travel insurance

[Buffy3]

New York I had a similar experience...with mentioning I may need surgery soon. Didn't mention it again. Its mean as my on said it was fine for me to go.

[Buffy3]

I used a company called holidaysafe.co.uk They insured me for bc + bone mets. Worth checking...I paid about £70 + £100 excess. I went on a cruise. xxx

[Newyork]

Just wanted to share my experience on this. Just spent all day trying to get insurance for a holiday in Sardinia and no one would insure me apart from all clear and insure cancer but the quotes were nearly a £1000.

I have secondary bone mets since the beginning in Nov 2010 which is reasonably controlled and the reason they wouldn't insure me is I have an ultrasound scan in the diary shortly after I return from holiday to measure a breast lump to see if it is growing which came up in a CT scan in June and on physical examination seems to be stable. Shocking!

Word of advice bear this in mind if you want insurance they don't like any scans or investigations pending regardless of the actual scan and its implications. V tempted to cancel the scan but think why should I alter my healthcare to suit them just wish I had known this beforehand.

Anyhow having cried my way through most the day just spoken to a company called stay sure who are insuring me without the breast cancer for £19 and he was a very nice young man. Here's to a holiday I really need one now!!!!

[Thumbie]

Just to say I tried eurotunnel after recommendations on here but they would not insure me. It seems they may have changed their policy. They referred me to Free Spirit who would insure me for 5 days in Spain at over £1000. Tried lots of other companies and struck gold with insurepink who quoted £71. I noticed the girl asked a series of questions that seemed to be tailored to the circumstances of someone like me (bone mets) rather than just stopping once she found I had secondaries, and either quoting megabucks or refusing to insure (which seemed to be the case with others).

[midwife06]

Euro tunnel is the ONLY company out there that will insure us lovely ladies with SBC it's genuine I have used their worldwide policy for a year now you just need a letter from your GP to say you are fit to travel, enjoy !

[Guest user]

Hi am I right in thinking that if you are still receiving chemo treatment they won't insure you even without secondary cancers? Thanks debs

[nicky08]

Hi kevinj, was this cover for primary or secondary BC? It seems quite low for secondaries but if it is, its worth anyone else on this thread checking them out, I've not heard of them before.
Nicky

[kevinj]

£62.50 Cover for you www.coverforyou.com 12 month cover

[Guest user]

Many thanks for the information on Eurotunnel Insurance. They do indeed do worldwide travel, and I have been quoted £112 annual worldwide travel for both me and my husband - yippee -Florida here we come!!!! I thought there may be a problem due to still having Herceptin and Tamoxifen, but it wasn't x x

[Porkie]

Hi Magna, thank you for this information. When I went to Australia it cost me in excess of £1000 for 4 weeks so I will try insure Pink for my next trip. Like you I was diagnosed in May 2011 with primary and secondaries in the bones. Most of the time I am fine but have the odd wobble.x

[Magda]

Hi I got insurance for Thailand from insure pink £300 I have BC with bone mets.

[Jam]

Have just got insurance from 'insurecancer'. Tried lots of companies but cos I'm having regular treatment they all said no after answering question after question. Insurecancer told me straight away they would get in touch with onc and not to worry but it would be expensive. As we had already booked the family holiday for 12 of us before my new diagnosis I was desperate to go. It's costing an extra £2000 but we go in 2 weeks and we are going to have a fantastic time. You might find a cheaper quote but I didn't have time or energy to carry on looking and the lady I spoke to understood the situation. Hope this helps good luck.

[Amber_D]

Hi,
I got insurance through Ok to Travel, £67 for a trip to Poland just had my last chemo travelling before Rads in August
xx

[Buffy3]

Hi, I have bc+sec mets. Tried virtually all companies listed here. They either said no or gave me a high quote. Was going to take out a basic insurance for the cruise to Norway. Anyway was browsing to cunard website and came across a link for insurance. Declared everything and it camw back at £78 for my oh n me.
www.holidaysafe.co.uk
I hope this helps. xxxx

[Mosiecat]

Hi Kirsti, Have a look at Freespirit Insurance as well. Got their name from Insurancewith when they refused me cover!

