Holiday Insurance for Cancer Patients

Market survey indicates that 15 out of 20 travelers find it difficult to get holiday insurance if they have cancer or have had cancer in the past. Insurance basically deals with risk. If the insurance provider thinks that you are likely to make a claim in future should such a situation arise out of medical emergency

while you travel, you are likely to be charged a higher premium. In some cases, if the risk involved is too high, the insurance company turns you down.

Many insurance providers consider cancer as a “pre-existing” condition. Another factor that the insurance providers fear is that you may cancel any trip you have planned due to illness in the last minute. The cost of treatment that is involved should you need one, while you are traveling to a foreign country is also another factor that can deter insurance providers from giving you cancer insurance. But this shouldn’t disappoint you as there are many travel insurance companies that offer holiday insurance for cancer patients.

Getting travel insurance for cancer patients

An insurance company will offer coverage but they mainly earn from the clients who never claim for compensation. So, if you are a prospective client who can make claims, you are either charged more or turned down.

Few travel insurance companies will be willing to work with you if the doctor has given you a certificate that says you are fit to travel. Some insurance providers will insure you for other medical conditions that won’t include treatment for cancer. Under such circumstances, if you have cancer and you fall ill overseas, you will not be compensated for the expenses incurred on cancer treatment. In this case, the expenses may be huge.

However, there are few companies that provide coverage for cancer patients but the premium they charge is very high. If you happen to buy one such policy, make sure the fine print has this included that coverage is also for cancer treatment. If the company has agreed to offer compensation for treatment of cancer while traveling, the insurance contract should say so.

Factors that determine your eligibility to get cancer coverage

Prior to applying for holiday insurance for cancer patients, the insurance provider will ask you a couple of questions. The most commonly asked question is about the grade and stage of cancer. If you are not aware of the grade, check it out with your doctor. This is important as it may prevent you from making a claim in future. The company will also ask you whether you are undergoing any follow up treatment.

Getting travel insurance if you have had cancer in past

You will come across many travel insurance companies that will agree to work with you if you can produce a certificate that says that you no longer have cancer. So, if you are not sure about it, you can find it out from your doctor. If it is found that you no longer have cancer, you stand a good chance of getting holiday insurance at better rates.

Other factors that determine travel insurance cancer coverage

The places you are traveling to also determine your eligibility for getting holiday insurance. It is easiest to get a travel insurance policy with cancer in Europe. Getting holiday insurance for cancer patients in USA is the toughest.

Latest Updated on 30/12/2010