Critical illness insurance - advice needed

Helsbells16

Hi I was wondering if anybody could provide me with some advice please.
I have been working in my current role for the last year following a short 6 month employment break after the birth of my daughter. ( I rejoined the same company).
I opted for critical illness insurance to be deducted from my salary as I always have done, no medical was requested.
At the same time of me starting work, I suffered what I believed was an eye injury of some sort, as I was new in the role I did not take any time off sick for this, and I had some tests done out of work hours.
It was at the end of October last year a neurologist told me that I had suffered a condition called optic neuritis and further tests would be required in 6 months to see if any n further activity. I was told at this point it could be an isolated incident.
I felt fine suffered no further issues however in March 16 a neurologist told me that the scans I had showed some further abnormalities and I therefore fit the criteria for MS.
In June and September 16 I suffered further relapses and was given a definite diagnosis of MS.
I have contacted insurance companies to advise of my condition and been given a claim form for my critical illness cover.
I was just wondering if anyone else has any experience of this and if they is think I do fit the eligible criteria for the claim.
I am concerned that as my undiagnosed first episode occurred as I rejoined the business the insurer will not allow the claim.
Thanks in advance for any help anybody can give.

paddyandstumpy

All you can do is apply to the insurer, be truthful, and see if they cover it.

walkermilesuk

Hi anyone help with this

7 years ago i had a subarachniod hemorrhage they put 6 coils in my brain to stop the bleed and this is called coiling cerebral aneurysm
i had this cover but was told my my local bank and natwest life that i was not covered
aviva have now taken over natwest and last week i was updating things when i came across my policy and it says stroke was covered also i had aletter from aviva saying there would be no changes to my policy when they took over and on looking on there policy its says the bleed i had is covered and at the end of the day its a stroke the consultant i still see says it is!
i have spoken to aviva and they are looking into it and say it will be back dated to 2009 but since then i have paid my mortgage and the policy which i did not have too because i would of paid my mortgage offand because i had to come out of work be had to go into an IVA and its been hell i have 4 children and we have had hell for 7 years the ombudsman have said if it came to them and i won they would have to pay 8% per year and put everything right for me what sort of compensation should i expect if they want to sort it out with out going to the ombudsman any one help me
thanks

dunstonh

the ombudsman have said if it came to them and i won they would have to pay 8% per year and put everything right for me what sort of compensation should i expect if they want to sort it out with out going to the ombudsman any one help me

It is not an easy win on a complaint as there would need to be a record that you spoke to Natwest.

However, Aviva may well add interest at base rate or thereabouts.

walkermilesuk

thanks. yes i have letters to show they new my situation but said i was not covered

Nearlyold

Did you actually try to claim (in the proper sense of the word) on the policy and the letters you have are declining the claim? - if so they should give an explanation as to why the claim was declined/ you were not covered

Or do you mean you have letters that show the bank knew you were poorly but you were only told verbally that you were not covered.

walkermilesuk

No we didn't put a claim in but the local branch new i had the stroke and the letters i have say they were sorry for my situation. But didn't actually put a claim form in.
we trusted them and would the letters be enough to back that up i hope so

dunstonh

No we didn't put a claim in but the local branch new i had the stroke and the letters i have say they were sorry for my situation. But didn't actually put a claim form in.

The branch would not know what insurance policies you have. It is one of the (number of) disadvantages of buying insurance from a bank. It is very much transnational as their systems wouldnt show what insurances you hold. They couldnt put a claim in on your behalf anyway.

Banking and insurance/investments/pensions are separate things. The claim should have been made directly to the insurer. For a complaint on that basis to succeed, you are going to need a very generous complaints handler.

walkermilesuk

The letters I have are from NatWest life insurance and they new about the stroke

dunstonh

walkermilesuk wrote: »

The letters I have are from NatWest life insurance and they new about the stroke

In which case, that makes it very strong in your favour.

walkermilesuk

thanks

any ideas of what they should pay compensation they should pay me ombudsman said its 8% per year and the 7 years of hell trying to pay bills etc etc and its put be in an IVA all because they didn't pay me I have paid 35000 to my mortgage that I would of not have to pay and many other things ???