Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma)

Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma) and Travel Insurance in New Zealand

Our country has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, driven by our high UV index, outdoor lifestyle, and historically low sunscreen use. Approximately 80,000 skin cancer diagnoses are made in New Zealand each year — the vast majority are non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC): basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

The Cover-More Auto-Cover Provision

Cover-More is the ONLY travel insurer that automatically covers non-melanoma skin cancer. This is a significant and unique exception to the rule that all cancers require medical assessment and additional premium.

Cover-More automatically covers non-melanoma skin cancer if ALL of the following apply:

1. Not a melanoma — BCC and SCC qualify; melanoma does not

2. No chemotherapy required — the skin cancer was treated with surgery or other local methods only (not systemic or topical chemotherapy)

3. No radiotherapy required — radiation treatment was not part of your management

4. No ongoing follow-up treatment required — the cancer has been treated and no further treatment is needed

If all four criteria are met, you do not need to complete a medical assessment and no additional premium applies for the skin cancer.

Important note on topical chemotherapy creams: There is some ambiguity around whether topical chemotherapy creams (such as 5-fluorouracil/Efudix or imiquimod/Aldara) used on skin lesions constitute "chemotherapy" under Cover-More's criteria. If you have used these treatments, contact Cover-More directly to clarify your status before relying on auto-cover.

What If You Don't Qualify for Auto-Cover?

If your non-melanoma skin cancer required chemotherapy, radiation, or ongoing follow-up, you must complete Cover-More's standard medical assessment. An additional premium may apply.

For all other travel insurance providers (1Cover, SCTI, World Nomads, Allianz, Zoom, AA Travel), even non-melanoma skin cancer requires a standard declaration and assessment. Cover-More's auto-cover provision is unique in the New Zealand market.

Melanoma: A Critical Distinction

Melanoma is NOT covered by this auto-cover provision. This is the most important thing to understand.

Melanoma is a different disease from BCC and SCC — it has a significantly higher potential to spread to lymph nodes and other organs. All melanoma must be declared to Cover-More and all other insurers, and will go through the standard medical assessment process.

If you have had both a non-melanoma skin cancer AND a melanoma, you need to declare the melanoma through the standard process.

AA Travel Insurance and the Same Provision

AA Travel Insurance is administered by Cover-More and uses the same underwriting system. This means the non-melanoma skin cancer auto-cover provision also applies to AA Travel Insurance policies, with the same qualifying criteria.

Sun Protection After Skin Cancer

If you have had non-melanoma skin cancer, your risk of developing further skin cancers is elevated. Sun protection while travelling is essential — not just for comfort, but for your long-term health:

• SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen — apply liberally and reapply every 2 hours, and after swimming
• UPF 50+ clothing — particularly for long days outdoors
• Broad-brimmed hat — minimum 7.5 cm brim
• Seek shade — between 10am and 4pm when UV is highest
• Sunglasses — UV400 protection, wrap-around style preferred

High-UV destinations to plan for include: Australia, Pacific Islands, Mediterranean Europe, Southeast Asia, and Caribbean. UV index in these locations regularly exceeds 10 (extreme) during summer.

Key Takeaway

For many people who have had a BCC or SCC treated with simple excision and no ongoing treatment — Cover-More offers the unique ability to travel without the additional cancer assessment premium. This is a genuine benefit worth considering when comparing policies. However, always verify your specific situation with Cover-More directly.