More treatment options when cancer changes everything
What is worldwide cancer cover?
Worldwide cancer treatment benefits can be added to selected life insurance, critical illness and income protection policies.
Unlike critical illness cover, which pays a cash sum when the policy definition for a covered condition is met, worldwide treatment benefits can arrange and fund eligible medical services.
Depending on the provider, this could include specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, a second medical opinion, precision cancer medicine, clinical-trial support or treatment at selected hospitals outside the UK.
These services complement NHS care and private healthcare in the UK. They're not a replacement for either.
Please note: The exact services, covered conditions, financial limits and eligibility requirements vary between providers.
More choice when facing a cancer diagnosis
Cancer treatment can be complex, and the most appropriate option may not always be available through one hospital or healthcare system.
Worldwide cancer benefits may provide access to specialists and treatment centres with experience in particular cancer types, advanced treatment methods or precision medicine. Depending on the provider, support may begin before a confirmed diagnosis or focus on arranging treatment after diagnosis.
Specialist expertise
Access opinions and treatment options from experienced cancer specialists.
Advanced diagnostics
Eligible services may help arrange consultations, diagnostic testing or a detailed review of medical evidence.
Personalised treatment options
Some services include genetic profiling that helps identify treatment options based on the characteristics of the cancer.
Treatment abroad
Approved treatment may be arranged at selected international hospitals within the applicable policy limits.
Practical support throughout the journey
Receiving treatment abroad involves more than selecting a hospital. Depending on the provider, practical arrangements may also be coordinated.
Medical case management
A dedicated case manager can help guide you through the process.
Hospital coordination
Approved specialists, hospitals and treatment options may be identified for your medical case.
Travel and accommodation
Eligible travel and accommodation costs may be arranged within the terms and limits of the policy.
Follow-up support
Eligible follow-up treatment and continuing medication may also be covered where included in the policy.
How worldwide cancer support may be available
Different protection providers offer different forms of international medical support.
The option that is most appropriate for you will depend on your circumstances, medical underwriting and the wider protection policy.
Zurich Accelerate
Zurich Accelerate is available as an optional benefit alongside eligible Zurich Personal or Income Protection policies and currently costs £9.50 per month.
It provides six connected medical services covering different stages of your medical journey, from access to consultants and diagnostic tests through to specialist international treatment.
The premium is reviewable and may change in the future. Your adviser will confirm the price that applies when cover is arranged.
Before diagnosis
Virtual Consultant
Following a GP referral, you may be able to access selected UK specialists for symptoms relating to cancer, heart or neurological conditions.
Private Diagnostics Plus
Eligible diagnostic tests can be arranged at an appropriate private UK diagnostic centre.
Understanding the diagnosis
Second Medical Opinion
An international specialist can review your medical evidence, diagnosis and proposed treatment plan.
Precision Cancer Medicine
For eligible cancers, genetic profiling may help identify a more personalised treatment approach.
Treatment and further options
Cancer Clinical Trial Support
You can receive help identifying and applying for suitable cancer clinical trials, where available.
Global Treatment Plus
Further can arrange your approved treatment at a selected hospital outside the UK for eligible cancer treatment, heart surgery, neurosurgery or transplants.
Specialist virtual consultations
Private diagnostic testing in the UK
International second medical opinions
Precision cancer medicine
Cancer clinical-trial support
Overseas specialist treatment
Support with treatment abroad
Zurich Accelerate covers specified cancer, heart and neurological conditions, together with eligible transplant procedures. It does not cover every medical condition or treatment.
Compare Two Different Worldwide Treatment Options
We compare worldwide treatment benefits from different insurers and explain the differences, helping you choose the option that best suits your circumstances.
Aviva Global Treatment
Aviva Global Treatment is a chargeable additional option available with eligible Aviva Life Insurance+, Critical Illness+ and Income Protection+ policies and currently costs £3 per month.
It provides international treatment options and practical support following your diagnosis of one of six specified conditions or treatments.
The cover renews every three years and the price or cover available may change at renewal.
