Travel with peace of mind is just what doctor ordered

There are an estimated 1.8 million people in the UK living with some form of cancer, 2.5 million with heart disease and millions with other health issues. And with life expectancy rising and diagnostics improving, the number of people surviving serious illnesses is rising all the time.

For those with – or who have previously suffered from – serious health problems, finding affordable travel insurance is often a frustrating battle, even when they have long since had the all-clear.

Two in five people affected by cancer are quoted higher travel insurance premiums and about one in 13 travels without insurance at all, according to Macmillan Cancer Support. And 41 per cent of Genetic Interest Group members find it difficult to obtain travel insurance, the charity reported last year.

There are two main issues surrounding travel insurance for people with pre-existing conditions – getting any cover at all and, if cover is possible, securing an affordable deal.

Insurers deal with claims from people with pre-existing conditions in several ways. They may provide the normal level of cover but with a higher premium or excess; they may agree to some degree of insurance but with exclusions (such as claims relating to the condition or illness) and a higher premium; or they will refuse to insure you.

Some people no longer in treatment continue to be barred from cover – or are quoted higher premiums – as insurers consider those with pre-existing medical conditions as more likely to fall ill while on holiday, even if they have been given a doctor's green light.

Mike Hobday, head of campaigns at Macmillan, said there was little consistency in the way in which different insurers serve cancer patients.

"Not all insurers share the same business model and people go through a dreadful, frustrating process of phoning company after company and getting turned down," said Hobday. "You can't expect every company to serve everyone, but even people out of treatment can find it difficult to get cover."

Where insurers do agree to provide cover, it is often extortionate. There are companies that will provide more affordable cover, but getting a reasonable quote can be a lot of hard work. And while there are companies that specialise in high-risk customers – including Free Spirit, Travel Insured and Insure Pink – the cost is rarely competitive.

"We are staggered by the discrepancy in the quotes a person can get for the same trip from different insurers – up to tenfold in some cases," said Hobday.

This is partly because some mainstream insurers have failed to update their risk models in accordance with advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other critical conditions, he added. "Any price set 12 months ago is higher than it needs to be because companies are slow to recognise that cancer patients are not as risky as they had previously thought."

There are steps you can take find affordable travel insurance, although the extent and price of the cover will vary depending on the severity of your condition. The key is to shop around. "If you are a few years out of treatment you ought to get a decent price from a mainstream insurer," said Hobday. "If you are at an advanced stage of cancer you are going to pay more, but some companies specialise in high-risk consumers."

A list of those companies can be found at www.macmillan.org.uk/Documents/Cancerinfo/Travelinsurance_Jan10.pdf, or you can call 0808 808 0000.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition you will be asked to produce more detail and information than other insurance applicants. Most insurers will ask for a letter from your doctor confirming you are well enough to travel and a questionnaire that may need to be completed by your doctor or consultant. In some instances an assessment by the insurance company's own doctor will be needed before an application is accepted.

James Clarke, head of travel insurance at moneysupermarket.com, said: "It is very important you are honest with the insurer as failure to disclose a pre-existing condition may result in an insurer refusing to pay out should you need to make a claim."

Faced with difficulties getting insurance, many people are tempted to travel without it, but Clarke cautioned against forgoing cover entirely.

"Taking out adequate travel insurance is especially important for anyone who has a pre-existing medical condition as there is usually a heightened risk of falling ill," he said. "Many people may forget that as well as providing protection for loss of baggage and to cover any delays of cancellations to your trip, travel insurance will also provide cover for any hospital treatment when you are away."

For more information:

www.macmillan.org.uk/0808 808000

www.abi.org.uk/Information/Consumers/Need_help_finding_insurance.aspx

www.biba.org.uk (British Insurance Brokers Association)

Prescription for happy, insured holidays

1 Shop around The discrepancies in the quotes offered by different companies can be vast, so it is vital to shop around or even get advice from an insurance broker. You should be able to get a quote from a mainstream insurer, but some companies specialise in covering higher-risk travellers.

2 Be honest Failing to declare any pre-existing medical conditions could invalidate your policy should you need treatment related to a condition. Also check with your doctor or hospital consultant before travelling so they can outline any specific risks, issues with medication and the potential health implications of long flights.

3 Check the small print Examine any policy closely as it may include specific exclusions and conditions. For instance, some insurers will provide cover for anything except problems related to your illness or pre-existing medical condition. Also check if you're covered in the event of having to cancel your trip due to a pre-existing condition.

4 Get an EHIC If you are travelling within the EU it is important to have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This free card will significantly reduce medical bills and allow travellers to receive the same medical treatment as local residents.

Get an application from your local Post Office, by calling 0845 606 2030 or you can get information online at www.dh.gov.uk/travellers.