Seriously? Am I uninsurable?! :(

[Tilllly]

I have spent all afternoon on the phone to insurance companies.

Stay sure told me that they could only ensure me for a single trip of less than eight days in Europe and even that wasn't a definite.

Then I've been on with world first Travel for an hour and they have referred it to the medically trained team who will have a look ring me in the next two weeks and go through some more questions and might or might not ensure me

I just want to go on holiday

I know it will be expensive to ensure me, but I didn't think they would flat-out say they won't insure me. I just thought I might have to sell the house and DH to pay for it.

There are some specialist companies that will make it easier to get travel insurance with less insurable medical conditions. Even those might not be any good if you're planning a long trip or you want to go outside of Europe.

am i correct in thinking your cancer is very advanced?

Contact Macmillan ad they might be able to suggest some companies to use

Maybe find a broker who can search for the right policy for you. I think there are some insurers who offer cover under your circumstances.

Maybe try Free Spirit Insurance? They are travel insurers for people with medical problems and disabilities.

Not sure what type of cancer you have got or what stage it is at. I had the same issues when I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer back in 2018. Eventually a friend told me about a company called insurance with and I have been insured with them ever since. It’s only like £300 odd for an annual policy. It was set up by a lady who was diagnosed with cancer but still wanted to travel.

My dad has this problem. He's had cancer for years, and the regular companies charge silly money. Try All Clear Travel who specialises in this.

There is all clear but I used to use boots - it had a screening system that would take each persons individual circumstances into consideration.

Thank you, I will have a look at those

@FunnyFinch
I'm terminal, but ridiculous as it sounds I'm fit and well

I don't want to go outside Europe and I don't want any massively long trips. At most I want 10 days in Malta, but I'm thinking of things like four days in Barcelona.

My oncologist is more than happy for me to fly and go on holiday

DH found that he either couldn't get insured or it was ridiculously expensive. We went without insurance (& with GHIC). Is this an option for you? Whatever insurance you get won't cover you for anything to do with the cancer anyway.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this approach but my dad who had cancer many years ago and is fit and well but not technically cured, basically doesn’t pay for insurance any more. He only goes places in Europe for a few days and takes a credit card with a £10K limit so any hint of difficult he can just fly home or fly me out to get him. He has a GHIC too. Yes we know the risks but for him it’s worth it and I don’t begrudge at all. He’s looked into insurance and it was possible but astronomical.

Have a look at the forums on travel insurance on the MacMillan website. The advice line can’t advise on specific companies but the forum is actual people who have managed to get cover.
it also gives you an idea of the questions you will be asked.

Speak to McMillan, even if they cant help they can refer you to someone who can, or there was actually someone at the hospital I was at who helped deal with the practical side of things, I can't remember her job title, but it's worth asking next time you're there.

If your oncologist is happy and you feel fit and well though I would have a think about pps suggestion of a credit card since you're not going too far anyway.

Hope you have a lovely, restful holiday op.

I have insurance with Insure With. It’s an annual policy that covers both me and DH - we both have had cancer twice each.

A friend of my dad had terminal cancer, couldn’t get health insurance and flew to Australia to see a brother he never knew he had. He had plenty of cash but no one would insure him, his brother by the time he knew about him was not physically able to travel so dad’s friend thought fuck it and off he went. He was also doing very well and physically hadn’t declined at the point he decided to go. He came back with no regrets.
Obviously I’m not suggesting this is sensible!!!

Just go on holiday. Forget the insurance. Get a GHIC card instead if you're worried about need medical treatment. www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/#:~:text=The%20UK%20GHIC%20has%20replaced,UK%20GHIC%20to%20replace%20it.

stupid advice

do you have any idea of the costs of repatriation of a body? this would fall on the OP’s family

I'm not going anywhere without insurance

good

daft poster

Would insurance through a bundled bank account be a possibility?

Money saving expert suggests this site for preexisting medical issues
https://quote.medicaltravelcompared.co.uk/?source=MSE

Bundled bank account?

Oooh MSR - not thought of that

Staysure are supposed to be good for cancer insurance.

Macmillan has a booklet abput travelling with cancer as well

I tried to stay sure first, they'll only insure me for a single trip of less than eight days

MacMillan have given me their list, it's just companies that other patients have found helpful. So it's not brilliant, but I've been working through it without success.

Someone with a very serious condition cannot get insurance at all now. She went to Europe and broke her leg. Cost £15k alone for the air ambulance back.