Travel insurance for cancer patients

If you’ve been previously diagnosed with cancer but are now in recovery, you may assume that travel insurance will become more straightforward. But it’s important to declare your previous cancer as mainstream insurers have different rules around when they will cover you again – this can range from three months of being cancer free to several years. You’ll probably need a doctor’s certificate to prove this too.

Always be honest with your insurer to make sure your insurance is suitable. You may still have to buy specialist cover.

A holiday can be a welcome respite, but think practically before you travel to ensure you have a relaxing trip.

• Before you book, talk to a medical professional to make sure you’re fit enough to travel. You could also talk to them about any potential side-effects as a result of your cancer, such as being more sensitive to the sun or having an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
• Travel insurance for people with cancer is likely to be more expensive in countries where healthcare is private, such as America, so you may want to choose a different destination.
• Before you take out any travel insurance, read the T&Cs carefully.
• You may need a letter from your doctor proving that you are fit to fly. Apply for this well in advance of your trip.
• If you’re travelling in Europe, make sure you take your up-to-date GHIC card with you.
• If you need to take medication away with you, ensure you have enough for the duration of your trip, plus a few extra days. Also take a doctor’s note listing these medicines, and the prescription, so you can show it to security officials.
• You may also want to check the availability of any medication you need in the destination you are travelling to and talk to your doctor about taking medication in different time zones.
• Talk to your airline or travel company’s medical officer in advance of your trip should you need any help or specialist equipment such as oxygen.

Things to remember before your trip

Follow our checklist to set off on your round-the-world trip fully prepared.

• At least a month before you travel, check that your passport is in date and how long it is valid for - some countries require that it is valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival.
• Find out if you need a visa for any of your destinations by checking the country's embassy website. Remember that these can take a few weeks to process and will probably have a fee attached to them so do your research early. However, only start the visa process when you have finalised your plans and booked your flights.
• Visit your doctor or local travel clinic to check whether you need any injections or to take any special medication - such as malaria tablets - before you go away. Also think carefully about the activities you want to take part in on your trip and whether your current health is up to it - for example, if you plan to climb Mount Kilimanjaro but currently struggle climbing a flight of stairs, it might be time to set up a training regime.
• If you already have an annual travel insurance policy, check that it is valid for your trip - for example, many annual policies have a time limit on how long you can travel for and still be covered. Also think about any activities you plan to take part in while away such as bungee jumping or skiing and read the small print of your policy to ensure you are covered.
  
• Research, research, research! Before your trip, read information in books, magazines, on websites, ask questions in forums and on social networks to make sure you set off fully armed with information on what you want to see and do while you are away. The British and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website is a great source of information.
  
• Be ruthless when packing and think carefully about what you will actually need. While you may have shoes for every occasion while at home, you might resent that extra pair when you are lugging your bag around the world.
• Sort out your travel extras in advance and shop around for them to save money. Big savings can be made by pre-booking extras such as car hire, finding the best rate online for travel money and sorting out your travel insurance well in advance of your trip.
• Don't forget about any bills or regular payments you have set up at home while you are away - such as credit card bills or rent - and access your online banking account regularly to pay any outstanding balances.  
• Carry contact details for people at home when you are travelling and make sure that friends and family know where you are and have your contact details. Make sure that you also have details for your travel insurance provider and your bank in case of an emergency.

Hand luggage

Travel documents 

• Passport
• Visa (if necessary)
• Plane tickets
• Travel insurance documents
• EHIC card
• Any other holiday documentation - for example for your hotel, hire car, transfers or your itinerary
• Driving licence
• Student card/senior concession card - for discounts on holiday

Valuables 

• Travel money/overseas credit card/prepaid card
• Valuables such as iPad, iPod, mobile phone and camera (plus headphones and a memory card)

Essentials 

• Any maps, directions or instructions for arrival in resort
• Useful contact numbers - for your bank, travel insurance provider, contacts at home, etc
• An umbrella
• A clear plastic bag for any toiletries
• Any medicine you need (plus your prescription) - but remember, you have to stick to the 100ml rule
• Tissues/ wet wipes
• A notebook and pen

Entertainment and comfort for your journey 

• A lightweight jumper and socks - in case it gets chilly on the plane
• Books, magazines or games
• A guidebook to your destination
• Painkillers
• Lip balm
• A sleep kit for long flights - an eye mask, a travel pillow and ear plugs
• DVT flight socks
• Travel sweets
• A bottle of water (buy this once you have passed through security)

Hold luggage

• Clothes
• Underwear
• Sleepwear
• Shoes
• Chargers - for your mobile phone, camera and any other electrical items
• Travel adapter
• Toiletries
• Swimwear
• Sunglasses
• Suncream
• After sun
• Beach towels
• Beach bag
• Books/ereader
• Plastic bags - for wet swimwear/dirty clothes
• Rehydration salts
• Razor and shaving gel
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hairbrush/comb
• Hairdryer
• Accessories: Hats, scarves, belt, etc
• First aid kit
• Insect repellent
• Swiss Army knife
• Mini sewing kit

Travelling with children? Don't forget...

• A change of clothes for the journey
• Snacks and travel sweets for the journey
• Wet wipes
• Nappies
• Enough baby food/milk for the journey (you will have to taste these when passing through security)
• Toys, games and books to keep children entertained
• Any medication your children will need while away (plus their prescription)
• Dummies/comfort blankets/soft toys

Who regulates us?

The TravelSupermarket Limited travel insurance comparison service is operated by Moneysupermarket.com Limited. Registered in England No. 3945937. Registered Office: MONY Group House, St. David's Park, Ewloe, CH5 3UZ.

Moneysupermarket.com Limited is an appointed representative of MONY Group, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA FRN 303190).

TravelSupermarket Limited (FCA FRN 953671) is an appointed representative of MONY Group plc, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA FRN 303190). MONY Group Financial Holdings Limited, registered in England No. 3157344.