Travelling without insurance

[Bloodybridget]

DP and I are probably going to book a holiday in France later this year; in the past we've always had travel insurance if going overseas but now, as I have advanced cancer, I'm basically uninsurable - that is, I could get insurance but I couldn't afford it! I wonder what other people do in this situation? I'm sure we'll go anyway, and I reckon there's very little chance of anything going wrong as it's a coach/hotel package. I'll check with the company about Covid related issues of course. It's very unlikely either of us would need urgent medical treatment and maybe our old EHIC cards will still be valid anyway.

AllClear are pretty good insurers for covering health conditions.

On a separate note it was £25,000 for my travel companion to be repatriated from Spain, private flight with doctor - covered by another insurer.

Try

www.able2travel.com

Yes you'll have to pay a higher premium than for other travellers, but you'll be covered, whuchcouid be important if you have any form of accident or illness and have to stay on to stabilise before travel and then arrange a flight.

We've used it for a vulnerable person in our family, and the additional premium has ranged from £20 to £200 depending on destination

@nether I just tried getting an online quote from Abletotravel, they couldn't give me one. I don't know if advanced ovarian cancer particularly spooks them!

I see there are other posts I somehow missed seeing earlier - many thanks to everyone for your suggestions and for sharing your experiences. I did think of calling Macmillan, but looking at their website, it didn't seem to fit into any of the categories they advise on. And someone said I'd have to make sure my DP was happy for us to risk travelling uninsured: of course I would! We have already discussed it briefly, and will have a proper conversation about it before booking anything.

Macmillan won't recommend an insurer but they've set up a forum for others to which might help

community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_experiences/travel-insurance-forum

Sorry that they couldn't help

When we did it, I rang them - don't know if that would make any difference?

I haven't used this one, but there's a company called something like Insure With which I've heard recommended many times

@mightytights4 and @nether thanks to you both, will look at insurewith and look at the Macmillan forum (and maybe call them too). I'm really grateful and touched by everyone's advice.

Quick update in case anyone looks - I just got an online quote from insurewith which is very affordable (just over £80) so will do that again nearer the time. My god, their screening questionnaire tho! I didn't really know the answers to some of the questions, they were so detailed re exact status of tumour at diagnosis, spread, etc. I guess I should ask one of the onco docs to check the stuff I'm not sure of.
Anyway, again I'm very grateful for all your responses and suggestions.

I don't trust travel insurance any more than I trust any other insurance, they will wriggle out of paying any way they can. Our car was pouring black smoke and a write off after a knock and the insurance company said the internal damage was not caused by the knock! My husband had driven it 50 miles to work the day before! With your cancer they would completely use it against you. If you can find a reasonable quote though then do it if it makes you feel better, just be aware it's the cheap ones that are least likely to pay out IME.

@Bloodybridget glad you found something not too extortionate. Hope you have a lovely time ☀️ 👙👒🌊🏖

Thanks @Tal45 and @Kitkat151 - yes I am aware of the tricks and dodges of insurance companies, but I don't really anticipate needing to claim for health issues, more like cancellations or losing something! I am going to book the holiday after next scan results!

That’s good news, book the insurance as soon as you book your holiday, good luck for your scan, and have a wonderful holiday.

How about separate insurance for each of you?

Thanks Roselilly! @Georgyporky we could do separate, DP can see what's the best deal for her. In fact I got an online quote for her the other day which was cheap as chips, even though she'll be 75 by the time we go; I was surprised.