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Cancer Travel Insurance

19/05/2025

Lauren McAfee Insurance Editor and Writer

Last Updated: 19 May 2025
Read time: 6 minutes

Written by: Lauren McAfee
Insurance Writer and Editor

Reviewed by: Mark McKeown

Written in line with our Editorial Guidelines

Can you get travel insurance with cancer?

Yes. While finding travel insurance can be more difficult if you’re being treated for cancer, or even if you are in remission, there are specialist insurers who will cover you. 

Many insurers who provide standard travel insurance will not protect you for any issues or medical costs that stem from a pre-existing medical condition. 

But holiday insurance with cancer cover does. This means you can travel with peace of mind, knowing that if you need to cancel your trip, pay for cancer care abroad, or need to be returned to the UK, you have financial backup that covers these expenses. 

What is the best travel insurance for cancer patients?

These policies will be much more personalised than generic travel policies. Insurers will ask for details on your exact diagnosis, treatment, and history, and might even consult with your doctor.  

Being honest and transparent with your answers and knowing your own travel needs is key to finding the best coverage on travel insurance if you have cancer. 

Comparing policies is another key step. When you shop around before you buy, you can trust that you are not overpaying for your insurance. At Quotezone, we make this easy by providing a list of travel insurers who cover cancer so you can compare cheap travel insurance for cancer patients in one place.

What do I need to tell the travel insurer about my cancer?

Each insurer will ask their own set of questions before providing you with a quote. These can vary slightly, but will generally include questions about:

  • What type of cancer do you have, whether that is breast cancer, prostate cancer, or lung cancer.
  • The stage of your cancer when you were diagnosed.
  • Your cancer grade, your prognosis, and if the cancer is terminal.
  • What treatment you have received, or are receiving. 
  • Any medications you have taken, or are taking, and their dosage. 
  • When you last needed to see a medical professional for advice or treatment for your cancer.
  • If you are on any waiting lists, undergoing testing, or waiting for a diagnosis.
  • If you are travelling against the advice of a medical professional. 
  • If you have refused tests or medical investigation for a condition, whether it was while diagnosed or undiagnosed.

What does cancer travel insurance cover?

The cover, exclusions, and coverage limits all vary across individual policies. But, as a guide, these things are generally covered as standard on travel insurance for cancer patients:

Medical cover 

Typically, the cost of treatment or care relating to cancer would be excluded. However, travel insurance with cancer cover includes the cost of this emergency care too.

Cancellations or curtailment

This can reimburse you for the cost of travel or accommodation if you need to cancel or delay your trip for reasons outside of your control.

Lost of delayed luggage

This offers compensation if your baggage is lost or delayed, and can include medications and other medical items.

Liability protection

This supports you with legal costs or compensation you are liable for if you accidentally cause harm to others or their property. 

Repatriation

This covers the cost of needing to return to the UK early for things like medical treatments, or in the event of your death. 

Theft and loss of personal items

You can claim for personal possessions that are lost or stolen. If you need medical equipment like oxygen or mobility aids, be sure your insurer knows this, and their coverage limits are high enough that these can be replaced if needed. 

Personal injury

This protects you if an accident or illness causes long-term or debilitating harm, like blindness or the loss of a limb.

Additional coverage options

If you are going on a cruise or skiing trip, you can get coverage tailored to the risks of these holidays. Common add-ons are also available, like gadget protection for your devices, like laptops or mobile phones. 

How much is travel insurance for cancer patients?

The exact cost of your travel insurance will depend on:

  1. Your age
  2. Your diagnosis, treatments, medications, and outlook. 
  3. Where you are travelling and for how long.
  4. If you plan to do any hazardous activities like water sports while you’re away. 
  5. The maximum amount you want to be able to claim for a single item. 
  6. The insurance provider you choose. 

These factors will be unique to you, your health, and your holiday. So the quickest way to accurately find out how much your cancer travel policy will cost is to get personalised quotes directly from insurers. 

Start your cancer travel insurance comparison

What is the cheapest travel insurance for cancer patients?

The cost of these travel policies will be higher than travel insurance that doesn’t cover pre-existing medical conditions. However, it is still possible to find cheap cancer travel insurance policies. 

Research your destination

Claims made in countries with low health care costs will be cheaper for insurance companies to cover. And this could mean lower insurance premiums for you. This is one reason why travel insurance in European countries is typically cheaper than in North America, where healthcare costs are much higher.

Choose coverage wisely

The more coverage that is included on your policy, the higher the premiums will usually be. If you don’t need optional add-ons or higher coverage limits, leaving these off your coverage could help you save. 

Consider a higher excess

When you choose a higher voluntary excess, you take some of the cost of claims off the insurer. This can be rewarded with lower overall costs, but make sure you choose an amount you can comfortably pay if you need to make a claim. 

Be honest with insurers

If you try to omit information about your condition or medical history from insurers, you could risk invalidating the policy. This means you would be responsible for paying any expenses for accidents, illness, or loss during your trip alone. And this will likely cost much more than the premium for a cancer insurance policy. 

Shop around for quotes

While finding insurance companies that offer travel insurance for people with cancer can be difficult, we aim to make it easy. This list of specialist providers covers travellers with thousands of different pre-existing medical conditions, including different cancers. Shopping around before you buy can help you choose the most competitive deal for your needs. 

Cancer travel insurance FAQS

What is not included in travel insurance with cancer cover?

If you are travelling against the advice of a medical professional or the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), no travel insurer is likely to offer you cover. 

Equally, if you simply change your mind about taking the holiday, you will not be able to claim for cancelling the trip. Other high-risk activities, including extreme sports, are unlikely to be covered as standard, but can be included as an add-on. 

Is it possible to get terminal cancer travel insurance?

Even if you have been told your condition is considered terminal, there are a few insurers who can offer you protection while travelling with a terminal illness. Comparing these gives you the option to source multiple quotes and find a competitive price before you commit to a single policy. 

Does a GHIC card cover care for cancer?

Your GHIC or EHIC card gives you access to emergency medical care on the same basis as a resident of that country. So, if you need emergency care for an accident or illness relating to your cancer diagnosis, this card will cover you in qualifying countries. 25

Can I take cancer medication abroad?

This will depend on the restrictions in the country you are visiting. Some will require a doctor’s letter for you to take specific medications into the country or on flights. Always do your research and speak to a GP before you travel.

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