Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-07-21
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
Wondering if you can still get insurance after cancer? Will there be extra premiums (Loadings)? Let the Bowtie team break down our underwriting criteria for you.
What is Cancer?
Cancer is a disease caused by uncontrolled growth of body cells. These malignant tumor cells invade and spread to other parts of the body, affecting the normal function of other organs and even leading to death.
Cancer is Hong Kong’s number one killer, with the top five common cancers being lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and liver cancer. In 2022, an average of 40 people died from cancer each day, while another 97 were diagnosed daily.
Age and Cancer Connection
- About 1 in 4 men or 1 in 5 women will develop cancer before age 75.
- About 1 in 10 men or 1 in 17 women will die from cancer before age 75.
Underwriting Factors for Past Cancer
1. Cancer Type, Stage, Lymph Node Involvement, and Metastasis?
We consider the cancer type and stage, such as the specific kind (e.g., lung or breast cancer?), the stage (earlier stages have better prognosis), and whether cancer cells have spread to lymph nodes or other organs.
2. What Treatments Has the Insured Undergone? (Including Medications/Surgery)
We assess the treatments received, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and more.
3. Has the Insured Fully Recovered? Any Aftereffects or Complications?
We evaluate the recovery level, including diagnosis date, last treatment date, full recovery/complete remission date, and any aftereffects or complications.
Underwriting Outcomes for Past Cancer
1. Approved with Premium Loading and/or Exclusions
Depending on the cancer type and stage, if the insured has fully recovered or been in complete remission for a specified period (e.g., 5 years), the insurer may approve coverage but with premium loading (commonly known as “loading”) and/or exclusions based on the details.
2. Direct Rejection
In the following cases, we may reject the policy application:
- Cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other organs.
- Recent full recovery/complete remission, e.g., less than 5 years.
- Full recovery/complete remission but with aftereffects or complications.
- Cancer recurrence.
- Certain types of cancer, such as liver or pancreatic cancer.
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