Life insurance - I've only had it 16 months could they refuse?

SRRAE

I moved house August 2022. We sorted our new life insurance September 2022. I filled everything in truthfully and they got access to my medical records and was accepted.


March 2024 ( a few days ago ) I was diagnosed with MND.   My first symptoms appeared March 2023 but for a year it wasn't progressing so had been diagnosed as BFS (Harmless muscle twitches). That was until a few days ago when tests showed its now MND.

I now know signs of MND can show years before but you don't realise, but my first symptom was March 2023 when I went to the doctors cos of twitching arm muscles.

I'm now worried that the insurance may refuse to pay as ive only had the policy for 16 months

I'm 44 and the only cool down period I can see is for suicide which is 12 months.

Can anyone offer advice? Is it likely they will argue paying out? 

katejo

SRRAE said:

I moved house August 2022. We sorted our new life insurance September 2022. I filled everything in truthfully and they got access to my medical records and was accepted.


March 2024 ( a few days ago ) I was diagnosed with MND.   My first symptoms appeared March 2023 but for a year it wasn't progressing so had been diagnosed as BFS (Harmless muscle twitches). That was until a few days ago when tests showed its now MND.

I now know signs of MND can show years before but you don't realise, but my first symptom was March 2023 when I went to the doctors cos of twitching arm muscles.

I'm now worried that the insurance may refuse to pay as ive only had the policy for 16 months

I'm 44 and the only cool down period I can see is for suicide which is 12 months.

Can anyone offer advice? Is it likely they will argue paying out? 

I can't 'advise' but surely the insurance can't overrule what the medical staff diagnosed as BFS? If they did, I would want a 2nd opinion/to go to the Ombudsman over it. I was really sorry to read your terrible diagnosis. I really hope that you get the financial pay out due. 

dunstonh

I filled everything in truthfully and they got access to my medical records and was accepted.

Getting access to your medical records is unusual.   Normally, it's not carte blanche but targeted questions to the GP based on your disclosure regarding health.  i.e. you had something in the past that they wanted more detail on.

I'm now worried that the insurance may refuse to pay as ive only had the policy for 16 months

Apart from suicide, insurers will cover you from day one.   However, date of symptions is key.  If they pre-dated the application, then they would reject.   However, if they started after application, then you are covered.  Based on what you have said, there is no reason they would reject.   

The fact they went for further medical info could be a concern if the things were linked.  But if they are unrelated then its no concern.

SRRAE

dunstonh said:

I filled everything in truthfully and they got access to my medical records and was accepted.

Getting access to your medical records is unusual.   Normally, it's not carte blanche but targeted questions to the GP based on your disclosure regarding health.  i.e. you had something in the past that they wanted more detail on.

I'm now worried that the insurance may refuse to pay as ive only had the policy for 16 months

The fact they went for further medical info could be a concern if the things were linked.  But if they are unrelated then its no concern.

I think it was a general write letter to my GP and not maybe not full access. I remember it took a week or 2 after my application before it was accepted.  Probably about about depression i suffered 20+ years ago, which I did declare.

I had scans for cancer 9 years ago (all clear) after a period of illness.

Other than that it's normal stuff someone my age, blood pressure, aching joints etc.

DullGreyGuy

Prognosis on MND is normally at least a few years so unless you've a particularly unlucky case then it won't be 16 months at the point of claim on the Life insurance.

Clearly the closer to inception a claim is the more enquiries are made but cover is from day 1 as long as you've been honest at the time of completing the application.