Travel insurance

Once you have finished treatment and have recovered to an extent from your experience of diagnosis and treatment, you may want to turn your attention to going on holiday. Though you have recovered from treatment and are on your journey back to recovery, you should always consider travel insurance as part of your holiday plans.

Insurance is especially important if you are travelling to a country with high medical costs, to places outside of the European Union. As you have had cancer treatment, and are recovering from treatment, you may find it harder to get travel insurance because you are perceived to be more likely to need medical treatment abroad.

If you are planning to travel, it is important you take the time to consider insurance, and the best way to cover yourself should you need any medical treatment abroad. Some insurance providers now operate on a case by case basis instead of declining everyone who has had cancer. You may require a medical certificate to confirm you are fit enough to travel; speak to your medical team about obtaining one of these.

Many providers will only cover you for any treatment you may need as long as it is unrelated to your cancer, which could end up costing you. You will need a policy that clearly states that you will be covered should you need treatment related to your cancer. As long as you have made the insurance provider aware of your history with cancer, they know that it is possible you may need treatment because of it, and they must pay according to the policy agreement. Due to this, it is important that you know what is covered in your policy.

When you first begin looking for insurance providers for quotes, be mindful that it will depend on the type of cancer you have had. Be prepared to answer questions about your diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Be honest with your answers and be as clear as possible about the treatment you have had, and how long you have been cancer free. If you don’t, it will affect the cover you receive should you need treatment whilst you are on holiday. Insurance providers have different policies on those who have had cancer in the past; some companies need you to be cancer free for three months, some for ten years.

The best thing you can do to ensure you are getting the best deal is to shop around and make sure you are always clear about what stage you are at with your cancer. For more information about purchasing insurance, go to: https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/buying-insurance-if-youre-ill-or-disabled

You can find out more about travelling with a blood cancer here.