Hi All,
I have posted on a similar thread before.
Three key issues are:
1You may be asked if you are undergoing chemotherapy.There is the debatable issue of whether a tki is a form of oral chemotherapy or is it strictly speaking targeted molecular therapy?Many insurers would not be aware of the difference and in the event of a claim if this matter had not been answered according to the insurers interpretation your claim might be excluded.
2In.the event that you make a claim the insurers will ask your consent that they be able to access your medical history via your GP-if you decline to give consent your claim will not proceed.So there are perils in hiding any aspects of any previous medical condition should this be asked for when taking out the insurance.
3.Will your insurers cover the replacement costs of your tkis if they are lost or stolen or might this be covered on the all risks policy of your house insurance?.For instance on a two week trip one might take a three week supply of drugs on the basis that if you are delayed or fall ill you will need to take some more as a reserve.Three weeks supply purchased locally might cost upwards of £1500.
4.Making a claim whilst on holiday -this is usually a nightmare.Some years ago we were on holiday in Thailand and I had muscular inflammation/ myositis as a side effect of Glivec .We had to seek local medical treatment and then deal with a the insurers call centre based in South Africa -fortunately we had a local SIM card so calls back to UK were reasonable but you may rack up substantial costs in logging your claim whilst abroad and asking for assistance.We delayed our return and we needed to fly lying flat in business or first class.
5.Davids suggestion of doing ones own thing or some form of self insurance is worthwhile but we found that two one way business class fares Bangkok -London with BA totalled £4000;eventually we found another airline at just over £1000 each.We were successful in our claim but fraught with stress and so on regarding information needed by the insurers.
To go to some far flung parts of the world with no travel insurance apart from what is on your credit card would be extremely risky. In Europe in an emergency in theory your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) should help but would not include costs of repatriation.We used World First as insurers who pride themselves on insuring any condition but yes at a premium and yes there is medical screening and if over 70 the rates multiply as well.
With best wishes
John