Critical Insurance query

georgeb_2

I have a critical illness policy with Scottish Provident that I took out about 10 years ago. I've recently realised that when I took the policy out I was a non-smoker but unfortunately I would now class myself as a light smoker (less than 10 a day!). So after reading various horror stories re crit illness claims I thought it would be in my best interests to advise Scottish Provident and either amend the policy or cancel and take out a smokers policy elsewhere. I phoned their head office and explained my situation. The guy on the other end told me there was no need to do anything as long as I was a non smoker when the policy was taken out - he said it doesn't affect the policy now that I'm a smoker. I asked if it would affect a claim if for instance a doctors report showed I smoke and the policy was taken out as a non-smoker but he confirmed that as long as I was a non-smoker at the start then that's all that matters. Surely this can't be right - or can it?

dunstonh

So after reading various horror stories re crit illness claims

So strange that these very few horror stories seem to appear yet over 90% of claims pay out.

Surely this can't be right - or can it?

It is correct. The information at point of application is a snapshot of then and forseeable events. If you were not a smoker and didnt start just shortly after then you have no problem.

OshayAway

georgeb wrote: »

I have a critical illness policy with Scottish Provident that I took out about 10 years ago. I've recently realised that when I took the policy out I was a non-smoker but unfortunately I would now class myself as a light smoker (less than 10 a day!). So after reading various horror stories re crit illness claims I thought it would be in my best interests to advise Scottish Provident and either amend the policy or cancel and take out a smokers policy elsewhere. I phoned their head office and explained my situation. The guy on the other end told me there was no need to do anything as long as I was a non smoker when the policy was taken out - he said it doesn't affect the policy now that I'm a smoker. I asked if it would affect a claim if for instance a doctors report showed I smoke and the policy was taken out as a non-smoker but he confirmed that as long as I was a non-smoker at the start then that's all that matters. Surely this can't be right - or can it?

Yes it is, you've got nothing to worry about georgeb. The facts are that you applied as a non-smoker so as long as you had not had any tobacco or nicotine products for the 12 months prior to the policy start date, that's all that matters. It's not a non-disclosure issue as you disclosed the material facts at the time of application.