Why it is important to have insurance
Travel insurance is designed to provide you with compensation for anything that could go wrong while you are away. Usually, this means anything from having to cancel your trip to losing your suitcases. But the most important element is the medical expenses cover. If you don’t have cover and you are travelling to a country with high medical costs, or if you needed to be flown back in an emergency, the potential cost to you could be huge.
Why cancer can make it harder to get insurance
Insurance is a business dealing with risk. Some people think they have a right to insurance cover and cannot understand why companies are allowed to refuse them. But insurance companies only make money from people who don't claim. If they think the likelihood of you having to make a claim is too great, they are entitled to turn you down and are likely to do so.
Getting travel insurance when you have had cancer can be difficult. From the company's point of view, you are a bigger risk. As they see it, having been ill, you are more likely to need medical treatment while you are abroad. Or they may think that illness could make you cancel your trip at the last minute. But finding travel insurance is getting easier. Fortunately, many insurance companies are now looking at cases individually rather than refusing to insure everyone who has had cancer.
If you have cancer
Some high street travel insurance companies will give you medical insurance as long as you have a certificate from your doctor saying you are fit enough to travel. But many others will only insure you for treatment or emergencies unrelated to your cancer. So you can get travel insurance, but if you need treatment as a result of the cancer, you will have to pay for it yourself.
There are insurance companies who do specialize in policies for people with pre-existing medical problems. To be sure you are covered for any emergency medical problems while traveling, even if those problems are because of your cancer, you will need a policy that says in advance they will cover you for your cancer while traveling. As long as you have told the insurance company about the cancer when you apply for the cover, and they have knowingly taken the risk, they must pay according to the policy.
The ability for you to get insurance and the cost depends on the type of cancer that you have had. When you apply for travel insurance, be prepared for questions about your cancer diagnosis, the treatment you have, and the prognosis. Most companies will also ask what the stage and grade of your cancer was when you were diagnosed. So if you don't know, be sure to ask your consultant before you buy the policy, or you may have difficulty making a claim later on. You will also be asked about any follow up care you are having.
If you had cancer in the past
Travel insurance is designed to provide you with compensation for anything that could go wrong while you are away. Usually, this means anything from having to cancel your trip to losing your suitcases. But the most important element is the medical expenses cover. If you don’t have cover and you are travelling to a country with high medical costs, or if you needed to be flown back in an emergency, the potential cost to you could be huge.
Why cancer can make it harder to get insurance
Insurance is a business dealing with risk. Some people think they have a right to insurance cover and cannot understand why companies are allowed to refuse them. But insurance companies only make money from people who don't claim. If they think the likelihood of you having to make a claim is too great, they are entitled to turn you down and are likely to do so.
Getting travel insurance when you have had cancer can be difficult. From the company's point of view, you are a bigger risk. As they see it, having been ill, you are more likely to need medical treatment while you are abroad. Or they may think that illness could make you cancel your trip at the last minute. But finding travel insurance is getting easier. Fortunately, many insurance companies are now looking at cases individually rather than refusing to insure everyone who has had cancer.
If you have cancer
Some high street travel insurance companies will give you medical insurance as long as you have a certificate from your doctor saying you are fit enough to travel. But many others will only insure you for treatment or emergencies unrelated to your cancer. So you can get travel insurance, but if you need treatment as a result of the cancer, you will have to pay for it yourself.
There are insurance companies who do specialize in policies for people with pre-existing medical problems. To be sure you are covered for any emergency medical problems while traveling, even if those problems are because of your cancer, you will need a policy that says in advance they will cover you for your cancer while traveling. As long as you have told the insurance company about the cancer when you apply for the cover, and they have knowingly taken the risk, they must pay according to the policy.
The ability for you to get insurance and the cost depends on the type of cancer that you have had. When you apply for travel insurance, be prepared for questions about your cancer diagnosis, the treatment you have, and the prognosis. Most companies will also ask what the stage and grade of your cancer was when you were diagnosed. So if you don't know, be sure to ask your consultant before you buy the policy, or you may have difficulty making a claim later on. You will also be asked about any follow up care you are having.
If you had cancer in the past
Many high street travel insurance companies will give you medical insurance as long as you have a certificate from your doctor confirming that you no longer have cancer and you are fit enough to travel.
Insurance companies differ on how long you must be free of cancer before they will issue you a policy. Some companies will not offer you insurance until you have been without cancer for 3 months, some12 months, and some will not cover you unless you have been cancer free for 10 years. If you have finished treatment quite recently, be prepared that rates will be higher. Prices generally go down the longer you are cancer free. But this may be 3 to 5 years or even longer.
You want to be able to claim for emergency medical care abroad, even if that treatment is necessary because of your cancer. Again, this depends on you telling the insurance company about your full medical history when applying for the cover. If they have knowingly taken the risk, they must pay according to the policy.
