Last reviewed: June 2026 | Source: FCA / Money and Pensions Service / BIBA
TL;DR- Standard travel insurance policies typically exclude pre-existing medical conditions including cancer -- specialist cover is available but must be declared.
- Insurers must signpost customers with declined medical conditions to specialist providers under FCA rules introduced in 2023.
- The right to ask provision (FCA PS22/22) requires all travel insurers to direct customers with serious medical conditions to a specialist broker or scheme if they cannot offer cover.
- Premiums for cancer patients vary widely but can range from £50 to several hundred pounds depending on cancer type, treatment stage and destination.
- The Money and Pensions Service's MoneyHelper maintains a directory of specialist travel insurers for serious medical conditions.
Key Facts
●FCA signposting requirement: in force since January 2023
●MoneyHelper specialist directory: moneyhelper.org.uk/travel-insurance
●IPT on travel insurance: 20% (higher rate)
●Key factors affecting premium: cancer type, stage, treatment status, destination, trip duration
●GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card): covers NHS-equivalent treatment in some countries -- not a substitute for travel insurance
Can Cancer Patients Get Travel Insurance in the UK
Yes. Travel insurance is available for cancer patients in the UK, but not from all standard insurers. Most mainstream travel insurance policies either exclude pre-existing medical conditions entirely or apply significant premium loadings for cancer diagnoses. Specialist travel insurers who underwrite policies for customers with serious medical conditions are the most reliable option.
Since January 2023, all FCA-regulated travel insurance firms are required to signpost customers with declined or excluded medical conditions to alternative providers. This rule, introduced under FCA Policy Statement PS22/22, means that if a standard insurer declines to cover a cancer condition or cannot offer affordable cover, they must direct the customer to a specialist broker or the MoneyHelper travel insurance directory rather than simply refusing.
What to Declare When Applying for Travel Insurance With Cancer
Full and accurate disclosure of medical history is a legal requirement when applying for insurance. For cancer patients, this typically means declaring: the type and location of cancer; the date of diagnosis; the current treatment status (active treatment, in remission, monitoring only); any recent hospital admissions or planned procedures; any secondary cancer or metastases; and any related conditions or complications.
Failure to disclose a material fact, including a cancer diagnosis, gives the insurer grounds to void the policy and decline any claims. Even if the cancer is considered to be in full remission, it must be declared if the insurer's questions cover the relevant period. It is always better to disclose fully and pay a higher premium than to risk a voided policy and unpaid claim abroad.
How Cancer Treatment Stage Affects Travel Insurance
The stage of treatment significantly affects the availability and cost of travel insurance. Insurers generally distinguish between three positions: active treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery in progress or recently completed), remission (treatment concluded, no evidence of disease), and monitoring (regular check-ups but no active treatment).
Patients in active treatment typically find travel insurance most difficult to obtain and most expensive, as the risk of treatment complications, hospital admission abroad or medical repatriation is higher. Some specialist insurers will cover active treatment patients but with higher premiums and specific exclusions. Patients in full remission for several years generally find more competitive options available. The exact terms depend on the insurer's underwriting criteria.
The MoneyHelper Travel Insurance Directory
The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) operates MoneyHelper, which maintains a directory of specialist travel insurance providers for customers with significant medical conditions at moneyhelper.org.uk/travel-insurance. The directory lists firms that have committed to offering cover for serious conditions, including cancer. Using this directory is particularly useful for patients who have been declined by standard insurers or who want to compare specialist options.
The British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) also operates a Find a Broker service that can identify specialist brokers experienced in placing travel insurance for customers with cancer and other serious conditions.
GHIC and Travel Insurance: What Is the Difference
The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for UK residents and provides access to state-provided healthcare in EU countries and some others at the same cost as local residents would pay. For cancer patients travelling in the EU, the GHIC can cover emergency treatment and, in some cases, planned treatment under certain conditions.
However, the GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. It does not cover medical repatriation back to the UK, cancellation costs, lost luggage, personal liability or any of the other risks that travel insurance covers. Cancer patients should hold both a valid GHIC and appropriate travel insurance when travelling in covered territories.
How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost for Cancer Patients
Premiums vary very widely depending on the cancer type and history, current treatment status, age, destination and trip duration. A cancer patient in long-term remission travelling to Europe for a short break may find premiums from specialist insurers starting at £50 to £100. A patient in active treatment or travelling to the USA (where medical costs are very high) may face premiums of several hundred pounds or higher for the medical cover element alone.
Comparing quotes from multiple specialist providers is essential. Annual multi-trip policies are available from some specialist insurers for patients in stable remission. Single-trip policies are more common for those in active treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get travel insurance if you have cancer?
Yes. Specialist travel insurance is available for cancer patients in the UK. Standard insurers may decline or exclude cancer conditions, but specialist providers offer cover for customers with serious medical conditions. Since January 2023, all FCA-regulated travel insurers must signpost customers to specialist alternatives if they cannot offer cover.
Do you have to declare cancer on travel insurance?
Yes. Cancer must be declared when applying for travel insurance, including if in remission, if the insurer's questions cover the relevant period. Failing to declare a material medical condition can void the policy and mean claims are not paid.
Where can cancer patients find specialist travel insurance?
The MoneyHelper travel insurance directory at moneyhelper.org.uk lists specialist travel insurers for serious medical conditions. The BIBA Find a Broker service can also identify specialist brokers. Both are free to use.
Does the GHIC cover cancer treatment abroad?
The GHIC provides access to state healthcare in EU countries at local rates, which may include emergency or urgent treatment. It does not cover repatriation, cancellation, or other travel insurance risks. Cancer patients should hold both a GHIC and travel insurance when travelling in covered countries.
