Critical illness insurance claim - wish us luck!

gadgetmind

starrystarry wrote: »

The idea that insurance companies will go to any lengths to reject CI claims is a complete myth.

Are you calling those who've had to fight long and hard, tooth and nail, and finally had to go to the FSO to get paid out, liars?

Are you calling those who've had disfiguring breast surgery to remove cancer, yet been denied claims as they don't have "our definition" of cancer liars?

If you aren't prepared to call these people liars, then perhaps you need to back off with the word "myth"?

Which is it?

starrystarry

gadgetmind wrote: »

Are you calling those who've had to fight long and hard, tooth and nail, and finally had to go to the FSO to get paid out, liars?

Are you calling those who've had disfiguring breast surgery to remove cancer, yet been denied claims as they don't have "our definition" of cancer liars?

If you aren't prepared to call these people liars, then perhaps you need to back off with the word "myth"?

Which is it?

Are you calling me a liar or are you prepared to accept that what happens to a small minority of claimants is not the norm? You can't have it both ways either.

I'm not denying that some claims are disputed and that some rejected claims are overturned by the FOS. I imagine that some are not straightforward. That doesn't mean that insurance companies set out to reject as many claims as possible. That is the myth.

gadgetmind

starrystarry wrote: »

Are you calling me a liar

Perhaps "starry eyed" might cover it? :-)

or are you prepared to accept that what happens to a small minority of claimants

Frankly, I don't really care about the percentages. A huge number of women who require *radical* and *urgent* surgery that involves removal of both breasts to prevent the spread of cancer have their CI claims refused. Defend this if you choose, but watch out for the thin ice.

I'm not denying that some claims are disputed and that some rejected claims are overturned by the FOS.

I detect a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel of denial.

TBH, I expect our claim will squeak through (partly because we're fighters) but TBH we'll probably feel a big !!!!!! about this given the swathes of far more deserving double mastectomy cases that get fobbed off.

The critical illness insurance peeps do seem to be slowly cleaning up their act, but they still have a *long* way to go IMO. Quite rightly, people expect to get paid out in their darkest hour, and not to get dragged into arguments about which bits of their body that had to be surgically removed did/didn't meet some nit picking definition of cancer.

pedro123456

Well good for you starrystarry, however I would suggest you are in the minority.

Could you exlplain why there is a "lack of public confidence" in insurance products then?

Could you explain why TCF (treating customers fairly) was brought in?

Molly41

gadgetmind wrote: »

The critical illness insurance peeps do seem to be slowly cleaning up their act, but they still have a *long* way to go IMO. Quite rightly, people expect to get paid out in their darkest hour, and not to get dragged into arguments about which bits of their body that had to be surgically removed did/didn't meet some nit picking definition of cancer.

And this is the case for many people claiming. In itself its stressful having a critical illness but then to have to go through the degrading process that involves the nit picking of medical records, the medicals - well it was dreadful for me and the stress of it caused me to breakdown mentally and seriously contemplate suicide. It was only the support of husband who found the strength to fight for me and the Financial Ombudsman who challenged Aviva. I really pray that its straightforward for you both and that your wife is lucky to have you fighting her corner too. It will make all the difference in the world, both with her fight against cancer but also for payout of your cover x

starrystarry

pedro123456 wrote: »

Well good for you starrystarry, however I would suggest you are in the minority.

Could you exlplain why there is a "lack of public confidence" in insurance products then?

Could you explain why TCF (treating customers fairly) was brought in?

CBA to be honest. Any attempt to bring some balance to this discussion is clearly pointless. Don't feel like playing the part of the big bad wolf today.

gadgetmind

Reading the real-world experiences of women on some breast cancer forums is a good way to get a balanced view. Yes, some people get paid out, in some cases without much fuss, but others are really put through the wringer and fail to get a penny. Yes, when reading the forms maybe people should ask what DCIS is, and why the CI companies don't regard a carcinoma as being the same thing as cancer, but people generally aren't experts in either medical terminology nor critical illness insurance.

Of course, after the event, these same women are refused CI insurance, and even travel insurance. Why? Because they've had cancer! Similarly those who suffer a TIA will find Critical Illness doesn't cover this, but the fact they have had a "mini stroke" will mean they struggle to get insurance ever after.

Would I consider taking out Critical Illness in future? Yes, definitely. Would I read the small print, and learn the difference between a carcinoma and cancer, and the difference between TIA and a stroke? Yes, definitely.

pedro123456

starrystarry wrote: »

CBA to be honest. Any attempt to bring some balance to this discussion is clearly pointless. Don't feel like playing the part of the big bad wolf today.

You do surprise me starrystarry, and he's me thinking you may have something to contribute, as you are obviously a caring person!!!!!!


After all 2 year ago you did give a one claimant the benefit of your experience ,how comforting,one claim out of how many i wonder :rotfl:

gadgetmind

pedro123456 wrote: »

After all 2 year ago you did give a one claimant the benefit of your experience ,how comforting,one claim out of how many i wonder :rotfl:

Please don't harass those very people who are best placed to advise me and others considering taking out or claiming on CI insurance. Yes, insurance is at times a pit of vipers, but would people really go without house, car or holiday insurance?

We maybe over insure, as we also have health insurance, a lot of life insurance, and even insurance to cover IHT if we both die at the same time! However, it is easy to get too far in the other direction and find yourself in a hole when it all goes wrong.

pedro123456

You are right Gadget , it was a little cynical of me.

Good luck with your claim let us know how you get on