CIExpert has analysed Zurich's recent upgrade to its critical illness plans and highlighted its early stage cancer coverage.
Zurich has announced an upgrade to its guaranteed rate critical illness plans with the addition of eight new critical illness conditions.
The insurer's reviewable plans will retain the existing definitions.
Of the eight new conditions two pay 100% of the sum assured whilst the other six are partial payments limited to the lower of £15,000 or 20% of the sum insured.
A successful partial payment claim will not reduce the main sum insured.
Alan Lakey, director of CIExpert said: "Zurich has focused on increasing its coverage of early-stage cancers that ordinarily would be excluded under the standard cancer wording. Their definition for carcinoma in situ of the Breast does not exclude lobular carcinoma in situ, which is something that many plans do.
"Zurich is the last adviser supporting insurer to utilise partial payments and it is good to see them including such early stage cancer cover for breast and prostate as these are proven to afflict around 90,000 people each year."
New Full Payment Conditions
• Benign Spinal Cord Tumour
Permanent neurological deficit due to a benign tumour in the spinal cord or meninges
• Pneumonectomy
The removal of an entire lung due to accident or disease
New Partial Payment Conditions
• Carcinoma in situ of the Bladder
Lower of £15,000 or 20% of sum insured on diagnosis of carcinoma in situ of the urinary
Bladder
• Carcinoma in situ of the Breast
Lower of £15,000 or 20% of sum insured if undergoing lumpectomy or mastectomy due to carcinoma in situ of the breast. Lobular carcinoma in situ is not excluded
• Carcinoma in situ of the Testicles
Lower of £15,000 or 20% of sum insured if undergoing orchidectomy (surgical removal of a testicle due to carcinoma in situ
• Early Stage Prostate Cancer
Lower of £15,000 or 20% of sum insured if undergoing prostatectomy or external beam or interstitial implant radiotherapy
• Non-malignant Pituitary Adenoma
Lower of £15,000 or 20% of sum insured upon diagnosis of a non-malignant pituitary tumour requiring radiotherapy or surgical removal
• Cerebral Aneurysm
Lower of £15,000 or 20% of sum insured if treated by craniotomy or endovascular treatment compare critical illness with clarity
