travel insurance to cover advanced cancer?

[triplets]

Came home this afternoon to find my dh in a very worked up state. He had been phoning all these companies who advertise cover for cancer sufferers. After answering all their questions every one has turned him down. His dream has been to go back to the States, West Coast or Florida. He was diagnosed after our last road trip in 2008, bowel cancer that had spread to his liver. Over the last 5 years he has had chemo/surgery/chemo/surgery to bowel/liver/lung. His current situation is he has had no chemo for over 2 years and is currently in remission. The only time he ever looks or feels unwell is when he is on chemo. We only ever know the cancer is back if a routine ct shows a new re-growth. It is so unfair, when you think of all the people walking around with blocked arteries etc who could be on holiday and suddenly have a heart attack, with cancer it is not just going to strike, he is not suddenly going to keel over. I felt so sorry for him, he just felt so dejected. Most of the companies were recommended on the MacMillan site too. Can anyone offer advice please? Thank you.

[Gigondas]

Am glad you got an answer but not that surprised about the carve out. Hope scan goes well and you have a great trip.

[IamtheZombie]

I'm glad they're willing to cover him but a bit shocked at the cost! As I said, I just did mine through their website (having tried numerous other MacMillan listed companies' websites - all of which either refused cover outright or would only do single trip cover at the sort of cost they've just quoted you). I suspect though that it is high because of the rather outrageous cost of health care in America.

IIRC, there were 3 levels of cover. I think I opted for one that only covers Europe. I am American, but knew I wouldn't be planning any trips there for the duration of the annual policy as I would be tied to 3 weekly hospital visits for the entire time. It took me nearly an hour to complete all the information required, but I had an email response within minutes accepting me.

I also don't have cancellation cover but as the main things I wanted were the delays, lost luggage, etc. cover that doesn't bother me.

As you said in your OP, it's not as though the cancer is suddenly going to strike me (or your DH) down. I think if the GP and Oncologist are willing to say that someone is fit to travel (which mine certainly were should it have been necessary) that should be taken into account.

Fingers crossed that the scan on the 31st is clear and you can wing your way across the pond soon after.

[triplets]

Thanks for your messages................they rang back late this afternoon to say they had misquoted me.................good I thought..............er no, the cost is £560 and 68 pence!

[BlueyDragon]

at the cost, triplets, but at least you finally got a quote. Does this completely knock the trip out of the ball park?

[triplets]

Hello Bluey...........hmm, it is alot of money, but there seems to be no choice if we do want to go to the States. I knew it would be high, and am actually amazed that they will cover at all! It is a stressful experience trying to get insurance, bad enough having the disease. We are not making any decision now until we get the scan result on the 31st Jan. The scan is tomorrow, my dh`s birthday........he is obviously anxious even though he has had 5 yrs of scans. Tonight he completely lost it with one of the boys, then snapped at me..............been abit of a stressful week.

[siluka]

I have an inoperable brain tumour and have used a company called It's so easy travel with no problems. Have always had reasonable quotes as well.

[triplets]

Thanks for that I will ring them, do you have regular scan just to keep an eye? I have a friend in the same position and another friend who had hers removed 18 months ago as it had grown.

[chocoluvva]

Hi.

This thread has struck a chord with me as I finished treatment for Dukes C bowel cancer just over a year ago.

I'm so pleased you've managed to get travel insurance albeit bloody expensive.

I hope you have a really lovely trip to the states :)

[triplets]

Hello Choco.................sorry you too are having to deal with this, good things do come out of it, we have met and made friends with such lovely people we would never have otherwise met..........we always try to find something good out of bad. Good luck with everything xx