Travel Insurance After Having Cancer

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Dharmamum
Dharmamum Member Posts: 9
edited November 2021 in Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer

Hi,

I was diagnosed with IDC last January and have had my chemo, radiation, double mastectomy and am now on adjuvant chemo to reduce recurrence of the cancer.

I want to travel with my family to Europe in July and my husbands extended health (Sun Life) will cover my medical insurance, but when we looked into cancellation insurance they will not cover any illness that is being monitored within 90 days of purchasing the cover. I am currently being monitored for the adjuvent chemo, but I am technically cancer free. I will also be monitored (I assume for the rest of my life) via scans for any future recurrence of the cancer, but I am not clear if that monitoring counts. Has anyone had to deal with these types of issues and what is your experience?

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  • BevJen
    BevJen Member Posts: 2,523
    edited December 2019

    Look into Allianz travel insurance --

    https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/travel/medi...


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  • Beaverntx
    Beaverntx Member Posts: 3,183
    edited December 2019

    Dharma, I traveled to Europe this fall while still being monitored every three months (my 2 year anniversary will be in January 2020) and the issue did not come up. It is possible I missed it in the fine print! Best wishes on getting this worked out--you deserve a good trip!

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  • Dharmamum
    Dharmamum Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2019

    Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to cover Canadians.


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  • grateful99
    grateful99 Member Posts: 187
    edited December 2019

    I looked into private insurance and have been turned down so many times that I no longer bother. Even if you are able to find insurance, the premiums are very high. Good luck and please post here if you find anything.

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  • Dharmamum
    Dharmamum Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2019

    I looked into them but they only provide cover for Americans.

    Thanks anywa

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited July 2020

    Did anyone find a Canadian underwriter who covered cancer patients in treatment?

    I looked at Allianz which is a big underwriter (flight center uses them) and they'll cover breast cancer patients who are on hormone therapy only but otherwise must be 90 days from treatment if under 60yo, and 180 days from treatment for over 60.

    So much for stage IV doing a bucket travel list, esp those of us who are triple neg :(

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited July 2020

    sounds like stage 4 is likely out of luck acc to the bc cancer agency

    " Most insurance plans do not cover those diagnosed with cancer that has spread outside the original site

    http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/coping-and-support-site/...

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  • Sadiesservant
    Sadiesservant Member Posts: 1,995
    edited July 2020

    Hi Moth,

    A couple of years ago I made a bucket list trip and bought very reasonably priced insurance through BCAA. It wasn’t going to cover an extended hospital stay but that’s actually unlikely with stage IV as you probably wouldn’t travel if things were that bad. It does cover enough to get things stable and get you home.

    I’m making the assumption you are referring to health insurance. Cancellation insurance is another story. Highly unlikely we can get it or that it would cover our reality which is that things can change quickly. It was an issue for me with my trip - I’ll likely never book in advance again. The thrifty part of my brain was horrified every time I had to make yet another non refundable deposit.....

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited July 2020

    sadiesssrvant, yes i meant medical insurance.

    I checked bcaa & It says

    "You are eligible if

    You have not been diagnosed with a terminal conditiion."

    I believe stage 4 breast cancer will rule us out. Maybe it's a new thing they added? Or maybe they can do a special policy?

    I contacted a broker by email (travellersinsurance.ca) and was advised that almost all travel medical insurance standard packages exclude cancer pts.

    However apparently they might be able to find me a package but it would specifically exclude cancer related issues that might arise on the trip but would cover me if I broke a leg etc. I'm not ready to travel due to covid but I i am going to make a wishlist for next year I wanted to know what is even possible.


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  • Sadiesservant
    Sadiesservant Member Posts: 1,995
    edited July 2020

    Sorry, my memory is terrible these days but I believe it was an add on to their regular travel insurance. It definitely covered pre-existing conditions and you did not need to be stable.

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited July 2020

    thanks! I will give them a call and find out what they have.

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited November 2021

    A Cdn stage 4 pt recently told me she was able to get travel insurance from

    Mediquote insurance brokers, managed by Away Care. Underwritten by Northbridge General. 1-800-661-3098 info@mediquote.ca

    She also separately got coverage for medical flight home if needed through Medjet Assist 1-888-414--8890

    I'm not yet planning any trips but wanted to share if anyone else is

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