That is good news.
Just to update you on this. Paynent was in full, as a one off payment, plus interest, plus all the money I had paid monthly from the moment I got diagnosed up to now.
1 Like
I am so glad you got an amazing result. I am 13 weeks in to a critical illness claim and am now just wanting a Yes or No so I get on with things.
I received an email from the insurers asking me to give my thoughts on why I answered certain questions as I did on my application 10 years ago. My GP notes and report are a total mess. It is full of condritictions such as I quit smoking in 2018 but there is no other mention of any smoking habits previously or after. I have never smoked.
The main thing which has thrown me is them to ask me why I answered no to 1. “In the last five years have you seen a doctor for double vision, numbness, tingling or pins and needles?”:
I answered “No” to this question. I experienced spasms, not numbness, tingling, or pins and needles, and these spasms were attributed to computer use and subsequently resolved. I acted reasonably and honestly based on my understanding of my symptoms and the information I received from my doctor. The question did not ask about spasms, and I genuinely did not believe my experience fit the description of the listed symptoms.
Hoping that is enough, as I just can’t figure out how all the piss poor Doctor notes can be followed by anyone. One day it’s patient says they are experiencing spasms then the next it’s sent for investigation for tingling and numbness. Reading it all has really annoyed me.
You answered their questions in good faith and to the best of your knowledge, and a person can do no more. I really hope that they accept your claim.
1 Like
April, I was never asked to justify the answers that I gave when I first bought the insurance. In my case however, my notes were very clear (I can see them on the NHS app). Maybe you could ask your doctor to provide more info to support your application by adding more clarity? Spams are an entirely different condition, and you were made to believe that they were down to computer use. You responded the questions based on what the doctor told you. Of course you know you can appeal. In any case, it takes them time to decide. I made the claim in early January and received the decision and payment in late Spring. Honestly, I never thought anything would have come out of it at first. I am happy I claimed, and it all started when I read one of the forum posts on here, and I thought, let me claim and whatever. Plus, I know it’s funny, a fortune cookie motivated me (that’s why I love Chinese takeaways).
1 Like
It was accepted today! The weight lifted is an amazing feeling, especially after last year. My baby is due next week and to know that they, my husband and daughter have a little nest egg if push comes to shove has taken away alot. As you know when you are diagnosed with something so unpredictable, a little bit of peace of mind is welcome.
3 Likes
That’s great news! I know you are feeling better now, knowing that you have resources in place. Well done on persevering!
That is wonderful news - I am delighted to read it.
So glad to hear of your good news here, Maria!! Thanks for posted this, it really helped me a lot recently.
I can see there are a lot of views on this post and imagine a lot of others also going through critical illness with Aviva, so wanted to leave a quick note that I was also lucky enough to have a successful application with them too.
Honestly didn’t even cross my mind that MS would come up in my critical illness policy (nearly cancelled it a couple of weeks after my first symptoms while doing a general purge on subscriptions to try and cut costs…!), and only checked after a friend said she thought it might.
The phrasing on my policy was “there must have been clinical impairment of motor or sensory function caused by multiple sclerosis”. I didn’t know if I’d meet the criteria based on the fact my symptoms have mainly been numbness, but didn’t get any queries. I attached my diagnosis letter and name of consultant/contact info, then heard it had been confirmed 7 days after that.
If anyone is like me and pays premiums but it’s via work, there’s a different process for a ‘group policy’ claim, so go via that Vs any others. I somehow managed to accidentally go via the Pensions team, so make sure you’re in the right bit! Also there’s a bit in my policy that says you need to claim within three months of diagnosis (which feels a little unfair), so watch out for that if you’ve just been diagnosed, too.
1 Like
Hello Mackenzie. I am pleased to hear yours was also approved. Your case must have been straightforward as mine took a few months.
Yes, it is important to claim within the 3 months from the day of your diagnosis, everyone! I literally applied at the deadest or the deadline, 2-3 days before the three month deadline.
I would have been unaware I could make a claim but I read a couple of posts on the forum and that’s how I found out. If my post can help a few people, then that’s great.
2 Likes
I’m still waiting on Aviva getting back to me. Apparently they received the consultants notes on 21 July and is now with the assessor. They state it takes 17-19 days to be assessed. My policy was originally aig life which is now Aviva. However I did mention that I had went private initially as I felt that I couldn’t wait the 53 weeks for an NHS neurology appointment. They paid me expenses of £500 towards it out of their goodwill fund. This I received a few weeks ago. So I’m hoping that that’s a good sign.
I also had a policy with Scottish widows, which from claiming to payment was 4 weeks.
I can’t see how they could refuse the claim as the wording is the same as the Scottish widows one.
2 Likes
Keep us informed. Yes, it took a while for Aviva to get back to me but they made the payment.
Yes, they paid out middle of this week. Stupidly I cancelled the direct debit straight away only to find out that there is still a life policy attached to this which is still in force. Gave them a call and they reinstate the direct debit but for less.
Today was the glorious day I got to walk into the bank and pay off the mortgage. That’s def 1 thing I no longer have to worry about which makes moving forward so much easier.
4 Likes
Amazing! Great to hear! I know we’d rather be healthy instead, but honestly, claiming helps a lot.
1 Like
Thank you. This now allows me to work part time and get some kind of work/life balance and rest days.
2 Likes
That’s great news. Well done.
1 Like
Amazing to hear, @m18 ! So thrilled for you - really does make a difficult time a bit easier.
1 Like
Congrats, I like many of us was straight up refused
Why did they refuse you ?
They said I should have told them I had MS prior to taking out the policy. Slight problem for them was I took the policy as a benefit from my work. Then a year or so later I get diagnosed with MS. Makes no sense to me but 2 things here are
-
it was a group scheme, the scheme was through my work
-
they got access to my health records and I had it on my records to having optic neuritis 3 years earlier.
I know optic neuritis is not a sign of MS but they just took it that I should have told them about this. Am no a lawyer or a doctor but at least group schemes have been tightened up so other folk don’t get shafted by this…yes my name was read out I’m parliament…I would rather have had my pay out but I can take some solace in that this has been tightened up as, in my humble oppinion it was legalised theft by the insurance company
1 Like