What is the ICICI Lombard Women Cancer Shield Plan?
The ICICI Lombard Women Cancer Shield Plan is a health insurance policy designed especially for women in India. This plan focuses on financial protection in case the insured woman is diagnosed with any kind of cancer. It helps cover the high costs of cancer treatment, including diagnosis, hospital stay, medications, and even follow up care.
In 2025, cancer cases among women continue to rise in India. The most common types affecting women are breast cancer, cervical cancer, and ovarian cancer. Medical expenses for these treatments have also gone up. That is why having dedicated cancer insurance like the Women Cancer Shield Plan from ICICI Lombard is becoming more important for Indian women and their families.
Let us explore the plan, its benefits, how it works, and why it can be a smart choice for women right now.
What Does the Women Cancer Shield Plan Cover in 2025?
The ICICI Lombard Women Cancer Shield Plan gives coverage for all major and minor stages of cancer. This means that whether you are diagnosed with an early stage or a late stage, you get financial support.
Coverage highlights include
- Breast cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, fallopian tube cancer, vaginal cancer and vulvar cancer
- Both invasive and noninvasive (carcinoma in situ) cancers
- Lump sum benefit for diagnosis of cancer
- Additional payouts for critical stage cancer diagnosis
- Premium waiver if diagnosed with cancer, so you do not need to pay further premiums
This plan makes sure that women can focus on treatment and recovery, without worrying about how to manage high expenses.
Why Buy a ICICI Lombard Women Cancer Shield Plan?
Is Cancer Insurance Really Needed for Women in 2025?
According to the World Health Organization and Indian cancer registries, nearly one in eight women face a cancer risk in their lifetime. With more advanced medical technology in 2025, the cost of cancer detection, surgery, chemotherapy, and medication is higher than ever.
A cancer diagnosis can be sudden and can lead to:
- Bills from private hospitals reaching several lakhs
- Income loss as the patient is unable to work
- Extra expenses for follow up, travel, and day care
Regular health insurance has exclusions and limits for cancer treatment. A specialised cancer cover like the ICICI Lombard Women Cancer Shield Plan protects you better if this illness occurs.
What Makes the ICICI Lombard Cancer Plan Stand Out?
There are many reasons why women prefer this plan over regular health covers:
Key benefits
- Covers all major and minor cancer stages
- Lump sum payment on any covered cancer diagnosis
- Tax benefits under section 80D of the Income Tax Act
- Wellness features and free annual check ups included
- No hospital network restriction on where you get treated
Why it matters
You receive a lump sum cash benefit no matter where you get treated. This amount can be used for:
- Paying hospital bills
- Medicines and costly injections
- Day care expenses
- Personal needs like travel and nutrition
What Is Not Covered under this Plan?
Every insurance plan has some exclusions. Under this plan, you cannot claim for:
- Cancers caused directly by HIV AIDS infection
- Cancers occurring due to birth defects or congenital diseases
- Diagnosis made within 90 days of buying the plan
- Cancer caused by radiation or nuclear accident
It is always a good idea to read the policy wording for the full exclusions list before signing up.
How Does the Women Cancer Shield Plan Work?
How Is the Sum Insured Decided?
You can select a sum insured between 5 lakh to 50 lakh rupees. The higher the sum insured, the higher is your premium but the better is your financial safety net.
Common options in 2025
| Age Group | Sum Insured Choices (Examples) | Typical Premium Range Yearly* |
|---|---|---|
| 20 35 years | 10L, 20L, 30L | 1200 to 2400 INR |
| 36 50 years | 10L, 20L, 30L | 1600 to 3500 INR |
| 51 65 years | 5L, 10L, 20L | 2200 to 5200 INR |
*Premiums can vary by your health, sum insured, age and city
How Are Claims Paid?
The biggest feature is the lump sum payout. If you are diagnosed with a covered cancer (as per policy document), you receive a lump sum cash benefit. You do not need to wait for bills or run to approve small claims.
- Minor early stage cancer: 25 percent of sum insured paid
- Major advanced stage: 100 percent of sum insured paid, minus any previous payout
Once you claim for 100 percent of the policy amount, the policy ends, as you have received the full cover promised.
Does It Cover Screening and Check Ups?
