Specialist Travel Insurance for Cancer Patients
A diagnosis of cancer calls for a closer look at policy wording. The questions are designed to match your circumstances with available cover options. Compare policies on cover quality and limits as well as the premium.
- Cover available for cancer and other declared conditions
- Travel companions can be included on the same policy
- Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trip options available
- Medical screening available online or over the phone
Can I get Travel Insurance if I have Cancer?
Travel Insurance can be available whether you are having treatment, living with cancer, in remission or have finished treatment. The options available will depend on your individual circumstances, including your diagnosis, treatment, current health and the details of your holiday.
Just Travel Cover works with a panel of insurers with different medical criteria. Once you’ve completed the medical screening, we’ll show you the options available based on the information you provide. You can then compare the cover, limits, excesses and price before choosing.
It’s important to tell us about your cancer when asked during medical screening, even if your treatment has finished. This helps us show you policies that can provide cover based on your medical history.
Cover at different stages of cancer
Your treatment and health now can be just as important as your original diagnosis when arranging Travel Insurance. We regularly help people find cover at different stages of cancer, including during and after treatment.
If you’re waiting for surgery, treatment or further investigations, this can also affect your Travel Insurance options. Our Travel Insurance for those awaiting surgery or on a medical waiting list guide explains what you need to know before arranging cover.
Having cancer treatment
If you are having chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy or another treatment, tell us about it during medical screening. We’ll ask some questions about your treatment and current health before showing you the options available. Speak to your cancer team about whether the timing and destination of your holiday are suitable for you.
After treatment or in remission
Travel Insurance can still take your cancer history into account after treatment has finished or while you’re in remission. Have the treatment end date, follow-up plan and any ongoing medication or side effects to hand when completing your medical screening.
Living with advanced or terminal cancer
Travel Insurance can also be available for some people living with advanced cancer or a terminal diagnosis. Just Travel Cover’s current panel cannot provide cover where the prognosis is less than six months. For other terminal diagnoses, we can help you explore the options available based on your individual circumstances.
Travel Insurance for Terminal Cancer Patients
If you’re planning a holiday following a terminal cancer diagnosis, speak to your cancer team about whether the journey and destination are suitable for you. When arranging your Travel Insurance, we’ll ask about your current health and treatment as part of the medical screening.
Cover for terminal conditions can only be arranged over the phone, and our team will be happy to talk you through the options available by calling 0800 294 2969.
It’s also important to check the medical and cancellation cover provided, including what happens if a change in your health means you cannot travel or need to return home early. If you’re travelling with someone else, check how the policy would cover them if your health affects the trip.
Find Guidance for your Type of Cancer
Choose the guide that most closely matches your diagnosis. These pages explain the details that are particularly relevant to each cancer type, while this page covers the wider insurance and travel considerations.
What will I be asked during Medical Screening?
Medical screening helps us understand your medical history so we can show you the Travel Insurance options available. The questions you’re asked will depend on your diagnosis and the answers you give.
Having details of your treatment, medication and recent appointments to hand can make the process easier.
- The type of cancer and when it was diagnosed
- Whether it has spread or is affecting another part of the body
- Treatment you have had, are receiving or have planned
- Any surgery, hospital admissions or unplanned medical care
- Current medication, symptoms and treatment side effects
- Follow-up appointments, tests or investigations
- Other medical conditions requested during screening
If you’re unsure how to answer any of the medical screening questions, call our team, and we can help you through the quote process.
Finding the Right Cover for Your Holiday
Your medical history is one part of your Travel Insurance quote. We’ll also ask about your destination, trip length, holiday cost and who is travelling, so we can show you the options available from our panel of insurers.
Cancer-related medical cover
Check the cover available for your declared and accepted medical conditions, including emergency medical treatment and medically necessary repatriation.
Cancellation and curtailment
Check that the cancellation limit reflects the non-refundable cost of your holiday and review when cancellation or curtailment cover would apply if your health changes.
Excess and overall cost
Compare the excess alongside the price and cover limits, so you understand what each option provides before you choose.
The holiday itself
Your destination, trip length and the type of holiday you’re planning can also affect the options available. Check whether you need additional cover for a cruise or particular activities.
What can Travel Insurance for Cancer Cover?
Depending on the policy selected, cover can include:
- Emergency medical treatment abroad for your declared cancer and other accepted conditions
- Repatriation to the UK when medically necessary and covered by the policy
- Cancellation or curtailment if an insured change in health affects the trip
- Lost, stolen or damaged baggage, prescribed medication or medical equipment, within the stated limits
- 24-hour emergency medical assistance
Across the Just Travel Cover panel, policies can provide up to £10 million for emergency medical expenses, cancellation cover up to £50,000; limited to £100,000 per policy upon referral and baggage cover up to £3,500 per person. The limits offered to you may be different, so use the benefits shown with your quote and read the policy wording before buying.
- Cancer, treatment or another medical condition that should have been declared but was not
- Travelling against medical advice or travelling abroad for planned treatment
- A known event, expected admission or planned procedure that falls outside the policy terms
- Claims outside the destination, trip length, activities or benefit limits on the policy
- Travel against applicable Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice
Exclusions differ between insurers. Check the wording supplied with the policy and tell the insurer if your health, treatment or medication changes after you buy it.
Travel Insurance for Different Types of Holiday
One holiday or several trips?
