Travel insurance and breast cancer

Primary breast cancer

If you’re planning to travel abroad, it can be more difficult to get travel insurance because of your diagnosis.

However, some companies specialise in providing cover for people who are currently having treatment or have had cancer in the past. You may need to try several companies to get suitable cover.

Most travel insurance providers base their decision to offer cover on medical screening questions, so one person may be offered cover while another may not. 

If you do have problems finding insurance, this can be frustrating, especially as a breast cancer diagnosis is beyond your control.

Your travel insurance will only cover claims related to your breast cancer or treatment if you tell the insurer about them when you buy the policy.

Metastatic breast cancer

Many people with metastatic (secondary) breast cancer are able to arrange travel insurance and continue to enjoy travelling.

However, you’ll probably have to pay a higher premium. This is because you’re considered more likely to make a claim because of ongoing treatment and possible side effects.

Some companies may not be able to offer you cover, for example if you have only just finished a course of treatment or recently come out of hospital.

Most travel insurance providers base their decision to offer cover on medical screening questions, so while one person may be offered cover another may not. 

If you already have an annual travel insurance policy or free travel insurance (for example through your bank), tell your insurer about your breast cancer diagnosis. It may change the cost of your insurance and you might want to look at other insurers.

The Money Helper website and British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) have a travel insurance directory. They help people with pre-existing medical conditions, such as breast cancer, to find travel insurance.

The following tips may help you when looking for travel insurance.

Try multiple insurance providers

Many insurers are reluctant to cover people with cancer because they are considered more likely to make a claim.

There are some companies that specialise in providing cover for people with cancer.

Shop around for quotes, premiums and terms, which may vary widely.

Allow plenty of time to get quotes as you may need to contact several companies before you find suitable cover.

Check the cost before you book your holiday

It may be worthwhile checking the cost of travel insurance before booking your holiday, in case the cost of insurance means you cannot take the trip you want.

It can be easier and less expensive to get travel insurance cover for some countries (such as European destinations) than for others (such as the USA).

Check with the people you’re travelling with

If you’re travelling with someone who has a different policy from you, they’ll need to tell their travel insurance provider about your cancer. Otherwise they may not be covered if you have to cancel or cut the holiday short (curtailment) because of your illness.

It may be helpful for the people you are travelling with to be insured on the same policy as you. This means you are all more likely to be covered if you need to make a claim because of your breast cancer.

Be flexible with timing

If you can be flexible with the timing of your holiday, travel insurance may be cheaper.

For example, quotes for 6 or 9 months after surgery or starting a new treatment may cost less than 2 or 3 months after.

Hear from others affected by breast cancer

Visit our online discussion forum to see what people have to say about travel insurance companies based on their own experience of getting cover and making a claim. 

Understand your cover

Make sure you understand exactly what you’re covered for. You may want to ask:

• How much you’re covered for
• Whether you’ll be covered if your trip is cancelled
• How much excess you need to pay if you make a claim
• Whether the policy covers you for your cancer diagnosis and treatment
• If there are any exclusions
• The contact details for your travel insurance company
• How much the travel insurance policy costs
• Whether it covers you for the year or 1 trip

Check policy wording carefully to make sure it covers your requirements. If there’s something you don’t understand, ask the insurer to explain it.

Medical history

You’ll need to give details of your medical history (your cancer and other medical conditions) to get a quote. This is known as medical screening.

The insurer will use this information to work out if they can offer you a policy, what it will cover and how much it will cost.

For some people the experience of going over the information can be distressing, even years after diagnosis.

It can be helpful to have all the relevant information to hand, such as:

• When were you diagnosed
• What type of breast cancer did you have
• Has the breast cancer spread to other parts of the body
• What type of surgery did you have
• Which chemotherapy drug combination did you have and when
• Which hormone therapy drug are you taking
• Whether you’ve had or will be having radiotherapy 
• Whether you’re taking targeted therapy and how often
• What other medications you’re currently taking

If you have metastatic breast cancer, the insurer may ask you more information about your cancer, any scans you’ve had and symptoms you’ve got at the moment.

You might find it difficult to talk about breast cancer several times in one day. You might want to consider having a friend or relative with you while you do this or limit the number of companies you contact in one day.

You might find it helpful to use an insurance broker to find a suitable insurance provider. Some companies let you medically screen yourself online first.

If you need help with providing any of the information you’re asked for, your treatment team should be able to provide this.

Insurance brokers

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) can help you find a qualified insurance broker. Insurance brokers take your details, check and compare insurance options, and then search for providers on your behalf. Visit their website or call 0370 950 1790 to find out more.

Doctor’s letter

You may need a doctor’s letter from either your treatment team or your GP confirming that you have a diagnosis of breast cancer and are fit to travel. Some doctors may charge for this.

You may also need a letter from your doctor confirming that it’s safe for you to travel while taking a particular medication. 

After treatment for primary breast cancer

You may consider an insurance policy that excludes claims relating to your breast cancer. This might be the case if you’ve finished treatment and you’re unlikely to seek medical treatment because of your breast cancer while you’re away.

However, this will also exclude claims that could be linked to any treatment you’re still having. For example, if you’re taking tamoxifen and you develop a DVT (deep vein thrombosis), this may not be covered as it could have been caused by the tamoxifen.

Some insurance companies may also exclude all pre-existing medical conditions if you choose to exclude your breast cancer.

Speak to your GP or treatment team before excluding breast cancer from your insurance cover, and make sure you understand exactly what you’re excluding.

You must still give your full medical details to the insurance company providing your cover.

If you have metastatic breast cancer

It may be possible to exclude your breast cancer from your cover to get a cheaper premium.

However, it’s best to try to get full cover and pay the extra premium. If you don’t, any treatment related to your breast cancer and treatment will not be covered by the policy and you’ll have to pay for this.

For example, some treatments may mean you’re more at risk of developing an infection.  If you do get an infection on holiday and need hospital treatment for it, this would not be covered by insurance if you excluded cover for your breast cancer.

Some insurance companies may also exclude all pre-existing medical conditions if you choose to exclude your breast cancer.

The living with secondary breast cancer board on our online discussion forum includes personal experiences of finding travel insurance and making a claim.

If you’re travelling to a country within the European Economic Area (EEA), there are mutual health arrangements that you can benefit from if you need medical care while you are on holiday.

This will entitle you to emergency state-provided healthcare at the same cost as a local resident.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) are not an alternative to travel insurance. They will not cover any private medical healthcare or costs such as being flown back to the UK if you cannot travel back as planned. So it’s important to have a valid travel insurance policy as well as an EHIC or GHIC.

Find out more about the EHIC and GHIC cards and how to apply on the NHS website.  

Free emergency medical treatment is also available to UK residents visiting Australia and New Zealand through reciprocal health agreements.

If you’re having treatment for primary or metastatic breast cancer, the following tips may help you prepare for your trip:

• Check where the nearest large public hospital to where you are staying is, as small local tourist facilities are unlikely to have specialist doctors
• Take the contact details of your treatment team and any alert cards relating to your diagnosis and treatment
• Take your insurance documents with you when you travel, including your insurer’s 24-hour emergency number
• Check the side effects of any treatment you’re having as you may need to take extra precautions on holiday (for example being extra careful in the sun)
• Check if you need any vaccinations before you travel and speak to your treatment team before having them

Macmillan Cancer Support  produces information on travel insurance. For more information visit their website or call 0808 808 00 00.

You can also get tips from others who are looking for travel insurance on our online forum.

Or get in touch with our nurses to discuss your questions – see the bottom of this page for ways to get in touch.