Cancer and critical illness claim

wilsongaz

Hi

The last few months have been a bit of a roller coaster for me and my family (cried more than I have since I was about 5), but now I have a few days wait before I start chemo and have been thinking about my critical illness cover.

About 6 weeks ago I underwent radical surgery(orchiectomy) and have been diagnosed with testicular cancer. All my pathology and CT scans etc are back and confirmed as stage 1 seminoma (pure) with the tumor being around 6cm. Spreading was only to the 1 testicle and epididimus.

My work have been good so far, however I have no idea how I will react to the chemo and money will become an issue soon. I would honestly prefer not to try and predict if I will need 2 weeks rest, 4 weeks, etc as I have been told everyone reacts differently.

I contacted Zurich a few days ago to see if I was eligible to claim on my critical illness, and they are happy to start the process. My main confusion is around the terminology in the T&C's. Zurich seem to have 2 tiers of payout, the full cover, or whats called an additional payment at £15k(or 20% if lower, not in my case).

For the additional payments the award is made for "less advanced cases of cancer of the testicle". I meet all the other qualifying criteria in the terminology for cancers etc, but what exactly is a less advanced cancer of the testicle.

Has anyone had any experience with this? (I hope you haven't as it is really not nice at all)

I would be happy with anything to ease the pressure while I get my treatment, and am hopeful for the £15k, but it would be good to know what to expect from Zurich.

The T&C's are available online, just search "zurich critical illness" and it shows as a PDF in the google result, I cannot add a link as I am a new user.

Thank you in advance.

ACG

The T&Cs online are probably if you were to take a olicy out today. Historically the wording for things like Cancer were a little more open before tightening up, so your wording may be different to todays wording.

I think the definitions for cancer are on a stage 1-4 scale. 1-2 is seen as mild and potentially a smaller partial payout and 3-4 the full payout. However it has been a long time since I was involved in CI defintions and even then it was probably not to the degree needed to answer your questions.

It may be worth obtaining YOUR definitions (rather than todays definitions) from the policy handbook and speaking to your surgeon. They will see this sort of thing all the time.

Best of luck, I have heard the survival rates on testicular cancer are quite good so fingers crossed for you. It is one disease that I genuinely would not wish on my worst enemy.

Chris_Pollard

Wilsongaz, firstly, I wish you the very best in your recovery. You have suffered from cancer and should receive the full payment, the fact it is Stage 1 is good for you, however, the seminoma meets the overarching definition of "Any malignant tumour positively diagnosed with histological confirmation and characterised by the uncontrolled growth of malignant cells and invasion of tissue." This would be the case regardless of the generation of CIC product you have, however as the previous poster says, check your own T&C's.

The more recent CI policies have added non-malignant cancers (often referred to as "in situ") - these are not malignant and are often treated by removal and once treated are not life threatening. This is why they are referred to as "less advanced".

Zurich know what they are doing. They will help you along the way and if you have the copy of your oncologist or other specialist report (that should be sent to you under NICE guidelines), and are happy emailing them a copy, I'm sure they will be happy to confirm the situation with your claim, if only as a decision in principle.

Best of luck with your treatment and recovery.

Chris

wilsongaz

Many thanks for the replies and your kind words, I will update when I get anymore feedback from Zurich.

Chris, I went back and read the wording, and it does look as if I am eligible for the full payout, fingers crossed. Zurich sent me a secure mail to say they were writing to my GP and my surgeon, so shouldn't be too long.

jackieblack

Can't offer any advice on your CI claim, but didn't want to 'read and run' without saying that I hope your treatment is a success and you make a good recovery

Chris_Pollard

Great news Wilsongaz. Come back if you have any problems - all the best.

OnanTheBarbarian

Good luck with this. I can't offer any advice other than to say my own recent experience of a cancer diagnosis (Stage 4 Bowel cancer spread to abdomen and inoperable) resulted in me getting a rapid payout in full from our critical illness provider HSBC.

I was surprised at the lack of form filling and the claim process overall. Merely signing some authority forms, they spoke with my oncologist and specialist nurse team and approved the claim.

Mortgage free at 42, but with a sting in the tail

Best of luck with your treatment. I am about to have my 4th round of chemo and it has not been too unpleasant and I have remained in full time work throughout.

wilsongaz

So some good news. Critical illness paid out in full, :beer:

Chemotherapy finished, and fingers crossed when I get my next scan I get the all clear.

thanks all.

dunstonh

It is some good news for you after all the bad you have had.

You get some people, including this site saying that Critical illness cover isnt worth it. However, I personally see more CIC claims paid out than any other types of insurance that our firm arrange. Insurers tend to be very good on handling CIC claims nowadays too (much better than 15 years ago where they were less specific in their terms and would drag things on).

OnanTheBarbarian

I can only echo what dunstonh has said above as far as CIC is concerned. Was staggered by how quickly it paid and also how little fuss there was.

I was waiting for a forensic review of my entire medical history and every attempt possible to evade a payout, but it was the complete opposite.

I too have finished my first batch of chemo and have my first scan on Friday, fingers crossed