Give us a break! Your experiences of travel insurance

2 minute read time.

 Give us a break campaign

Earlier this year, we asked you to tell us about your experiences of trying to access travel insurance after a cancer diagnosis. We wanted to understand the issues people with cancer face when it comes to getting covered.

Over 400 of you shared your story, and the results were pretty shocking. While a few people described positive experiences, most of you told us about quotes that were many times more expensive than the holiday itself; intrusive questions and complex application processes; and in many cases not being able to get cover at all.

Here are some of the problems you told us about

“Mention the word cancer and it alters everything.”

One supporter who was diagnosed with lung cancer was quoted between £1,500 and £15,000 for a trip to Jamaica. Another, who has been in remission for 25 years, says the quotes for cover usually exceed the cost of the holiday even now.

Dozens of people told us that they simply don’t go on holiday anymore because the quotes they receive for travel insurance are just unaffordable.

 “Am I going to be denied from seeing my 4 grandchildren, son and daughter in law for the rest of my life?”

Many people told us that they couldn’t get cover, even if they’d been given the all clear. This is sometimes because seeing a consultant for check-ups is classified by providers as still undergoing treatment. Others, who have incurable but treatable cancer, told us that they were simply unable to get cover. One supporter was refused travel insurance unless they could assure the provider that they ‘would not get cancer’ whilst on holiday! 

Some people made the decision to travel without cover, but told us that they didn’t feel able to relax and enjoy the holiday. Many people said they’d given up going on holiday after an initial ‘uncovered’ break, because they’d found it so stressful.

 “The experience of being classified as high risk is quite scary as well as hard to navigate.”

Others who were covered found it hard work to get through the application process. One described having to answer lots of complex questions – some of which they couldn’t answer, and had to ask their consultant. Many people describe the process as upsetting or intrusive. One person described filling in countless questions online, before they were eventually told they’d have to speak to someone on the phone anyway. They told us they couldn’t comment on the cost of insurance for people with cancer, as they’d never got that far.

 “Good luck to everyone out there! Travel is really important to health and emotional well-being."

It wasn’t all bad news - one supporter told us that after being diagnosed with bowel cancer, they’d eventually found a provider who gave them a reasonable quote, and were able to get cover for a trip to Cuba to celebrate their 40th birthday. Another had just returned from a holiday with affordable cover and told us about the lovely family memories they’d made.

We want positive experiences like this to become the norm, so we’ll be continuing to campaign on travel insurance, using evidence like the stories you provided to make the case for change. Since we launched the campaign we’ve responded to the Financial Conduct Authority’s Call for Input on travel insurance, and we’re now awaiting their feedback statement, due to be published later this year.

Huge thanks to everyone who’s shared their story or supported the campaign. With your help, we can make sure people with cancer can take a break when they really need it.

Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Well things definitely haven't changed. I've recently been trying to get travel insurance, initialy thought i'd try an annual policy but no one would cover me. And for a single 6day trip to holland, costing £120 the cheapest insurance was over £660 going up to £2,000 plus. This is with an all clear re the cancer, though within the last 6 months. 

    Viv

  • Hi Viv

    Who did you use ? I used Boots online, I had, at that time ,had four lots of surgeries, chemotheraphy and was also still on active immunotheraphy (Herceptin) plus medication - boots online have a series of questions and answers which covered every treatment I had had and as I was only 2 months post last operation and still having treatment expected a huge quote, but it came in at £23 for a week in Spain, plus I was covered for any cancer related thing which may affect me. I am 52 , not sure if age also has a bearing but worth looking online at Boots (I didn't want to ring anyone either, I was fed up of talking about my treatment!)

    Jo x

  • Hi Viv,

    We got annual insurance with Eurotunnel for around £80 for both of us for travel in Europe, it included cruise too. I had just been diagnosed at the time and they only asked that my condition was stable and that I wasn't going to seek treatment abroad (for the cancer). I got my consultant to write a letter to that effect before I went (just for me, I didn't pass it on) and checked the terms so I knew I was properly covered.

    I had quotes ranging from £3,000 - £600 before that so jumped at the annual cover.

    I hope this helps.

    Xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    I had quotes from £800 to £1800 but got insurance for two weeks in Spain for £180 for whole family inc gadget cover - took at the most expensive level of cover with World First Travel Insurance. Last year I paid £350 for 3 days in Spain so World First are brilliant.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Thanks for the replies, I used two of the most well known comparison sites plus a couple of others . Will try with companies suggested. 

    Thanks Viv