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Cancer Care Insurance

It’s a sad fact that cancer is one of the most common serious illnesses in New Zealand, with around 51 people diagnosed every day*.

While you can’t predict what might be around the corner, you can be prepared and give yourself the best chance of a complete recovery should the worst happen.

Being diagnosed with cancer can be a very difficult time. Cancer Care Insurance gives you what you need - a lump sum of money to tackle your treatment and recovery. Your lump sum payment is there to help you overcome the physical, emotional and financial stress that accompanies the diagnosis of cancer.

Benefits

Flexible cover

The size of the payout depends on the cover you choose and can be up to $80,000.

Guaranteed acceptance

Acceptance for Cancer Care Insurance is guaranteed if you're aged between 18 and 59. You do not need a medical, nor do you need to answer any medical questions. However, if you have any pre-existing conditions, they will be excluded from your cover **.

$5,000 early payout

If you're diagnosed with an early stage cancer, which is a cancer that has not yet spread to surrounding healthy tissue, the policy pays $5,000 early. It's an early benefit, meaning this amount comes off your chosen cover.

Money is paid tax-free

It's a lump sum payout just like full life insurance. There is no income tax paid on the policy payout so you get the entire amount you are covered for.

30-day no-obligation review

You enjoy a 30-day no-obligation review - if it’s not what you expected or you change your mind we'll cancel your Cancer Care Insurance policy and refund any premiums paid.

Joint ownership

You may allocate a joint owner for your insurance policy, such as a partner, who can manage the claims process if you are diagnosed with cancer. This means that you can concentrate on your recovery while your joint policy owner helps with making the claim.

Reach of cover

You're covered anywhere in the world.

Length of cover

Your Cancer Care Insurance policy will continue to cover you for as long as you want up to age 65.

Other Cancer Care Insurance policy information

90-day stand down period

Full cover is provided 90 days after your policy start date.

Payments

The money is paid in the most useful way - as a lump sum, not in instalments. You can use the money as you need it. It doesn't have to go towards medical bills - it's yours to use any way you need to.

Policy cancellation

Cancer Care Insurance has no cancellation value, so if you decide to cancel your policy there is no payout.

Paying premiums

Premiums can be paid fortnightly, monthly (direct debit and credit card only), quarterly, half-yearly or annually by direct debit, credit card or cheque.

How to make a Cancer Care Insurance claim

You, or the person looking after your affairs, will need to contact us to inform us of your diagnosis so we can start the claim process. To make a claim, contact AA Life on 0800 874 444 or write to AA Life Claims, PO Box 894, Wellington, 6140.

We will let you know what evidence we require. The Policy Owner is responsible for the cost of providing this evidence.

We may need you to be examined by a doctor of our choice to assist with the assessment of your claim.

Payments under this policy will be made once:

(a) we have received the following:

properly completed claim form(s);
proof of the condition for which the claim is being made; and
copies of all investigations performed which may include, but are not limited to, clinical, radiological, histological and laboratory evidence;
copy of your medical history for the purposes of assessing the claim; and

(b) we have confirmed you are eligible for a payment.

Please refer to the Cancer Care Insurance policy document for more information.

*Source: New Zealand Cancer Society Cancer Statistics

** Pre-existing conditions exclusion

Please be advised that a claim arising directly or indirectly from a pre-existing condition within the last five (5) years will not be covered.

A pre-existing condition is an illness, condition or related signs or symptoms that you were aware of or a reasonable person in your position should have been aware of, or for which you have had a conventional or alternative medical consultation, or treatment.