The policies of travel insurance companies can be many and varied and some offer more appropriate cover than others. Be sure to shop around and check your policy carefully.
Your destination and their health services
Whether you have had cancer or not, travel insurance costs vary depending on where you want to go. Medical costs in the USA are very high, for example, and so it is hardest to get cover if you are planning a holiday there. If you have an incurable cancer, particularly one that has spread, you may not get insurance for the USA and may have to rethink your holiday plans. A general guide is that insurance for Europe is cheapest, especially within the European Community. Next comes the rest of the world, excluding North America. And finally the most expensive is North America.
Making sure you have enough insurance cover
You may not be able to get the type of support or security you want from regular high street travel insurance companies. Many have exclusions on their policies for people who've had medical conditions such as cancer. An exclusion means that they will cover you for everything but what is listed as excluded. So if you have medical cover excluding your cancer, they would pay for any medical treatment that you needed, as long as it wasn't because of your cancer.
Cover for medical needs related to your cancer may be possible, if certain conditions are met. If you can provide a doctor's certificate to say you are fit for travel or have not had any related treatment for 12 months or more, they may cover you.
You may also want to check how the rest of the policy might be affected, for example, whether you would be covered if you had to come home early because of your cancer, and if the company will pay for expenses of specialist medical attention you may need because of taking ill while abroad. For example, if you needed oxygen while traveling on an airplane.
If you have problems getting adequate cover, there are specialist insurance companies who provide policies designed for people with serious illness, terminal illness or disability. The policies on offer are many and varied and some are more exclusive than others. It is best to start by making make informal inquiries about your travel insurance. Some insurance companies may ask if you have been turned down for insurance by someone else already. If you have only made informal enquiries, you won't prejudice any future applications you make.
As a condition of covering you, some insurance companies insist that you must also get their travel insurance for everyone who is travelling with you.
What you need to tell insurance companies
All travel insurance policies require you to disclose fully any information about existing or pre-existing conditions. Even if you have had cancer in the distant past, you still need to tell the insurance company about it. If you don’t provide all the facts, the insurance company can rightly claim it was misinformed and may not pay out if you make a claim.
Whether you have had cancer or not, travel insurance costs vary depending on where you want to go. Medical costs in the USA are very high, for example, and so it is hardest to get cover if you are planning a holiday there. If you have an incurable cancer, particularly one that has spread, you may not get insurance for the USA and may have to rethink your holiday plans. A general guide is that insurance for Europe is cheapest, especially within the European Community. Next comes the rest of the world, excluding North America. And finally the most expensive is North America.
Making sure you have enough insurance cover
You may not be able to get the type of support or security you want from regular high street travel insurance companies. Many have exclusions on their policies for people who've had medical conditions such as cancer. An exclusion means that they will cover you for everything but what is listed as excluded. So if you have medical cover excluding your cancer, they would pay for any medical treatment that you needed, as long as it wasn't because of your cancer.
Cover for medical needs related to your cancer may be possible, if certain conditions are met. If you can provide a doctor's certificate to say you are fit for travel or have not had any related treatment for 12 months or more, they may cover you.
You may also want to check how the rest of the policy might be affected, for example, whether you would be covered if you had to come home early because of your cancer, and if the company will pay for expenses of specialist medical attention you may need because of taking ill while abroad. For example, if you needed oxygen while traveling on an airplane.
If you have problems getting adequate cover, there are specialist insurance companies who provide policies designed for people with serious illness, terminal illness or disability. The policies on offer are many and varied and some are more exclusive than others. It is best to start by making make informal inquiries about your travel insurance. Some insurance companies may ask if you have been turned down for insurance by someone else already. If you have only made informal enquiries, you won't prejudice any future applications you make.
As a condition of covering you, some insurance companies insist that you must also get their travel insurance for everyone who is travelling with you.
What you need to tell insurance companies
All travel insurance policies require you to disclose fully any information about existing or pre-existing conditions. Even if you have had cancer in the distant past, you still need to tell the insurance company about it. If you don’t provide all the facts, the insurance company can rightly claim it was misinformed and may not pay out if you make a claim.
If you have a terminal illness or have not been passed fit for travel, then regular high street travel insurance firms will not cover you.
Your fitness to travel
As we’ve said, you need to get written confirmation of fitness from your doctor. This is so even if you have not had any treatment for some time. It is always best to get advice from your doctor anyway before going abroad, even if it is only for a few days.
As we’ve said, you need to get written confirmation of fitness from your doctor. This is so even if you have not had any treatment for some time. It is always best to get advice from your doctor anyway before going abroad, even if it is only for a few days.
If you have an annual or multi-trip policy then you will need to provide an updated confirmation certificate from your doctor every time you travel.
