Travel insurance provides financial protection against risks associated with travelling and going on holiday.
Most travel insurance policies cover costs relating to:
- cancellation or delay of your trip, or cutting it short
- travel or accommodation disruptions
- lost or stolen luggage
- medical emergencies
- personal injury and/or death
- accidental damage or injury caused by you.
Insurance companies calculate your travel insurance quote based on where you are travelling, the activities you will do there, and how likely they think you are to make an insurance claim.
Getting travel insurance when you have cancer
It is advisable for everyone to buy appropriate travel insurance before a trip, but especially if you have or have had cancer.
If you are taken ill abroad, for example, medical expenses could cost you thousands of pounds if you aren't insured.
Having travel insurance is also a legal requirement for you to enter certain countries. You might buy travel insurance for UK holidays and staycations too.
Find out more if you are worried if it is OK for you to travel when you have cancer.
Why can it be difficult to get travel insurance after a cancer diagnosis?
If you have or have had cancer, you are generally considered more likely make a claim on your travel insurance, so the price you are quoted can be higher.
Sometimes, travel insurance can be a significant cost of the holiday. Some providers might not offer you insurance at all.
This can feel like a setback at what might already be a challenging time, but there are things you can do that might help you find more affordable travel insurance.
How to get travel insurance if you have cancer
Our expert cancer support specialist have gathered their tips for getting the best quote for travel insurance if you have cancer or have had cancer in the past.
- Get a letter from your clinical team stating that, in their opinion, you are fit to travel. Most insurance providers will ask for this, so it is best to have it ready. Your clinical nurse specialist will be able to help.
- Speak to a cancer support specialist at your nearest Maggie's centre. We have a list of insurance providers who we know have given insurance to people after a cancer diagnosis, with details of the conditions and stages they cover. You don't need an appointment – just come in, or call or email us.
- Call insurance providers on the phone instead of filling in an online form or using a comparison site. Online forms are generic and cannot consider your individual circumstances, so you can often get more affordable quotes if you ring. Remember to check if there is a charge for that number before calling.
- Contact multiple insurance providers to find the best and most affordable travel insurance for you. You don’t need to accept the first quote you are offered.
- If you’re travelling to a country in the European Union (EU), get a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or ensure your EHIC or UK GHIC is valid. This card will give you access to free or local resident-rate healthcare in an emergency, but you should still buy travel insurance with medical cover too.
How Maggie's can help
We're here to help you through the challenges of getting travel insurance when you have or have had cancer.
Our cancer support specialists will listen to your concerns and find the support you need.
We also have benefits advisors who can help you access any grants you are entitled to, which may help with the cost of travel insurance.
- Find your nearest Maggie's centre. You don't need an appointment – just come in, or call or email us at your nearest centre.
Last review: May 2024 | Next review: Jun 2027
Useful links to other organisations
Find out how cancer can affect travelling in the UK and abroad and get plenty of tips to make it easier.
From Cancer Research Uk (Cruk)
Last reviewed: 02 December 2021
Civil Aviation authority information for passengers and Healthcare professionals about flying with a medical condition and what you need to declare, including information on travelling with carers, medicines and medical equipment.
From Civil Aviation Authority
Last reviewed: 02 December 2021
Information for British citizens with disabilities travelling abroad.
From Gov.Uk
Last reviewed: 02 December 2021
Find out how the rules for EHIC are changing and more about its replacement the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
From Money Saving Expert
Last reviewed: 02 December 2021
Information if you, or someone close to you, has cancer and would like to travel. It also covers issues that may come up for people who have had cancer treatment in the past.
From Macmillan Cancer Support
Last reviewed: 02 December 2021
How to access GP or emergency services in England if you are away from home or haven’t registered with a GP.
From Nhs
Last reviewed: 02 December 2021
Sail 4 Cancer is primarily a provider of water based respite days and holidays for families affected by cancer. For a day or a few weeks, Sail 4 Cancer takes cancer patients and their families away from the disease and the treatments that they are living through.
From Sail 4 Cancer
Last reviewed: 09 December 2021
Youth Cancer Trust provides support and free holidays for teenagers and young adults (aged 14 to 30) with cancer from the UK and Ireland.
From Youth Cancer Trust
Last reviewed: 09 December 2021
The Ripple Retreat is a place for families of young cancer patients in Scotland, where you can unwind during the most challenging of times, at home in soothing natural surroundings.
From Its Good 2 Give
Last reviewed: 09 December 2021
A social enterprise providing training, research, and consultancy services - all with nature in mind. They provide anything from park walks to sailing holidays. Adventures and experiences can be big or small and are for people with dementia as well as a friend/relative or carer.
From Dementia Adventure
Last reviewed: 09 December 2021
Macmillan Grants are small, mostly one-off payments to help people with things like extra clothing, help paying heating bills or even a relaxing break,
From Macmillan Cancer Support
Last reviewed: 09 December 2021
A tool to help ensure that anyone with a medical condition or disability can participate in the winter sport of their choice.
From Staysure
Last reviewed: 09 December 2021