LONDON - People suffering from cancer in the UK are either denied travel insurance or are asked to shell out above normal rates, according to a new study by Macmillan Cancer Support. The survey of 1,137 people found that many of them were quoted higher premiums if they had a positive history of cancer.
Around 6 percent of the respondents, who had been completely cured of cancer or were in remission, said insurers refused to provide travel insurance for them. The study found that 8 percent of the people who were fed up with hunting for travel insurance embarked on vacations without any coverage at all.
Some 39 percent of the cancer patients were quoted massive premiums, the study said. The charity has now launched a campaign called "Recovered But Not Covered" in order to help people get adequate travel insurance if they were in the process of recovering from cancer. The campaign also calls on the insurance industry to change attitudes toward cancer patients.
"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," said Ayesha Owusu-Barnaby, who is the chief of campaigns and public affairs at Macmillan. "Hundreds of people contact Macmillan about travel insurance every month."
However Nick Starling, of the Association of British Insurers defended the industry saying the cancer could return anytime and that was a tangible risk. "The cost of cover needs to reflect the risk, which insurers assess using the best available medical evidence," he observed. "Insurers will always take into account the most up to date, authoritative medical evidence."
