Can you get travel insurance if you have cancer?
When you’re finally free to browse flight times instead of appointment slots, the last thing you need is travel insurance that treats cancer like a deal-breaker.
Avanti keeps it simple. We’ll happily look at a quote when:
- your doctor has given you the all-clear to travel
- you’re not heading overseas for treatment, tests or routine check-ups
- your prognosis isn’t terminal
Our specialist travel insurance for people with cancer can include unlimited emergency medical expenses on Deluxe, so an infection or fever abroad never turns into a five-figure clinic bill. It also offers up to £7,500 per person for cancellation* or cutting a trip short, baggage cover up to £3,000*, and a 24-hour assistance team that speaks to doctors, arranges care and, if it comes to it, organises a flight home. That’s Travel Reassurance!
Get your quote
Stages of cancer we can cover
After cancer or cancer-free
That “all clear” call deserves a celebration break. We can usually arrange holiday insurance for cancer patients once treatment has finished, subject to the answers you give during our medical screening. We’ll ask about the original diagnosis, the date of your last treatment, any current medication and how often you still see your oncology team.
If you’re waiting for a diagnosis
Still pinning down the cause of new symptoms? You can still get a policy and note down the symptoms as an undiagnosed condition. Any medical claim linked to those symptoms will sit outside the cover for the moment, but everything else, like cancellation for unrelated reasons, lost baggage and your other declared conditions, remains protected.
As soon as your results are in, give us a call or log in to My Avanti. We’ll reassess and, if the trip still works for you and your doctor, update the policy so it keeps pace with your health.
If you’re awaiting tests or results
Waiting on a scheduled scan doesn’t always have to pause holiday plans. You can often buy a policy for those on a waiting list, but any pre-existing medical condition, including your cancer, will sit outside the cover until results are back and we can reassess. You’ll still be protected for unrelated issues such as lost baggage, travel delays or any new injury abroad.
If you’re undergoing or planning treatment
We can cover some low-risk treatments, such as cryotherapy or excision of a basal cell carcinoma, provided your doctor is happy for you to travel. Tell us the procedure name, anticipated date and any medication you’ll be taking, and our team will confirm whether it fits.
If your next step is chemotherapy, radiotherapy or any other systemic treatment, we usually can’t provide cover ourselves. With your permission, we’ll pass your details to a specialist broker that focuses on travel during active or advanced treatment.
If your cancer is terminal
A terminal diagnosis doesn’t have to close the door on travel, but it does call for a very specific type of policy. Give us a call and, with your agreement, we’ll introduce you to our partners, who specialise in travel insurance for terminal cancer.
If your health changes after you take out your policy with us
Cancer isn’t static – test results, tumour markers and treatment cycles can all shift quickly. If your oncologist changes the plan after you’ve bought your policy, tell us straight away. An online update in My Avanti or a quick call means we can rescreen the condition and, if required, adjust your premium or add new cover notes.
Top tip: call us for complex cancer cases
Our online form is very handy, but a phone call is often the best option when your cancer history won’t fit neatly into dropdowns. You’ll speak to a specially trained team who understand that cancer journeys are rarely straightforward, and who will take the time to work through the screening process with you.
Have your diagnosis date, last treatment, current medication and consultant’s details to hand, and they’ll screen, price and issue your policy in one go. If anything changes later, just log in to My Avanti or ring us back; we’ll rescreen and update the paperwork, so your cover keeps pace with your medical notes.
What does cancer holiday insurance cover?
Here’s a quick look at when your policy will and won’t apply. If you’re not sure how any of these points might affect you, our friendly team can talk them through over the phone and help you understand what your cover includes.
We can usually help if you…
- have to cancel your trip or come home early
If illness, injury or bereavement means you can’t travel or need to cut your holiday short, we’ll help with the costs you can’t get back.
- need emergency medical treatment abroad
If you fall ill or get injured overseas, we’ll cover hospital treatment, ambulance transport and – if needed – medical repatriation, with help from our 24-hour assistance team.
- lose your bags or passport
If your baggage, valuables or travel documents are lost or stolen, we’ll help you replace essentials so you can carry on with your trip.
- are disrupted by bad weather or strikes
If your flight or connection is delayed because of unexpected bad weather, strike action or a vehicle breakdown, we’ll help cover reasonable travel or accommodation costs to get you where you need to be. (This doesn’t apply if the strike or disruption was already public knowledge when you booked your trip).