[Kirsti]

Hi Karen, that's great info, I will give them a go. The only company who would insure me today was one that was recommended on the Macmillan website, I think they were called Holiday Extras, they quoted £1400 approx for a seven night trip to Madeira which is ridiculous!! I will call Mia tomorrow and let you know how I get on. The companies do not seem to understand, it's not as if I'm on my last legs yet, my prognosis is between five and ten years and who knows with new treatments being trialled all the time, we may have quite a few holidays left in us yet 🙂 xxxx

[kjb67]

Hi Kirstie
I was told originally by Eurotunnel that they would insure me, I paid and had the documents, they then phoned me back and said they were cancelling the policy as I have secondary cancer to the liver and the lady who took the original phone call and sold me the policy should have not sold it, even though docs have said ok to travel. They refunded me my money. I then rang all the others and the only one who would insure me was MIA as I am on TDM-1 trial (targeted chemo and herceptin) and travel to Lanzarote 3 days after my next chemo. I paid £132 for 9 days.
Good luck
Karen

[Kirsti]

Hi eveveryone's have just tried to get a quote from Eurotunnel and they have told me that they do not insure people with a Cancer diagnosis. I have secondary breast cancer with bone mets. The only treatment I am receiving is the usual, hormone therapy, rads when needed and do not suffer with pain at the moment and my scan results show no progression. The sales advisor told me that the company has sought clarification and have said that if anyone it being treated, eg hormone therapy, that they are unable to provide insurance cover. Very dissappointed, if anyone can provide me with possible insurers I would be most greatful - Kirstie

[helen44]

Hi, another satisfied Eurotunnel travel insurance customer here! Don at Eurotunnel has just sorted an annual travel insurance policy for me & husband including full European motor breakdown cover & golf cover for £175 - amazing! First quote from elsewhere was £1099....... just for travel insurance!
Don was quite simply the loveliest person on the phone - very helpful & patient & went through all the medical stuff at least 3 times - I kept saying to him 'but I have cancer, surely it should be more?'.
Thank you lisalauren! Now I am off to France at Easter!
Helen x

[Guest user]

I understand your concern but I've taken out the policy and gone thru the health area and it's exactly as they say on the phone. If your medic says you're fit then you can go, if you're not considered fit then you can't. Only restriction I can see is 31 days max duration.
I think it's a different way of looking at travel insurance. Rather than have the overhead of expensive underwriters systems and presence in the background, plus extended call handling times requiring more staff, they are effectively using th emedics as underwriters.
Personally I'm going to get a letter from my onc (free from them, £18 from GP!) saying I'm fit before I travel - that's what I did at Xmas and it was no bother. Cos I use a wheelchair this is useful for airlines too!
Nina

[Mildred1602]

Hi
Have seen the posts re Eurotunnel. Based on last years experience of getting insurance for USA/Canada, the Eurotunnel policy seems to good to be true!
Has anyone had any experience of claiming on this policy? My oncologist is happy to provide a letter saying I am fit to travel & I am currently stable but still feel nervous about taking out the Eurotunnel policy.
Ingrid
PS We're off to Oz & NZ for 4 weeks - has to be done while we know I can do it!

[Guest user]

ive booked to go away in june but the nurse has told me i cant go grr holiday been paid for wanna cry

[C_Jo]

Hi
a big thank you for the info about Eurotunnel. Mia would not insure me for a week in Morroco and freestyle asked my GP for a lengthy report that cost me £30 before they would give a quote. Eurotunnel have sold me a worldwide years policy for under £80. All they require is for your GP or Consultant to declare that you are fit to travel.
i am over the moon!
All true best to you all
Claire

[lizcat]

Lisalauren - another one with major, major thanks to you for pointing us in Eurotunnel' s direction. I have done an annual policy for me and other half for the said 71 quid. Checked all info with the very helpful girl on the phone and seems perfect! Surrounded are to be congratulated on their position and great pricing. After all, we wouldn't' be travelling if we weren't fit enough and I for one want to be able to go to lovely places to see wonderful things while I can.

