Getting travel insurance when you've been affected by cancer
Getting travel insurance when travelling overseas is important, but the decision to buy cover is a personal one. You should consider the risks associated, including cancellation and loss of baggage, as well as health-related issues.
How does travel insurance work?
When a company considers if it is able to offer you a travel insurance policy, and at what price, they consider what kind of risk you pose. They will ask you a set of questions to find out how likely it is that you will make a claim. Once you have answered those questions, the company will then consider how much risk they are prepared to take if they insure you, which is called the ‘underwriting’ process. The company will also look at how many claims they have received, even those that may not be related to cancer. For example, an event like an earthquake may affect a company’s attitude to the types of insurance it wishes to provide.
Any kind of insurance premium you pay forms a pool of money (a ‘premium’ is the amount you pay for the travel insurance). The higher the risk you pose to the pool, the more you will be asked to contribute to it. The whole process may seem impersonal, but the company is assessing and pricing the possibility of you making a claim on any policy they may offer you.
Why can it be difficult to get travel insurance if you have cancer?
If you have health problems, such as cancer, most insurers will regard this as a ‘pre-existing condition’. Each company will take a different view of the increased risk you represent. If you are having treatment, or if you are terminally ill, you may find it difficult to get cover. For this reason, you may wish to go direct to a specialist broker who is prepared to look at your circumstances in more detail.
What options do insurance companies give?
When you approach companies you may be presented with a number of options, including:
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travel insurance at their standard price
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travel insurance with a higher ‘premium’ because you have cancer, or have had cancer in the past
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to apply for an ‘excess’ - you pay a set amount towards any costs when you make a claim, eg if you make a successful claim for £250 and the excess on the policy is £50, then you will receive £200. Whether you are charged an excess, and how much this is, depends on the company
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travel insurance with a ‘cancer-related exclusion’ - you would not get cover for a claim which is related to your cancer. If you take any type of exclusion you should ask questions to understand exactly what you are and are not covered for
With insurance, it is quite normal to have to shop around to find a product that meets your needs.