Critical illness insurance - late claim

starman71

In 2000, my wife and I took out life insurance polices with Norwich Union, as we were advised to have these in place across our 25 year mortgage term. These were later taken over by Aviva. All premiums have been paid monthly throughout the life of the policies and we are due to continue paying premiums until Oct 2025 when the policies will expire.

To be honest, these policies were put away and forgotten about until very recently when having cleared our mortgage early, we were tidying up some paperwork etc. We came across the policies and discovered that they also included critical illness cover, which we had forgotten about.

In Nov 2016 my wife was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer and underwent mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, plus a course of radio therapy.  Her treatment was completed in Spring 2017 and she was discharged in Spring 2018, though remains on hormone control medication.

In January 2023 she was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer and underwent thyroid removal surgery. No further treatment was required though she remains on medication to control calcium levels and thyroid underactivity.

My obvious question is, can she make a critical illness claim for either of these conditions? Her policy document from 2000 states that cancer is covered as a listed critical illness with just four listed exclusions – the above-mentioned cancers do not fall into the excluded categories.  Policy doc states that Critical Illness Benefit will only be paid once and upon payment the policy will cease. It also states that occurrence must be notified within 26 weeks of diagnosis or surgery.

Obviously the 26 weeks have long passed but I wonder if it would be possible to ask for a late claim to be fairly and reasonably considered? If so, what reasons would be best to give as to why claim was not made earlier?  The truth (i.e. that we forgot that the policy included Critical illness) or perhaps stating that it was overlooked amid the emotional turmoil connected with dealing with potentially life-threatening conditions.  Also, should both cancers be mentioned, or should we just focus on one of them given that there is obviously only one critical illness payout?  Perhaps just go with the most recent one, as this was only just over a year ago, so less distance from the claim “deadline”.

I have read elsewhere that most insurers will consider a retrospective claim irrespective of the notification period specified and that Aviva in 2023 honoured a backdated claim from an illness of 2011, so thinking maybe we stand a chance and there is no harm in giving this a shot. We do have all historic medical paperwork.

 

Any advice appreciated.

dunstonh

In 2000, my wife and I took out life insurance polices with Norwich Union, as we were advised to have these in place across our 25 year mortgage term. These were later taken over by Aviva.

Aviva did not take over Norwich Union.  It was rebrand of Norwich Union.

My obvious question is, can she make a critical illness claim for either of these conditions?
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 It also states that occurrence must be notified within 26 weeks of diagnosis or surgery.

In most cases, Aviva will consider late claims. 

Also, should both cancers be mentioned, or should we just focus on one of them given that there is obviously only one critical illness payout? 

  Aviva have a claims line and will ask questions over the phone.   You follow their direction, but I would expect both to be mentioned.