Yes, the ICICI Lombard Women Cancer Shield Plan includes annual wellness check ups. You get one free check up every year. There are also regular health and wellness reminders so you can stay on top of your health.
Preventive screening is key in fighting cancer early. Some plans also offer discounts on certain diagnostic tests to policyholders.
What Types of Cancer Are Covered for Women?
Which Cancers Does the Policy Protect Against?
The plan mainly covers cancers that commonly affect Indian women.
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Fallopian tube cancer
- Uterine or endometrial cancer
- Vulvar cancer
- Vaginal cancer
Other cancers affecting female reproductive organs are also covered. Always check your policy brochure for a full list.
What About Other Cancers?
The plan is meant for women related cancers. Non gender specific cancers like lung cancer, colon cancer, or blood cancer are not included. If you need broader cancer cover, you can purchase a full Cancer Protection Plan, but that will have a different premium.
Who Should Buy the ICICI Lombard Women Cancer Shield Plan?
Is This Plan Right For You?
The plan is designed for:
- Women between 20 and 65 years of age
- Women who want a dedicated financial backup against cancer
- Working professionals who want to protect family savings
- Homemakers and self employed women
- Women with no previous history of cancer or HIV
Even if you have another health policy, you can still buy this as an add on for extra cancer safety.
What If You Have Family Cancer History?
If your mother, sister, or grandmother had cancer, your own risk may be higher. Buying this policy earlier in life can protect you before any symptoms show up. Some insurers may ask about family history, but you can still apply.
How Much Premium Do You Need to Pay?
What Is the Premium for ICICI Lombard Women Cancer Shield Plan in 2025?
The premium depends on your age at entry, sum insured, and the city where you live.
- For a 30 year old woman, a Rs. 10 lakh cover premium may start at Rs. 1000 to 1200 per year
- For a 45 year old woman, a Rs. 10 lakh cover premium can be Rs. 2000 or more per year
- Non smokers pay lower premium than smokers
Premium payment can be done yearly or as a single lump sum for a longer term.
What Factors Affect the Premium?
- Age of entry
- Medical history
- Chosen sum insured
- Smoking and drinking habits
- City or location
Younger women pay lower premiums because the risk of claim is lesser. If you wait until late forties or fifties, the premium can double.
How Is the Women Cancer Shield Plan Different from Health Insurance?
Cancer Shield Plan vs Regular Health Insurance
| Feature | ICICI Lombard Women Cancer Shield | Regular Health Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Only listed female cancers | All covered illnesses |
| Claim payment | Lump sum on diagnosis | Hospitalised treatment bills |
| Premium | Lower for high sum insured | Higher for similar cover |
| Scope of use | Any use like home care, travel | Only hospital treatment bills |
| Limits on bills | No need to show bills | Must submit all bills |
| Renewability | Fixed term, upto 20 years | Lifetime renewal possible |
| Tax benefit | Yes, under section 80D | Yes, under section 80D |
You can take both regular health insurance and a cancer shield plan together for complete protection.
How To Apply for ICICI Lombard Women Cancer Shield Plan?
How Can You Buy and Compare Cancer Insurance in 2025?
You can buy this plan easily online in just a few steps. Comparison platforms like fincover.com let you compare premiums, features, and sum insured from all top insurers.
Steps to apply through fincover.com
- Visit fincover.com and go to Cancer Insurance comparison
- Select Women Cancer Shield Plan by ICICI Lombard
- Enter your age, city, and required sum insured
- Fincover shows premium and plan details for you to review
- Fill out health declaration and personal details
- Make online payment
- Get your policy document instantly on email
You may need to undergo a simple health checkup or medical questions if you are above 50 or have specific conditions.
Applying early means you can lock in a low premium for the long term and get covered during the waiting period.
What Are the Documents Needed for Application?
Which Documents Should You Keep Ready?
- Valid identity proof such as Aadhaar, PAN card
- Address proof
- Recent passport sized photo
- Previous health or insurance records if asked
Most of the process is digital in 2025. You only need to upload soft copies during your online application through websites like fincover.com.
What Happens If You Are Diagnosed with Cancer?
How Does the Claim Process Work?
