Life insurance and Migraine!

lindos90

I have just applied for life insurance/critical illness cover. One of the questions asked if I had ever had 'visual disturbances', I answered yes, as I occasionally see little lights just before a migraine.

This now seems to have caused major problems, its been flagged up with the underwriter, they want to know when I was 'formally diagnosed' and lots of other details about frequency, effects, treatment etc. Ive been told it could affect the premium, or they may even decide to cancel the policy! Ive explined that its not a frequent thing, but they seem really concerned!

Now im really worried, if they statistically have evidence that someone who has migraines is more likely to get a serious illness or die young:eek:.

I was debating with my husband when filling out the form if I should mention it, as my OH said he thought it ment a 'permanent' visual problem, rather than a few minutes perhaps twice a year, I felt I should mention it to be as open and honest as I could.

Anyone else had a problem with insurance and migraine? Should it be a big problem?

kingstreet

I wrote life and critical illness cover for my sister recently and she disclosed she suffers from migraines and tinnitus and has had Dichlofenac sodium suppositories prescribed for the former.

We applied to Scottish Provident, needed further information and a GP report and she was accepted ordinary rates.

HTH

lindos90

kingstreet wrote: »

I wrote life and critical illness cover for my sister recently and she disclosed she suffers from migraines and tinnitus and has had Dichlofenac sodium suppositories prescribed for the former.

We applied to Scottish Provident, needed further information and a GP report and she was accepted ordinary rates.

HTH

Thanks, I'll have to keep my fingers crossed. Ive been mulling over all the times ive seen my GP all last night.

Theres several things that were not asked about on the form which I now feel I need to tell them:(...giving birth, pelvic floor physio, hospital admission for suspected appendicitis (which wasnt,) a veruca, fungus infection in nail...they all sound irrelevent, but the form didnt specifically ask if I had migraines, but now thats important, I dont really know where to stop!:rotfl:

Also when they called last night they said that I would need to tell them of any changes in my health, so does that mean I have to call them every time I go to the GP? Does this mean they can increase my premium during the course of the cover??

(We have applied for a 'guaranteed' reducing life cover, for the mortgage) I thought the guarantee bit ment the premium wouldnt increase.

kingstreet

You have a duty to disclose any changes in your health between making the application and the point the policy goes into force. Once the acceptance terms are issued, the premiums are set at that level unless you make an additional disclosure before you agree to start the cover.

Once the plan is in force, guaranteed premiums mean the costs stay the same for the remainder of the plan term, subject to any permitted changes in the policy fee.

On the subject of your disclosure so far, the application form normally tells you in the preamble what issues you can safely ignore, such as routine GP visits for contraceptive advice and for colds and flu lasting no longer than (or needing time off work for) a week.

From what you've said, the investigation of (appendicitis) abdominal pain should have been disclosed, regardless of the lack of an outcome and I'd also have disclosed a "full-term pregnancy and childbirth followed up with routine exercises."

I always stress to my clients how important it is to dredge their memories for every GP visit, however innocuous, as I'd really rather not arrange cover for them if they leave the insurer an excuse to "welch" at an incredibly important point in their lives.

lindos90

kingstreet wrote: »

You have a duty to disclose any changes in your health between making the application and the point the policy goes into force. Once the acceptance terms are issued, the premiums are set at that level unless you make an additional disclosure before you agree to start the cover.

Once the plan is in force, guaranteed premiums mean the costs stay the same for the remainder of the plan term, subject to any permitted changes in the policy fee.

On the subject of your disclosure so far, the application form normally tells you in the preamble what issues you can safely ignore, such as routine GP visits for contraceptive advice and for colds and flu lasting no longer than (or needing time off work for) a week.

From what you've said, the investigation of (appendicitis) abdominal pain should have been disclosed, regardless of the lack of an outcome and I'd also have disclosed a "full-term pregnancy and childbirth followed up with routine exercises."

I always stress to my clients how important it is to dredge their memories for every GP visit, however innocuous, as I'd really rather not arrange cover for them if they leave the insurer an excuse to "welch" at an incredibly important point in their lives.

Thanks, thats what im thinking, they may go through my notes and say 'well we are not paying out because this or that was not disclosed'. It feels a tad unfair though, for them to not pay out for something they didnt even ask for!!

However its also pointless to pay monthly for an insurance that may not pay out 'on a technicality', so I'll tell them everything, verucas, morning sickness and all! (there either going to think im very high risk, or a hypocondriac...which might also increse my premiums!!:rotfl:)

kingstreet

lindos90 wrote: »

It feels a tad unfair though, for them to not pay out for something they didnt even ask for

There are usually catch-all questions at the end of each application, so there may be no direct "have you had migraine" question, but there may be several others which apply, such as "have you attended a hospital, doctor's or clinic for any investigations, treatment or tests for anything else not disclosed earlier?"

Sounds like you'll do the best thing - bore them to death!

lisyloo

Don't worry lindos, you are not alone.
I think of myself as relative healthy - but I have about 9 prescriptions and visit the doctor regularly.
This isn't because I'm unhealthy or a hypocondriac I'm just "in touch" with my body.
9 sounds like a lot but it's stuff like hayfever, contraceptives etc.

But I know what you mean, it makes it very difficult answering some of the questions.

I know of other people who are obeise, smoke etc. and are much less healthy than me but have no prescriptions and won't ever go to the doctor (as they'll be told off about their obeisity or smoking).

As painful as it sounds I think you need to provide everything.
You might want to ask your doctors for you medical records under a SAR (subject access request) under the DPA (data protection act).
I understand the max charge for this is meant to be £10 but I have seen guidelines that say they can charge more for manual photocopying etc.

kingstreet

lisyloo wrote: »

9 sounds like a lot but it's stuff like hayfever, contraceptives etc

In true moneysaving tradition, might I recommend the Loratadine or Cetirizine from Lidl? Normally a couple of weeks worth is around 80p per packet which must be well cheaper than paying prescription charges, unless you have a season ticket, or your GP gives you a barrow load each time...?

Wouldn't fancy Lidl for the other thing though, lis.

lisyloo

In true moneysaving tradition, might I recommend the Loratadine or Cetirizine from Lidl?

Thanks for the tip but I'm on free prescriptions (for everything) as I have hypothroidism.
How money saving is that :-))

lindos90

kingstreet wrote: »

In true moneysaving tradition, might I recommend the Loratadine or Cetirizine from Lidl? Normally a couple of weeks worth is around 80p per packet which must be well cheaper than paying prescription charges, unless you have a season ticket, or your GP gives you a barrow load each time...?

Wouldn't fancy Lidl for the other thing though, lis.

Oh God, Hayfever, I'd forgotten that one...another one for the list!

I get my loritadine or certirizine from Wilkos, if you time it right you can get BOGOF too, they are usually about 80p to a £1 a pack:money:

kingstreet

lisyloo wrote: »

Thanks for the tip but I'm on free prescriptions (for everything) as I have hypothroidism.
How money saving is that :-))

How far will some people go to save money...?

Wilkos is another good bet. True about the two for one/bogoff stuff too.