Understanding your Critical Illness coverage

CI plans provide a lump-sum payout upon the diagnosis of a specified critical illness and/or when defined criteria for treatments are met. Its main objective is to help you cope with the broader financial impact of the illness which can include loss of income during recovery, need for caregiver or cost of ongoing treatments or medication.

CI plans are designed to cover a defined list of common critical illnesses, including cancer, heart attack and stroke. This approach keeps premiums affordable as they are priced on the risk of a set list of conditions. It isn't meant to replace hospitalisation coverage, which is taken care of by your MediShield Life or Integrated Shield Plan.

Our flagship whole-of-life protection product, PRUActive Life V, now offers coverage for 182 conditions, including mental health conditions. We also offer other types of CI plans with different levels of coverage.

No. The coverage for your CI plan is determined based on prevailing medical knowledge, diagnostic standards, and treatment practices at the time the policy is developed.

As medical advancements evolve, newer CI plans may reflect updated definitions or treatments. This is why regular portfolio reviews matter, where you can assess your coverage and needs comprehensively.

For severe-stage CI, all insurers follow the Life Insurance Association Singapore’s framework, which covers the same 37 critical illness conditions.

Early CI coverage offers financial support right from the early stages of selected critical illnesses. It is defined and assessed differently across insurers, based on their policy terms. It is important to understand the plan that you are purchasing and the scope of coverage it offers.

Your MediShield Life or IP plan usually covers hospital and treatment bills when you are warded or undergoing medical care.

As recovery often continues after discharge — you may not be working or face other non-medical costs (e.g. loss of income during recovery, need for caregiver or cost of ongoing treatments or medication). A CI plan provides cash support for expenses outside of your Shield coverage.

A CI plan is complementary to IP coverage, and does not replace it as both serve different purposes.

We recognise the distress illness can cause to customers and their families, and we assess every claim with care. Claims are evaluated in accordance with the policy terms and supporting medical evidence by our claims assessment team. Where appropriate, advice from medical experts will be sought.

We follow a structured resolution process when there is disagreement over a claims outcome. We will speak to you directly to understand your concerns and seek amicable resolution. You may also bring your case to the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (FIDReC), an independent body that provides free assistance to the public for dispute filing and mediation.