Can I get travel insurance if I have cancer?
If you can say yes to all of the below, then we should be able to cover your type of cancer, but it will depend on your circumstances:
✔ You’re not currently undergoing or awaiting treatment or surgery
✔ Your doctor would say you’re fit to travel
✔ You’ve not been given a terminal prognosis of less than 6 months after your planned return date
When getting your quote, you’ll need to tell us about the type of cancer you have. It’s a good idea to be prepared with details of the medication you take and how long ago you had any treatment. We understand this can sometimes be difficult to talk about. You can choose to get your quote online in your own time, or talk to our friendly team.
If we can offer you a policy and cover your medical conditions, you’ll have access to our round-the-clock support (from our emergency medical support line) when you need it the most. Trust us, it makes all the difference.
What does holiday insurance for cancer patients cover?
Cancer travel insurance can give you the confidence to travel the world, knowing if there’s a medical emergency, we’ll be there. Our generous cancellation cover can also help you to recover any costs should your cancer mean you’re unable to travel.
Take out your policy as soon as you’ve booked your trip and you’ll also be covered for:
✔ Travel delays and disruptions
✔ Lost or damaged baggage
✔ Lost or stolen cash
✔ Cutting your holiday short
You can find out more in our guide to what travel insurance covers.
What does cancer travel insurance not cover?
While our travel cover is comprehensive, it’s important to understand that there are a few things that unfortunately we can’t cover.
If we’re unable to cover you, check the Money Helper Travel Insurance Directory. It lists other specialist insurers, who might be able to help.
| Basic | |
|---|---|
| Medical emergencies and repatriation | Up to £5m |
| Cancellation | Up to £500 |
| Cutting your holiday short | Up to £500 |
| Baggage | Up to £300 |
| Travel delay | Up to £300 |
| Money and passport | Up to £300 |
| COVID-19 | |
| Excess | £129 |
| Comprehensive | |
|---|---|
| Medical emergencies and repatriation | Unlimited |
| Cancellation | Up to £5k |
| Cutting your holiday short | Up to £5k |
| Baggage | Up to £2.5k |
| Travel delay | Up to £1.5k |
| Money and passport | Up to £500 |
| COVID-19 | |
| Excess | £99 |
| Signature | |
|---|---|
| Medical emergencies and repatriation | Unlimited |
| Cancellation | Up to £10k |
| Cutting your holiday short | Up to £10k |
| Baggage | Up to £5k |
| Travel delay | Up to £1.5k |
| Money and passport | Up to £500 |
| COVID-19 | |
| Excess | £0 |
| Basic | Comprehensive | Signature | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical emergencies and repatriation | Up to £5m | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Cancellation | Up to £500 | Up to £5k | Up to £10k |
| Cutting your holiday short | Up to £500 | Up to £5k | Up to £10k |
| Baggage | Up to £300 | Up to £2.5k | Up to £5k |
| Travel delay | Up to £300 | Up to £1.5k | Up to £1.5k |
| Money and passport | Up to £300 | Up to £500 | Up to £500 |
| COVID-19 | |||
| Excess | £129 | £99 | £0 |
These are just a few of the things our policy covers. For the ins and the outs, take a look at our policy wording.
Get QuoteThe cost of travel insurance for cancer patients can vary depending on several factors, such as:
You can find out more about what affects the price of travel insurance in our guide.
Can I fly with cancer?
"If you're living with cancer, it's important to check if it's okay for you to fly. Sometimes certain cancer treatments can affect your ability to fly due to changes in cabin pressure or oxygen levels."
- Dr Stephanie Ooi, GP
If your cancer changes simply let us know and we’ll do our best to adjust your cover. In some cases, you may be asked to pay an extra premium to cover changes, plus an admin fee.
You can also make changes to your policy online with My Account.
In rare cases, we may have to cancel your policy if we can no longer cover you.
Medical screening is where we ask you a few questions about the pre-existing medical conditions you tell us about. Some of the questions we’ll ask may include:
You can learn more about what medical screening is in our blog.
