If you have cancer and you apply for insurance cover, you must inform the insurer of your condition. Under Australian insurance law you must tell your provider anything that may be relevant to their decision to offer you cover, so you’ll need to disclose your diagnosis when you fill out an application form.
Currently, you must also inform your insurer of genetic test results when you apply for life insurance. However, as of 1 July 2019, some people will no longer be required to do so depending on the type of policy and the amount you're covered for. If your benefit limits are below the following amounts, you will not be required to disclose the results of your genetic tests:
Positive results (which mean you’re more likely to get cancer) will typically lead to increased income protection and life insurance premiums, while negative results will usually help an insurer decide that you are no more likely to get cancer than anyone else.
With this in mind, it becomes clear just how important the financial protection offered by trauma insurance can be. Not only will you and your family suffer from an emotional perspective if you receive a cancer diagnosis, but your finances will also take a hit. You may need to undergo expensive treatments, laborious rehabilitation processes and more, while at the same time you may need to take time off work and not be able to draw your regular income.
The lump sum benefit your policy offers can be used to pay your medical bills, manage ongoing expenses, help with your recovery and other expenses that may arise.
Trauma insurance is therefore about providing protection against the uncertainties that may arise in the future, safeguarding your family against the potential financial impact of a cancer diagnosis.
Learn more about the benefits of trauma insurance
Below is a list of tips and strategies that will help to increase your odds of having your life insurance application accepted and receive the life insurance cover you need.
When you are applying for life insurance cover, gather your medical records together including your complete medical records consisting of your first pathology reports, any of your doctor’s notes, and records of your treatment plan. Keep in mind that the more the insurance company knows about you, your cancer diagnoses and your treatment plan, the more likely it will be for you to be approved. You want to provide them with enough information to allow them to properly access your current medical status.
Ask your doctor to write you a note stating when you had treatments for cancer, when you went into remission and what your prognosis is. This may help the insurance company get a better understanding of your specific situation.
It is important for the insurance company to see that you're in compliance with all aspects of your treatment plan. This means that you don't want to miss follow-up appointments or check-ups. The more proactive you are about your health, the more likely you are to remain healthy.
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Depending on the applicant and the type of life insurance policy, there may be no medical tests required.
If you pay for life insurance, you might be eligible for a tax deduction. In some cases, you won't need to pay tax on benefits.
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By 2066, 1 in 5 Australians will be over the age of 65.
