Planning a holiday? Read our travel insurance advice

The main issue for anyone affected by a brain tumour, and their partner or family, is to find a travel insurer who accepts medical conditions. Pre-existing medical conditions are one of the most important exclusions in all travel policies unless they have been disclosed when you take out the policy and have been approved by your insurer. Some companies won't cover pre-existing illnesses, and others increase premiums or excesses.

Shop around for for travel insurance

Don't buy it with your holiday! Shop around for travel insurance. There can be a marked difference in charges between companies. Take a look at WHICH HOLIDAY magazine (pub:The Consumers Association) and available in your local library (or by subscription on line). WHICH surveys the travel insurance market in March each year and regularly through the year. Save time by contacting Freedom Travel Insurance 0870 774 3760 which offers insurance for people with cancer and terminal illnesses at competitive rates, or try INTUNE tel 0800 022 3161, a new company linked to Help The Aged, or RIAS, the Retirement Insurance Advisory Service, to find you the best value holiday cover. You don’t have to be over 50 or retired to use their services and they are very friendly. RIAS Freephone 0800 552 100Tell them about recent or planned treatment, and any other pre-existing medical conditions, otherwise these won't be covered if you need to make a claim.

Be prepared for questions

You may be asked for the dates of your last or next hospital visit, what it was for, and about any proposed or ongoing treatment. For instance, if you are booked for surgery within a short time, you will pay more than if the condition has been inactive for a long time and no other treatment is proposed. You may be required to provide a letter from your GP or your consultant confirming your fitness to travel. This is particularly relevant for people with a newly-diagnosed brain tumours or who have had recent treatment.

European Health Insurance Card or EHIC when travelling in Europe

Travelling in Europe? Make sure you take the new European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This card replaced the old E111 from January 2006. It entitles you to free or reduced medical treatment within countries of the European Economic Area (EEA)  and Switzerland. Insurers may waive excesses for medical treatment if you use your EHIC to get treatment. NB Don’t lose it or throw it away! It’s now a permanent insurance card so there is no need to renew it annually.The EHIC card is available free to all residents of the UK. Apply for it online (https://www.ehic.org.uk), by phone (0845 606 2030), or with an application form from the Post Office. You need to apply three weeks before travelling in Europe.  An EHIC is not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance, and should not be considered as a cheap alternative. But it provides cover in an emergency, and is valid in EEA countries (this means that you will get treatment if should you fall ill or injure yourself. It is adequate for short trips, and many people are happy to use it for short visits. But for complete coverage you should consider buying your own travel insurance policy as well.