- are delayed on your journey (Classic and Deluxe)
If your flight or ferry is delayed for 12 hours or more, you’ll get a fixed payment to help with the inconvenience.
- can’t stay in your accommodation (Classic and Deluxe)
If a fire, flood or major power cut means you can’t stay in your hotel or apartment, we’ll help arrange and pay for somewhere else.
- are admitted to hospital while abroad (Classic and Deluxe)
If you’re kept in hospital overnight, we’ll pay a daily benefit to help with small personal costs while you recover. (If you’re injured in a mugging, an extra payment may also apply).
- are delayed by volcanic ash (Deluxe only)
If a volcanic ash cloud grounds your flight for more than 12 hours, you’ll receive a fixed payment to help with the delay.
- accidentally cause injury or damage
If you unintentionally injure someone or damage their belongings, your policy includes personal liability protection.
- are injured in an accident abroad
If you need legal help after being injured overseas, we’ll cover your legal costs, so you’re not left to manage it alone.
Cover won’t apply if you…
- haven’t told us about a medical condition
If you don’t declare a pre-existing condition, or if your health changes before you travel and you don’t update your policy, we won’t be able to cover related claims.
- travel against UK Government or medical advice
There’s no cover if you travel somewhere the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has advised against, or if your doctor says you shouldn’t travel for medical reasons.
- have an accident because of alcohol or drugs
We can’t cover claims if alcohol or drugs directly or indirectly contribute to an accident, injury or loss.
- miss a flight because of personal delays
If you don’t leave enough time to reach the airport or check-in, we can’t pay for missed flights or connections.
- leave belongings unattended
There’s no cover if something is lost or stolen after being left unattended – for example, on a sunbed, in an unlocked car or in a public place.
- are travelling for arranged medical treatment abroad
Travel insurance is designed for unexpected illness or injury, not for medical procedures, tests or check-ups arranged before you go.
- booked during a known strike or disruption
If strike action or travel problems were already public knowledge when you booked, your policy won’t apply to those delays or cancellations.
- take part in an activity that isn’t covered
Some higher-risk activities – such as certain winter sports – aren’t automatically included unless you’ve added the right optional cover.
- are waiting for a medical procedure
If you’re awaiting an operation or follow-up test, cancellation and curtailment claims won’t be covered unless it’s an accepted procedure shown on your validation certificate.
Types of cancer we regularly cover
97% of customers who declare a condition are offered cover with us. In fact, since 2014, we’ve helped more than 1.3 million travellers arrange cover for over 1,300 medical conditions (subject to screening) – from high blood pressure and diabetes to cancer and heart disease.
In the rare event we can’t offer you travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions, we’ll always try to point you in the right direction. We’re proud to be listed by MoneyHelper – a government-backed money guidance service that keeps a free, independently run directory of those who might be able to help with pre-existing medical conditions.
Breast cancer
Maybe you’ve finished radiotherapy and are now taking hormone tablets, or perhaps you’re years into routine check-ups. Tell us about any recent scans, surgery dates and medication you’re using. In many cases, we can include breast cancer in the policy.
Prostate cancer
From regular PSA monitoring to post-treatment reviews, every prostate cancer journey looks a little different. Share the details of your latest tests and follow-ups, and we’ll work to build protection that’s shaped around you and the holiday you’ve planned.
Bowel cancer
Travelling with a stoma bag? Due for a colonoscopy after a clear scan? Let us know. Your answers help us tailor cover that recognises where you are now.
Lung cancer
If breathlessness is a worry, you need oxygen arranged on the flight, or you’ve recently completed surgery or immunotherapy, let us know. That way, we’ll be able to make sure your policy reflects your day-to-day reality.
Skin cancer
Basal cell, squamous cell or melanoma each carries different risks – whether diagnosed last month or 2 years ago. Declare the type, treatment dates and any planned follow-ups, and in many cases, we can add it to your policy in minutes. If new tests crop up before you fly, you’ll be glad to have cover in place.
Get your quote
Top tip: GHIC cards vs travel insurance for cancer patients
Your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a helpful start to medical cover, but it barely scratches the surface of what emergency cancer care can cost abroad.
Your GHIC won’t cover specialist cancer drugs, MRI scans to check for recurrence or the air ambulance home if your oncologist wants you back under the NHS.
A policy with medical cover for cancer can help bridge that gap by, for example, paying the hospital directly where possible and organising a medically staffed flight back to the UK if your doctor deems it necessary.