[nicky08]

Lisalauren, that is amazing, I read your post a while back but now it seems it's covering everyone 😉 I wish I even known or seen this before I paid out such a large amount earlier this year but, hey oh, I know where to go for next years' policy 🙂
Nicky
Ps I've just asked hubby if he'd like to know how low priced the Eurotunnel policy is and he's winced and said 'no, it's still too soon after paying out for the other one'!

[doxey]

Lisalauren,
I am another one worshipping at your feet - thank you so much for sharing Euro tunnel insurance with us.
I have a couple of other medical conditions in addition to breast cancer and have always struggled to get any travel insurance at all - or at a ridiculous price, even though I am quite fit and well actually! I have certainly never managed to get anyone to cover me on an annual policy either.
Eurotunnel have today covered both me and my husband on an annual policy for £71!!!!I have paid twice that for a single (one week) trip to Europe previously - just for myself.
My mother , who is 75 with pre existing medical conditions has just been covered by Eurotunnel for a week in Gran Canaria for £17 - last year she paid £85 for the same weeks cover!!
Many thanks again

[Guest user]

I was getting worried about insurance for a Saga cruise in Jan 13 for 35 nights in the Carribean which my husband had booked 2 days before I was recalled last Oct. We have insurance through our bank on speaking to them as I had P.E. after op and I have to take Warfarin for the rest of also asthma they really wanted to know how much medication I was on, and for the yearly quote I had to pay £147. which was a lot better than £1500 I was quoted by another firm just for the cruise.

[Guest user]

LisaLauren I'm another worshipping at your feet!! As far as insurance companies go I'm Satan - I have multiple bone mets, see my onc every 2 months, I'm on chemo, I'm on morphine - my last quote for Xmas in Mexico from AllClear was 12K for a 5K holiday!! Eurotunnel have just covered me and my husband for £112 annual worldwide, with a letter confirming fitness to travel which they don't want but suggest you get in case you need to make a claim!!
We cancelled Mexico cos of the insurance, and are now going to Madeira - was going to trust in EH111 card cos that was £3K plus - so relieved - I can travel!!
08443 35 35 35

Nina

[Lisalauren]

Weepixie
So very happy for you. Hope you enjoy many holidays to come x

[Guest user]

Lisalauren I can't thank you enough
I just got insurance sorted with Eurotunnel for half of what we paid last year (before cancer diagnosis) and we are good now for a whole year of holidays They were so lovely and helpful on the phone and no awkward questions to answer. I can't believe it was so simple after all the stress I've had with this. I'm off to search for flights!

[Lisalauren]

Weepixie
Try eurotunnel insurance , they do worldwide medical insurance cover and if your doctor will issue you with a letter saying your fit for travel they will only charge you what anyone would pay your age for travel insurance.

[Guest user]

I am having a nightmare with travel insurance, we have had to cancel 2 holidays this year already and our existing annual policy taken out before diagnosis will not cover any type of cancer. I have tried everywhere to get cover. All Clear quoted £4250 for 2 weeks just for the cancer cover and nothing else (I have other medical conditions to cover). It's more than the cost of the holiday! Nobody else will even quote.
I'm really annoyed that all those companies who use cancer in their name or promote themselves as covering all types of cancer do nothing of the sort. Are we simply supposed to stay at home now?

[Lisalauren]

Thought I would share this with all you ladies out there looking for reasonable travel insurance. Euro tunnel do their own insurance and if you have a letter from your doctor that you are fit to travel they do not charge you a premium on top of your standard quote.They do worldwide travel, not just the tunnel .
Best wishes to you all x

[Guest user]

Thanks nicky, you are right, I do need the holiday! How can you tell? , Haha! Xx

[nicky08]

I'm glad I can be of help 🙂
If ever you do want a quote from them it's all on line so you don't have to speak to a soul, which is rather nice when you have been through the countless, repetitive questions all the insurance companies ask! Not a 'terminal' question in sight, from what I remember.
Hope you have a fab holiday, sounds like you need it 🙂
Nicky x

[Guest user]

