I appreciate that this question has probably been asked many times on this forum but my circumstances are probably different in so much has I am due to complete my treatment tomorrow so thought I’d look at obtaining travel insurance quotes so we can travel again.
I had a mastectomy in October 2024, followed by 3 weeks of radiotherapy, prior to the mastectomy I also had chemotherapy. The pathology results from the mastectomy showed that there were no cancer cells present in the breast tissue so the chomotherapy had done its job.
Since the radiotherapy I’ve been having a 3 weekly phesgo injection, and also a 6 monthly zeledronic acid infusion.
We went to Tenerife earlier in the year and I managed to obtain travel insurance as I was still having the phesgo injections but with that due to finish tomorrow I’m having difficulty obtaining travel insurance, most companies won’t even cover me, and the one that would wanted £1,700 for a 16 day policy. It must be because I’ll no longer be having any preventative medication. I still have 5 more zeledronic acid infusions to go but I believe it’s not classed as a preventative.
I’ve tried most insurers, AllClear, CoverWise, Staysure etc and also comparison sites like Payingtoomuch, does anyone know any way round this problem. You’d think that having being clear of cancer and not needing preventative medication would be a bonus, instead they look at it negatively.
Thanks in advance
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I have metastatic TNBC, I am in remission, not on any treatment. I have previously had surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy and an adverse event from the immunotherapy which caused an acute kidney injury and impacted my thyroid. I have very affordable annual travel insurance from Insurancewith. It’s my second year with them - during the first I was still on treatment. The premium stayed the same when my treatment stopped as presumably my underlying situation and risk hasn’t changed. Have you tried them?
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Most of the insurance quotes I got, asked if as was having active treatment, which I believe is a deciding factor. Once complete they seem quite accommodating. Reason why I make this comment, I was using an online quote tool, just after diagnosed, and I was playing around with all the scenarios (I didn’t know at that point what my treatment plan was), before booking a holiday.
I’m not on Phesgo, and not sure how that differs…like you I have Zoledronic, and also Zoladex. I’m with Admiral, and it was about £100 for annual European insurance. Although I might need to get back in touch with them soon, because my liver is playing up and I’m waiting for advice from Onco before I inform them. We are going a way in a couple of weeks…that might push the price up 
Do you think they have mis-understood?
Hi Coddfish,
Thanks for your reply, I’ve just tried them and their questions are more specific for people who have had any form of cancer, so thank you for pointing me in that direction. I was offered an annual worldwide policy (exc USA and Caribbean) for £361 but possessions and cancellation cover is a bit low (£300 and £1,000), it doubles in price if I increase to the next level. So if I leave my decent clothes at home and book hotels that I can cancel, the lower quote is an option, at least it puts my mind at rest that someone will insure me. Many thanks for pointing me in that direction.
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Hi Sal1,
Thanks for your reply. Initially when I was looking for a policy I went through a link on Martin Lewis’s website (Medical Travel Compared), it’s when I get to the question “Is there any further treatment planned”, you have an option of (1) yes, (2) no or (3) preventative medication ie tamoxifen, so I answered No as zeledronic acid isn’t actually a cancer treatment, it’s a bone infusion. Do you think I should have answered yes. When I went to Tenerife for a week I got a really good policy for the 7 days but that was whilst I was still having the phesgo injections.
I hope you get your problems with your liver sorted and you get to enjoy a holiday.
Many thanks for taking the time to reply x
Hi Sal1,
I tried changing the answer for “Is there any further treatment planned” to No and I still get the same reply " We’re sorry, but our providers are unable to offer cover to meet your needs". At this rate it looks like Insurancewith are going to get my money!
Ah yes, I’Ve had a “we’re sorry” . It was because I had too many medical items listed. The automated system can’t seem to cope with it. I also have epilepsy and asthma, and my husband has a couple of minor conditions that need to be disclosed. Anything beyond three, seemed to throw out that reply.
Regarding the on going treatment question, when I spoke an advisor they said it was aimed at surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. I also had to be 6 months (I think it was) from surgery.
Might be best to call one or two and see if that makes a difference on how it is interpreted.
