Claiming critical illness

Morgywotsit

Where to start...
My husband has been dagnosed with having 3 strokes on Monday afternoon. He is 34, runs 30 miles a week, doesn't smoke, drink, have diabetes, take illegal or other drugs etc etc. He was sitting talking to me one moment then lost his eyesight, balance and then consciousness. He's had v good treatment, v fast, and is now in a stroke unit. He recovered from each episode, after the second he had no symptoms at all, then the 3rd struck whichw as the worst. What he is currently left with is double vision and the balance of someone who's ahd a few pints. He's falling into deep sleep a lot. Hoping he'll come home today, although that brings new worries obviously, and recovery could be a while. There are obviously a lot of tests coming to find out why, most will focus on his heart. It's been a pretty rubbish week all round, but right now we feel both unlucky and lucky that he's relatively OK.
I bought us joint critical illness cover with legal and general in 2003. It is a decreasing policy. We've since moved and remortgaged so it's not as much as our current mortgage, but is still a fair amount. Stroke is clearly on their list, I called yesterday (why does telling new people make me cry?!!) and in a short phonecall they said yes, covered, we'll send you a claims form.
So my issue...firstly I'd like to say I would obviously much rather have had a normal week and no money. If this does come through it might be the breather we need to not worry if he does decide to take life easier, or if recovery is long. We are both prepared for some clause to come up which makes us invalid. He changed jobs a few years ago from being a teacher to a policeman, and I am certain I did not call and tell them. I know his job has no influence on whatever underlying medical reason caused this, but is this enough for them to stop the claim? I just need to know and prepare for disappointment and different plans with what to do with him if he can't work as much. Our paperwork says we should tell them, but it only lists our occupations as 'category 1' whatever that means.

My 2nd question is - if we claim on a joint cover, will I then be able to take out single cover by myself? I realise he'll be uninsurable now, but he was always the most healthy one!

Thanks in advance for my waffle

Jenny
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kingstreet

AFAIK L&G critical illness has no requirement for ongoing disclosure so you are underwritten with the occupation you had at the outset and there's no need to tell them if it changes. Only Income Protection or Permanent Health Insurance have an ongoing disclosure regime for occupation change.

If you are successful in making a claim, the policy will cease along with your cover. You can apply for new cover, and yes, your husband is unlikely to be offered terms for critical illness cover again.

If you haven't already done so, check any benefits he may be entitled to through work.

All the best, Jenny.

ERICS_MUM

Hi, I can't offer any practical advice but I just want to wish you and hubby all the best for a good recovery. It must be a scary time for you both. Please make sure you eat and sleep properly during this stressful time.


Linda xx

_Andy_

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

Hi, I can't offer any practical advice but I just want to wish you and hubby all the best for a good recovery. It must be a scary time for you both. Please make sure you eat and sleep properly during this stressful time.


Linda xx

+1 to that

gadgetmind

Was the diagnosis definitely for stroke or was TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) mentioned? The former should be covered, while the latter, despite often being called a "mini stroke" is usually specifically excluded. However, the fact they are sniffing around the heart suggests and embolic stroke, which should be covered, but I'm neither a medic nor a CI expert.

Anyway, fingers crossed that he makes a rapid and complete recovery and that your CI insurance comes through.

Morgywotsit

Thank you everyone. Definitely strokes, not the attacks. Had more tests and they have diagnosed the reason as being a hole in his heart, called ASD which is a congenital heart defect, i.e. it's been there since birth. His mum now says he did have a hole in his heart as a baby but by the age of 2 they said it has closed up - this was in Germany, and it wasn't seen as a big thing so i am presuming it was a hole that everyone has but which in 25% of people is a bit slower to close - which is what they expected to find this week, but they didn't. Sorry that sounds garbled. Basically he did not think he had any heart concerns at all, and neither did any doctors. He was in the army for yeas, in active service, and is now in the police, so he's been through a fair number of medicals with no problems. Anyhow, I obviously didn't declare this as we didn't know. And it wasn't diagnosed until yesterday anyhow. So not entirely convinced they won't find a reason to not pay out still, but hopeful nonetheless. He's home now and the hole is treatable which is positive.
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gadgetmind

Morgywotsit wrote: »

Had more tests and they have diagnosed the reason as being a hole in his heart, called ASD which is a congenital heart defect, i.e. it's been there since birth.

I hope the CI comes through, but more importantly I wish you both well for the future. ASD can cause all kinds of problems, but most are *very* obvious. I read a case of a doctor diagnosing someone with this after seeing them on TV!

It sounds like your hubby has it mild, and caught early, which is always good.

Morgywotsit

Thanks you v much. I really hope it is mild, he's been through so many medicals in his adult life and it's never been mentioned. Although doctors are confusing aren't they - scanner was overly positive and we left both feeling the diagnosis was good - then stroke doctor said there were 'a fair few bubbles', and the discharge letter says 'moderate to large'. So who knows!
J*