Hello
Currently 9 sessions in to a 12 session chemo programme for Stage 4 bowel cancer, treatment going well with a probable pause after Christmas. I also had a stoma prior to chemo to relieve pressure on the bowel. Looking to get an idea of good travel insurance providers for people in my situation.
Apologies if not the correct forum.
Regards
Hello John37
Thanks for contacting us.
Just to make you aware we can’t recommend any financial products or services but hopefully you may find the following information helpful.
You can find discussions around travel insurance from people in similar positions to yourself on our online community here. There is also a directory of FCA approved travel insurers who may offer cover to people with a pre-existing medical condition here.
Another option for finding travel insurance is the Travel Insurance Directory which has been created by MoneyHelper (a separate organisation to Macmillan).
The directory can be used to search for Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) approved travel insurers who may offer cover to people with pre-existing medical conditions. Please visit their directory by using the link below:
https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/insurance/use-our-travel-insurance-directory
If you don’t have access to the internet, please call MoneyHelper on 0800 138 7777 and press option 1 then option 4. MoneyHelper can guide you through the directory and send a list of the results out through the post.
Another website which may be useful is British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA). They have a travel medical directory which can be used to search for travel insurance for anyone who has a serious medical condition. Their directory also meets the FCA criteria for a medical cover firm directory.
You can search their directory for travel insurers in the link below:
* Please note Macmillan does not endorse any particular company or product that may be advertised on BIBA or MoneyHelper website.
Insurance companies use medical screening systems to assess the risk of offering insurance, but many companies use the same system, so the medical questions will often be the same. However, the premiums offered by companies using different systems can vary considerably so you should bear this in mind when shopping around. If the questions asked don’t seem to fit, or don’t allow you to explain the cancer diagnosis fully, it’s worth asking the insurer if it’s possible for someone to manually underwrite the policy. This is where a person, rather than a computer looks at the health situation of the person looking for cover and decides about whether or not to offer cover and at what price. Some other insurers may do this as standard.
Fit to travel
When looking for travel insurance, some companies may ask for a letter from the person’s medical professional confirming they are fit to travel. This may be requested at the time the insurance is taken out or later, if a claim needs to be made. It’s important for the person travelling to check with the doctor ahead of travel that they are fit enough to go on holiday. If not, the insurer could either refuse cover or cancel existing cover.
If a letter is needed, there might be a charge from the doctor to prepare and send it, particularly if the request comes directly from an insurance company. Because of this, it may
be best for the person travelling to ask the doctor themselves.
There are other things you might want to think about when travelling following a cancer diagnosis. Our Travel & Cancer booklet has lots of information that you may find helpful: https://cdn.macmillan.org.uk/dfsmedia/1a6f23537f7f4519bb0cf14c45b2a629/805-10061/mac11667-travel-and-cancer-e07?_ga=2.72855251.134237754.1665561642-1060364595.1650899811
If you’re travelling within most European countries, a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is free and currently allows you access to emergency state healthcare at reduced cost or sometimes for free.
It wouldn’t pay for you to get home due to a health problem but would cover treatment that is needed to allow you to continue a stay until their planned return. It even covers treatment of pre-existing medical conditions.
A guide on how to access health care in participating countries can be found here.
To apply for the GHIC card, click here- https://www.gov.uk/european-health-insurance-card
Alternatively, phone the automated service on 0300 330 1350. Existing holders of these cards should double-check the expiry date so that it is valid before travel.
Just so you’re aware, the Financial Guidance Service can provide information and guidance on all aspects of your personal finances to help you make informed decisions in the following areas;
Pensions and retirement options
Questions about insurance policies
Mortgages and money management
Arranging wills and trusts to protect your family
General financial planning questions
If there is anything from the above list that you would like to discuss, please reply to this message, or speak to us directly on the same number. To reach the Financial Guidance team just select options 1 then 2 then 1 again. Our team are available Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm. You can contact the Macmillan Support Line (freephone) on 0808 808 0000.
I hope this information helps and that you’re able to get cover in place.
Kind Regards
Will
