Currently getting tested for cancer wishing to travel

Hello

Thanks for getting in touch.

Any changes to someone’s health need to be fully disclosed to the insurance company before travelling. If this isn’t done, they may decline any claims that arise due to non-disclosure.

So, to answer your question, if you’re applying for cover now or soon then you should be fully transparent and explain you’re undergoing diagnosis for possible bowel cancer. If you apply for cover later after a positive diagnosis or if you are found to be cancer-free, still tell them about the tests you’ve been having. This is the safest way.

If you do receive a cancer diagnosis and find it difficult getting travel insurance due to this, we have some information that will hopefully help.

Our online community and travel insurance blogs have information posted by other people affected by cancer, including names of companies they have used to get cover. You can find that here.

MoneyHelper (a separate organisation to Macmillan) have also created a Travel Insurance Directory which you can use to search for FCA approved insurers who may be able to offer cover to people with pre-existing medical conditions including cancer. You can see that here.

You may also find it worthwhile to have a look through any cover you might already have available through any bank accounts or credit cards, they won’t usually automatically include cover for pre-existing conditions but may agree to offer full cover if a top-up fee is paid. Trade unions may also be able to help.

Some insurance companies use medical screening systems to provide you with your quotes, but many use the same or similar systems which can lead to you being asked a lot of the questions which are very similar or the same. Please don’t let this put you off shopping around as even though you’re being asked similar or the same questions, each company may be able to offer you a different price if they agree to provide cover. If you find yourself struggling to explain your cancer diagnosis (should you receive one) to insurance companies, then you can ask if they’d be willing to manually underwrite the policy. This means a person rather than a computer would look at your health and decide whether cover can be offered and how much it’d cost.

Some companies may also be willing to offer an exclusion for any pre-existing conditions. This means you wouldn’t be insured for any claims related to pre-existing conditions, but other claims should be honoured. This does leave a risk, but it is still something to consider.

I hope you find this information helpful and regardless of the results that come back, I hope you’ll be able to get away for your holiday.

If you’d like help with anything else personal finance related (like other insurance policies, pensions, debts, estate planning etc.) please get in touch again.

Kind regards,

Liam.

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