Desperate for 88 year old mum to travel. Can't get insurance.

[LittleEsme]

Hello there
My 88 year old Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 months ago. She's gutted, because, after a really, really hard life of being a carer, looking after herself, eating well, taking exercise, having a really good mental attitude, she really hoped to see her twilight years through 'naturally'.

She's undergone a full mastectomy and recovered with admirable speed. She complains about nothing. She really is an absolute legend.

She's meant to be flying out to France to meet us next month - we've done it for years (we spend a month there, she flies out for a week). But can't seem to find insurance cheaper than £1600!

help!

Sorry - pressed send too soon.

Biopsy of lymph nodes shows that 2 out of 4 have cancer cells. She's due further treatment next month.

Try age uk - they do insurance for older people.

Thanks MrsBungle, I'll look now.

finance.macmillan.org.uk/travel-insurance/travel-insurance

Try www.world-first.co.uk I got my Mum (83)a weeks travel insurance to visit Canada for £350 when everywhere else was quoting over £1000. She has high blood pressure, asthma and has had a heart attack in the past. The excess was high but you would gladly pay that if you took ill.

Wouldn't an EHIC card be enough really?

It really wouldn't. An EHIC card only covers you for emergency treatment, not for anything that might be necessary after that but not A&E territory. Crucially, it does not cover repatriation - so if for whatever reason you need to be flown home on a medical flight, with a doctor accompanying you, you'd better be properly insured or you'll need to find several tens of thousands of pounds yourself. It's just not a risk worth taking!

OP, no further suggestions, but I see you've had some links from other people. Hope you find something so your mum can travel :)

One of the cancer charities, eg Macmillan, might be able to advise?

Thank you everyone.
Age concern can't insure her, but they've made a few suggestions on their web-site. I have quite a few areas to explore now, so thanks!

Try the post office.

My mum was quoted £1K then went to the post office and it was much much cheaper. Mum is diabetic and has terminal breast cancer and is 73.

Things are not looking good. Almost all the insurance companies I've tried won't let me pursue with getting a quotation once I've declared that my Mum is awaiting further treatment, even though her Consultant is really happy and keen for her to have a break away.

It's only for a week, for crying out loud. I could cry.

Have you looked on the breast cancer care site ? There are loads of companies mentioned on there you could try
Good luck

Honestly, I would wing it. France really isn't that far and what are the chances she'll really come acropper?

Have you tried freedom insurance. My dh has cancer and we got insurance through that. It was expensive, a couple of hundred pounds I think.

Try Saga.

I would wing it as well, its only france - easy to get back from

Please don't go without insurance! Just don't..

Hi Op - try InsureCancer they were one of the only companies that would insure my ds to travel but that was because he was between end of one chemo treatment plan and prior to starting another.

Cancer does not choose who it lands on - my DS was just days before his 16th birthday when he got his diagnosis for brain cancer. Cancer does not care how old, how young, how good a life you have led, or bad for that matter.