Travel Insurance for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL)

What is chronic lymphocytic leukaemia?

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, usually shortened to CLL, is a cancer of the white blood cells called lymphocytes. The bone marrow makes too many of them, and they don’t work properly. It tends to develop slowly and is most often diagnosed in older adults, sometimes by chance after a routine blood test. Despite the similar name, it is a different illness from chronic myeloid leukaemia.

Many people with CLL don’t need treatment straight away. Instead they’re monitored with regular blood tests, an approach called 'watch-and-wait', or active monitoring. When treatment is needed, it’s often with targeted medicines taken as tablets, antibody drips, or chemotherapy. Because CLL weakens the immune system, infections can be more frequent or more serious. See the NHS page on chronic lymphocytic leukaemia for more.

Why do I need to declare CLL for travel insurance?

CLL is a pre-existing medical condition, even if you’re on watch-and-wait and have never needed treatment. We ask about it because the condition weakens the immune system, so infections can take hold faster and become more serious. A chest infection on holiday might mean a hospital stay abroad, and feeling unwell before you leave might mean cancelling your holiday altogether. If CLL isn’t declared, a claim linked to it could be refused or reduced.

You won’t need to declare every medical condition you’ve ever had or been diagnosed with, only those that fall into the initial set of medical questions.

Can I get travel insurance with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia?

In many cases, yes. For CLL, whether cover can be offered usually depends on whether you’re on treatment, how many infections or hospital stays you’ve had recently, your latest blood counts, and whether more tests are planned. The medical screening gives you the outcome.

What we’ll ask about your CLL

Our online medical screening is quick and straightforward. You’ll answer a handful of questions about your CLL, covering whether you’re being monitored or treated and the medication you take. Once this condition is done, carry on and declare any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

When the medical declaration is complete, you’ll move on to the quote page. Where your CLL and any other conditions are coverable, a list of quotes appears, with the cost of covering your medical already built into the premium. If cover isn’t possible, you’ll find out before you proceed.

If your health changes before travelling

CLL can stay steady for years, but sometimes treatment starts sooner than expected. If, before your trip, you move from monitoring to treatment, your medicines change, you’re admitted to hospital, or you’re sent for more tests, you must let us know. Your cover might need another look, your medical situation may have to go to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to continue with cover.

A future claim can be affected or denied if a change in your medical isn’t reported.

What can CLL travel insurance cover?

With CLL accepted, emergency treatment abroad linked to it can be covered like any other. If you developed pneumonia in Tenerife and needed to be admitted, the hospital costs can be covered, and so can a medically supported return to the UK if needed. All subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If an infection or a change in your CLL means your doctor tells you not to travel, you may be able to claim non-refundable costs back through cancellation cover.

Planned treatment abroad isn’t covered. Nor is anything linked to a condition you didn’t declare.

Will CLL affect the cost of travel insurance?

CLL may be reflected in the price, depending on the outcome of your screening. If you use our online medical screening, there could be questions about whether and how your CLL is treated and how well it’s being controlled. Your answers matter more than the diagnosis on its own. The quote also takes in your age, where you’re heading and the length of the trip, and you see the total before buying.

Single trip or annual cover with CLL

Lots of people with CLL travel regularly, especially while on watch and wait, so annual multi-trip cover can make sense if your screening result allows it. For a single holiday, single trip cover is the straightforward choice.

Travelling with CLL: practical tips

These are general tips for travelling with a weakened immune system and are not part of your insurance.

Vaccines need careful thought. Live vaccines, such as yellow fever, are generally not recommended for people with CLL. If your destination requires one, ask your haematology team or a travel clinic what to do, and allow plenty of time. The TravelHealthPro country pages list the vaccines and health risks for each country.

Food and water hygiene matter more than usual. Choose food that’s freshly cooked and served hot, peel fruit yourself, and avoid tap water and ice where it isn’t safe. Washing hands often, or using hand gel, reduces the risk of picking up bugs on planes and in airports.

Ask your team what to do if you get a fever while away. Some people are given a course of antibiotics to take with them, along with clear instructions on when to start it and when to seek help.

Some targeted CLL medicines interact with certain foods, including grapefruit and Seville oranges, so read the leaflet or ask your pharmacist. Keep tablets in hand luggage in their original packs, and read our guide to travelling abroad with medication before you go.

If you’ve had shingles before, or your immunity is low, mention it to your GP before a long trip.

How to get a quote

Fill in your trip details, answer the CLL questions and anything else on your medical history, then choose your cover. The price is there before you pay.

Get a Quote

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Don't worry if your condition is not listed above - we cover plenty more medical conditions.
* Please note that cover will vary depending on individual medical screenings.