Ask Away: Insurance help needed

Is travel insurance possible for everyone? Photo / Getty

Eleanor Barker answers your travel queries.

This week marks a slightly unconventional Ask Away where I hand over to you, the readers. This is a tricky question and after weeks of being fobbed off by insurers I believe it's best to ask the village. Ever experienced anything similar?

My wife had an initial breast cancer diagnosis about 10 years ago and then a secondary cancer diagnosis two years ago, but more recent scans show no evidence of cancer.

However, insurers don't take any of this into account when we apply for travel insurance cover. Their online application engines don't take into account the recent scans; they simply decline at the mention of secondary cancer. We have tried Southern Cross, 1Cover and AA. They don't even offer cover at higher than normal premiums, which I would have thought would at least be an option.

Thanks in advance for your help as this is a very frustrating situation and I am sure there are many people facing this every time they travel. Do readers know if there are any insurance companies who are more open to getting the full picture before making a decision?
- Insurance-less couple, NZ

Reader feedback

Another option for the family wanting to visit their acquaintance in New Mexico . . . Fly direct into San Diego (via Hawaii) on Hawaiian Airlines. Rent car for however many days, see the zoo, wildlife park, Scripps Aquarium, Coronado Bridge, seals at La Jolla etc. Drive up to LA. Fly to New Mexico. Rent another car to visit the acquaintance and see the sights. Return home via LAX. Any clued-up travel agent should be able to put this together.
- Zac

I was surprised that you didn't advise the use of Greyhound. Our use of Greyhound has usually been in Canada rather than the USA, Vancouver to and from Whistler and Vancouver to and from Quesnel but we have travelled from Seattle to Vancouver. The buses are comfortable and quite cheap.
- Mike

My mum uses an app called Calm to fall asleep. It features a 24-minute story narrated by Stephen Fry called Blue Gold and she's never heard the end of it.
- Jimmy

Instead of listening to a "boring" app to fall asleep, I recommend you listen to your favourite podcast for the second time. You can drift off without worrying about missing anything.
- Gemma