Travel insurance advice please

[organicinna]

Hello all. Just been given a price for my one week holiday insurance. We booked just one week break to Slovenia lake Bled in September. Its a chip deal just £ 1000 for two of us .And the price AllClear insurance company gave me is £580 for me and £56 for my daughter LOL. And BEVER company gave me £ 1000 just for me ! . Post Office insurance said NO they can not insure my preexisting condition at all. Will appreciate any advice . Am thinking even just to insure my daughter only. And another question - they said they wont pay me even if there flight delay or hijack or lost of luggage or stolen passport !How they working ? This is nothing to do with Cancer ! ))) Ooh dear what shall I do ! (((

[Lyndy]

I use MIA insurance and I always do it over the phone, so they have to deal with me not an anonymous form. It might be that a single answer to a question triggers the higher price…such as ‘are you waiting for results’ . It can be really beneficial to get your oncologist to pronounce you fit to travel…and see if the new GHIC card covers Slovenia.

It’s really frustrating but worth persevering… medical repatriation is VERY expensive.

Best of luck xx

[organicinna in reply to Lyndy]

Lyndy I asked my nurse about holiday. Just last week she said YES why not, I can go after my next/last finishing chemo mid August, 2-3 weeks after chemo. They will gave me a break no matter what next scan will show. Last scan shows some dicrease or stable. Lundy 1) what do you mean " are you waiting for the results" ? I answered to 3 different companys today - NO am not waiting for the results and still got £1000 with BEVER and £580 with AllClear. 2)Do I need official " fit to travel " from oncologist? 3) What is GHIC card? Thanx Lyndy.

[Lyndy in reply to organicinna]

Being able to tell insurance companies that you have agreement from oncology helps get past medical objections. If you answer yes to waiting for results…I found it can count against you.

GHIC is what used to be European health card…order from gov website and it covers more countries than EU… not sure about Slovenia

[organicinna in reply to Lyndy]

No Lyndy ofcorse I answered like you saying that I have agreement to travel with my oncolgist and not waiting for the results. Which is true. But still got sky high price. As soon as we saying cancer spread to other part of the body on which I HAVE to be 100% honest - they dont like that by looks of it....They also prefer that last chemo treatment was 2 years ago rather than last week, but I have to answer that correctly. I can lie about everything I suppose but later own they WILL discover the truth and wont pay, so... I just applayed for this GHIC card. We had it in the past but i throw it away after Brexit LOL

[JustKBO in reply to Lyndy]

Good advice. The forms often give you no leeway to explain the bigger picture.

[Katmal-UK]

Hi. I go (covid notwithstanding) each year to USA and Europe and use either Barclays Bank travel insurance or my travel insurance thru my own bank. I ask for my existing condition to be excluded and never had an issue when ive claimed for lost glasses about 10 years ago and a smashed case another year. Ive only ever booked a holiday once ive had a chk up (i have one every 12 weeks due to the protocol of the trial im on) . I hope u do get to go on yr hols and have a great time !

[organicinna]

Oh my god Kat, are you really ? I asked My LLoyds yesterday ( I have only one bank ), they do some preexisting on GOlD membership but that 23£ monthly charge and am not rich girl )), but I will look into that. Thanx for the tip. Did you tell yr bank yr condition? and after that you asked them not to put it in ? How they agreed on that? May be not to tell them at all? Can you claim glasses? I lost brand new designer prescription ones few month ago but had no insurance silly girl. ))

[Partnerincrime in reply to organicinna]

My partner has used his bank travel insurance which covers everything except his cancer and we have been abroad 4 times this year, we always book last minute as he knows when he feels well enough to travel , and most times if you start to feel unwell while away you just get an earlier flight home , hope this helps

[organicinna in reply to Partnerincrime]

Thank you darling . I looked into my bank travel insurance. They wont insure me at all when I have to declare preexisting condition, and its impossible to lie, when they will check later on )) Am feeling OK to travel at the moment. Am still working part time. I booked cheap fixed holiday with my daughter, so cant really fly home earlier. Probably will be tired there in the evenings but pretty fit otherwise. In the future I will stick to England holidays. Its a lot to see in my home land and we not into sunshine and sunbathing now are we ? LOL

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team]

Hi there organicinna

Thank you for your post. I can see that some members of the forum community have already shared their experiences with finding travel insurance which I hope have been helpful.

