Finding Specialist Cover: The MoneyHelper & BIBA Directory Guide
At Over 80, we believe that a medical diagnosis shouldn’t stand in the way of seeing the world. However, we understand that for many living with cancer—or those in remission—the traditional insurance market can feel like a series of closed doors. If you have struggled to find an affordable quote, or have been refused cover entirely, there are official UK resources designed specifically to help you.
What is the “Medical Signposting” Rule?
In 2021, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced new rules to help consumers with serious pre-existing medical conditions (PEMCs). If an insurance provider cannot offer you cover, or if the additional premium for your medical condition is higher than a set threshold, they are required to direct you to a Specialist Medical Travel Insurance Directory.
Travel Supermarket Comparison
Travelsupermarket insurance will give you a broad view of the whole of the travel insurance options for your longer stay trip. Compare 120 holiday insurance policies from over 50 travel insurance providers including SAGA, Staysure and Allclear.
- Policies tailored to you
- Cover from just £6.00
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Paying too much Travel Insurance Comparison
Adventures are for everyone, no matter your age or health. Discover policies with no upper age limits. Get travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions and set off on your next adventure with the confidence you deserve. Winners of the Best Comparison Site at The Personal Finance Awards 2021/2022, 2022/2023 and 2023/2024
Rated 'Excellent' on Trustpilot
Cover from as little as £34.69*
GET A QUOTE FROM PAYING TOO MUCH >
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Staysure Travel Insurance for ANY AGE
5 Star reviews on Trustpilot than any other travel insurance provider.
Covering you for one trip to any worldwide destination, with no upper age limit 100% of claims are progressed to the decision stage within 2 days of receiving all documents
- 99% of global destinations covered
- Example Quote* - £55.00
> GET A QUOTE FROM STAYSURE INSURANCE
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Good to Go for the over 80s
Goodtogoinsurance.com provides travel insurance cover to travellers of any age, with or without pre-existing medical conditions. They can also cover your travelling companions on the same policy.
- Pre existing conditons such as Cancer, Heart Conditions, Diabetes, Stroke, Epilepsy and many more
- Single trip and annual travel insurance with no age limit
- Three levels of travel insurance cover available and No AGE LIMITS!
- Example Quote* - £67.34 (Silver Policy)
> GET A QUOTE FROM GOOD TO GO INSURANCE
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Avanti Travel Insurance
Single Trip Travel Insurance covers anyone up to the age of 120! Cancellation cover starts as soon as you take out the policy and ends when you’re back home again. Ideal if you are planning on a long stay in the winter sun of Spain or Portugal, or further afield like Mexico or Thailand
- Offers Single and Annual cover worldwide
- Quotes from* - £23.50
> GET A QUOTE FROM AVANTI
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Cover for You Travel Insurance up to 75
Award Winning Travel Insurance - Best Travel Insurance Provider (Forbes Advisor 2022). CoverForYou offers comprehensive travel insurance backed by our award winning customer service and claims teams.
- Offers Single and Annual cover worldwide
- Quotes from* - £5.50
> GET A QUOTE FROM COVER FOR YOU
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Columbus Insurance up to the age of 85
Columbus offer a range of flexible single-trip policies from just £2.69 and annual policies from £22(1) covering both Europe and Worldwide destinations. All policies include cover for over 150 sports and activities. For those with a more adventurous streak, many more daring activities can be covered for a small extra premium.
- Example Quote* - £12.69
> GET A QUOTE FROM COLUMBUS INSURANCE
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Globelink Insurance for seniors up to 89
Single trip policies are available for up to 89 year olds, Over 50 pre-existing medical conditions covered for free
24/7 medical emergency helpline - we’re there if you need us
- Example Quote* - £40.99
> GET A QUOTE FROM GLOBELINK
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Medical Travel Insurance Directory.
These directories are not just lists of names; they are vetted registries of specialist providers who have proven they can cover complex cases, including terminal prognoses and active chemotherapy.
1. The MoneyHelper Travel Directory
MoneyHelper is a free, impartial service backed by the UK Government. Their Medical Cover Firm Directory is the gold standard for finding “high-risk” travel insurance.
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Best for: Patients who have been refused cover elsewhere or those facing extremely high premiums.
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How it works: You can search their database of specialist firms that offer “manual underwriting”—where a human expert assesses your specific health situation rather than relying on a computer algorithm.
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Contact: You can access the directory online at moneyhelper.org.uk or call their dedicated helpline at 0800 138 7777.
2. BIBA (British Insurance Brokers’ Association)
If your medical history is particularly complex—for example, if you are currently participating in a clinical trial—you may benefit from a specialist broker. The BIBA Travel Medical Directory connects you with brokers who can “shop the market” on your behalf.
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Best for: Rare cancer types or multi-condition cases where you need a tailored policy.
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Contact: Visit the BIBA Find Insurance Service or call 0370 950 1790 to speak with a specialist.
3 Essential Tips for Your Search
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Be Prepared for Medical Screening: When contacting these specialists, have the exact name of your diagnosis, dates of your last treatment, and any upcoming surgery or scan dates ready.
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Check the “Fit to Travel” Status: Most specialist insurers will require your consultant or GP to confirm you are “fit to travel” before the policy becomes valid.
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Look for “Cancel for Any Reason” Add-ons: When using specialist directories, ask if the policy covers cancellation due to a change in your medical condition, as this is a common concern for cancer patients
Finding specialized cover for serious illnesses doesn’t have to be a dead end, even if you have been refused travel insurance for cancer in the UK by mainstream providers. If your current insurer is unable to offer a quote, they are legally required to signpost you to the FCA medical cover firm directory, a curated list of providers who specialize in high-risk cases. For those seeking specialist travel insurance for chemotherapy patients or more complex needs, the MoneyHelper travel insurance directory contact number (0800 138 7777) is the best starting point for impartial, government-backed guidance. Even in difficult cases, such as finding travel insurance for cancer with a terminal prognosis in 2026, these specialist brokers and insurers can often provide a tailored safety net, ensuring you can travel with peace of mind.
Disclaimer: Over 80 provides this information as a guide to help you navigate the UK insurance market. We recommend always checking that any provider you choose is fully regulated by the FCA.