LIC policy that protects you from cancer... less premium, more protection

Cancer was detected just a decade ago. But we can see today that at least one among us suffers from cancer and loses life. Increasing pollution and changed food habits and lifestyles are leading to risk of cancer, experts think. If this oak-like disease is detected in the early stage, there is a chance of a 100 per cent cure through medical means.

LIC cancer cover policy is meant only for cancer patients, where onetime payment is made for treatment. It is a conventional (non-linked) policy. Because premium is paid annually, renewal is made every year. Coverage is retained only if the renewal is made regularly.

Those between the ages of 20 years to 65 years can avail this policy. The minimum term for this policy is 10 years and maximum is 30 years. The option is open to anyone until their 50th year. If a 65-year-old takes this policy, coverage is for 10 years. There is no coverage after 75 years. If a person takes this policy at the age of 55 years, he can avail it for 20 years, that his up till his 75th year. A minimum amount of Rs. 10 lakh and a maximum of Rs. 50 lakh coverage can be availed.

The premium depends on sum assured as coverage. There is no change in the premium in the first five years. If claims are in excess, LIC might change the premium after five years. Minimum annual premium is Rs. 2,400.

One of this is level sum insured. It means the insured amount will not change throughout the policy period. Another option is increased sum insured. This means, annually the assured amount will keep increasing. The amount increases by 10 per cent annually, from the first year of taking the policy, up till five years. Or it keeps increasing until the person is struck by cancer. In this, which happens first, that is considered. For example, supposing the policy holder does not have cancer, the amount increases at the rate of 10 per cent annually, up till 50 per cent, at the end of five years. If the policy holder is detected with cancer in the fourth year of premium, the increase in coverage will stop. In this, whichever happens first, that will be taken into consideration.

This policy is meant to cover only risk of cancer disease. If the policy holder is affected by cancer during the policy period, it will apply to him. After the term ends, no kind of coverage will be given. Also, there is no facility to surrender the policy in between. As there is no value for returns, there is no loan facility.

If cancer is detected early, 25 per cent of the total sum assured will be given to the policy holder. Once cancer is detected early, premium need not be paid for three years. After three years, the premium has to be paid annually, on regular basis. After first stage cancer is detected, coverage will be for major cancer thereafter, for the rest of the policy period. Second time payment for first stage cancer will not be paid. If cancer is detected in first stage in some other part of the body of the policy holder, then also payment will not be made.

If cancer is detected in later stages and if any payment has been paid during the first stage, this will be deducted and the remaining amount will be given from the sum that is due. In case of detecting cancer in later stages, not only the sum that is due, but also one per cent of the total amount will be paid every month, for 10 years. This irrespective of the policy period. Even if the policy holder succumbs to the disease, this monthly income benefit will be paid to the nominee or family member.

Premium need not be paid for the next year in the policy period, after detection of major cancer. After payment for major stage cancer, except for monthly income benefit, no other payment will be made. Even if various cancers are detected at the same time, LIC will pay only one benefit. That too the benefit will apply to whatever stage the cancer is detected.

Cancer cover policy premium is exempted from tax, under Section 80 D of Income Tax Act. This is for a maximum of Rs. 55,000. Claims for the premium paid under this policy, cannot be made under Section 80 C.

Benign tumours, non life-threatening growths, less risky growths, will not be covered under first stage of cancer. All kinds of tumours, including Dysplasia, intra-epithelial neoplasia or squamous intraepithelial legions, Carcinoma Insitu, melonoma Insitu and HIV infection are not covered.

The period of 180 days from the date of issue of the policy is said to be waiting period for coverage. Or it will be effective six months from the date of renewal of the coverage. In this case, whichever is later, that will be taken in to consideration for implementing the coverage. This rule applies for any stage of cancer. During the waiting period, coverage will not be paid and even the policy might be cancelled, whatever stage of cancer it may be. The sum that has been assured as coverage will be paid only if the cancer is detected after the waiting period is over.

The sum assured under coverage will be paid, only if the policy holder is alive for seven days after the cancer is detected in the first stage. The seven-day period begins from the day that cancer has been detected.