Holiday Insurance

[Paulo1976]

Good morning all, My mum has terminal SCLC and she has just finished her radiotherapy. I am trying to encourage her to get a holiday abroad to reward herself after everything she has been through. I understand you must wait at least 4 weeks after treatment to fly.

My question is, can anyone recommend a good holiday insurance company to use? Are we likely to find insurance difficult to find?

Appreciate any steer

Paul

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[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

are you looking for traveling health insurance or trip insurance?

[JanetteR57]

Hi Paolo, yes, travel insurance costs more after a lung cancer diagnosis but it's not impossible. Premiums vary dependent on the type of holiday (cruises cost more), destination, type of cancer, stage, treatment, time since diagnosis and other conditions a person may have. Some destinations can cost much more like USA, Canada, Bahamas, Caribbean, and even some European countries cost more (Spain for example) where private hospitals are the norm to be used for tourists. I see you're in the UK so am assuming that your mum is too.

There are at least 2 specialist companies that deal with patients with a terminal diagnosis - they are insurance with and insurecancer.com. both quote for patients on an individual basis - usually by phone rather than using an algorithm on computer. There are many travel insurers who insure a range of conditions including cancers of different types and stages but may not be as personalised/up to date as the specialist cancer insurers. These include Saga, Allianz, CoverCloud, Get Going and others that will be generated if you do price comparison for those with pre-existing medical conditions.

I didn't travel for 5 years after my diagnosis and since 2016 have travelled extensively for work and leisure. I've found different insurers may be cheaper for one destination and dearer for another so like all insurance shopping around is recommended although the above 2 companies come highly recommended in online support groups and patients I've met.

I met the founder of insurecancer.com at a cancer survivorship conference. He explained the risk with lung cancer is not necessarily the cancer (the majority of UK patients are diagnosed at advanced i.e. treatable not curable) stage but the impact that sudden changes in humidity, altitude, temperature (hot and cold) can have on the respiratory system especially if they have other conditions like COPD alongside the cancer.

For patients like me who had part or all of their lung removed, this can differ from those who've had other treatment types so it's important to answer the questions honestly to ensure appropriate cover for all trip aspects not just the medical aspects as not disclosing certain factors can void the entire policy.

I use price comparison sites such as payingtoomuch.com and medical travel compared and usually am offered a range of different prices with slightly different cover or excess so always read the small print.

hope she can get away as a change of scenery can be such a mood booster. good luck to you both.

[younginmind]

I'm in a similar situation to your Mum. but still having immunotherapy - be prepared to pay sometimes as much or more than the holiday! Why not have a short holiday in the UK, then later a holiday abroad? Insurance companies usually like you to be clear for 5 years before they will quote - I have used InsureWith for 5 days in November in the UK, purely as I am concerned if I have to cancel. Prior to this I used paying too much for a mini-cruise of 14 days to the antarctic, but that was before my diagnosis in Oct 2023, when my last cancer was in 2017. I now have given up the idea of travelling far & wide due to the hassle/cost of getting travel insurance, but wish you all the best, hope you have a good holiday.