I wanted to let you know that Ovacome have an information booklet about travelling abroad, with a specific section about travel insurance. Whilst we don’t recommend a particular company or policy, this booklet includes a list of companies that our members have found useful in the past. You can find the booklet here on our website: ovacome.org.uk/travelling-a... - Just let us know if you would prefer a copy to be sent to you in the post instead, free of charge.

If you would like to learn more about the UK Global Health Insurance Card please visit: nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/health... . Please note that GHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance.

In addition, the most recent edition of the Ovacome magazine focussed on travelling abroad, with some details about navigating travel insurance after a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. I hope this may be of interest. To view our magazine, please visit: ovacome.org.uk/ovacome-maga...

It’s very important to have the appropriate travel insurance when travelling abroad and I hope that you will find a policy to suit your own individual needs. When you are applying for insurance, it's essential to answer all the questions as fully as possible and provide any further information you think the company may need to know. This will help to avoid a future claim being refused because the company says you did not give full information about your situation.

Wishing you a lovely holiday in Slovenia with your daughter in September. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you’ve got any further questions or would like to talk things through with a member of the Ovacome support team. You can call us on 0800 008 7054, email [e-mail] or message us directly through this forum if you prefer. We’re here Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm.

Best wishes

Annie – Ovacome support

[organicinna in reply to OvacomeSupport]

Thank you dears. I will use you information as well ))

[Starbarn]

Hi . I used saga insurance although I am only 54. They quoted about £360 for a week to Tenerife in April this year. I’m on a trial so have monthly check ups and scans every 2 months. I tried insurewith but they rejected me as I had 2 blood transfusion this year.

[organicinna]

Oh God 360£......bstrds )))i cant part with this amount of money. I remember last January I was investigating insurance and answered same questions i answered today and Allclear told me 150£ for one week in Portugal. We didnt go but 150 is very reasonable ! But today All clear said 580 ! I asked why such a jump in price, she said its just coming up on her screen after all my questions ....

[Millie-c]

Did you try insured with? They have always been reasonable for me. Just over £200 for two weeks in Cyprus and I’m stage 4 on palliative treatment currently. Might be worth a phone call. Mandy, xx

[Gakaxy57]

Like yourself tried a number of insurance companies. I was previously with insure and go paying yearly policy if £100 until I had ovarian cysts removed 2 years ago. Further treatment hysterectomy and omentum removal in 2021 . Found to have borderline grade 3 times hopefully ball removed. I am still on e monthly chevk ups at hospital. I tried telling them this was not cancer cells not normal but not cancer but they said as surgery was same for cancer and borderline ovarian Tumour treated same. Policy went from 100 to 900 GBP with my insurer this year.Needless to say have used a company called Stay sure annual policy £500 still a lot but hoping to travel to Spain and Australia later this year.

I would shop around there are some travel companies in Ovacome website.

Hope you and your daughter have a lovely trip. Take care Lynne x

[organicinna in reply to Gakaxy57]

thanx darling i will try them xx

[susiemarmite]

Try Insurewith. I had a fantastic quote from them. £165 for the year. I have stage 4 BC. It will depend on your health situation but they were miles cheaper than all clear who quoted me over £1k.

[Woonie in reply to susiemarmite]

I’ve used them for a few years, always a very competitive price.

[organicinna in reply to susiemarmite]

I will call Insure With. All Clear gave me 580£ gold plus , 460 gold , 360 silver but all with huge excess if claiming apart from gold plus ))) Bever ask for £1000 LOL

[27-359]

I know, insurance for us had gone through the roof. I wanted to insure for a four day cruise to Amsterdam. Most companies wouldn't touch me though I was quoted £1000.They also said I wouldn't be allowed to travel without insurance.

Jenny

[organicinna in reply to 27-359]

yeah .....its like we all become Les Miserables for them...xx

[Dales-Rambler]

Hi

I've used a comparison site several times, stops you having to enter the same details for loads of different companies.

medicaltravelcompared.co.uk...

And having previously worked in the insurance industry, I know insurers will try their hardest to avoid claims for the slightest omission, so never be tempted to not disclose things!

Hope you find something reasonable.

[organicinna in reply to Dales-Rambler]

Ofcourse . I was honest with them. Whats a point of not to disclose, I know later on even with 150% of all truth they will try their hardest not to pay LOL. But cant get it why they refuse to pay for delay flights, lost of passport, damaged luggage, hijacked , for cancer patients??? if it NOTHING to do with your medical condition??? !

