At a glance
Cancer will be considered a pre-existing condition by insurers, so cover is likely to cost more.
It’s best to shop around to find the right travel policy for your circumstances.
You should tell your travel insurance provider about a cancer diagnosis, even if you’re in remission.
Travel insurance costs can vary depending on the type and grade of cancer you have.
How easy is it to find travel insurance for cancer patients?
It can be difficult to find the right travel insurance when diagnosed with cancer.
This is because travel insurance providers may think you’ll be more likely to make a claim for medical treatment while you’re away.
According to Macmillan Cancer Support, around 66% of cancer patients say that finding affordable insurance is a big concern.
Every year, more than 385,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer. But encouragingly, Cancer Research UK states that cancer survival statistics have increased significantly in the past 50 years.
Today, one in two people diagnosed with cancer will survive it for at least 10 years compared to one in four in the early 1970s.
With increased remission rates, finding affordable travel insurance for people with cancer is getting easier. But finding the right fit for your unique circumstances can sometimes seem overwhelming.
That said, many insurance providers now assess people on a case-by-case basis instead of automatically refusing to cover them.
Comparing the types of cover most suited to your circumstances doesn’t need to be stressful and time-consuming.
We can help steer you in the right direction with our fast, tailored comparison tool and tips for navigating through any complexity.
Customers with pre-existing medical conditions
If you have a serious health condition, your travel insurance is likely to be more expensive.
Whatever happens, tell your insurance provider the truth. If you give false information or miss something out, your claim could be rejected.
When you declare any medical conditions on our website, we’ll only show you quotes from insurance providers that will cover them with no exclusions.
If your condition is more serious, MoneyHelper has a directory of insurance providers who may be able to provide quotes over the phone. You can call them on 0800 138 7777.
Can I get travel insurance if I have cancer?
Not all travel insurance policies will cover cancer-related claims.
This means you may not be covered if you need cancer treatment in hospital while abroad – or if you have to cancel your trip because you’re too unwell to travel for cancer-related reasons.
If you want a policy that covers your condition, you may have to use a specialist insurance provider that offers travel insurance tailored to people with cancer, especially if your prognosis is terminal.
Alternatively, look for policies that don’t have any exclusions for claims relating to medical conditions that have been declared up front – such as those offered on Compare the Market.
However, be prepared that you may have to pay a higher premium, as there’s a perceived greater risk of you having to making a claim.
The cost of premiums can vary depending on the severity of your condition and the stage of treatment you’re at.
What do insurance providers need to know about my cancer?
If you have a pre-existing condition such as cancer, your travel insurance needs to be careful assessed.
Ultimately, it pays to provide as much detail as you can, as honestly as you can, in case you ever need to make a claim.
Insurance providers may ask lots of questions, so if you’re in remission or know the state and grade of your illness, make sure you tell them as much as you can.
Insurance providers might ask about:
The type of cancer you have
Whether the cancer has spread
The grade of the cancer
What treatment you’ve had and are currently undergoing
If you have prescription drugs to declare
What follow-up care you’re having
The prognosis – the outlook.
You’ll also need a doctor’s letter saying you’re well enough to travel.
Does it matter where I travel to?
It might, as some places have high medical costs, so treatment can be more expensive. For example, medical costs in the USA are typically very high.
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), one claim in 2024 for emergency hospital treatment in the USA and repatriation to the UK cost more than £1 million.
So it might be more difficult to find affordable cancer travel insurance if you’re planning to go there.
Also, be aware that you might not be able to get travel insurance at all for the USA if your cancer is incurable.
It’s best to run through some options with your preferred insurance provider before you purchase, if you’re not sure whether you’ll be covered for your chosen destination.
What if I’m in remission from cancer?
It’s good to tell a potential insurance provider the full details of any treatments you’ve had in the past, or how long you’ve been in remission.
Premiums can vary according to your condition’s status – both now and in the past.
If you no longer have cancer, you should be able to get travel insurance. But you may need a doctor’s certificate confirming your recovery and declaring you fit to travel.
Some providers might only cover you if you’ve been cancer-free for a few months, or even years.
It’s best to be honest about your past condition, even if you’re fully recovered. If you don’t tell your insurance provider, it could reject any claim you make and refuse to pay out.
Can a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) help if I have cancer?
Yes, if you have cancer and are travelling to Europe, it’s helpful to have a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
The GHIC or EHIC gives you access to emergency or medically necessary treatment in the EU and a few other countries including Australia.
‘Medically necessary’ means state healthcare that cannot reasonably wait until you’re back in the UK. This includes medically necessary treatment for pre-existing and chronic conditions.
Depending on the country, state healthcare may be free or at the same cost a local resident would pay.
Be aware that treatments like chemotherapy may need to be pre-arranged with the state provider of the country you’re visiting. Check before you go as there’s no guarantee they’ll have the capacity to provide you with this care.
While it can be reassuring to have a GHIC, it’s not a substitute for travel insurance. It won’t cover repatriation, holiday cancellation or your baggage. If you want cover for these eventualities, you’ll need to have suitable travel insurance in place.
You can apply for a free UK GHIC or EHIC here.
Travel tips for cancer patients
Discuss destinations with your doctor and find out what vaccinations, if any, you may need.
Check if the destination you’re visiting has any restrictions on medicines you can take into the country.
Buy travel insurance as soon as you book your trip in case you need to cancel before you go.
Let the airline know if you need any special assistance or specialist equipment, like oxygen.
Make sure you have enough medicines to last the holiday.
Get a doctor’s letter explaining your condition and a list of your medicines.
Keep a prescription of your medicines in case they are lost or stolen.
We can help you compare
We’ve made it as easy as possible for you to compare providers. You can now search based on your requirements and compare policies from across a range of insurance providers.
Our panel includes providers who can offer an online quote for most customers with pre-existing medical conditions, as well as specialist providers who can offer an offline quote.
Compare with us today and see if you could save on your travel insurance.
FAQs
Can I get travel insurance if I’m undergoing chemotherapy?
Treatments like chemotherapy can sometimes cause short-term health problems.
Recent chemotherapy can affect your immune system which could make you more prone to infections. This may make it more difficult to get travel insurance.
If you’re between courses of chemotherapy, talk to your cancer specialist about the best time to go away.
However, you’ll likely need a specialist policy that covers cancer-related medical problems.
Can I take cancer medication into a foreign country?
Some countries restrict what medicines you can take in. You should check with the country’s embassy or High Commission to see if any restrictions apply.
Find out well in advance and get a GP’s letter explaining your condition, list of medicines and dosage.
Can I get travel insurance if I have terminal cancer?
A few specialist providers may cover people living with a terminal cancer diagnosis. However, it’s unlikely you’ll get cover if you have a terminal prognosis of less than six months.
Looking for something else?
With more than eight years’ experience in writing and sub-editing content, Karen started her career in fashion before making the move to insurance. She now specialises in producing clear, engaging content that helps people make better financial decisions.
Karen’s areas of expertise include insurance products, such as car insurance, travel insurance and life insurance, as well as utilities such as energy comparison.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.
Our content is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by technology. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.
