Life Insurance

[beaglemum22]

Hi,

Been diagnosed with ltd systemic sclerosis and fibromyalgia Jun 23, has had Raynaud's for a good 10+ years.

I'm currently looking at getting life insurance and have not been prepared for the difficulty! (Previous policy was done a long time ago prior to the change in my health.)

Applications were either declined by most, based on "medical", or offered extortionate monthly payments.

Has anyone been successful and can offer advice on which companies to consider please?

Many thanks!

[Birdlou]

Hi there, I'm 54, diagnosed in 2020. I have mild symptoms of Early Systemic Sclerosis With Limited Cutaneous Involvement, with Raynaud's. I'm not on medication, I'm fit, active and healthy, I work full-time and have no mobility issues. I have been rejected so far by AIG, Zurich and Aviva.

If people living with RA, Lupus, or Sjogren's Syndrome are able to get life insurance, then why can't we? Underwriters do not seem to understand what our auto immune disease is, or that it is a very broad spectrum disorder.

I think Prof Chris Denton at the Royal Free, and SRUK need to provide the Underwriters at the main life insurance companies training. Training fees could then be ploughed back into the good work that SRUK do.

More and more people are living with autoimmune diseases since Covid. It's' time these insurance woke up to this reality.

[beaglemum22 in reply to Birdlou]

Thank you for your reply Birdlou! Your situation is the same as mine, apart from needing to take some meds for the Raynaud's. I agree 100% with you, my experience so far is from lay to specialist level medical people, a lack of understanding of the condition at all levels and how individual and broad it is. Incidentally, the insurers you mentioned has rejected me as well!

[Birdlou in reply to beaglemum22]

Thanks Beaglemum it reassures me that we are experiencing the same situation. & we are both living with the reality of this auto-immune disease that Medical Underwriters have a very narrow and limited understanding. Our 10 year survival is above >90% after all. It beggars belief! If I strike gold I’ll let you know!

[AgedCrone]

You need to contact an Insurance Broker who specialises in Medical Inurance who will explain the many different Life .insurance policies that exist. Unfortunately, a lot of people buy what they think is the type of life insurance they think they need….them if the need arises the insurance they have bought is not what they should’ve bought.

[beaglemum22 in reply to AgedCrone]

Many thanks! Waiting for a call back today from their "expert in systemic sclerosis". We'll see.

[AgedCrone in reply to beaglemum22]

With any insurance it’s always worth asking around…I always say I want to think about it….then call 1 or 2 others to see if I get the same advice. Hope you get what you need.

[beaglemum22 in reply to AgedCrone]

Thank you, is certainly what I've been doing and saying. Will post if I have any success!

[AgedCrone in reply to beaglemum22]

🤞👍🤞

[beaglemum22]

Hi all,

Hope everyone is doing ok?

Thought I'd update you on my original post. I now finally have life insurance!! It has taken just over 3 months, but in the end having tried well over 10 companies, including the specialist medical ones, 1 company has offered cover - The Insurance Surgery.

Their service were 1st class, chasing my GP several times with delayed responses, even supporting in my comments to my GP where they initially wanted to send all my medical information. Info which was unrelated and well past the time requirement of the questions. Which, of course, is against GDPR and Caldicott principles. Fortunately, as working as a health professional myself, was aware of what they can and cannot disclose!

They're insurance offer also was not as expensive as I've expected. Frankly, after all the ones saying no, I was happy to try and pay anything just to get cover!

The whole time and for all the communication, it was the same person keeping in touch with me. (Mine was Megan, who was experienced, efficient and very friendly). Even with me being in SA for about 2 months following the passing of my mother, they happily used email and would also do whattsApp to stay in touch when I requested this.

Their underwriters is Guardian, which offers further reassurance, being an established and well known entity.

Have a good day everyone, and thank you for all the interesting and invaluable posts and information offered on this site.

[pigeonCl-HU in reply to beaglemum22]

What a positive and well deserved outcome, beaglemum, I can just about hear your happy sigh of relief🙂! Now that this is behind you, you can go ahead and enjoy your days, no worries. I so know that blissful feeling, when after a lot of hassle and frustrations, things turn out right finally... it's like winning the lottery.

I should rephrase this: our health comes first, money second.

pigeon