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

    that is great news  !  

    keep smiling !!

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi,

    I came across this discussion by accident however it motivated me to check out my own critical illness cover. I was diagnosed with melanoma ( size .98mm) in June 2014. I had minor surgeries and thankfully it had not spread however was of the invasive kind. By chance, I read an article last year about critical illness cover and the fact that people often don't realise their illness is covered by it. Melanoma was mentioned. My policy was with legal and general and after doing some research realised that indeed melanoma ( invasive) was covered under my policy. At no stage during my diagnosis, treatment or aftercare did anybody mention my eligibility to claim if I had a policy. I guess that I may have been in denial myself about the potential seriousness of my diagnosis( 38% risk of it returning) so it had never entered my head that I could claim. I filled out some consent forms to allow my consultant to provide the necessary information in October 2015 (16 months after diagnosis) and insurers paid out in full with interest in February 2016. Delay was due to my consultant being on extended leave and only providing info in January.  Money doesn't buy good health but it does allow one to have a few extras during what is a stressful time. I still have 3 month follow ups and am doing fine. Good health to all 
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi all 

    I found this discussion whilst searching for information. I was diagnosed a few months back with malignant melanoma on my lower back. Fast forward a few biopsy's later I am one of the lucky ones and it hasn't spread. I put my claim in straight away under the recommendation of the Macmillan nurse after my diagnosis. She was brilliant that day, thoughtful, knowledgeable and supportive. 

    My cover is with Beaglestreet whom I am currently awaiting a response to my forms submitted on 01.07.16. I will update when I have a response. I am glad so many of you have successfully claimed but more importantly that you have been given the all clear. 

    Thanks

    Jamie

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hello Julia

    My husband has just been diagnosed with advanced melanoma in the last two weeks.  As he is self employed I am having to try and explore all avenues of how I will be able to look after him and our finances.  We have life insurance which covers us for terminal illness but not critical.  Could we claim under the terminal illness on our policy.  I am frightened to go ahead with anything in case I do anything wrong.  The money covers our mortgage so it is a big part of our outgoings.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi Sheila,

    Terminal illness will usually only pay out with a life expectancy of 1 year or less and not usually within the last year of the policy term.

    Marsha x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi,

    Our critical illness cover has a clause that says something along the lines that they may decline a claim if we have lived outside of EU and various other countries for more than 12 months (we have) however, apart from the initial excision all other treatment (including histology for intitial excision) has taken place in UK under NHS. I am just wondering whether they will try to wriggle out of paying. Surely the fact that treatment has been absolutely the same as it would have been if we lived here must count in our favour.
    Any thoughts?  I will be phoning to speak to them about a claim in the morning. 
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Great news.one less worry.

    The best of luck xxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Well I made the call and it sounds promising...

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi Marsha

    My husband was given a life expectancy of three months with advanced melanoma.  He starts treatment on Friday with the Nivolumab and ipilimumab treatment.  If we claimed under terminal illness on our insurance do they class the life expectancy on the three months or because he is having treatment would they assume it would be longer.  

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi Sheila,

    If your consultant was to confirm that prognosis, then they should pay out.  Usually it's if death is likely within the following 12 months.

    Marsha x