Yes, it’s possible to get travel insurance if you have cancer. Our MIA Clear2Go product is specially designed to cover people with complex or serious medical requirements, including cancer, leukaemia and many other pre-existing or secondary conditions.
The insurance cover available will depend of the severity of the cancer and the treatment that’s being undertaken, while not guaranteed, we should be able to offer medical travel insurance to suit most needs.
Travel insurance is important for all travellers, but if you, or a member of your travelling party, has cancer it means you may need more protection should you experience problems with your health, medication or any other symptoms related to cancer.
MIA is made up of two specialist medical travel insurance products, Clear2Go and Clear4Travel. Each product has its own levels of cover:
Please see our policy wording for a full list of benefits and exclusions.
Medical ScreeningHere at MIA, we won’t define you by your cancer or a set of medical questions, so we don’t use standard online questionnaires to get you covered.
We have an experienced and friendly team to talk you through the process and explain any difficult insurance or medical jargon, so we can tailor-make a policy that’s right for you.
We can offer medical travel insurance for an array of cancerous conditions, including those under treatment, in remission and those given a terminal prognosis.
All medical travel insurance policies, and prices, vary according to individual circumstances, such as the destination you have chosen and the medical facilities that are there, as well as your health at the time of travel. There may be times where we can’t offer you medical insurance cover, but our team will be able to talk you through any options available to you.
If you’ve recently undergone treatment for your cancer, you may have physical needs that you didn’t necessarily expect. Be realistic when booking your trip and take into account practical needs such as the access to take a wheelchair if you become fatigued or the ability to rest frequently, if you need to. If your cancer is recently diagnosed, discuss your travel plans with your doctor or nurse, who can let you know how to look after yourself while you’re away.
2. Your JourneySome cancers and their treatments can increase your chances of getting Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Factor in some gentle exercise throughout your journey, walk around the cabin of the plane, take a trip to the buffet car of your train or plan frequent leg stretches if you’re travelling by car. However you choose to travel, be realistic in how much travelling you can manage comfortably.
3. Know Before You GoDo a little research before you book your trip. Is there a healthcare facility locally? How far are you away from the airport or train station, should you need to travel back? If you need a special diet, can this be catered for? Is there wheelchair access if necessary? In all likelihood, you won’t need any of this information while you’re away, but it’s better to be prepared.
4. Check your MedicationYou’ll need to make sure you have enough medication for the duration of your trip – plus a bit extra in case of any delays. Depending on your prescribed medication and the duration of your trip, you may need to make some special arrangements, check with your doctor or the NHS website has comprehensive guidelines on travelling with medication. If you’re susceptible to infection due to cancer or it’s treatment, your doctor may offer to prescribe you antibiotics to take away, just in case you become unwell.
5. Fun in the SunSome cancer drugs and radiotherapy can make your skin more sensitive to many things including to the sun and chemicals in swimming pools. Remember to apply a high factor sunscreen regularly to protect your skin.
Yes, it’s best to be upfront and let us know your full medical history, if you don’t declare all details, it could make it difficult to make a successful claim.
If your cancer is in remission you might find that you no longer need specialist insurance, and it may not affect the price you pay, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Am I insured for all secondary or unrelated conditions?MIA specialise in offering travel insurance to people that may have been declined elsewhere, so whatever your history, we’ll work hard to try to get you insured for all your medical conditions.
What happens if I cancel my trip due to ill health?You may have booked your holiday when you were feeling well, but now you’re unwell and your doctor has declared you unfit to travel. We will offer cover against you and any other travellers insured on the policy, subject to terms and conditions.
Can I come home early if I need to?If you become seriously ill while you’re away or your condition worsens, our Emergency Medical Assistance team can arrange for you and a companion, as long as they’re on the policy, to be brought home and cover any reasonable costs that you can’t be refunded for.
Can I travel anywhere with cancer?We may decline to offer you insurance for some destinations, for example if your resort does not have facilities to deal with your illnesses or the local standard of hygiene is very poor.
If you are undergoing Chemotherapy treatment or have done so within the last 6 months, you may not be able to have the vaccinations necessary to travel to your chosen destination.
Do I need a letter from a Doctor to say I’m fit to travel?Not usually, but we do ask that you discuss your travel arrangements with your GP or Consultant and that they make a note on your records that they’re happy for you to travel. If your GP or Consultant offers any restrictions to your travel, please let us know.
If you have any other questions please let us know, we’d be happy to talk them through with you.
