Critical Illness Cover

LizCW

HELP PLEASE! Husband and I have had life & critical cover with the Pru (to cover our mortgage) for the last 2 years. We've increased our mortgage so wanted to increase the cover. Went to the pru, filled in all the paperwork and they've accepted Husband for both covers but only accepted me for life not critical illness. They've changed their cover so it includes more 'serious illnesses' but this seems to have caught me. The Pru won't tell me why they turned me down as, according to them, they have an agreement with the BMA that all their feedback goes back to my doctor who then tells me (Doc had to write a medical report). I suspect I know what the issue is but it's not long term or indeed critical. Pru says I have no right of appeal.

I have a couple of questions:
1 - Can I use the Data Protection Act to get hold of my medical info from the Pru (plus hopefully why they turned me down)?
2 - Am I likely to be turned down by another provider?
3 - Do I really need critical illness? I work in the public sector so would get 6 months full pay and then 6 months half. Am I being over the top to try and get critical illness as well?

FloAnna

LizCW wrote:

HELP PLEASE! Husband and I have had life & critical cover with the Pru (to cover our mortgage) for the last 2 years. We've increased our mortgage so wanted to increase the cover. Went to the pru, filled in all the paperwork and they've accepted Husband for both covers but only accepted me for life not critical illness. They've changed their cover so it includes more 'serious illnesses' but this seems to have caught me. The Pru won't tell me why they turned me down as, according to them, they have an agreement with the BMA that all their feedback goes back to my doctor who then tells me (Doc had to write a medical report). I suspect I know what the issue is but it's not long term or indeed critical. Pru says I have no right of appeal.

I have a couple of questions:
1 - Can I use the Data Protection Act to get hold of my medical info from the Pru (plus hopefully why they turned me down)?
2 - Am I likely to be turned down by another provider?
3 - Do I really need critical illness? I work in the public sector so would get 6 months full pay and then 6 months half. Am I being over the top to try and get critical illness as well?

No the DPA is there to protect u so the company will not send the medical report to u but u would have been given the option of seeing the medical report before it was sent to the company and also the dr will tell you but the company are not allowed to. U may not be turned down by other compaies as every companys underwriting is different. CIC is a lump sum payment that u will receive on a CIC claim. U do need this.

jasonking

1. You can ask the Pru to write to your GP with a reason for the decision. Then you can visit your GP and see this letter and the report your GP did at the same time.

2. Not necessarily, the Pru 'CI' plan is a lot different from other insurers and the underwriting is on occasions stricter. Other insurers may well still cover...but get your IFA to do some research about your medical condition with the insurers to find out before you submit a formal application

3. You should consider CI cover as well as Income Protection (PHI) with a 12 month waiting period to dovetail with your work sick pay benefits.