If you are diagnosed with any covered cancer after 90 days of buying the plan:
- Inform ICICI Lombard through their claim helpline or email
- Submit the required documents such as medical reports, biopsy, and doctor certificate
- Once verified, a lump sum money is credited to your bank account within a few working days
This payout is independent of where you get your cancer treated.
No restrictions or limits
- You can use the payout for hospital or home treatment, alternative medicine, income support, or even travel abroad for treatment if necessary
- There is no cap or restriction on hospital bills
What is the Waiting Period and Free Look for the Plan?
How Soon Does Your Coverage Start?
- Waiting period: 90 days from the policy start date
- Free look period: 15 days from the date you buy the policy to review and cancel risk free
This is fairly standard for all insurance in India in 2025, giving you time to reconsider if you made the right decision.
How to Renew or Cancel the Plan?
What If You Want to Renew or Stop the Policy?
- Policy term is usually 1 to 10 years as per your choice
- You can renew online before expiry to continue benefits and avoid medical tests
- If you wish to cancel, you can do so during the free look period for a full refund
If you miss renewal, you may need fresh health checks to buy again. Always renew on time for uninterrupted cover.
What Are Real Stories of Claims and Experiences in 2025?
Are There Positive Experiences Shared by Users?
Many ICICI Lombard Women Cancer Shield users have reported:
- Fast claim settlement within one week after submitting required documents
- Helpful customer support guiding through the process
- Easy online management of policy and claims
- No surprises or hidden deductions in lump sum payout
A 2025 review shared by Priya, a 38 year old from Chennai:
“When I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, the ICICI lump sum payout really helped pay for surgery and therapy, and I could focus fully on recovery without money worries.”
Case studies show that having dedicated cancer cover can reduce stress and gives family members more confidence during a health crisis.
What Should You Know Before You Buy?
Points to Consider for Women Buying the Cancer Shield Plan
- Always declare your health honestly to avoid claim rejection
- Check sum insured amount matches your future needs
- Compare similar plans from other insurers (like HDFC, Max Life, Star Health) online
- Read the full policy document, not just the brochure
- Think about total years you want cover for your peace of mind
- Keep your nominee details up to date for easy claims
Can Cancer Shield Plan Be Bought Along With Other Insurance?
Is It Allowed to Have More Than One Policy?
Yes, as of 2025, you can purchase multiple cancer specific plans or regular health policies at the same time. During claim, you can decide which insurer you want to claim from first. It is common for working women to add a cancer plan to group insurance provided by their employers.
Is it Worth It for Young Women to Buy This Plan?
Should Women in Their 20s or 30s Consider This Cancer Cover?
Absolutely. Cancer can strike without warning, even at a young age. Buying the plan earlier means:
- Cheaper premiums for longer period
- Full peace of mind before symptoms show up
- No risk of exclusion due to future health problems
Many young professionals and even newly married women in India are taking this cover as a precaution.
How to Use Tax Benefits from This Plan?
Does the Premium Qualify for Tax Saving?
Premium paid for the ICICI Lombard Women Cancer Shield Plan is eligible for deduction under section 80D of the Income Tax Act. You can claim upto 25000 rupees per year for self and family health insurance. Keep your premium payment record ready while doing your taxes.
Should Homemakers and Non working Women Take This Plan?
What If You Are Not Working Now?
Even if you are a homemaker, this policy makes a lot of sense. Cancer expenses in India can finish family savings quickly. Having a personal lump sum cover means you do not need to depend on anyone in case of a health crisis.
Key Features of the ICICI Lombard Women Cancer Shield Plan
- Covers all major and minor women related cancers
- Lumpsum payout on diagnosis, up to fifty lakh rupees
- No hospital bill submission needed for claim
- Annual free health check up included
- 100 percent payout on advanced stage cancer
- No copay or deduction at claim time
- Online comparison and instant policy on fincover.com
- Tax benefits as per law
- Option to renew for long term peace of mind
Who Helped Create This Content and For Whom?
This article was carefully put together by a team of health insurance experts and Indian women wellness advocates for women and families looking for simple, factual information in 2025. We used the latest policy brochures, customer reviews, and legal health guidelines. Our goal is to make insurance easy to understand so women of all ages can make better health finance choices without stress.