Cancer sufferers ‘priced out’ of vacations, charity warns

Cancer sufferers are being “priced out” of vacations because of “extremely unfair” go back and forth insurance coverage prices, a charity has warned.

Maggie’s most cancers toughen charity stated sufferers and the ones with a historical past of the illness have been “frequently” being quoted premiums of hundreds of kilos, whilst some have been being refused quilt altogether.

Its leader govt, Dame Laura Lee, stated: “We know how stressful a cancer diagnosis can be, and the last thing people should have to think about is inflated insurance costs.”

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) stated the “significant costs” related to emergency remedy in a foreign country for pre-existing clinical prerequisites have been taken under consideration when providing quilt.

In a remark, Dame Lee emphasized the “emotional distress” brought about via “barriers” to acquiring go back and forth insurance coverage for other people with most cancers.

She stated: “Travelling and taking holidays can be so important for someone’s wellbeing and recovery, and it is extremely unfair that people with cancer are being priced out of the opportunity to visit family and friends abroad or simply explore the world.”

Maggie’s has referred to as at the Treasury, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and insurers to collectively broaden suggestions to make sure most cancers sufferers are “treated more fairly” via suppliers.

Josh Cull, 28, informed BBC Breakfast he went via “a year of hell” in 2021 after being handled for a mind tumour which affected his eyesight and skill to stroll.

“I then decided, you know what, I’m going to live some life now,” he stated.

But whilst in search of insurance coverage for a travel to South East Asia along with his fiancée and brother, Mr Cull stated the bottom quote he may just to find used to be £3,000, which he described as “completely unaffordable”.

“[That was] despite being two-and-a-half years clean, no recurring conditions. I was completely healthy,” he stated.

Mr Cull stated he made up our minds to go back and forth with out insurance coverage, having had maximum of his financial savings “wiped out” via his break day paintings for remedy.

“I [didn’t] want it to stop me living my life,” he stated, including that he as an alternative took different extra “affordable” precautions forward of the travel, reminiscent of getting “extra vaccines”.

A spokesperson for the ABI stated in a remark that it “remained committed” to supporting consumers who’ve or have had most cancers.

“As part of a signposting agreement introduced by the FCA, if an insurer is unable to offer you cover because of a pre-existing medical condition, they will point you to specialist providers who can help you find an appropriate policy.”

A 2018 document via the FCA warned that most cancers sufferers have been suffering to search out inexpensive go back and forth insurance coverage, even lengthy after their remedy had ended.

The BBC has approached the Treasury for remark.