Hi nicky, that's so kind. I did try them and they quoted me really high! I think canary islands seem to be expensive too. Maybe annual policy ischeaper, I don't know! I got so upset and at wits end I just drew the line and paid the money...camuch ope with ringing round again being asked if I'm terminal etc! Thanks though, you are always very kind and helpful x k

[nicky08]

Hi golightly
Have you tried AllClear? They have a website giving quotes online which also gives an online discount. You may find the insurance cheaper and you can play around with whether you want an annual policy or single trip policy as well as the regions you want to travel in. I found them cheaper for annual cover than a single trip and the only destination that really loaded the premium was of course USA. You don't need to take their quote but it may be worth checking against what you have to pay to insurecancer, you can always cancel anything taken out within 14 days with the distance selling rules. BTW I have bone mets plus a couple of other pre existing conditions and didnt have a problem getting an annual policy - something I thought I'd never be able to get again. Just got to make the most of it now 😉
Nicky

[Guest user]

Just been quoted £650 for week incanary islands! This was InsureCancer, they were helpful and dealt with me sensitively. It's a lot of money but far less than the £2,000 and £3,000 I've been quoted. I have multiple bone mets with no other spread! Looks like they are a high risk to the insurers. I hope this helps anyone looking at this thread xx

[Ali_H]

Thanks Nicky 🙂

[nicky08]

Hi TotallyConfused and Ali H
Please don't panic about the amounts I have been talking about! You may not have realised that this is in the secondaries section and I'm assuming neither of you have secondaries? In that case insurance is far more widely available and a hell of a lot cheaper! ANY pre existing condition should be brought up with your insurers, high BP, diabetes, even severe asthma because you will not be covered if you had to make a claim arising from any pre existing condition, and they are tightening up all the time. Having said that I have travelled many times into Europe with no additional insurance, just my EHIC and a general annual policy, even with secondaries. However if I've gone further afield, or had a more expensive holiday in Europe, and I didn't want to lose out if I had to cancel then I have taken out specific insurance to cover my BC. Some annual policies do allow you to add BC as a pre existing condition for an additional premium and I think you have to declare it for at least 5 years after diagnosis, especially if medication is still being taken eg Tamoxifen.
There is another insurance thread in the employment, work and financial part of the general forum which may be less alarming for you lol
Nicky

[Ali_H]

Just rang my insurers (we have a rolling 12 month holiday insurance wotsit) and I am covered ok for everything....unless it's connected to my BC. Huh???? Is this normal? Thank heaven we're going to Calais, if I feel poorly we'll nip on the channel crossing pdq

[TotallyConfuse]

Hi - I may be looking at going away in October half-term (I work in a school) it never crossed my mind about having to take out extra insurance, would it still be as expensive for someone who was not on chemo? I had a small lump removed (IDC) on Tamoxifen and having 15 rads which finish end of September. We only travel as far as Lanzarote/Greece. Any informationn would be useful, our insurance, I have been told is usually only about £40 normally for the 2 of us!

[nicky08]

Thanks Marilyn.
Well, without wanting to bore everyone even more with my saga, yawn, yawn, there has been a better outcome that others might want to explore.
For some reason I decided to try another quote with AllClear, this time for an annual policy - yes, madness, or so I thought. I plugged in exactly the same info and, would you believe it an annual policy came out £100 cheaper, yes, cheaper, than the single policy, including USA. I am confirming this with them later but if it is the case I will sign up, so this may not be my farewell tour after all 🙂
It may be worth checking them out online as the question that is asked about the spread of BC is only 'has it spread beyond the breast' not 'how many places' so any of us with multiple sites may find insurance is possible. I'm not saying its cheap but, other than USA etc, the policy prices are not ridiculous and, if an annual policy can be bought it could be cheaper if you intend more than one trip or holiday abroad in 12 months -useful if you have family abroad like I had for the past 3 years.
I do agree with you though, Lucinda, sometimes the hassle isn't worth it. The UK has so much to offer and we've enjoyed a few mini breaks to The Cotwolds and The New Forest in the past 4 years (since dx) which have been just as lovely and a lot cheaper 🙂
Nicky x

[Guest user]

Hi Nicky - so glad to see you've been able to get some travel insurance, albeit for an eye-watering fee! Hope you have a good holiday in the States! xx

[lucinda]

It is not just USA that is getting difficult,the only quote I could get for the canaries(that did not cost more than the holiday) was with mia online.This will cover for everything bc related, but only by using the local hospital and my european health card.
My OH also has health problems, so I always need to take out a joint policy that will cover both of us to stay on in the case of any emergency.
I have now decided that because of ongoing pain problems the whole business of flying, and the stress of insurance, it is easier to stay in uk - so off to the cotswolds and praying for some sunshine.

