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5 Best Cancer Plans in India, 2025 – Check Top Plans, Benefits & Exclusions

Cancer as a disease brings devastation not only to the patient but to the loved ones too. And it is not just the genes that make one susceptible to it; there are other contributing risk factors, making it completely unpredictable. Over the years, research confirms that even the healthiest of individuals are falling prey to this lethal disease. Hence, the need for cancer insurance plans is evident to mitigate the financial burden of treatment and get comprehensive care to give this disease a tough fight.

What is a Cancer Insurance Plan?

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases, with a skyrocketing treatment cost. Cancer treatment expenses are so exorbitant that ordinary individuals find it challenging to afford them. A cancer health policy is an insurance plan that allows coverage to the policyholder against this lethal disease. Hence, if the insured individual is diagnosed with cancer, the insurer pays out an amount in a lump sum to get the treatment started.

These plans of health insurance for cancer patients allow high coverage at affordable rates if the insured is diagnosed with the illness during the policy tenure. Most cancer care insurance plans are long-term plans that cover an individual for up to 40 to 50 years.

Eligibility Criteria for Cancer Insurance Plans in India

Below are the basic eligibility criteria for most cancer plans in general:

  • Entry age minimum – 18 years
  • Entry age maximum – 65 years
  • Sum Assured – Ranges from 5 lakhs, 10 lakhs, 20 lakhs, 50 lakhs, 1 crore and 2 crores, etc.
  • NCB or No Claim Bonus – Available
  • Tax Benefits – Available

Top 5 Cancer Plans in India

Below are some of the best cancer insurance plans available in India in 2025:

Plan Name  Entry age  Waiting period Features 
HDFC iCan Cancer 18 years and above 4 months of initial waiting period from policy inception

Covers modern treatment

Covers second opinions

Covers follow-up care etc.

Care Cancer Mediclaim

Min. – 5 years

Max. – 50 years

 

90 days of an initial waiting period

 

Annual healthcare

Chemo and radiotherapy cover

Air ambulance cover etc.

Aditya Birla Cancer Secure Insurance
Min. – 18 years

Max. – 65 years

90 days of an initial waiting period

 

Up to 150% of cancer care cover

No Claim Bonus

Pays in a lump sum

New India Cancer Guard Policy Min. – 3 months

 

Max. – 65 years

30 days  

SI up to 50 lakhs

Avail cancer care benefit

58 daycare procedures covered etc.

Raheja QBE Cancer Insurance
Min. – 1 day

 

Max. – 70 years

30 days initial waiting period

SI up to INR 10 lakh available

Diagnostic investigation covered

No exit age feature etc.

 

Why Do I Need a Cancer Special Insurance Policy?

Cancer is not only the deadliest disease of the present times, but it is a disease with the costliest treatment available. Hence, cancer requires special attention and a special cancer policy. Here are some points which make it essential for everyone to stay covered under a cancer plan.

  • A cancer plan allows coverage against cancer of all types and at all stages
  • Most cancer policies allow waiver of premium option wherein the insurance premium is waived off if the insured is diagnosed with cancer
  • A best cancer insurance plan allows the patient the liberty to choose the preferred hospital and the best doctor to get treatment
  • These policies help individuals to get good and expensive treatment without spending much from their pocket
  • Most of these policies allow dual benefits of lump sum payment as well as regular income if diagnosed with cancer in the critical stage

Difference between Cancer plans and Critical illness Health Insurance Plans

Here are some key differences between cancer and critical illness plans:

Points of Difference  Cancer Insurance Critical Illness
Meaning The policy offers a lump sum amount to the insured as per the diagnosis of the cancer This plan offers a claim amount if diagnosed with a critical illness mentioned under the plan
Coverage Covers cancer of different types Covers critical illnesses listed under the plan
Cancer stages Covers cancer in all stages Most plans cover only advanced stages of cancer
Policy tenure Up to 40 years Up to 50 years

Things to Consider Before Buying Cancer Plans

When buying a health insurance plan, you consider some crucial aspects before purchasing. Similarly, while buying a cancer plan, there are specific points to take note of:

