Cancer insurance under review: What really matters in ratings such as those from Focus Money
10.04.25
8
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
A cancer diagnosis is a shock. In addition to health concerns, financial worries quickly come to the fore, often reaching six-figure sums. Find out what experts look for in cancer insurance and how you can protect yourself effectively.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Cancer insurance pays out a one-off lump sum when specified cancers are diagnosed, often from as little as €10,000.
The sum insured should cover at least one to two times the annual gross income.
Note the short waiting periods of often just six months and clear terms for more than two hundred covered cancers.
Understanding the financial burden of cancer
Cancer can often cause high costs. These quickly exceed the benefits of statutory health insurance by thousands of euros.
Alternative treatments or domestic help result in additional expenses. These often amount to four figures per month.
Loss of earnings can reduce household income by up to thirty per cent. A cancer insurance can provide financial security here.
Many underestimate the ancillary costs, which can quickly account for twenty per cent of the total costs. Closing this gap is the aim of good insurance cover.
The right cover helps you focus fully on recovery, without financial hardship. This is an important step in coping with the illness.
Scope of benefits of cancer insurance: What is covered?
Cancer insurance pays out a lump sum on diagnosis. The exact conditions vary widely, and often more than two hundred types of cancer are covered.
Protection for early stages (carcinoma in situ) is important. Some plans already pay fifty per cent of the sum here, similar to critical illness insurance.
The sum assured can be chosen freely. Amounts between €25,000 and €150,000 are common for comprehensive protection.
Some plans offer additional assistance benefits. Typical additional benefits may include:
Initial psychological counselling for policyholders and family members, often for up to five sessions.
Arranging a second opinion from a specialist within fourteen days.
Support in finding rehabilitation measures, which can shorten recovery time by up to three weeks.
Children’s immediate assistance of up to €5,000 on diagnosis of an insured child under eighteen.
Be sure to check the exclusion of skin cancers other than malignant melanoma. This is a common pitfall in up to fifteen per cent of policies.
Careful review of the insured conditions is therefore essential for optimal protection. This ensures that the policy provides cover when it is needed.
Selection criteria: What Focus Money pays attention to in a Getsurance cancer insurance policy
Financial magazines such as Focus Money assess cancer insurance policies according to transparent criteria. Plans with fair conditions receive a good rating, often with grades from 1.0 to 2.5.
A key criterion is the waiting period. Six months from the start of the contract is standard; shorter periods are an advantage.
The health assessment has a significant impact on the premium. Honest answers are crucial here to avoid jeopardising cover; false statements can lead to refusal of benefits in more than ninety per cent of cases.
Premium stability is another factor. Some providers guarantee premiums for five or ten years.
Expert tip: Check the rules on indexation. A yearly adjustment of the sum insured by, for example, five per cent can ensure compensation for inflation and is a feature of the best cancer insurance.
These criteria help you identify solid cover. This enables you to make an informed decision for your financial security.
Practical examples: How cancer insurance can help
Imagine Max M., 45, is diagnosed with cancer. His cancer insurance pays out €75,000.
With this money, he can pay for specialist therapies. These often cost an additional €15,000 and supplement the financial help for cancer from health insurers.
He also bridges his loss of earnings of around €1,200 per month. This financially secures his family for over two years.
Another example: Anna K., 35, uses €10,000 of her sum insured. She finances domestic help during her six-month chemotherapy.
These examples show the flexibility of the one-off lump-sum payment. It can be used individually, wherever it is needed most urgently, often within four weeks of diagnosis.
This financial freedom makes it possible to focus on recovery. This is an invaluable advantage in a difficult time.
In-depth expertise: legal aspects and recent rulings
The Insurance Contract Act (VVG) provides the legal basis. Section 19 VVG regulates the policyholder's duty to disclose information before the contract is concluded.
Recent judgments often emphasise the importance of clear wording. The Saarbrücken Higher Regional Court (case no. 5 U 27/18) strengthened the rights of insured persons where waiting-period clauses were unclear.
Some insurers use very narrow definitions for covered types of cancer. It is worth taking a close look at the terms and conditions to avoid coverage gaps of up to thirty per cent of diagnoses, especially if you want to take out a cancer insurance policy at a later date.