Single Trip Travel Insurance covers one holiday and can be arranged as soon as the trip is booked. Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance may suit several holidays, but health changes during the policy year may need to be reported.
Cruises and higher-value bookings
Cruise Travel Insurance can include cruise-specific benefits. If the non-refundable cost is above the standard cancellation limit, ask about additional cancellation cover.
Travelling with a partner, family member or carer
Including travelling companions on the same policy can help where an insured change in your health affects the whole booking. Check whose costs are covered if the holiday has to be cancelled or cut short.
Planning a Holiday During or after Cancer Treatment
Talk to your cancer team about the trip
If you’re having treatment or have recently had surgery, speak to your cancer team about whether the timing, destination and journey are suitable for you. Macmillan Cancer Support provides guidance on infection risk, fatigue, blood clots, treatment side effects and travelling after surgery.
Prepare medication and medical information
Make sure you have enough of your prescribed medication for your holiday and check any requirements for travelling with it. Keeping a treatment summary or medication list with you can also be useful.
Check the destination and support available
Consider access to suitable medical care, vaccination advice and any airport, airline or cruise assistance you may need. A GHIC can help with eligible state healthcare in some European countries, but it does not replace Travel Insurance or cover repatriation.
Our Expert Says
“For cancer Travel Insurance, your treatment and health now are important parts of the medical screening. Having details of your treatment, planned care and medication to hand can make the process easier and help us show you the options available based on your circumstances and holiday plans.”
Amy Smith
Customer Experience Executive at Just Travel Cover
Our Content is Reviewed by Travel Insurance Specialists
Just Travel Cover has helped travellers find Travel Insurance since 1999. Our medical guides are written and reviewed using insurer policy wording, product information and relevant travel and health guidance. We review them regularly to keep the insurance information accurate and useful.
Just Travel Cover is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 610022) for General Insurance Distribution activities.
Travel Insurance for Cancer Patients FAQs
What does specialist Travel Insurance for cancer patients cover?
Cancer Travel Insurance can provide cover for emergency medical treatment abroad for declared and accepted conditions, medically necessary repatriation and 24-hour emergency medical assistance. Depending on the policy, it can also cover cancellation or cutting your trip short, lost or stolen belongings, missed departure and personal liability. Cover limits and terms vary between policies.
Can I get Travel Insurance while having chemotherapy or radiotherapy?
Travel Insurance can still be available while you’re having chemotherapy or radiotherapy. We’ll ask you some questions about your treatment, current health and any planned appointments so we can show you the options available. Speak to your cancer team about whether the timing of your holiday is suitable for you.
Can I get Travel Insurance after cancer or while in remission?
Travel Insurance can be available after treatment and during remission. We may still need to ask about your cancer, including your treatment dates, follow-up care and any ongoing medication or side effects. We’ll use the information you provide to show you the options available.
Can I get Travel Insurance with a terminal cancer diagnosis?
Travel Insurance can be available for some people with a terminal cancer diagnosis. The current Just Travel Cover panel cannot provide cover where the prognosis is less than six months. For other terminal diagnoses, the options available will depend on your individual circumstances. Call our team if you’d prefer to talk through the quote process.
How much does Travel Insurance for cancer patients cost?
The price of Travel Insurance will depend on your individual circumstances, including your medical history, age, destination, trip length and the cover you choose. We’ll show you the options and prices available based on the information you provide.
What should I look for when choosing Travel Insurance for cancer?
Look at whether your declared cancer is covered, along with the emergency medical cover, repatriation, cancellation limits, excesses and any relevant exclusions. Compare these alongside the price before choosing your policy.
How can I compare Travel Insurance for cancer?
Tell us about your holiday and complete the medical screening, and we’ll show you the options available from our panel of insurers. You can then compare the price, cover limits, excesses and policy terms before choosing.
Can I cover cancer and another medical condition on the same policy?
Travel Insurance can cover more than one medical condition where they are declared and accepted by the insurer. Tell us about each condition when asked during medical screening so we can show you the options available based on your medical history.
Should my travelling companion be included on my policy?
Depending on the policy, having your travelling companion on the same cover may provide protection if an insured change in your health affects your travel plans. Check the cancellation and curtailment terms when comparing your options.
Can I get Travel Insurance with a terminal prognosis?
Selected policies may be available for travellers with a terminal prognosis, subject to medical screening and insurer acceptance. You’ll need to provide accurate information about your diagnosis, treatment and current health when getting a quote.
Cover, including emergency medical expenses, cancellation and curtailment, will depend on the policy available to you, so check the limits and terms carefully before buying.
What happens if my health changes after I buy Travel Insurance?
If your health changes after you’ve bought your policy, check your policy wording or contact your insurer before you travel. Depending on the policy, a new diagnosis, change in medication, planned investigation or other change in health may need to be reported.
What information should I have ready for medical screening?
It helps to have the names of your medical conditions, medication and details of any recent treatment or hospital appointments to hand.
The questions you’re asked will depend on your medical history, so you may not need all of this information. You can complete medical screening online or speak to our team by phone if you’d prefer some help.
Can my travelling companion be covered if my medical condition affects our trip?
If you’re insured together on the same policy, cover may apply if one traveller’s declared and accepted medical condition causes both of you to cancel or cut the trip short for an insured reason.
The exact cover depends on the policy terms and circumstances, so check the cancellation and curtailment sections of your policy to understand how this applies to everyone travelling.
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