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Original poster

Holiday insurance cancer and heart problems

27 replies

BeeBB · 27/04/2023 17:38

Unfortunately DH late 50’s has been diagnosed with stage 4 Prostrate cancer which has spread to another area. He seems to be responding well to the treatment and is still working but he also has a heart condition. But the Cardiology Department have given him some medication for AF but he doesn’t have a follow up appointment.

He is still working and does get more tired than he did but otherwise he is doing surprisingly ok. But I don’t want to leave it until he is too poorly for us to enjoy a holiday together.

But what is best to do in terms of holiday insurance would he need a letter from our GP or hospital first and any insurance providers that anyone recommends to try please as we don’t know where to start and I feel like time is ticking away. Would it be better to get holiday insurance per trip or yearly I am guessing the former. Also we aren’t loaded.

He has had radiotherapy and is on a lot of drugs but unsure how he would react to the sun abroad even if we avoid peak periods. Unfortunately he doesn’t have a specialist nurse and he is isn’t due to see his Consultant for another two months.

Thanks

OP posts:
tilestoclean · 27/04/2023 19:41

I would start by phoning a local insurance broker and asking them these questions as I'm sure you are sadly not the only ones going through this. Good luck and I hope you get your holiday

Mushroomofficeglass · 27/04/2023 19:45

Firstly make sure doctors are happy for him to fly (we've often had to get letters from gp for dc to fly cost £25 last time).
Then look at insurance either a specialist broker or try https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/insurance/travel-insurance-directory#
It's not easy or cheap.

Travel insurance directory | MoneyHelper

If you've got a medical condition, finding travel insurance can be difficult. Use MoneyHelper's travel insurance directory to find specialist providers.

https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/insurance/travel-insurance-directory#

Original poster
BeeBB · 27/04/2023 20:42

Thanks both its just knowing where to start. I feel like we have been in limbo for the last 10 months. It will be two months before we can see the cancer specialist again to ask it is ok for him to fly. I suspect he is ok flying at the moment from a PC perspective.

We don’t have another appointment booked in with the heart specialist at all. He gave him some tablets last year (I can’t remember the name) and since starting on these he has had no further episodes of arterial fibrillation.

I doubt the GP would have a clue.

OP posts:
Nimbostratus100 · 27/04/2023 20:46

ring "insurance with" and have a chat about what is likely to be possible, and how to go about it.

bloodywhitecat · 27/04/2023 20:52

Does he have clinical nurse specialists for his cancer and AF? DH had one when he had cancer and she would've been our go to person to ask about things like this without having to wait for his next appointment.

travailtotravel · 27/04/2023 21:00

Google insurance fir preexisting medical conditions. Cancer research also have a resource page on the topic.

tilestoclean · 27/04/2023 21:08

For what it's worth I've had two heart ops but am now cured and no longer under a cardiologist and I have no issues with travel insurance so that part of things shouldn't be a problem at all.

thesandwich · 27/04/2023 21:10

Macmillan may be able to offer advice

HydrangeaFairy · 27/04/2023 21:15

I have AF and a history of cancer 3 years ago, also other serious conditions.
Travel insurance is very expensive for me. I have had quotes from various specialist companies and am currently with staysure at a cost of £500+ for an annual policy, quite galling as I'm actually fit and well thanks to the drugs I take.
I suspect you will need to speak to someone rather than do it online. If you need anything from your DHs consultant just ring his secretary and explain. They will discuss with consultant and arrange for a letter or advise you.

MissyB1 · 27/04/2023 21:16

My dh has a brain tumour and a shunt (type of drain) fitted. We go abroad and have just got back from South Africa. He has an annual travel insurance policy with All Clear, it’s £££ though as I insist he has the best cover with medical repatriation etc..

Original poster
BeeBB · 27/04/2023 21:27

Thanks all very good advice. No specialist nurse for either condition here. We have asked but the hospital not in a big city does not provide one which seems absolutely ludicrous to me.

