Cancer is the second most common cause of death in Austria. Around 400,000 people are currently living with a diagnosis; according to the Austrian Cancer Aid, around 44,000 people become ill every year.
Cancer insurance has been on the rise for several years – the Association for Consumer Information (VKI) has now taken a critical look at it.
Such products “have a strong limited range of services with many exceptions and are expensive“, says VKI expert Gabi Kreindl.
Agreed sum paid out
Anyone who takes out cancer insurance and falls ill with cancer during the insured period – not all types are insurable – will receive it agreed cash benefit paid out. The insured amounts are between 10,000 and 100,000 euros selectable and can be used freely in the event of illness.
The money could, for example, be used to finance additional treatments, counseling or psychological care that are not covered by health insurance. If income is lost in whole or in part due to illness, it could also be used to repay a loan or for the children’s education.
The older, the more expensive
The premiums depend on the sum insured according to the age at the conclusion of the contract – and usually: the older, the more expensive. “Against this background, taking out cancer insurance makes a little less sense. Because these insurances usually end at the age of 70” – that is, when, according to statistics Both men and women are most likely to become ill, criticizes the VKI. However, by far the most common type of cancer in women, breast cancer, can occur much earlier.
This concerns the next point that should be studied carefully: “If, for example, breast, prostate, lung or colon cancer are not insurable, then, from a purely statistical perspective, a degree makes even less sense,” warn consumer advocates. “Because these types of cancer are by far the most common,” accounting for more than half of the diseases. Precursor tumors are usually excluded.
“Better alternatives”
When it comes to financial security, there is “better alternatives”, such as occupational disability insurance. Another possibility is one Dread disease insurancealso called survival insurance, with a broader spectrum according to VKI insurable illnesses, mostly heart attack, stroke and cancer. If you want to protect your family in the event of death, you can take out life insurance. If you want to receive “better” medical care in the event of illness, you could consider taking out additional private health insurance.
Obtain multiple offers
It is clear: “Anyone who suffers from cancer is treated in Austria through the state health insurance Additional insurance does not improve quality or type of treatment.” But you can get a second opinion, choose doctors or be accommodated in a single room.
Also note: Anyone who takes out cancer insurance is only insured after a waiting period – usually six months. Anyone who falls ill before then will come away empty-handed. According to the VKI, insurers treat pre-existing conditions differently – here too, you should do so in every case obtain multiple offers. And generally question: “Does this comparatively expensive product really make sense for me?” In any case, for consumer advocates, cancer insurance is “not one of the absolutely necessary insurance products”.
