It is hard to measure the true cost of an event like a cancer diagnosis. But insurers in Australia have done some excellent work on assessing the cost of care, at least, for many of the most common diagnoses. It is well worth a look: https://media2-production.mightynetworks.com/asset/29819978/cost-of-care-whitepaper.pdf I see it as helping to inform questions such as how much trauma and TPD cover are required, as well as providing some context for typical, as opposed to extreme, values for treatment. Advisers keen on a New Zealand version should let us know - we're contemplating projects for the New Year!