Travelling in Remission: What You Need to Know About Travel Insurance

Travelling in Remission: What You Need to Know About Travel Insurance

Reaching remission is one of the most profound moments in a cancer journey. For many people, it comes with renewed energy and a desire to travel — to take that trip that was deferred during treatment, or to celebrate the milestone with loved ones.

But before you book, there's one crucial point to understand: remission does not mean your cancer is automatically covered by travel insurance.

This surprises many people. The reasoning is straightforward: even in complete remission, there is a statistically elevated risk of recurrence compared with someone who has never had cancer. That ongoing risk is what travel insurers must price.

Consider: a woman with breast cancer who completed chemotherapy 18 months ago is in complete remission — no detectable cancer, stable markers, and discharged to 6-monthly GP monitoring. She feels healthy and wants to travel to Europe. Her insurer still needs to:

• Confirm the original stage and grade
• Confirm when treatment ended
• Assess the statistical risk of recurrence over the travel period
• Determine what complications might arise if she has a recurrence overseas
• Price the additional risk into a premium

None of this is punitive. It is simply the accurate risk assessment that allows insurers to offer cancer cover at all.

Even in long-term remission, you must declare:

• Your cancer type and original stage
• All treatments you have received (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy)
• The date your active treatment ended
• Whether there has been any recurrence since the original diagnosis
• Your current monitoring schedule
• Any ongoing medications (even if for cancer-related side effects rather than cancer itself)
• Any ongoing cancer-related complications (lymphoedema, neuropathy)

There is no time limit on this declaration requirement. Cancer diagnosed 10 years ago must still be declared.

Questions You'll Be Asked

The online medical assessment for remission cases typically includes:

• "What type of cancer were you diagnosed with?"
• "When were you originally diagnosed?"
• "What stage was the cancer?"
• "What treatment did you receive?"
• "When did you complete treatment?"
• "Have you had any recurrence since your original diagnosis?"
• "How often do you currently see your specialist?"
• "Are you currently on any medications related to your cancer?"
• "Have you had any cancer-related complications (e.g. lymphoedema, neuropathy)?"

Answer carefully and accurately. If you are unsure about exact dates or staging, a call to your GP or oncologist's office can confirm them quickly.

After completing the assessment, one of three outcomes typically follows:

1. 1
   Cover approved with additional premium — : Your remission case is accepted, and cancer-related complications during your trip are covered. The additional premium is quoted and you choose whether to accept.

1. 2
   Cancer excluded, other cover approved — : If the insurer cannot extend cover for your cancer, you can still get a policy covering cancellation, baggage, and other medical emergencies. This is still valuable.

1. 3
   Unable to issue a policy — : Rare for remission cases, but possible for very recent remission from high-risk cancers.

The additional premium for remission cases is generally lower than for active treatment cases — but still higher than a standard policy. As a guide:

• Long-term remission (5+ years), low-risk cancer: +20–50% on base premium
• Medium-term remission (2–5 years), moderate-risk cancer: +50–100%
• Recent remission (under 2 years), higher-risk cancer: +100–150%

These are rough guides only. Get quotes from at least two providers to compare.

Tips for Getting Covered in Remission

1. Gather your documentation first Have your specialist letters, most recent test results (PSA, CA-125, thyroglobulin, or whatever monitoring you have), and a clear understanding of your diagnosis and treatment history before starting the application.

2. Be specific about your stage "Stage 2A breast cancer" gives the insurer much more to work with than "breast cancer". Specific staging information helps ensure accurate assessment.

3. Mention discharge from specialist follow-up if applicable If your oncologist has formally discharged you from regular specialist follow-up, this is a meaningful positive indicator. Mention it in the questionnaire.

4. Compare at least two providers Different insurers may offer different outcomes and premiums for identical medical histories. Cover-More, 1Cover, SCTI, and AA Travel Insurance are all worth comparing.

5. Don't assume cancellation cover is included for remission-related cancellation Read your policy carefully. Some policies cover cancellation due to a recurrence; others exclude it if the condition is pre-existing. Ask specifically if you are concerned.

A Word on "All Clear"

"All clear" is not a formal medical or insurance term. If your oncologist has used it, ask them what they specifically mean — are you discharged from follow-up? Are monitoring tests still needed? The answers matter for your insurance declaration.

Being "all clear" from your oncologist is a wonderful milestone. For travel insurance purposes, it is a positive factor in your assessment — but it does not remove the obligation to declare.