Holiday insurance again

Lots of good points to consider, Barry - yes, of course age is a factor, and the age at which the different insurers jack up the premium or refuse to insure you at all is another thing that varies hugely.

Insuring as separate individuals rather than as a couple might seem advantageous, but in fact you'd need to declare the PCa on both policies, because if the holiday had to be cancelled because of it, you'd only both be covered if you had both declared it.

Obtaining insurance that excludes cover for the PCa is an option, but simply not declaring the PCa is not the same. Some companies simply don't cover you for conditions you have chosen not to mention, but most of them say they want you to declare everything, and it may invalidate the policy if you don't.

The variation in cost and conditions of travel insurance are much bigger than those in motor insurance, so it really is worth shopping around. Another contrast is that if you make a claim with one company, you can reinsure with another company without having to declare it - unlike car insurance where your claims record follows you for about five years.

We were just grateful to have found the Nationwide cover, as no one else seemed prepared to insure us at all at that stage without charging more than the price of the holiday.

Marje

That's an important point

- most  positive reviews of insurance companies that you see on their sites,  seem to concentrate on how easy it is to take the insurance out,

I'm more interested in the companies that don't try to wriggle out when (and if) it comes to pay-out time.

Dave

It might be worth waiting until after your op now as it makes the answers you give to the insurance questions more straightforward but you can go online and try a few websites to see what happens. We are with Insurewith who specialise in covering medical stuff - they were happy to insure John when he climbed Kilimanjaro in between his op and his RT and we have stayed with them ever since - annual worldwide cover (except USA) for us as a couple is £120 but I think we paid a little more in the first year when he had had the op. That includes the prostate cancer - I would be reluctant to take cover that excludes the prostate as although he would be unlikely to have any prostate problems during the holiday it is still the most likely reason that we might need to cancel, change dates, etc. some men, because of their prognosis or treatment plan, have no choice but to get insurance excluding PCa but if it is available my advice is to take it.

My dad's cover includes his PCa and various other things because he is nearly 80 - it is still only about £300 and he makes good use of it by being away more than he is home!

PS presumably you will have had your post op appointment and pathology by mid January at which point you can discuss with the oncologist your Cuba plans - I am sure they will be happy to delay RT until after Cuba unless your pathology is dreadful (and even if it was dreadful - which is unlikely - they would put you on HT which wouldn't stop you travelling).

One thing we were told, although it seems other members haven't had the same advice (and it wasn't that he is very fair-skinned or freckly, he is very dark) was that John would need to be very careful in the sun after RT as the skin around the tummy and waist area would be very susceptible to sunburn. So we delayed RT until after our usual France holiday rather than him having to stay covered up.

I'm a Irishman - fair skinned, reddish hair, and burn like mad in the sun. When I go on holiday, and I travel a lot, I actually come back whiter than what I left because I use so much sunblock!!!! I need to get to Cuba before McDonalds and KFC etc! But good advice about skin care in the sun post radiotherapy.

Walter

Id try getting a few quotes via online insurance sites to see what reaction you get, the results and cost will vary a great deal, be honest in your answers, you dont need to get it now as youve already booked and most wouldnt cover you if you cancelled your trip, so consider buying a month or so before you go, beware if your still recieving treatment or got appointment to see a specialist or consultant, you may not be offered any cover until sometime after.

I visited Cuba about 15 years ago, like all the carribean its hot, wear high factor sun protector a keep out of direct sun exposure for the first week etc, Im sure youll love it, great place to visit if your a tourist, it will change unfortunatly

Good luck.

Bazza

OK, I'm a bit impatient.  As Marje suggested, I contacted the Nationwide's insurers.  Told them my story and am now covered worldwide for £180 per year.  It was dead easy.  I already have a Flex account with them and need to upgrade this for £10 per month to a Flex Plus account.  

Thanks Marje - looks like Cuba at Easter is very much going to happen.

Walter