Life Insurance

[Manninmaid]

Has anyone else with Stage 4 lung cancer and bone mets had difficulty in obtaining a payout from their life insurers under the terminal illness clause of their policy? We applied in February, I had a telephone interview with a medical assessor and a report was requested from my oncologist. We were then told the insurers wanted the results of the scan I was due in March, which seemed fair enough so we waited. That scan showed that my disease is stable for now but of course that could easily change. There was then a further delay in hearing anything and we chased them up to be informed that they were awaiting more information from the Oncologist, however a further chase indicated they actually already had the information they needed. They then tried to defer a decision until after my scan due in September but we reminded them that we had been told at the outset that it could take up to two months, due to their previous experience being a delay in getting reports from oncologists. We pointed out that they themselves seemed to be simply delaying in this case. Then they said that due to the complexity of the case it had to be referred to their Chief Medical Officer. We have made further chases to be informed today, 4 months after making the application, that they are not prepared to pay out the full £125,000 life insurance but are prepared to make an exceptional advance of £25,000. I had expected to still be working and earning a good salary at this age and would probably have paid off the mortgage by now, rather than being on an ill health retirement pension from which I am still paying a substantial mortgage. My life expectancy in February 2016 was 9 months, hence I am well into ‘borrowed time’. The clause re terminal illness in our policy is a likely life expectancy of 12 months or less. They have said that given the last scan my prognosis hasn’t changed, hence presumably is treated as being 9 months!? 🤷‍♀️ I am utterly frustrated with them. 😠 Any advice welcomed.

[Fattyboy]

Hi,

We have submitted a similar claim and are awaiting the oncologist report to go to Aviva. To be honest, we are not expecting to be paid out as my wife who is stage 4 NSCLC which has spread to lymph nodes is responding very well to Alectinib we are obviously so delighted and thankful for the early outcome of the targeted therapy.

We also have the 12 month life expectancy clashes, but I don’t see how the oncologist can give a time scale as it is not known how the longer term will be with Alectinib

Good luck with your claim, insurance companies hang on to their cash for as long as they can.

Best of luck to you with your treatment.

[Manninmaid in reply to Fattyboy]

Thank you for your response. Good luck with your claim and even more importantly hope your wife continues to respond well to her treatment. Best wishes to you both.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear Manninmaid

It is understandable your frustration and the time and energy taken to come to some arrangement with the insurers. On a good note, it is great that you are stable from your last scan and you have exceeded the life expectancy that was given to you initially.

It may be worthwhile phoning Macmillan support as they have a specialist team to do with finances, benefits and insurances, they may be able to advise, their number is 0808 808 00 00, or Citizens advice on 03444 111 444

All the very best

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Manninmaid in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thank you so much for this information. Yes I am delighted that I have exceeded the life expectancy given and very thankful for that. Thank you again for your help on this. I also have a lawyer friend who is happy to go into battle re the insurance. So will see how we get on. Best wishes to the great Team there.