Travel premium 'rises after cancer'

While some are quoted double or even triple the cost of their holiday, others face being asked insensitive questions about their illness when inquiring about insurance, Macmillan Cancer Support found.

Two in five cancer patients (39%) have been quoted high travel insurance premiums, and 6% have been refused insurance altogether. Some 8% have resorted to going on holiday without cover, the study found.

George Ritchie, 52, from Peterborough, who has recovered from bowel cancer, told Macmillan about his experience of booking insurance for a two-week trip to Florida. He said: "I rang several companies and was quoted various amounts from £800 to £2,450. In the end I bought insurance for £60 but it seems ridiculous that some of the quotes were so high."

Another respondent, whose husband has a rare form of cancer, but is not terminally ill, was asked such questions as "is your husband going to die?" and "how long has he got?", Macmillan said.

The charity has launched the Recovered But Not Covered campaign to help people get a better deal on travel insurance. The campaign will work with insurance companies to challenge their attitude towards cancer and encourage them to review the insurance risk posed by those affected by cancer who are now recovering, or recovered.

It also seeks to improve the level of customer service offered to cancer patients to ensure they are treated respectfully and tactfully.

Ayesha Owusu-Barnaby, head of campaigns and public affairs at Macmillan, said: "Most people live long and active lives after cancer and that's why Macmillan is calling on the travel insurance industry to look again at the risk posed by people affected by cancer and improve the deal offered to them."

Nick Starling, director of general insurance and health at the Association of British Insurers, said: "Travel insurers provide competitively priced cover to as many travellers as possible. Specialist insurers, using expert medical advice, are providing travel insurance to many travellers with a history of cancer.

"The cost of this cover needs to reflect the risk, which insurers assess using the best available medical evidence. Insurers will always take into account the most up-to-date, authoritative medical evidence. We are keen to discuss the concerns of the Macmillan Trust with them, to ensure that people with a history of cancer get the best deal from travel insurance."