What it can cover
Cancer treatment
Coronary artery bypass surgery
Heart valve replacement or repair
Neurosurgery
Live-donor organ transplants
Bone marrow transplants
How it works
You provide your medical information
You contact Further and provide the medical documentation needed to review your case.
Your case is reviewed
A medical board reviews your case and identifies suitable hospital and treatment options.
You consider the available options
You can choose from the approved treatment options presented for your medical circumstances.
The arrangements are handled for you
Further coordinates the hospital admission, medical appointments, travel and accommodation.
You receive treatment
You receive the approved treatment at the international facility selected from the options offered.
Support can continue at home
After you return to the UK, eligible follow-up treatment and medication may remain covered within the policy limits.
Key benefits
International treatment options
Access to approved international hospitals, doctors and treatments.
Dedicated case support
A case manager helps coordinate the medical and practical arrangements.
Travel and accommodation
Eligible travel and 3–4-star accommodation can be arranged for the patient and a companion.
Companion allowance
An eligible companion can receive a daily allowance of £100 for incidental expenses.
Ongoing medication
Up to £50,000 may be available for eligible ongoing medication not covered by the NHS.
Follow-up treatment
Further overseas trips for eligible follow-up treatment may be included within the policy limits.
Different ways to access worldwide cancer support
Zurich Accelerate
Support across more stages of the medical journey
Zurich Accelerate can provide support before diagnosis, during diagnosis and at the treatment stage. Its services may include consultations, UK diagnostic testing, second medical opinions, precision cancer medicine, clinical-trial support and approved treatment outside the UK.
Aviva Global Treatment
International treatment following diagnosis
Aviva Global Treatment focuses primarily on arranging treatment outside the UK after diagnosis of one of its six specified conditions or procedures. It also provides case management, travel, accommodation and eligible follow-up support.
Neither option is automatically right for everyone. The protection arrangement that is most appropriate for you will depend on your needs, circumstances, medical underwriting and the wider policy benefits.
Your children are included too
All eligible children are included, giving your family access to the same type of overseas treatment support if they face a covered condition.
Zurich Accelerate
Eligible children are covered up to their 22nd birthday.
Zurich includes eligible children at no additional cost.
Aviva Global Treatment
Eligible children are covered up to age 18, or up to age 21 while they remain in full-time education.
The provider's definition of an eligible child and the applicable policy terms will apply.
Cover that can extend beyond cancer
Although cancer is the main focus of this page, selected worldwide treatment benefits may also cover specified heart surgery, neurosurgery, bone marrow transplants and live-donor organ transplants.
Zurich Accelerate may also provide consultation and diagnostic support for symptoms relating to specified heart and neurological conditions.
The exact services and covered conditions differ between providers.
Who may value worldwide cancer cover?
This type of benefit may appeal to people who want:
- More treatment options following an eligible cancer diagnosis
- Access to selected international cancer specialists
- Support understanding a diagnosis or treatment plan
- Access to precision cancer medicine where eligible
- Help exploring suitable cancer clinical trials
- Practical support arranging international treatment
- Benefits that may include eligible children
- An additional medical route alongside NHS or UK private healthcare
An adviser would need to understand your circumstances before confirming whether a particular policy or additional benefit is suitable.
More choice without relying only on fundraising
You may have seen families setting up crowdfunding pages to raise money for specialist treatment abroad.
The cost of treatment, flights and accommodation can quickly become more than most families could fund themselves. Eligible worldwide treatment cover can help pay for approved medical treatment and coordinate the practical arrangements involved, within the limits of the policy.
This may reduce the need to rely solely on savings, borrowing or public fundraising at an already difficult time.
The value is not only the cost of treatment. It is having support to identify suitable options and arrange the medical care, hospital admission, travel and accommodation for you.
Cover only applies to eligible conditions and approved treatment arranged through the provider's appointed medical service.
Worldwide cancer cover questions
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Worldwide cancer treatment benefits are subject to medical underwriting, eligibility, covered-condition definitions, financial limits, exclusions and the applicable policy terms. Treatment and associated arrangements must normally be approved and organised through the provider's appointed medical service. This page provides general information only and does not constitute personal advice or a recommendation.