Gayle has been an AllClear customer for almost 10 years, and during this time, she has been grateful for the support and help provided for people like her with pre-existing medical conditions which has allowed her to travel the world with peace of mind.
For Gayle, staying with AllClear isn’t just about price, as she says “If another provider offers a similar price but the coverage with my policy is better, I stay. Why move for the sake of saving £20 when I know I’m getting better coverage?” The tailored policy from AllClear, which factor in her specific medical history, has allowed Gayle, despite her medical conditions, to resume her love for travel.
Gayle’s journey to finding the right travel insurance began after she experienced a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in 2004, which led to a pulmonary embolism. Initially, she relied on the standard travel insurance included with her bank account, but after her illness, she realised she needed a provider that understood her medical history. “At the time, I worked in financial services, so I called various underwriters to ask which Insurers would be best for me,” Gayle recalls. Her search led her to another company, which after a few years, withdrew their travel insurance offering. After this and further research, she found AllClear, where she was so pleased to be speaking to an insurance provider who understood her medical condition. “I get it—insurance for my blood clotting condition costs more because should I need any treatments, they need to take more care which will be more expensive. But I’m OK with that; I understand why.”
In 2018, Gayle was diagnosed with breast cancer, and this introduced a new layer of complexity to her travel insurance. While her treatment consisted of surgery to remove the cancer, the rest, consisting of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, was undertaken as preventative to reduce the risk of it returning which impacted her insurance premiums. Many insurers either refused coverage or offered very high premiums, something Gayle found both frustrating and disheartening. “The travel insurance companies either wouldn’t insure me, or they’d charge a huge amount for having had something that I no longer have and suffer no ill effects from,” she recalls, so she was so relieved when AllClear said that they could insure her at a reasonable cost.
Throughout her experience, Gayle has learned how important it is to declare all medical conditions when applying for travel insurance, even when it feels unfair. “I think sometimes I over-confess because I want to make sure I’m covered. Then you pay more. And it’s frustrating when you’re around people who don’t declare their conditions—whether because they don’t know or don’t bother.” While some may try to avoid disclosing health conditions to save money, Gayle prioritises safety, especially since she’s now starting to enjoy cruises. “Cruises are more expensive to insure because if something happens, you’re on deep water and need to be flown off.”
For Gayle, travel has always been a vital part of her life, and after her cancer treatment, it became even more important. She admits that she delayed medical procedures, with full agreement from her oncology team, just to make sure she could travel. “My biopsy was delayed because I was going on holiday” then my surgery was delayed a week because I didn’t want to cancel my 50th Birthday party.” When she finally went on holiday after her treatment, it was incredibly liberating. “I finished chemo in September 2018, and by February 2019, I was in Canada. It was like reclaiming my normal life.”
One of Gayle’s biggest frustrations with the insurance industry is the lack of transparency in pricing. She wishes she could see exactly how much each condition impacts her premium. “I’d love to see a breakdown of what I’m actually paying for,” she says. “If my blood clot condition is costing me an extra £89.23, my cancer £126, and my blood pressure £22, at least I’d know what’s adding to the premium.” Greater clarity, Gayle believes, would encourage more people to declare their medical conditions accurately, allowing for better coverage and fewer misunderstandings. “If people knew exactly what impact their condition had on the cost, they might be more inclined to declare it. If you knew your high blood pressure was only adding £1 a month, you wouldn’t think twice.”
Since discovering cruises, Gayle has found a new passion for exploring the world. After her first cruise in October, she was hooked. “It’s a nice mix of social and relaxation. You can dress up if you want to, but you don’t have to. It’s like a resort, but floating,” she explains.
Gayle totally appreciated the need to seek out insurance, such as that provided by AllClear because they understand her medical needs. Her advice for others navigating travel insurance with medical conditions is simple: “Be honest about your medical history because if you don’t declare something and need to claim, you could be left stranded. And if you find an insurance provider that treats you fairly and offers good coverage—stick with them.”
If you’re living with medical conditions, AllClear Travel Insurance is here to give you peace of mind – so you can travel with confidence, just like Gayle. Get your free quote today and take the first step towards your next unforgettable journey.