1. Consider the CSR or Claim Settlement Ratio:

The first thing to consider is the Claim Settlement Ratio of the insurance company because the CSR indicates the number of claims settled by the insurer from the ones that the company received

2. Consider the terms of Payout:

Each cancer insurance policy might have its unique terms of pay-out depending on the diagnosis stage. Thus, it is important to read the pay-out terms and conditions and choose a plan that suits you best

3. Consider the terms of coverage:

It is also important to consider the terms of coverage of the cancer insurance plans. The plans that offer longer terms are more favorable as they cover you for a longer tenure

4. Consider the Premium to be paid

Another significant thing to consider is your premium. It is crucial to choose plans with pocket-friendly and affordable premiums. Look out for plans offered by renowned insurers that give comprehensive coverage at a reasonable premium price

Benefits of Cancer Insurance Plans

Here are some benefits of investing in a cancer insurance plan:

  • These plans cover cancer treatment in all the stages of the illness
  • The cancer plans allow the patient to stay stress-free during the tenure of the treatment
  • The insured receive a lump sum payment if diagnosed with the disease, which helps them to start the treatment soon
  • There are many Cancer health plans allowing premium waiver facilities under which the insurer waives the premium of the plan in case the insured is diagnosed with the disease
  • The cancer insurance plans allow tax benefits under the income tax act of India
  • Further, these plans come with several benefits such as enhanced sum assured, premium discount, NCB, etc.

All such above-mentioned and other benefits are reasons enough for individuals to buy cancer insurance policies and stay covered under such plans.

Exclusions of Cancer Health Insurance Plans

Since cancer insurance plans are meant explicitly for cancer treatments, they come with specific exclusions such as:

  • These plans exclude treatment of congenital conditions
  • They exclude coverage against pre-existing diseases
  • They exclude treatment of diseases caused by intoxication of alcohol and other such substances
  • They exclude treatment of conditions caused by nuclear reactions or chemical and biological contaminations, etc.

Documents Required to Avail Benefits of Cancer Plans 

You would be required to submit the below documents to raise a cancer plan claim:

  • ID proof
  • Age proof
  • Medical reports
  • Diagnostic reports
  • Any other report asked by the insurer

To Conclude

FAQs on Best Cancer Plans in India

No. Insurance companies generally do not cover a person who is already diagnosed with cancer. However, it varies from company to company. Hence, you can look for the best cancer coverage plan to get better and enhanced coverage.

No, there is no death benefit option under cancer plans in general. However, it depends on the insurance company, so you must read the policy document thoroughly.

Yes, LIC offers coverage against cancer through the LIC Cancer Cover plan, which can be purchased online and offline.

Yes, many government hospitals and medical institutes allow free cancer treatment. One such institute is PGIMER (Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh). This is one of the best institutes for free cancer treatment in India.

In most cases, regular health insurance plans may or may not cover cancer, depending on the insurance company. However, if you buy a critical insurance plan, you can avail of cancer coverage only at the advanced stage.


However, some specific plans are offered by some insurers like Aviva health insurance that allow Aviva cancer coverage as part of their health package with other core covers.

 Young and healthy? Find out which of these plans rewards you with lower premiums. Click here to check now!

Author Bio

Paybima Team

Paybima is an Indian insurance aggregator on a mission to make insurance simple for people. Paybima is the Digital arm of the already established and trusted Mahindra Insurance Brokers Ltd., a reputed name in the insurance broking industry with 21 years of experience. Paybima promises you the easy-to-access online platform to buy insurance policies, and also extend their unrelented assistance with all your policy related queries and services.

Over to You

Health emergencies don’t come with a calendar invite. Whether you're planning for your own future or looking out for your parents, choosing the right health insurance plan can make all the difference. That’s where a deeper look at the fine print helps. When you compare Star Health’s Red Carpet Plan vs Care Health Enhance Plan, what you’re really doing is choosing the kind of financial backup you want in your corner.

The Star Health Red Carpet Plan is made with senior citizens in mind. With benefits like annual preventive check-ups, it helps you or your ageing parents get covered without the usual hassles. On the other hand, the Care Health Enhance Plan acts as a top-up cover, ideal if you already have a base health policy and want to increase your shield without increasing your premium by too much.

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