Malignant Melanoma and life insurance

FormerMember
FormerMember
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Hi all

What a great website and 'community' spirit nice to see some positive thinking surrounding such a negative subject. Apologies up front for the long winded post but if anybody can offer any advice or comment on their own experiences surrounding critical illness cover I'd appreciate it...

 

...I was diagnosed in March with an Invasive Nodular Malignant Melanoma on my back (originally went to check a different suspicious mole and discovered this one on my back by accident!) and have subsequently had two minor (although sizable scar!) operations to remove it.

It was recorded as 0.7mm depth on the Breslow scale? A nurse specialist has recently advised me that I would be eligible to claim on my Critical Illness insurance because it was 'Invasive' and 'Malignant'. I requested the claim forms from my insurance company last week who told me over the phone that there are no exclusions associated with this condition (with it being Invasive) and they would send out the relevant forms in the post.

My question...Does anybody have any experience of claiming against a 'critical Illness' insurance policy? Despite it being confirmed as 'Invasive', is 0.7mm significant enough to satisfy the insurance company - given there are no exclusions, or are they likely to avoid settling at any cost? I just wondered what the likelihood of success might be? My claims history is clear and all medical history has always been fully disclosed. Maybe I'm being too skeptical when it comes to insurance companies?

The only negative (apart from the cancer itself of course) is that I was diagnosed in March and the policy states that they must be notified within 13wks of diagnosis. However, It was not fully explained to me by the hospital until last week that the cancer was in fact Invasive and that they suggest I could claim...hence the delay.

Thanks in advance :D

Nigel

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi K-JW

    Thanks for the response, very kind of you and apologies for not replying sooner, I haven't been on here for months...work pressures :(

    I submitted my claim as per the hospital's recommendation and to my astonishment the claim was honoured a couple of months later!

    The process was relatively easy and the questions not as taxing as I would have imagined. Apart from completing the form and sending off the necessary documentation I had no involvement and was totally shocked to receive the letter stating that the money was deposited in the bank.

    I have subsequently cleared my mortgage - well the majority of it, and am treating the family to a well earned holiday this year.

    I've been back to the hospital several times now over the past year for routine checks and fingers crossed all is clear!

    As you stated in your reply this has eased a lot of pressure, financial pressure, and has been a warning call too. I'm a lot more vigilant and regularly check myself!

    I saw several consultants over as many months who never mentioned anything about insurance or the potential to claim. It was by chance I had the opportunity to meet a fabulous nurse who left no question unanswered and who was a credit to her profession.

    Obviously, I am one of the extremely lucky ones, not just the finance but the recovery too. I would recommend anybody to check their own policies, you never know. I should mention that mine was Invasive Malignant Nodular Melanoma - as you quite rightly say, skin cancer isn't typically covered by insurance unless it is classified Invasive.

    I would like to thank everybody who has offered me advice and those who have supported me through my treatment. 

    Obviously the money is a blessing, but money means nothing without good health, so I sincerely wish other suffers the same good fortune and speedy recovery.

    God bless you all x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember
    I was diagnosed last year and it was only this week when I rang our insurers about something other than the illness. I mentioned about the malignant melanoma and the lady from royal london was very helpful, and it was her who said we could claim. She sent the claim forms to us. We have now sent them off. Didnt think you could claim for this ...
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember
    Hi Simon, im a bit late in seeing this thread, but was interested as i too was diagnosed with nodular malignant melanoma last year, i think i have critical illness on my policy but didnt know i would be able to claim. Do you think it is too late now?....
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember
    We've sent our forms off and we've had a letter saying they recieved all the forms and proof ie copies of letters,proof of id,photos of scars etc. they are now in the process of writing to the hospital so at least they are looking into it. So I'd go ahead and fill out what you can and post,like other people say on here we took out our polices just in case we ever fell ill , we never thought we would so good luck. What is there to lose. Hope all goes well. Si
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember
    Thanks for the reply. I'll dig my paperwork out today & have a look :) x
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember
    Hi all I've just recently claimed on my critical illness, excellent service no issues and I'm with royal London/ bright grey. Forms were easy and start to finish I.e forms sent off and money in my account was 5 weeks. My mm was 0.7mm and I've had WLE and SLNB. I found my insurance very supportive and kind when I had to call them, all in all a fantastic service with no stress and I still have a service through their red arc nurses if I need it.
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember
    That's great news. I posted mine off 3 weeks ago with the same company.Health is everything but it's made easier knowing if things did change at least it's one thing you don't have to stress about. Love life and live it. 😃
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember
    Well good news.spoke to insurance today and was informed our critical illness cover will be paid in full in the next 5 days. I know money isn't everything but at least I know now my wife and children will have a house that is paid for and enough in the bank to live on if god forbid anything did happen for the worse. I'm so glad I spoke to people and claimed. Thanks everyone.
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Is anyone still following this thread? I'm waiting to hear from insurers and I dare not believe they will pay out. I am also on maternity leave on top of my melanoma diagnosis and my baby was two months prem. He is four months old now and doing well but for that four months either he or I have been in hospital! The money would mean I could extend my leave so we could actually start doing what new mums and babies are meant to do, by spending time together at home with family. So far it feels like our time has been stolen :-( x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    I am waiting for my insurers too.  I am Stage 1a with a Breslow thickness of 0.8mm.  I've no idea whether it is 'invasive' and my dermatologist forgot to include the histology report with my claim report.  I had hoped to find out by now but who knows... I am also getting less confident of a payout.  I got diagnosed in October and my younger son is just 1 now.  I had 8 months maternity leave so was on stat mat pay for a while.  I was definitely ready to go back to work but that's just me.  I wasn't ready at 6 months because I wanted to spend time with my baby.  You never get that time back.  I really hope you get a positive answer soon - and that you make a full recovery.  I always feel a bit guilty asking others because my prognosis is so good at this point, but this is a personal journey for each of us so it's okay to ask I think.  Best wishes to you and your little one.