The European Health Insurance Card
If you are travelling to a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EEA includes all EU countries plus Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. The EHIC replaces the old E111 form, which is no longer valid. The EHIC entitles you to free medical care in the country you are visiting. The countries included in this agreement are listed in the leaflet that comes with the card.
You need to take the health insurance card with you if you want to benefit from reciprocal health service agreements. But you may have to pay for some things at the time and then claim the money back later. The card doesn't cover the costs of any medical treatment that you have planned in advance. It will only cover you for unforeseen medical needs. But if you need continued treatment for an ongoing illness while you are abroad, such as regular injections, this will be covered by the EHIC.
You can apply for a card online on the NHS Business Services Authority website. You can also apply for a card by phone on 0845 606 2030, or by post. To apply by post you'll need to pick up an EHIC form from your Post Office.
Note: reciprocal health service agreements do not always cover the full cost of treatment. They do not cover the cost of getting you home in an emergency, for instance. It is always advisable to have travel insurance even when travelling around the EU. But you'll still need a European Health Insurance Card because your insurance company may not cover the cost of treatment that the card covers. If you try to claim in full, they may say you should have had a card! So it is important to check the small print! There is more information about these health agreements in the 'Health Advice for Travellers' booklet available from your Post Office or online from the Department of Health.
If you want to arrange treatment abroad - form E112
If you want to go to an EEA country or Switzerland specially for medical treatment, you need to get an E112 form. You might want to do this perhaps if you are having to wait too long for an operation (or other treatment) in the UK and you could have it done sooner abroad. It will be your responsibility to arrange the treatment. The treatment can be provided free or at reduced cost by obtaining an E112 form. This has to be authorised by the Department of Health. First you will need to contact your local health commissioner and your GP surgery will be able to give you their details. You will need to provide a letter from your NHS consultant confirming that you need the treatment and stating why you should receive it in the other country. You must be entitled to receive the treatment concerned on the NHS. If you are going abroad and paying to have treatment privately, you do not need an E112.
Don’t forget to take the E112 form with you when you travel abroad for your treatment. There is information about the E112 form on the NHS Choices website.
Specialist policies and insurance companies
If you are having trouble getting cover, you may find it easier to get a specialised policy. An insurance broker can try to arrange a policy for you. Or can give you a list of insurance companies with special policies for people with cancer or terminal illness.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIIBA) can find you brokers who will advise cancer patients and can arrange travel insurance.
If you are travelling to a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EEA includes all EU countries plus Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. The EHIC replaces the old E111 form, which is no longer valid. The EHIC entitles you to free medical care in the country you are visiting. The countries included in this agreement are listed in the leaflet that comes with the card.
You need to take the health insurance card with you if you want to benefit from reciprocal health service agreements. But you may have to pay for some things at the time and then claim the money back later. The card doesn't cover the costs of any medical treatment that you have planned in advance. It will only cover you for unforeseen medical needs. But if you need continued treatment for an ongoing illness while you are abroad, such as regular injections, this will be covered by the EHIC.
You can apply for a card online on the NHS Business Services Authority website. You can also apply for a card by phone on 0845 606 2030, or by post. To apply by post you'll need to pick up an EHIC form from your Post Office.
Note: reciprocal health service agreements do not always cover the full cost of treatment. They do not cover the cost of getting you home in an emergency, for instance. It is always advisable to have travel insurance even when travelling around the EU. But you'll still need a European Health Insurance Card because your insurance company may not cover the cost of treatment that the card covers. If you try to claim in full, they may say you should have had a card! So it is important to check the small print! There is more information about these health agreements in the 'Health Advice for Travellers' booklet available from your Post Office or online from the Department of Health.
If you want to arrange treatment abroad - form E112
If you want to go to an EEA country or Switzerland specially for medical treatment, you need to get an E112 form. You might want to do this perhaps if you are having to wait too long for an operation (or other treatment) in the UK and you could have it done sooner abroad. It will be your responsibility to arrange the treatment. The treatment can be provided free or at reduced cost by obtaining an E112 form. This has to be authorised by the Department of Health. First you will need to contact your local health commissioner and your GP surgery will be able to give you their details. You will need to provide a letter from your NHS consultant confirming that you need the treatment and stating why you should receive it in the other country. You must be entitled to receive the treatment concerned on the NHS. If you are going abroad and paying to have treatment privately, you do not need an E112.
Don’t forget to take the E112 form with you when you travel abroad for your treatment. There is information about the E112 form on the NHS Choices website.
Specialist policies and insurance companies
If you are having trouble getting cover, you may find it easier to get a specialised policy. An insurance broker can try to arrange a policy for you. Or can give you a list of insurance companies with special policies for people with cancer or terminal illness.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIIBA) can find you brokers who will advise cancer patients and can arrange travel insurance.
