Malignant Melanoma and life insurance

Thank you so much H.

That does make me feel better about claiming. I too will have 3 monthly obvs and have 2 other freckles they are going to keep an eye on due to their colour.  I know there is always that chance of it coming back and vigilance is key, so am technically not cured but have never been one to claim on insurance!

Glad they're keeping a close eye on you and doing precautionary procedures, rather that than it spreading. Hope it goes well, and wish you a speedy recovery.

Rhi x

Rhi,

H makes a good point, I was diagnosed stage 1a in October 2015 and legal and general paid out. I felt like I wasn't quite "poorly" enough to justify claiming, however it was pointed out to me that should it god forbid come back, they would be unlikely to pay as I had had it previously! Plus although I am thankfully nearly two years NED, I have had lots of moles removed and collected lots of scars in that time, had days off work / away from my son etc. 

I have used the money towards a house to secure my sons future should he needs it. 

You have paid into the policy, you are entitled!

L x

Hi L That's incredible I claimed earlier this year as stage 4 and a prognosis of less than 12 months and they rejected it as I was trying Immunotherapy which might work and prolonge life expectancy . Should I appeal ? Thanks j

J,

I would definitely appeal that, that is a shocking decision! Even if your treatment works, you still have a critical illness and at stage 4! I would assume that you aren't working if you are in treatment? That's the sort of thing critical illness is supposed to be there for. Who are your insurers if you don't mind me asking?

L

Hi J,

If you have "critical illness" cover, they should pay out.  If you're claiming under "terminal illness" then they will only pay out if you have less than 12 months to live.

They're different types of cover, "critical illness" is an additional level of cover that you pay for. "Terminal illness" is when you are going to die and they pay out early.

Marsha x

Thanks L for your reply. I didn't think about if I didn't claim they probably wouldn't pay out if it came back as had it previously, glad I've done it now!

Over the weekend it has really hit home to me how this has really changed my life. We were away at the beach with friends and whilst everyone was enjoying the sun and the heat, I'm covered up in clothes and big hat to protect my scars and skin and seeking the shade! I realised that summers will never be the same again for me. I've also now got a foot and ankle like a balloon! Can only assume this is because of the heat! 

I think we are a nation who pay insurances but are loathe to claim as feel it's cheeky, but you're right, I don't know what is ahead and that extra cash will lighten the worry about time off work. I just hope I never have to claim on my life insurance, only my critical illness!

Cheers 

Rhi x

I have just had a mole and skin graft done on my leg.  a friend has informed me to claim on my critical insurance cover with "Friends Life".   My letter from the hospital says Breslow 1TA 0.3.    is this worth me putting a claim in?

Hello

Most definitely!  Ring your insurance provider now and set the ball running.  My claim was finalised last Tuesday when I received the funds in my account.

It was a painless procedure that took 4-5 weeks in my case, and that was due to admin error so yrs could be quicker to sort.

I was Stage 1A with breslow 0.2.  I was diagnosed last September and only realised in May I was covered and that was only because I rang my insurance to make a disclosure about the melanoma.

It's an odd feeling to receive the money as it comes with unfortunate circumstances, but I've put mine to one side just in case!  It's peace of mind and that's what you pay your premiums for, thinking you'll never need to claim.  It's there so try and claim x. Keep us informed x

Hi there

You should definitely claim. I am currently waiting on the decision of my claim 8 weeks in as it's been delayed by my plastic surgeon being on holiday so unable to complete the insurance forms for me. The forms were received last Friday so decision should be any day now.

I am stage 2a with a Breslow of 1.8. I felt guilty after claiming as my lymph node biopsy came back clear so I am cancer free now, but it was pointed out to me by another member on here, that if I didn't claim, and the melanoma comes back in the future, I won't be able to claim at that point as I've had it before! On reading my policy with Bright Grey it states 'the cancer must be the first diagnosis and be invasive of the dermis.' I am of the understanding that anything other than a stage 0 in situ melanoma, is classed as invasive, so stage 1 is.

I am hopeful my claim will be successful and hope yours is too.  This condition is life changing. I've had to buy all new summer clothes to cover up my scar and protect my skin, am still off work after 5 weeks following my wide local excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy after complications plus I will fear the sun for the rest of my life. I'm sure you feel the same, it's a scary time.

The insurance companies are quick enough to take premiums, but I think we are a nation who are happy to pay insurance but reluctant to claim when we need to!

Good luck, keep us posted. 

Rhi x

Just to say I heard today that my claim is successful.   thank you for your help and information.