AllClear tackles cancer myths
AllClear, a specialist travel insurer based in the UK, has addressed the perceived lack of clarity surrounding travel insurance coverage for those declaring cancer. Many sufferers opt for a holiday to rehabilitate following treatment, but there are a number of myths that the insurer feels are muddying the waters when it comes to coverage for these travellers.
AllClear, a specialist travel insurer based in the UK, has addressed the perceived lack of clarity surrounding travel insurance coverage for those declaring cancer. Many sufferers opt for a holiday to rehabilitate following treatment, but there are a number of myths that the insurer feels are muddying the waters when it comes to coverage for these travellers.
One is that a traveller declaring their full medical history will not be able to find comprehensive travel cover because they have either had cancer in the past, or are currently living with it. Garry Nelson of AllClear explained: “There are specialist insurance providers that offer comprehensive travel insurance. [They] are not trying to catch you out when requiring you to complete a medical screening process; they’re simply trying to accurately assess the risk of a claim being made while ensuring you have the appropriate level of cover for your trip. It is essential that you declare all conditions to make sure you are properly covered.”
Some travellers also believe that if they are in remission, they do not need to declare their condition. This, said Nelson, is ‘one of the more damaging and potentially costly myths’: “To ensure comprehensive cover is in place, it is vital to declare any cancer conditions regardless of whether you are in full recovery, as well as any other medical conditions you live with. Failure to do so could lead to your claim being declined, or partially declined, and leaving you to face potentially expensive medical bills abroad, should there be a medical emergency.”
Nelson also assured travellers that they will be able to obtain coverage if they are currently undergoing chemotherapy, or waiting for treatment; that they need to inform their insurer if they are waiting for the results of a potentially cancerous symptom; can still buy insurance if their cancer has spread; and that no matter how minor their condition, they still need to declare.