Life insurance and health insurance as a breast cancer survivor

There is no fixed rule. Some insurers consider applications once active treatment has ended and you are well in follow-up, while others want several years without recurrence. Applying does no harm, but a refusal is recorded, so it helps to use an adviser who knows which insurers are more likely to accept your situation.

Many insurers treat daily hormone therapy as ongoing treatment, which can delay or change an offer. You should still declare it. A letter from your oncologist explaining that the tablets are given to lower the chance of recurrence, and that you have no sign of disease, can help the insurer understand your situation.

Increasing the sum insured is usually treated like a new application for the extra amount, so the insurer may apply waiting periods or refuse the increase. Your original cover normally continues unchanged. A separate top-up or super top-up plan is another route some survivors explore, though it will also ask about your history.

Portability lets you move to another insurer while keeping credit for the waiting periods you have already completed, up to your existing sum insured. The new insurer can still review your medical history and set its own terms for any extra cover. Apply well before your renewal date so there is no gap.

It is difficult. Critical illness policies pay a lump sum on diagnosis of cancer, so insurers usually exclude cancer, or all related conditions, for anyone with a past diagnosis. You may still get cover for other illnesses such as heart attack or stroke. Read the exclusions carefully before buying.

On a family floater policy, your history affects the whole plan's terms and claims use the shared sum insured. Some families choose a separate individual policy for the survivor and a floater for everyone else. Your children or sisters may be asked about family history, but that alone rarely stops them getting cover.

Some survivors do, particularly those with early-stage cancer who have been well for several years. Insurers look at stage, receptor status, treatment and time since treatment. Offers may carry higher premiums or a lower sum assured. If term cover is refused, some savings-linked policies with fewer medical questions exist, though they offer less protection.

The insurance regulator, IRDAI, publishes consumer guidance and circulars on its policyholder website, including rules on waiting periods, renewals and complaints. Rules have changed several times recently, so check the latest version rather than relying on older articles or advice from friends who bought policies years ago.