Critical illness policy/ ASU Policy - when to actually notify them of a claim

OnanTheBarbarian

I'm being a bit lazy here as well as dispganised as I can't locate all my paperwork/ policy documents yet, but thought I would sound out the knowledgeable members on here for their thoughts.

Over xmas I was hospitalised and after numerous tests & scans etc I am awaiting the diagnosis which will probably be later next week, but early noises from the consultant are grim with a potential diagnosis ahead of stomach cancer and a sombre shaking of the head as far as ability to just go in there and hack out, so likely case of management not cure and my potential premature demise. Came at a bit of a shock at 42.

We have some polices viua HSBC life taken out in 2002 when we purchased a house which are for critical illness, a separate one for ASU and then the life policy.

At the moment, i don'f feel unwell, I am working and hopefully this will remain, but when do you actually put in a claim?

When you are laid up and not working?

I believe some policies make pay outs early if you have a terminal diagnosis etc.

Just after any early pearls of wisdom as to the way forwards here?

dunstonh

Sorry for the bad news OTB.

but when do you actually put in a claim?

Once you have been diagnosed. It doesnt matter if it hasnt had any impact on your lifestyle yet. The CIC pays out on diagnosis.

The ASU is when you are off work. So, you dont claim on that until then.

Life assurance is following death or if your terminally ill and told you have less than 12 months to live. However, a CIC plan from around 2002 will likely be CIC OR life cover. i.e. whichever is first. Rather than twice. The schedule will confirm.

OnanTheBarbarian

Thanks chap

Chris_Pollard

OTB. I'm very sorry to hear of your diagnosis.

There is a direct phone number for HSBC Life claims - 0345 745 6125. I've no experience of ASU, but I am sure it will be dealt with in a separate team. When you call regarding your CI policy, they will want to take you through what is called a Tele-Claims process, so make sure you've got a good 20+ minutes set aside. This service is designed to help speed up your claim, and many of the details should be used to pre-populate the majority of the claim form that you'll likely be sent. It would be helpful if you had correspondence from your specialist to hand so you can confirm the exact diagnosis and receive assurance this is covered. Indeed, under NICE guidelines, you may well have a copy of a letter from your specialist confirming the diagnosis that HSBC might ask you for to speed up the assessment of your claim. However, they might want a report from your GP. To obtain this they will need your consent which is under the Access to Medical Reports Act. Given the length of time the policy has been in force, there is unlikely to be any more detailed enquiries made. If they do write to your GP, it might be worth you giving him/her a call to make sure it gets to the top of the pile. With so many other pressures on GP's and surgeries, some reports can be delayed by many weeks. In my experience the party who can help speed things up the most, is you, the patient. HSBC will pay for any medical reports they request, you won't need to pay for them.

As the previous poster so rightly confirmed, the benefit is payable on diagnosis (subject to a survival period). Any premiums you have paid since the diagnosis should be refunded to you.

I hope this helps prepare you for the call, and that the benefit you receive in some way helps with your situation.

All the very best

OnanTheBarbarian

Thanks for that helpful info Chris.

Well I have been confirmed as having adenocarcinoma of the bowel, colon and spreading to the abdomen. it is not capable of being cured, only treated. So looks like I'll be giving HSBC the good news and hopefully they will not cause too much stress and hassle. Been paying the premiums for 14 years, so hopefully it will be money will spent....

OnanTheBarbarian

Just to update and say a personal thanks to those who posted. I am delighted to say HSBC dealt with the critical illness claims within 14 days of receipt.

Really impressed and relieved to have the burden of a mortgage away from the wife when i'm gone.

Cheers guys

dunstonh

OnanTheBarbarian wrote: »

Just to update and say a personal thanks to those who posted. I am delighted to say HSBC dealt with the critical illness claims within 14 days of receipt.

Really impressed and relieved to have the burden of a mortgage away from the wife when i'm gone.

Cheers guys

Thats one bit of good news. Lets hope you keep getting good news.