When to get insurance/fit to fly

Hi AngelicaA 

Personally, I’ve always had my insurance in place when booking a holiday to give peace of mind but things change once you get a cancer diagnosis and are undergoing treatment.

I did have to cancel a long haul holiday when I got my diagnosis, but was able to put in a claim by getting a confirmation letter from my consultant and the claim was paid because my insurance was in place. 

Every time since then, I call the insurer with any changes and they decide whether I can be covered or not. The critical thing for me has been to tell them everything. When I finished treatment (chemo and radiotherapy) they would not cover my cancer until I had been 6 months from a clear scan and a no evidence of disease result. I was able to get cover for everything else like loss of luggage, theft, lost passport etc and anything that wasn’t connected to cancer like an accident.

I did travel (not on any treatment but only 5 months from a clear scan) and was ok while away but that was my decision and I was comfortable to have cancer excluded from any potential claim. 

If you are planning to book a holiday now, while you are still undergoing radiotherapy, it may be difficult and/or more expensive to get travel insurance. You would need to declare your cancer, and your current treatment for the insurance company to make a decision. 

I’ve travelled many times since my first line of treatment and have never personally been asked to provide a fit to fly letter. But I would have asked my consultant to do one for me if needed. 

I hope you can get something sorted as I know how important to have a nice holiday to look forward to. 

Sarah xx

I agree with the previous reply. It’s important to have insurance in place but it’s likely to be difficult, if not impossible, to obtain it at the present stage of your treatment. 

I understand you’re desperate to book a holiday and having something to look forward to but booking now, without the certainty of being able to get affordable insurance, is risky. 

By all means contact insurance providers to see what’s available and the cost but my advice would be to try to be patient. Make plans but don’t commit yet. Maybe have a short break in the U.K. meanwhile. 

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I didn't realise they wanted so many months and clear scans etc, so thank you for making me aware of that. Also, I didn't consider insurance covering all the other things just not the cancer. Lots to think about. 

I'm glad you've managed to travel lots since your diagnosis, very encouraging. 

thanks again xx

Thank you..

Yes, maybe I will have to just enjoy doing the research so once I can book, I know what I'd like to do. 

I didn't realise it would be quite so tricky, I was honestly expecting to be able to get insurance as soon as radiotherapy ended. Lots to learn...

Thanks for taking the time to reply xx

What I’ve sometimes done is book hotel accommodation on a free cancellation basis, knowing that I can cancel if I’m not fit to travel or can’t get insurance. It makes the prospect of a trip seem more real but without the risk of losing money. Of course, it means greater disappointment if I do have to cancel compared to not having booked at all. 

I wish you well. The cancer journey sometimes seems endless but there is light at the end of the tunnel and your holiday will be waiting for you. 

Hello AngelicaA,

That's great advice from all above.

Just one other thing - when it's time to start planning your holiday come back here to ask for any recommendations of travel insurers that have provided good deals. 

All the best,

Derek.

This is a great idea! A good compromise to have something to look forward to but without the risk! Thank you, I wish you well xx

I will do! Thank you ! 

Everyone is so helpful on here, it's my first time and really appreciate the advice.