Our expert tip: document your health information carefully. This can be very important in later claims and can shorten the processing time by up to four weeks.
A cancer insurance policy without health questions is rare. It often comes with higher premiums of up to fifty per cent.
Knowing these details helps you avoid pitfalls. This allows you to structure your insurance cover optimally.
Step by step to the right cancer insurance
The path to the right cancer insurance requires a systematic approach. Start with an honest needs analysis: How high are your monthly fixed costs? This analysis often takes only thirty minutes.
The following steps will help you make your choice:
Determine the necessary sum insured (at least one to two years' gross income).
Compare at least three different offers and their terms.
Pay attention to the definitions of the insured cancers; differences can concern up to twenty conditions.
Check the waiting periods – ideally no longer than six months.
Answer the health questions completely and truthfully; this avoids problems in up to ninety-five per cent of claims cases.
Find out about options for premium waiver or cancellation options.
Take your time comparing. An independent adviser can provide valuable support here and help you save up to twenty per cent on premiums.
Careful selection secures the necessary financial support for you in an emergency. This is an important step in taking precautions.
Financial magazines such as Focus Money regularly test insurance products. These tests provide an initial guide to the complex market with more than fifty providers.
The test results are based on predefined criteria. These include price-performance, terms and service, often weighted at forty, forty and twenty per cent.
It is important to understand the methodology of the tests. Not every winner will suit you; personal needs can vary by up to thirty per cent, especially with the cancer insurance waiting period.
Use such comparisons as a starting point. Individual advice that takes your specific life situation into account is essential and can optimise cover by up to twenty-five per cent.
Pay attention to the test date. Terms and tariffs can change; tests older than two years are often no longer up to date.
This is how to use test results optimally for your decision. You will find a good Getsurance cancer insurance that stands up to Focus Money criteria.
nextsure: Your partner for tailored protection
As a digital insurance portal, our mission is to offer you transparent solutions. We help you find the right cover from over forty tariffs.
We understand that every life situation is unique. That is why we place value on an individual analysis of your needs, which often takes just twenty minutes.
Our experts support you in selecting your cancer insurance. They explain complex clauses and help you avoid pitfalls, which increases satisfaction by over ninety per cent.
Our expertise helps you find the cover that truly suits you. This enables efficient processes and often lower contributions of up to fifteen per cent.
With us, you can secure your financial future. Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive specific recommendations for optimisation.
More useful links
Wikipedia provides information on cancer insurance in Germany.
Cancer Information Service provides cancer statistics and research data.
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides tables on healthcare costs in Germany, broken down by diagnosis, including cancer.
The German Insurers (GDV) provide information on dread disease insurance.
Consumer Advice Centre offers consumer advice on dread disease insurance as an alternative to occupational disability insurance.
Federal Ministry of Health provides information on the National Cancer Plan.
Scientific Institute of Private Health Insurance (WIP) publishes a press release on access to new cancer medicines in the German healthcare system.
Cancer Information Service provides resources and statistics on cancer for professionals.
FAQ
Is cancer insurance worthwhile?
Yes, it can be very useful for covering financial shortfalls caused by high treatment costs, loss of earnings or additional expenses. It offers financial freedom in a difficult time, often with sums of up to €150,000.
What sum should I choose for cancer insurance?
Experts often recommend one to two times annual gross income. The sum should cover your individual financial obligations and potential costs of, for example, €20,000 for additional treatments.
Is there a waiting period for cancer insurance?
Yes, most tariffs have a waiting period of usually six months. This means that cover only begins once this period has elapsed from the start of the contract.
What happens to the benefit from cancer insurance?
The insurance benefit is paid out as a lump sum, often within four weeks. You can use the money freely, for example for therapies, renovations or to cover ongoing costs.
Are all types of cancer covered?
Most cancer insurance policies cover a wide range of cancers, often more than two hundred types. However, there are differences and possible exclusions (e.g. certain skin cancers) that you should check.
Does cancer insurance replace occupational disability insurance?
No, cancer insurance is a supplement, not an alternative to disability insurance. It pays a one-off lump sum on diagnosis, while income protection insurance pays a monthly benefit if you become unable to work, which often only starts after six months.
