Insurers treat cancer survivors unfairly says survey

For most people, vacations are a way to leave the stress of every day living behind for a while and this is never truer than in the case of a cancer survivor. Unfortunately, for those who were once affected by cancer, finding travel insurance can be extremely stressful all on its own, leaving many with little choice other than to pay huge premiums or go without any cover at all.

While the Association for British Insurers claims that travel insurance is available for cancer sufferers and survivors, the reality is that most large companies do not offer good deals on the coverage, sometimes forcing people to pay more than their plane ticket for some insurance.

A survey recently conducted by the charity Cancerbackup, showed that ninety per cent of those with cancer have to really struggle to procure travel insurance if they want to take a vacation. Seventy per cent of those surveyed described the process as “distressing”. The figures include both people with cancer as well as those who have been declared cancer free but who once had the disease.

In at least 70 per cent of the cases, those applying for coverage were told by doctors they were fit to travel and yet they were either refused coverage all together or quoted premiums well above average.

As a result of their experience with the insurance industry, five per cent of people chose to go entirely without insurance and still travel. Ten per cent decided to cancel their planned vacations because they were unable to find reasonably priced travel insurance policies.

The Cancer Support Charity predicts this problem is only going to get worse as more and more people are getting cancer at some point in their lives.

One company in the UK charges approximately £20 for a 17-day worldwide policy to someone with no health concerns. The same company quoted a 48-year old woman who had breast cancer five years ago the same policy for £248.70.

A spokesperson from ABI said they will be following up Cancerbackup’s survey with the charity in order to determine if those with cancer are being treated unfairly.



Yasmin Purnell Editorial



27/03/2008