Will my cancer diagnosis limit where I can travel?
The short answer is usually “no”, but the worry is completely understandable. Cancer treatments can leave you feeling vulnerable to infection, so you might wonder whether some destinations are off-limits. In practice, once you’ve answered our medical questions and your GP is happy for you to go, you can pick almost any spot on the map (as long as it’s not been marked unsafe by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office). The key is choosing a region that matches both your doctor’s advice and your comfort level.
Europe
Handy if you’d prefer to stay within a two-to-three-hour flight of home and travel on a GHIC back-up. Our Europe policies cover a long list of holiday hotspots, including Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and more.
Worldwide
Our worldwide cancer cover can include the USA, where private oncology care can hit six-figure sums without insurance.
How long can I travel for with cancer?
Travellers with a cancer history can choose from a single-trip or an annual multi-trip policy:
Single trip
| Age |
Region 1&2 |
Region 3 |
Region 4 |
| 0-65 |
Maximum 550 days per trip |
| 66-70 |
366 days |
276 days |
184 days |
| 71-75+ |
366 days |
184 days |
123 days |
Annual multi-trip
| Age |
Annual multi-trip |
| 0-70 |
Maximum 50 days per trip |
183 days in total |
| 70+ |
Maximum 35 days per trip |
183 days in total |
How to buy travel insurance with cancer
Step 1
You can get a quote online or over the phone. We’ll start by asking a few quick questions – like whether it’s single trip or annual cover, your travel dates, destination and if you’re going on a cruise.
It’s easy to cover an individual, couple, family or group of up to 9 travellers online (or up to 30 by phone).
Step 2
Next, we’ll go through a few details about your health over the past two years – including any diagnoses, symptoms, tests or treatment. We might ask some of the following questions about your cancer diagnosis:
- Has the cancer ever spread to or from another part of the body?
- When was your most recent treatment, including hormone therapy?
- Are you currently having – or waiting for – any treatment or investigations?
- Have you had any unplanned hospital stays for cancer in the last two years?
Step 3
Once you’ve shared your details, we’ll talk you through your quote, whether online or over the phone. You can choose your level of cover, add any extras and confirm your policy there and then.
You’ll get instant access to your policy documents in My Avanti, where you can view, download or update your details any time.
Get your quote
When to buy travel insurance for cancer patients
MoneySavingExpert’s Martin Lewis suggests buying holiday insurance ASAB – As Soon As You Book – and cancer makes that advice feel particularly relevant. Hospital appointments can change at short notice, and a single shift in your treatment cycle could force you to cancel that cruise or city break. Buying your insurance the same day you pay your deposit means cancellation cover starts straight away (unless you choose to delay your start date on an annual policy), protecting those upfront costs if your oncologist pulls you in for unexpected scans or a new round of chemo.
There’s one more date to keep in mind – the airline’s fit-to-fly window. Most carriers need a letter from your specialist issued within seven days of travel. Buying insurance early means that if your doctor decides, at the last check, that flying isn’t on the cards just yet, you’re covered to reclaim what you’ve spent and re-plan for when the timing works better.
How much is travel insurance with cancer?
Travel insurance can cost more after a cancer diagnosis because insurers have to allow for the extra help you might need overseas: specialist drugs, emergency scans or a flight home with a medical escort. The closer you are to recent treatment, the higher that risk tends to be, which is why premiums might fall once you move into longer-term remission.
Other factors still apply. Longer trips usually cost more than a weekend away simply because you’re away for longer. Destination matters too: oncology care in the Caribbean can be several times the price of treatment in mainland Europe: so worldwide cover is priced to reflect that. Add in your age, any additional conditions and the cover level you pick, and you’ll have your final quote for cancer holiday insurance.
If you take more than two holidays a year, compare single-trip prices with an annual multi-trip policy; if the annual premium tops £80, you can spread the cost over monthly payments.**
How to get cheaper travel insurance with cancer
few smart choices can keep costs in check without stripping away the cover that matters. Here are a few practical ways to keep your premium costs down:
- Trip duration – shorter trips usually cost less to insure because there’s less time for something to go wrong.
- Destination – some places are more expensive to insure than others. The USA, Canada and the Caribbean have some of the world’s highest medical costs, while Europe and the UK are often cheaper to cover.
- Policy level – Avanti offers three levels of cover – Essentials, Classic and Deluxe. Essentials is the most cost-effective option for travellers looking to keep things simple.
