Insurance question

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FormerMember

6 Oct 2009

Hi folks, just wondered if anyone can give me some advise.

We have terminal illness cover on our mortgage. Although my partner has incureable cancer which he is having palliative chemo and radio for to alleviate symptoms no one has yet mentioned the 'T' word. We have been told he is not going to recover from this and any treatment is palliative only.

We have decided to try and claim on the Life Policy, even though we dont have all the mortgage covered we have about half. My question is if the insurance company dont pay out can they then withdraw the Policy altogether and take away our cover? They know my partner had cancer when we first took out the policy and we had to pay a very high premium for a period of 5 years, this has now dropped back to normal (the irony being that his cancer has now returned) im just worried that if we do make a claim they might say they wont pay out and withdraw the policy altogether.

Any advise would be welcome, thanks, Julie

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johnr over 16 years ago

I only have a limited understanding and would suggest the following pointers:

Check the wording closely in the policy, some will payout if you have been diagnosed with less than 6 months to live, some state 12months, mine does, though I know one or two on this site got payouts and the 6 months is long gone.

Speak to the consultant and see if he is willing to put such a statement in a letter for you, without it you may well struggle. After this if unsure either check with citizens advice or get some independant advice, then consider submitting your claim once you know how you really stand.

good luck

john
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FormerMember over 16 years ago

If you disclosed everything at outset, Julie, which it sounds like you did, then they can't just withdraw cover and you should be able to claim on the terminal illness section of the policy, they might knock it back, but just be persistent and as John says get a letter from your consultant to back up your claim.

Marsha x
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DaveB over 16 years ago

Hi Julie,

I have been diagnosed with cancer in my right kidney which the consultant said is incurable. I rang up my insurance company to ask for a claims form and was immediately asked if I had been diagnosed with only six months to live and on informing them no was told this was the only way I could claim. I have a ct scan on Saturday coming then an appointment with my consultant soon after and I am going to ask him if he can give me a letter of sorts informing the insurance company that whilst he does not know exactly how long I have to live it could well be only six months as if my cancer is incurable who is to say how long I have.
FormerMember over 16 years ago

Many thanks for all your replies, i think we will be trying to claim as we are struggling bigtime with our mortgage, the insurers who we pay the accident and sickness to to cover the monthly payments have refused to pay out as my partner has had cancer before they are saying this is connected, we have appealed against it but to no avail, so we are now faced with paying the mortgage with only me working-scary!

once again, many thanks Julie x