Cancer cover in UK private medical insurance
Cancer is the single biggest driver of large PMI claims and the area where insurer differences matter most to clients. This page explains how UK PMI cancer cover actually works — what 'full cover' means, where insurers diverge, and the broker questions that catch clients out at claim time.
What this means in practice
UK PMI cancer cover normally includes diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and follow-up monitoring. Where insurers diverge is on licensed-but-not-NICE-approved drugs, unlicensed off-label use, biological and targeted therapies, and end-of-life support. 'Full cancer cover' is a common phrase but is not a standardised term — always read the schedule.
How each UK insurer handles it
Bupa
Full cancer cover including many unlicensed and off-label drugs where clinically appropriate.
Full Bupa profile →Aviva
Comprehensive cover; some biological drugs subject to NICE approval routes — confirm at point of quote.
Full Aviva profile →Vitality
Standard cancer cover with an Advanced Cancer Cover module available for an additional premium.
Full Vitality profile →WPA
Cancer cover available as a configurable module; shortfall protection reduces consultant-fee gaps.
Full WPA profile →Broker questions to ask
Does 'full cancer cover' include unlicensed drugs?
Not always — Bupa is the most permissive; others typically require NICE or licensed use. Always check the schedule for the client's plan variant.
Is end-of-life palliative care covered?
Most UK insurers include hospice and palliative cover up to a limit, but the limit varies materially. Confirm before placing.
Does the cancer benefit reset on renewal?
Annual maximums apply on some plans; lifetime maximums on others. This is a key disclosure at quote stage.
Get cited answers across all five insurers
Ask a question — HealthCareCompare returns the answer with the page reference from each insurer's broker doc.
Request a demoLast updated 18 May 2026