[organicinna in reply to Dales-Rambler]

I just done medicaltravelcompare. And Only after I corrected am not waiting for results or waiting list for anything , then only they give me 4 companies like Saga, Goodtogo, Makesure, OKtotravel. Prices from £329 to £872. And cheaper one ofcourse will have a bigger exess payment later on so, no win so far (((.......................

[Woonie]

I’ve recently been on a cruise and got my insurance through a company called Insurewith. I have a rare ovarian cancer and I always speak to them over the phone as their online system doesn’t recognise my cancer. I have used them a number of times now and for a weeks cruise, which you have to have extensive repatriation/cover , it cost be £54. Maybe worth a call.

[organicinna in reply to Woonie]

definitely will check them out......but i have recognized cancer LOL xxx

[Woonie in reply to organicinna]

Mine is also a recognised Ovarian Cancer but rare. I have had it for 6 yrs and it’s incurable, however taking this all into account I still got insurance to go on the cruise earlier this month. I hope you they can help you .

[Rhonddalady]

Try Insurancewith , I've used them twice one week portugal £85, this was 9 months after chemo and on a PARP. 4nights Prague £50 +, a year later. There are a couple of fair priced insurance companies out there. Good luck and have a fabulous holiday- you deserve it . Jan xx

[organicinna in reply to Rhonddalady]

thank you lovely xx

[Fred22]

Hi I have had terrible problems with travel insurance - after first bout of cancer I got an annual policy with Insurance With bit after I had a recurrence at the end of last year, despite currently being NED they refused to cover me. I think it’s ridiculous - I offered to exclude anything to do with cancer but they still refused. I am really well at the moment - walking running and swimming regularly! Anyway I found that I could upgrade my Revolut bank account and for £6.99 a month I get full cover with pre-existing conditions ignored - so that’s what I’ve done. The Revolution account is great for travel anyway - I’d definitely recommend looking at this option if you continue to have problems. Hope your trip is wonderful Fionax

[organicinna in reply to Fred22]

What is REVOLUTion bank account ?. Are you In America ? My Lloyds Bank offered gold plus account for 23£ a month that covers travels, but 23£ is alot for me. Am on benefits and very part time work 2 days a week...

[Sazzaroon]

My Mum also used Insurewith to travel to US. Might be worth trying them

[organicinna]

thanx darling

[K95m]

Hi I used Staysure travel and got insurance last week for £266 to travel to the US for 1 week.

Give them a try

[organicinna]

OK thanxxx

[Jingles6]

Hi

I had the same thing a few months back and asked for advice on here and a lot of people said to try insurewith & I used them as it worked out very reasonable. You do have to fill out a lot of information but it was worth it. Will defo use them again.

Good luck

Jane

[SopSinger]

A lot of ladies on the Ovarian Cancer UK group on Facebook have used Insurewith and found them very useful.

[couls]

I’ve just booked a holiday to Spain for 5 days, I used insurewith it has cost me £55.82. I told them about the cancer and where it has spread to. I’ve had to get a fit to fly form filled in for the airline as I require assistance in the airport. I’m looking forward to my first holiday abroad in five years.

[organicinna in reply to couls]

Oh my god so cheap! Can I ask you what your insurance will cover. Because Iv heard when its that cheap it wont cover much ? Iv started Insurewith online yesterday, done all question but it said at the end i need to call to speak to representative. I also spoke to my clinical nurse yesterday, she said wait till 11th August when i suppose to see or my onco and clear that about holliday with her. Also she said I suppose to have a scan week after my last chemo 15th August . They will let me have a break from all chemicals no matter of the results in CT scan . But regarding insurance question " if am still waiting for the results" I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE RESULTS. Its better to book after all cT is done.... she said. She also said I booked to early in September, because they can not quaraty my CT will be ready quick. But I needed that week , because my daughter later on goes back to college etc.....aaaah

[couls]

I think I’m covered for everything, I had to ring and speak to someone. I told her everything , where it had spread to and that I also need a hip replacement which they won’t do at the moment. Everything is written down on the documents. In the past I have used Mia travel but this time they wouldn’t insure me.

[organicinna in reply to couls]

Its just unbelievably cheap but i will try them, thank you so much . Hope you will have a great problems free break and back safely xx

[couls]

Thank you, hope you get sorted and get away. X