Skin Cancer and Travel Insurance in NZ: The One Auto-Cover Exception
New Zealand has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. With our high UV index, outdoor culture, and historically low sunscreen use, skin cancer is incredibly common — and the vast majority are non-melanoma skin cancers: basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
For the hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders who have been treated for a BCC or SCC, there is genuinely good news in the travel insurance world.
The Cover-More Auto-Cover Provision: Unique in NZ
Cover-More is the only New Zealand travel insurer that automatically covers non-melanoma skin cancer. This is a significant and unique policy feature that means qualifying skin cancer patients do not need to:
- Complete a medical assessment
- Pay an additional premium
- Declare the skin cancer as a pre-existing condition (beyond standard disclosure)
The Three Qualifying Conditions
The Cover-More auto-cover applies to non-melanoma skin cancer if ALL THREE of the following are true:
1. It is not a melanoma Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) qualify. Melanoma does NOT. This is a firm distinction — melanoma behaves differently, has higher metastatic potential, and must always be declared through the standard assessment process.
2. No chemotherapy was required If your skin cancer was treated with local excision, cryotherapy, curettage, or photodynamic therapy — you qualify. If systemic or topical chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil/Efudix cream, or systemic chemotherapy for advanced SCC) was required, you do not qualify for auto-cover.
Important grey area: Topical chemotherapy creams like 5-fluorouracil (Efudix) and imiquimod (Aldara) are sometimes used for actinic keratoses and superficial BCCs. Whether these constitute "chemotherapy" under Cover-More's criteria is ambiguous. Call Cover-More directly on 0800 500 225 to confirm your specific situation.
3. No ongoing follow-up treatment is required Your skin cancer has been treated and no further treatment is needed. If you are still requiring follow-up treatment or further excisions, you may not qualify until treatment is complete.
For a person who had a BCC excised from their face or arm two years ago with clear margins and no further treatment:
- With Cover-More or AA Travel Insurance (AA uses Cover-More's system): Purchase a standard policy. The skin cancer is automatically covered. No additional premium. No extra step.
- With any other NZ insurer (1Cover, SCTI, World Nomads, Allianz, Zoom): You must declare the skin cancer and complete a medical assessment. An additional premium will likely apply.
The Cover-More advantage is real and material for the many New Zealanders who have had simple BCC or SCC treatment.
Melanoma: A Completely Different Situation
It bears repeating clearly:
Melanoma is NOT covered by the Cover-More auto-cover provision.
Melanoma is a different disease — it originates from melanocytes rather than keratinocytes (the cell of origin for BCC and SCC) and carries significantly higher risk of lymph node spread and distant metastasis.
All melanoma must be declared to all insurers — including Cover-More — and will go through the standard medical assessment process. An additional premium will apply if melanoma cover is approved.
This distinction is important because many people colloquially refer to "skin cancer" without distinguishing between melanoma and non-melanoma types. Be specific with your insurer.
Sun Protection After Skin Cancer
If you have had skin cancer — non-melanoma or melanoma — your risk of developing further skin cancers is significantly elevated. Sun protection while travelling is non-negotiable:
SPF 50+ sunscreen: Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure, reapply every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating. Use a broad-spectrum (UVA + UVB) formulation.
UPF 50+ clothing: Sun-protective swimwear, shirts, and hats with UPF 50+ rating block 98%+ of UV radiation. Far more effective than sunscreen alone for extended outdoor time.
Timing: Avoid outdoor activities between 10am and 4pm when UV is highest. UV index often reaches "Extreme" (11+) in tropical destinations, Australia, and the Mediterranean.
Destinations to approach carefully: - Pacific Islands: UV index frequently extreme (12+) - Northern Australia: Among the world's highest UV indices - Mediterranean in summer: UV index 9–11 - High altitude (mountains, ski fields): UV increases by 10–12% per 1,000 metres of altitude; snow reflects up to 80% of UV
Key Takeaways
- Cover-More automatically covers non-melanoma skin cancer (BCC/SCC) if no chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or ongoing follow-up treatment was required — no assessment, no extra premium
- AA Travel Insurance (administered by Cover-More) applies the same provision
- All other NZ insurers require declaration and assessment even for non-melanoma skin cancer
- Melanoma is NEVER auto-covered and must always be declared and assessed
- If uncertain whether your skin cancer treatment qualifies, call Cover-More directly on 0800 500 225