[nicky08]

Hi Marilyn, good to see you 🙂 and hi to Debs
I've been lucky enough over the past few years to go 'westside' about 4 times since my secondary dx. Each time I used InsurePink and the premium has been about £240 for 5 days or a bit more for 7-10 days - very 'reasonable' in secondary BC terms (plus a couple of other pre-existing conditions brought on by chemo!) I was fully expecting to pay around £400-500 for 14 days so hadn't pre booked it when we arranged our trip. Maybe a big mistake, or maybe just as well as we would never had done it knowing how high the premium could be. Having phoned about 20 insurance companies the premiums have ranged from over £2000 to £1370 - which is the one I will have to bite the bullet and take. This is with AllClear, online with a 15% discount. Interestingly their phone quote was way higher, about £1900 for exactly the same medical screening.
If anyone is interested I can post up the list of the companies I tried and the results I got? A sort of up to date one from the earlier one. This was for USA and the quotes are considerably lower for rest of the World. If we had chosen to go to Mauritus for the same period of time it would cost about £550 so I guess we will head East or South from now on 😉
Nicky xx

[Guest user]

Hiya Nicky - so sorry to see you're having the same problems I had last year when I tried to get travel insurance to see friends/family in New York & go to a family wedding in Florida. Not a single company would even offer a quote for me - I have bone & liver mets (stable for years) but also a range of conditions arising from diabetes. Healthcare in the USA is simply too expensive for even the "specialist" insurance companies to cover all that.

I've been living with BC mets for almost 9 years now - in the early years, I used to get travel insurance that excluded BC if I wanted to see my family in the States, as - like you said - my situation wasn't particularly "brittle". But my health is just too unpredictable now, mainly because of diabetes-related conditions, and it would be too risky to travel anywhere without adequate healthcare coverage.

The other thing to bear in mind is that, even if you rely on the travel insurance with your BC excluded, the company might not cover you for any other health-related problems that might arise, as they could so easily connect almost anything with BC. Don't forget they're in the business of not spending their money!

Sorry I don't have any practical suggestions - it was a real shock to discover that I'd had my "farewell tour" of the States some years ago, without even realising it. I've lived in the UK for 40 years, so this is my home and I'm happy to have holidays here, but I agree that we're unfairly penalised by these insurance firms.

Please do let us know how you get on.

Marilyn xx

[Guest user]

Hi Nicky

I got insurance through Free Spirit for a 6 day trip to Vegas in February this year, it cost £1300!! But i had multiple bone mets, (skull, sternum, pelvis, and every bone in the spine). They were the only ones to insure me and my GP needed to fill a standard form for them.

Insure cancer may well be another to look at but they required a consultants report and they thought I was too much of a risk.

Just so you know, I was told to get me back home should anything happen would cost £50,000 and intensive care costs £10,000 a day in the US.

Good Luck, I hope you get to go.

Debs x

[nicky08]

Thanks ladies
I definitely wouldn't travel without cover so I'm a bit caught. I do have an annual policy as well, through my bank, that covers every other type of illness as well as general things like delays, baggage claims etc so I am covered if anything else goes wrong but it's the medical only bit I need. Europe isn't a problem, I think almost all of the companies listed at the beginning of the thread will cover me and in fact anywhere worldwide excluding USA, Canada and Caribbean will also be covered as I've just done an online quote with one of them to test it. Better make the most of the holiday as it will be the last time I visit America 😞
Nicky x

[Guest user]

Hi guys
I have just insured with insure and go, full cover and awaiting surgery and I am diabetic for £108.44 for a week in spain for me and my son, which I thought was really good.

Big hugs

Norma