Life After Cancer: Can You Still Get Life Insurance?

Beating cancer is no small feat. You’ve faced the hardest days, tackled treatments head-on, and come out the other side. But now, a new question might be lingering: Can I still get life insurance as a cancer survivor?

The short answer? Yes – but it depends. Life insurance isn’t off-limits just because you’ve had cancer. It might take a bit more time and paperwork, but many Australians in remission are able to secure cover that gives them and their families peace of mind.

Why Life Insurance Matters After Cancer

After everything you’ve been through, protecting your loved ones (and your future) takes on a whole new meaning. Life insurance can help:

• Support your family financially if you pass away

• Cover debts like mortgages or personal loans

• Assist with future expenses like education or funeral costs

For many survivors, life insurance isn’t just about money, it’s about taking back control.

What Insurers Look For

Every insurer will assess your application based on risk. That means they’ll want a clear picture of your medical journey. Here’s what typically matters most:

• The type of cancer: Some cancers are considered lower risk than others, especially if they were caught early.

• How long you’ve been in remission: Many insurers prefer a few years of being cancer-free – commonly between 2 to 5 years – before they offer standard cover.

• Treatment history: Whether you had surgery, chemo, radiation, or other therapies, and how successful they were.

• Your current health: If you’re in good shape now, that’s a big tick in your favour.

• Lifestyle factors: Things like smoking, alcohol use, or other medical conditions may also play a role.

The key here is transparency. When applying, you’ll need to share details of your diagnosis and treatment. It may feel a little confronting, but honesty upfront can prevent issues later on if your family ever needs to make a claim.

Your Options: What Kind of Cover Is Available?

You may have more choices than you think. Here’s a breakdown of common types of life insurance you can explore in Australia:

1. Life Cover (Death Cover)

This pays a lump sum to your family or nominated beneficiary if you pass away or are diagnosed with a terminal illness. Some cancer survivors are able to get this type of cover once they’ve been in remission for a certain period.

2. Trauma Insurance

This type of policy pays you directly if you suffer a serious illness like heart attack, stroke, or cancer. For survivors, it may be harder to get cover for cancer again, but trauma insurance can still be helpful for future, unrelated illnesses.

3. Funeral Insurance

This is often easier to access and usually doesn’t require a health check. It offers a small lump sum (typically $5,000–$15,000) to help with end-of-life expenses. It’s not a full life cover, but it’s an option if others are off the table.

4. Insurance Through Super

Many Aussies don’t realise their super fund includes life insurance. You may already have some cover through your super – even if you’ve had cancer – so it’s worth checking your account details or speaking with your fund.

Tips to Boost Your Approval Chances

Getting cover after cancer is possible, and these tips can help make the process smoother:

• Keep your medical records handy: The more detail you can provide, the better. Insurers want to understand your full recovery story.

• Ask your doctor for a summary letter: A note explaining your treatment and current health can go a long way.

• Look after your health: Eating well, staying active, quitting smoking – these all show you’re taking care of yourself.

• Work with a broker: Insurance advisers (like HPartners) and brokers know the market and can point you to insurers who are more likely to say “yes.”

• Be realistic: You might be offered cover with slightly higher premiums or some exclusions, but it’s still worth having that safety net in place.

• Don’t rush to cancel existing policies: If you had cover before your diagnosis, hold onto it if possible – it might be more valuable than you think!

Final Thoughts

Being a cancer survivor doesn’t disqualify you from protecting your future. While you might need a little extra patience (and paperwork), life insurance is still on the cards. You’ve already overcome something enormous. Now it’s about making sure the road ahead is secure – for you, and for those you love.