- Luggage cover – think about what you really need to take with you. Packing lighter and setting a lower luggage limit on your policy can bring the cost down.
- Excess – a higher voluntary excess means a lower premium. Just make sure it’s an amount you’d be comfortable paying if you claim.
- Discounts – it’s also worth checking our current offers before you buy. You can find the latest Avanti discount codes on our discounts page.
Avanti pays when it matters most
We know how important it is to feel confident that your claim will be handled quickly and fairly.
Between February 2024 and July 2025, our customers received more than £31 million, with over 18,000 claims settled.
You can expect to hear from our claims team within five working days of submitting your claim, and in most cases, Avanti strives to make a decision within five days of receiving your documents.
That’s one of the reasons Avanti has been awarded Best Insurance Customer Service by the Personal Finance Awards (2025).
Winner 7 years running: Best Travel Insurance
Our Best Travel Insurance award (Personal Finance Awards, 2018-2025) is based on the experiences of real people who travel with us. They’ve trusted us to help when plans change, flights are cancelled or medical emergencies happen abroad.
From updating policies to arranging hospital care or getting someone home safely, we do what good travel insurance should do – put things right.
Do I still need to declare cancer if it was years ago?
If your last treatment, check-up or oncology appointment was within the past 2 years, you’ll need to tell us the details when you buy. That includes follow-up scans, maintenance medication, hormone therapy or routine blood tests.
If you’ve been discharged from oncology for more than 2 years, have no ongoing medication and no symptoms, you can usually answer “no” to the cancer questions in our screening. Even then, keep an eye on your health before you travel; any new symptom or referral after you purchase must be updated so your policy continues to work exactly as promised.
What activities does cancer travel insurance cover?
A cancer diagnosis shouldn’t ground your holiday fun. As long as your doctor signs off and you’re well enough to take part, your Avanti cancer travel insurance policy can cover more than 100 fun-filled sports and activities as standard.
This includes snorkelling, pedalo hire, beach volleyball, ziplining, mini-golf, banana-boat rides, go-karting, paddle boarding and plenty more. Remember, to stay covered, make sure to follow the organiser’s rules, wear the provided helmets or life jackets, and keep it non-competitive.
Fancy a round of golf? You’re covered against accidents on the course, but our optional Golf add-on can add more protection for clubs, hired sets and can even reward a hole-in-one.***
Please see our policy documents for the full list of sports and activities covered.
Does Avanti cover cruises for cancer patients?
Our cruise travel insurance combines cruise-specific cover with all the standard protection you have on land. Screening works exactly the same way: tell us about yourself, your holiday (including the details of your cruise), and your cancer history.
If we can cover you, you’ll get protection for everything from missed ports, cabin confinement, unused excursions, to cancellation, emergency medical treatment and repatriation. So, whether it’s a gentle river cruise or a 120-night world voyage, you can focus on deck-chair views, not small-print worries.
Hear it from our happy travellers…
“Thankfully I haven’t had to make a claim so I’m basing this review purely on the customer service experience.
Having recently been diagnosed with cancer, but already having a holiday booked, I faced the uncertainty of trying to obtain travel insurance. I called Avanti and the customer service advisor was great, she really took the time to walk me through the process and was very understanding, given this was all new to me. I received a very good quote for single-trip insurance, strangely enough, annual insurance was even cheaper, so I would advise anyone seeking insurance to request an annual policy quote as well as a single-trip quote. Whilst I opted for the highest level of cover, even their lowest level surpassed most of the other companies I looked at.
All in I was thoroughly impressed by Avanti and would absolutely consider using them again.”
Dave, 15 April 2026
“The girl listened to all my medical issues and didn’t make me feel unworthy of a chance to go on a well-deserved holiday. I was able to get insurance with all my previous medical conditions, i.e. breast cancer, bowel cancer, high blood pressure and coronary heart disease. I felt the price was reasonable considering my history. I was also happy with the price for yearly cover. I am going to enjoy my first holiday in 17 years knowing that I’m covered for all eventualities. Thanks so much, Avanti!”
Marion, 21 March 2026
“I am a cancer victim, but currently very fit, and the disease is under control. My oncologist thinks I am absolutely fit to travel. However, so many insurers don’t want to as soon as you mention cancer. Avanti searches deeper, asks the right questions and comes to the right conclusion that they should and will give cover. Excellent. Thank you. I’ve got a few years left, and I have lots of places I intend to visit, and I will be using Avanti to cover me.”
Brian, 16 June 2025