You may be able to get travel insurance for your terminal cancer if:
We’re unable to give you a quote for your trip online, so please give our friendly team a call.
If, in the last two years, you’ve had treatment, been prescribed medication, attended any consultations, investigations or check-ups for cancer you’ll need to let us know. Even if you are currently in remission or cancer-free.
If you don’t tell us about your past cancer history, you may not be covered if you need to make a claim.
Yes, it still counts as a pre-existing medical condition.
If you’ve received any treatment, been prescribed medication, had any consultations, investigates or check-ups related to cancer in the last two years please tell us about it.
If you don’t let us know, you may not be covered if you need to make a claim.
The GHIC/EHIC won’t cover the cost of any pre-planned cancer treatment, but it can give you access to free or discounted emergency treatment for your pre-existing medical conditions.
Only medical travel insurance can cover you for the full cost of emergency medical treatment. As well as any emergency transport back home if you need it.
You may still be able to travel with insurance even if your condition is undiagnosed. We just won’t be able to cover you for claims related to any of your pre-existing or undiagnosed medical conditions.
You’ll be covered for medical emergencies and cancellation, as long as they’re not related to any medical conditions, as well as things like travel delays, lost baggage money and passports.
We’re unable to give you a quote for your trip online if you haven’t been diagnosed yet, so please give our friendly team a call.
When it comes to most prescribed or over-the-counter medicines, different countries have their own rules and regulations on what you can take.
If you’re taking any cancer medication on holiday with you, it’s best to ask your doctor or pharmacist whether your medicine contains a controlled drug. If it does, reach out to the embassy or High Commission of your destination country for advice.
If you’re carrying medicines abroad for the first time, it might be helpful to read these top tips on travelling with medication.
If you’re awaiting, or receiving treatment for your cancer, we may be able to cover you.
We’re unable to give you a quote online, so call us for free to speak to our friendly team.
Get your travel insurance quote now and choose extra cover exactly where you need it the most
If you’re going to be taking expensive tech away with you, like a laptop, smartwatch or smartphone, Gadget Cover can protect an unlimited number of your devices for up to £2,000.
This cover includes protection against accidental loss or theft, damage from accidents or malicious intent, liquid damage, and unauthorised call, text or data usage.
It’s available on Comprehensive policies as an add-on, but included on Signature policies as standard. Learn more about Gadget and Mobile Phone Travel Insurance.
Extra cover for travel disruptions relating to volcanic eruptions, explosions, tsunamis and snowstorms. This add-on can also cover the costs for additional overseas accommodation and travel, extended travel delays and food poisoning outbreaks at your hotel.
Find out more about our Travel Disruption cover and what is already covered on a standard policy. Travel Disruption Extension Cover can be added to any policy.
Off on a cruise holiday? Cruise Plus Cover protects you against things like not being able to dock at a scheduled port due to bad weather, and cabin confinement.
It’s available on Comprehensive and Signature policies. Find out more about our different levels of Cruise travel insurance.
If you need to make a claim, having an excess waiver means you won’t have to pay out from your own pocket. This can’t be added retrospectively and does not apply to Car Hire Excess Waiver or Gadget cover.
It’s available on Comprehensive policies as an add-on, but included on Signature policies as standard.
This add-on can help if you have a medical emergency while taking part in winter sports activities. Available on Comprehensive and Signature Single Trip policies, it can also help cover the costs should you lose or damage your own winter sports equipment as well as cover the costs of unused ski passes, piste closures and avalanches.
Winter sports cover is already included as standard when you choose a Comprehensive or Signature Annual policy and covers you for two trips, up to a total of 28 days. Find out more about Winter Sports travel insurance.
Golf insurance covers your golf equipment rental and non-refundable fees. It also includes up to £300 if you’re lucky enough to strike a hole in one. (It’s tradition for the hole-in-one golfer to buy a round of drinks for everyone in the club!)
To make a claim for hole-in-one cover, you’ll need to be a member of an officially recognised golf club affiliated with a national golf union, be playing at an affiliated golf course and have your scorecard signed by your playing partner.
It’s available on Comprehensive and Signature policies when playing non-professionally only.
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