you a totally personalised quote. They were the only ones who were prepared to quote for my husband recently (W&W but having treatment for secondary cancer).

[JEEA in reply to jabee]

I used them when we went to America in April. They were excellent--much more personalised questions. And, as a result for me at least, a much lower quote.

[Fowey2009]

We have tried all the ‘cancer related’ travel insurers. Our experience seems to suggest that it depends where you are on the treatment journey.

In 2019 Insurancewith cancelled our annual policy when we told them my husband was going to be starting venetoclax on our return from a trip to Florence. We then had to pay over £300 to Allclear for one week in Florence (just for him as I took out a separate policy as Insurancewith had cancelled for me too!).

This year we took out an annual policy with Allclear for approx £200. That was after my husband finished venetoclax and was waiting to hear if he was in remission. When it became obvious that he wasn’t and had started Acalabrutinib he rang them and they put the price up to £500.

(I notice you are on acalabrutinib).

At the moment we can afford to pay this and the trips we have made to Florence, Israel and Croatia have been very special. And at the moment we want to make memories. However if it carries on at this price it will eventually become unaffordable.

(And before anyone asks, yes we did shop around all the companies mentioned above and these were the best prices we could get).

Enjoy your trip and make memories…..

Beryl

[StAsaph47]

I’ve used Insurancewith twice and found them very reasonable. Their website is easy to use and they’re available on the phone if needed.

[stevesmith1964]

300 annual multi policy is what I have paid

[Suzie42]

I wouldn't bother with the insurance just for a week. I think its outrageous the amounts they quote. I took a chance in May and went to Corfu for a week. As long as you are feeling ok before travelling. We are going to Greece for 6 weeks in September and we are seriously thinking about the insurance. We have always taken travel insurance until this year, but we dont know whether to risk 6 weeks. 1 week definitely

[Shefflass in reply to Suzie42]

Please think very carefully about going without private medical insurance to Greece. We are regular visitors there. I ended up on a haemotology ward in a state hospital using EHIC for 4 weeks with a totally unexpected bout of pneumonia and ruptured spleen. But the added extra costs were a lot of money including a private medical flight home, hotel costs and car hire for my husband etc. All reimbursed by our insurance. Worth an estimated £35000. I had used CSIS which is for anyone in or who has been in the public sector. Have a wonderful holiday!

[Suzie42 in reply to Shefflass]

Thank you for your reply. We will think very carefully about it

[JEEA]

Can I ask why one would need extra insurance if you have an EHIC card? Would that not cover any eventualities that may occur? We recently went to Switzerland via France with just that for 10 days. Health was fine so no need to test out EHIC, but I went thinking that would be enough.

When I went to the US in April for 3 weeks, I used Insurancewith, like JaBee. They were the only insurance company that asked specific questions about my health problems--exact results of tests, for example--and their quote was MUCH lower. They personalised what I needed, I felt. I certainly recommend trying them out. In the end, I didn't need them, so cannot tell you how they would be with claims.

[Fowey2009 in reply to JEEA]

EHIC/GHIC only provide emergency cover to the same level provided to the local population. It would not cover, for example, emergency repatriation. This might be necessary for non-CLL related conditions eg following a road accident.

[CraftyMeg]

Try Insurancewith - their screening is very good.

[carnvellan]

I've never had a problem getting travel insurance world wide inc USA while on W&W. But this year on Obinutuzumab & Venetoclax the cheapest I could get for Europe is just over £1000 and for USA is £10,000. I tried all the companies. Things have changed a lot in the insurance world in a year.

[Fowey2009 in reply to carnvellan]

As I mentioned above, I suspect it is related to the particular treatment amongst other factors.B

[Msupsych]

Where are you coming from? I’m in Lyon, France now - from US - and found additional travel health insurance for $40.

[JIDD]

Msupsych - I guess you have private health cover in US? So maybe being in France would lower the costs to your insurer?