OP posts:
FanSpamTastic · 27/04/2023 21:33

We have used this company Puffin. You detail the pre existing conditions and then they provide a quote.

Original poster
BeeBB · 28/04/2023 06:34

Thanks all DH had looked at a couple of places for insurance online but you need to know exactly where you are going, the exact dates you are going and for exactly how long your going for to get a quote so you almost need to have decided and booked something. Whereas we are at the stage of can we afford to go anywhere, with the insurance and when can we go between medical appointments and other commitments but equally don’t want to delay.

We are both still working i.e. not retired, still paying off the mortgage although its almost done and supporting two kids at Uni and have a dog who is getting on so we wouldn’t be going away very much but maybe one or two relatively short holidays abroad in the next twelve months would be lovely. So also insure whether to look at single trip or cover for twelve months?

So should we contact medical specialists first and ask about fitness to fly first which seems logical and then phone one of the providers suggested or phone a provider first then back track? We used to have annual rolling travel insurance free with something else but ironically DH cancelled it a couple of months before he was diagnosed which came as a bolt from the blue first one thing then the other.

OP posts:
Demonkind · 28/04/2023 09:51

Avoid Avanti. I have pre-existing conditions but totally out of the blue for the first time ever last year I got a UTI. With the state of the NHS I could not see a doctor to get treatment straightaway and ended up now with interstitial cystitis and am in constant pain, I had to cancel my hol and Avanti will not pay out as I did not see a doctor quick enough, it was not for want of trying I tell you. I have lost over £2000

PermanentTemporary · 28/04/2023 09:54

Dp has 2 significant conditions and got single trip insurance for £500. I would budget somewhere between 500-1000.

We will probably have a fair number of UK holidays...

PermanentTemporary · 28/04/2023 09:55

I would contact the broker first tbh. See what you can afford.

ZuliKyanLarsFoz · 28/04/2023 09:59

My parents have used StaySure for pre-existing conditions and holiday insurance. I've done some of the admin for them and I have to say that their customer service has been excellent. They call when they say they will, their advisors are helpful and they are reasonably priced. I would absolutely recommend. My parents have used them for a few years now.

Original poster
BeeBB · 28/04/2023 12:34

PermanentTemporary · 28/04/2023 09:55

I would contact the broker first tbh. See what you can afford.

So we should contact an insurance broker first before seeking medical advice and before deciding on where we are going, when we are going and for how long when all
of these things could affect the price?

OP posts:
Original poster
BeeBB · 28/04/2023 12:35

Demonkind · 28/04/2023 09:51

Avoid Avanti. I have pre-existing conditions but totally out of the blue for the first time ever last year I got a UTI. With the state of the NHS I could not see a doctor to get treatment straightaway and ended up now with interstitial cystitis and am in constant pain, I had to cancel my hol and Avanti will not pay out as I did not see a doctor quick enough, it was not for want of trying I tell you. I have lost over £2000

Thanks for the top tip.

OP posts:
PermanentTemporary · 28/04/2023 12:37

Well... you don't know if you can afford it at all. Yes, personally I would literally make up a holiday id be happy with and get a quote for insurance on that basis, to have some idea on whether I was going to have to settle on the Isle of Wight instead. Then id go for medical advice etc. Then back to the broker.

AnnaMagnani · 28/04/2023 12:39

Staysure is where most people go.

KnottyKnitting · 28/04/2023 12:44

DH has had cancer (4 years clear so far) and also bit of a heart issue. He has holiday insurance with a company called "Insurance With" Never had to claim but pretty reasonable price wise.

Demonkind · 28/04/2023 12:48

Avanti are part of Staysure

activelyu · 28/04/2023 12:57

We once took our mum and dad overseas and both had heart issues, with my dad's being considered more serious. We paid £600 for his health insurance but that might have been because we were going to the US where healthcare is notoriously expensive. My mum got hers through the bank as a bolt on to her bank account and paid £20!

HydrangeaFairy · 28/04/2023 15:39

What you could do is get a quote based on a hypothetical holiday. Put dates and destination in and answer all the questions and see what comes up.

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