Travel insurance.

[Kevin Hampson]

Hi Folks,
I need some here or Tobago is just going to turn into a very distant memory!!

My other half had a reoccurrence of breast cancer in August and ended up having a mastectomy. All the tests indicate that she is now OK and there are no plans for chemo or radiotherapy which is a bonus.

We re now having an awful time trying to find any travel insurance. Most companies are not interested and the few that are have just given us ridiculous quotes. Has any one got any suggestions or know of any insurance firms that may be a bit more sympathetic.

Regards
Kevin

[Steve Wooler]

Kevin

I am SO sorry to hear your news, but delighted that the prognosis seems so positive. Yes, a bit of sun is a must!

I have no experience of this problem myself, but I am going to take the liberty of forwarding your post to two keen myTobago supporters in the insurance business. Hopefully one of them will be able to find an insurance company that can help.

Good luck!

[David Watkins]

Oh Kevin,love and prayers to her indoors,but why should there be a problem?It happened it's mended---surely end of story?
CAB for advice?
David

[Gisela Grell]

Dear Kevin,

all the best to your mum- My mother had the same problem in spring and she also recovered well. Hope you find an insurrance who is not too expensive. Sorry I don't know any.

David, if you have a disease like cancer (or others, i.e. diabetes) no insurance will take you, even if it is fixed and gone. I know what Kevin and his family are going through.

Good luck Kevin!

Cheers

[Kevin Hampson]

Hi Gisela,
Something must have got lost in translation it's my wife not my mum, but thanks for the best wishes.

Regards
Kevin

[Brian Taylor]

sorry but I am loosing you all.... for a travel insurance package (health, luggage, cancellation) I never had to qualify. I always picked up the phone and got it from a tavel agency for a package price. they never asked for my health... did you try a package? they are usually not expensive...

STEPH

[Kevin Hampson]

Thanks Steve,
One issue seems to be that they class Tobago and the rest of the Caribbean in with North America which is the sticking point. We normally get annual travel insurance but this has proved impossible this time so we are looking at it on a trip by trip basis at the moment.

I'll look forward to hearing from any one with any useful info.

Regards
Kevin

[Jane H]

Kevin,

My very best wishes to your wife. I've had a breast cancer scare and can only imagine how awful the real thing must be.

There are several web sites which may be able to help you as they are set up for and by people who have experienced the problem. Sorry I can't give you any direct links - but I found all the contact thro' Google UK. They may well have useful info - or even direct contact with an appropriate insurance provider.

Hope this helps

Jane

[Sioned And Tim Sims]

Hi Kevin
I don't Know if this will help. In 2000 I had cancer, I had my last chemo in April and to celebrate we planned a holiday in America in the August. I got insurance, everything was covered except pre existing medical conditions i.e. cancer. My doctor said that I would be fine so I just went for it. We had a fantastic time and still are 6 years later.
The insurance I had was through my master-card, and I'm sure there is a policy out there for you.
Hope everything works out well

Kind Regards
Sioned

[Neil C]

Hi Kevin
I had some pre-existing medical issues like my heart stopping and being in a coma in ITU for 7 weeks- just over 3 years ago - and I thought my days of travelling were over. Most Insurance Compaies just didn't want to know but I was advised to check with BUPA Insurance. They came up trumps with an annual World policy which was as good as I had ever had - ie healthy middle aged male no previous problems. My suggestion is give them a ring. They will of course exclude any current conditions requiring treatment. It seems however that if you have been given the clear for at least the previous 6 months then they look at that favourably as well
Hope this helps and be advised I have no commercial interest in BUPA other than as a very satisfied client
GOOD LUCK
Neil

[Kayla Aspinall]

Dear Kevin,

I'm sorry to hear of your wife's recurrance. I have had cancer myself and have been ill for 2 years. I have been investigating travel insurance myself so I can make it to Tobago next year. If you go to the Cancerbacup site search for the travel section. There is quite a lot of information to look through.

Best of look with your search.

Regards
Kayla.

[Kevin Hampson]

Hi Folks,
Thanks for all the suggestions and help.
Just to keep you updated we have given up trying to get an annual multi trip policy, far too expensive and to many exclusions. We are just looking at single trip insurance which seems OK for Europe but still no joy for Tobago at the moment so that’s been put on the back burner till next year.

Thanks again
Kevin

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Kevin

I'm so sorry to hear of these problems. Fingers crossed that someone with prior experience of this situation will come up with a suggestion and post it here (or send it to me for onward transmission to Kevin).