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That’s more or less what I do. I typically organise as close as possible to the date, when I am sure I am not going to have to cancel. But it gives me peace of mind that if I have a medical emergency when abroad, I will be fully covered.
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Hello
I have had chemotherapy, double mastectomy, and radiotherapy. I have 3 more Phesgo jabs to go.
I got my travel insurance through payingtoomuch.com. I can’t remember all the questions but I remember being asked if I was still having or due to have surgery, chemo or radiotherapy which I said no to. My oncologist said this was correct response as phesgo isn’t chemotherapy. I was also asked “has all the cancer been removed?” which my oncologist confirmed I could say yes to.
I also declared COPD , gall stones, anxiety and depression and they covered me! So I am wondering if it’s the cancer related stuff or your other conditions that have made “computer says no” result. I would definitely ring them and check it out with them. Sometimes systems automatically say no when a human can discuss things and say yes.
Best of luck and, more importantly, happy holidays. X
Hi @juxined
If you’re 50+ take a look at Saga. I was amazed at how cheap their annual policy to include a trip to Australia. Mine includes a whole load of other conditions not just BC.
It’s often better to look at annual policies - they are not proportional expensive compared to weekly.
Hope you find something so you can get away.
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Hi Jayesse,
I did have a look at Payingtoomuch as the link was in Martin Lewis’s website and I received the same message, “unable to insure you”.
In March I managed to get a week’s cover for my trip to Tenerife and it was only £26, I appreciate Tenerife is going n the EU. I’m wondering if it was because I was still having preventative medication ie the phesgo injection.
At least I know that I can get insurance so can get something booked. We normally book flight only and separate hotel so I’ll just have to look for a holiday that is cancelable.
Thanks so much for replying x
Hi Gelbel,
I hadn’t thought of Saga. I’m definitely over 50, currently 66 which probably puts the price up. I fortunately don’t have any other medical issues to declare so find it surprising that some companies must look at me as a risk.
It’s got to be something to do with completing treatment in the last 12 months or the fact that there’s no other treatment planned, it feels like I’m refusing treatment as I’m not ticking the box for preventative medication.
I’ll take a look at Saga, I should have thought of them as I have a bank account with them.
Best wishes and many thanks for the tip x
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I would definitely agree that in these situations it’s much better to pick up the phone and speak to someone about your specific requirements rather than talk to the computer
In my day job I often have to obtain insurance for clients, in some straightforward cases the online facility is fine, but in a lot cases I cannot tick “confirm” to the broad questions asked, so the question then goes through to a human broker who can give a more considered response and obtain a policy for the same price as the “advertised price” for the easy policy
My husband has some “low level” health concerns that don’t “fit in the box” so always speaks to someone about our travel insurance policies.
It is worth bearing in mind that insurance policies can be instantly voided if information supplied when buying the policy is incorrect: far better to make it someone else’s responsibility by answering a broker’s more nuanced questions than just ticking the online boxes to avoid being caught out when trying to claim
AM xx
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Insurancewith always come up. From my breast care team to friends I have made. I have normal travel insurance with my bank and always have. Insurancewith tops up my cancer cover and I paid £270 for the year for multiple worldwide travel. Please do check them out.
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H
.we are with Aviva
There is an ongoing thread about travel insurance on here
Use the search to find it, lots of information and tips
Good luck
Insurewith - I’ve used them twice & they have always been very helpful. I have Secondary Breast Cancer & on everlasting chemo tablet treatment so getting quotes is even more problematic.
FYI - Fiona McCrae set up Insurewith after she had Breast Cancer & found problems getting travel insurance.
Enjoy your holiday
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Hi @carols89
I think you mean InsuranceWith. Insurewith dissolved in 2013. Fiona Macrae set up Insurancewith.
Whoops - well done for noticing the error! Chemo brain!!! Many thanks 
Hi there. InsureandGo gave me an annual policy for Europe for £136, after my mastectomy and radiotherapy were completed in May 2024. They specialise in existing conditions and weren’t phased by me having had cancer. Highly recommend 
I got a really good deal with Insurancewith- the lady who set it up had breast cancer herself. Hope you find some xx