Life assurance - what you should know

# 125

Posted: 24/08/2009 03:58

I was diagnosed and treated for Leukaemia when I was 16 yrs old and went into immediate remission after the first course of chemo. I'm now 28 and have been in remission for 12 years. I've just submitted an application for life insurance as I have been granted a mortgage subject to this. I know the insurance company have written to my GP who has replied stating that I am in good health and am not on any meds etc. Does anyone know how the insurance company might interpret this? Is it likely that they will still load my premium even though I am deemed to be in good health and am not being treated for any existing illness?

Thanks!

# 124

Posted: 12/02/2008 11:26

Anyone in any doubt about the seriousness of non disclosure should seek relevant professional advice from qualified persons.

I'm sorry but time pressure at work makes it difficult for me to contribute further to this discussion. Thank you to all for your views and best wishes.

# 123

Posted: 12/02/2008 11:22

Thanks Bindy. I've decided that it exactly what i'm going to do. Move on and stop stressing or I will make myself sick!!!! Thanks again.

# 122

Posted: 11/02/2008 19:38

Nins,
You would be completely mad to write to your Insurance Company in regard to a condition that you do not have.
You say yourself that you were never diagnosed with Epilepsy. Regardless of a sole Doc prescribing you tablets which you did not take for long, it is obvious that he was wrong in his diagnosis. Epilepsy does not go away. It is clear that what you had was stress related and/or a panic attack.
Truely you are worrying about nothing. Your Insurance Company have no way of finding out about a condition that you do not have.
But mentioning epilepsy to them will automatically make them think that you are hiding something and you may very well live to regret telling them about a condition that you DON'T have.
Forget about it and get on with your life.

# 121

Posted: 11/02/2008 15:50

My boyfriend had cancer back in 2005 he has now been clear for almost 3 yrs. Will he be refused life assurance??? Can anybody answer that. Thanks.

# 120

Posted: 11/02/2008 12:01

Thnks again anon. I never had a scan done. When I was thirteen I collapsed and i spent a week in hospital and they said that I didn't have epilepsy, that it was just a panic attack. It then happened a few times, as i said, when I was twenty, but I put it down to not looking after myself properly. It hasn't happened since and I didn't even put down that I had epilepsy when I was pregnant, because i know I don't. I'm just afraid it might be on record somewhere that I have, saying as doc. in Wales wanted me on medication for it! Thanks for your advice. I was going up the walls so to speak and it really helped.

# 119

Posted: 11/02/2008 11:56

I do indeed work in the insurance industry and have done so for past 25 years.

All insurance is based on risk assessment. The application form collects the necessary information to enable an underwriter to assess the level of risk.

An application form is a legal document with a declaration. In the declaration the applicants confirm that the information which has been supplied is true to the best of the proposers knowledgeand belief. Throughout the form and declaration there are warningsor statement about what facts should be disclosed and the dangers if all material facts are not disclosed. The insurer urges the applicant to reveal facts even where they are in doubt as to whether or not they should be revealed.

I'm afraid its's black or white. If a person did not or feels they may not have made a full or accurate disclosure then they should contact the insurance companies chief underwriter to clarify the situation. In most cases it can be resolved.

An insurance company will not repudiate liqability on grounds of non disclosure of a material fact which a policyholder could not reasonably be expected to disclose or on grounds of misrepresentation unless it is a deliberate or negligent misrepresentation of a material fact.

Nina, based on what you say here I don't think you'll have a problem but you do need to write to your insurer about it. Obtain their written reply and keep this on file with your policy documentation.

# 118

Posted: 11/02/2008 10:54

Sorry, my last post was all in caps. Apologies. Nims, it does indeed sound as tho' John works for an insurance company. At the end of the day you cannot be compelled to disclose something with which you haven't been diagnosed. I was in school with a girl who in her early teens had a couple of seizures but the docs didn't disgnose epilepsy because the scan didn't indicate it. In your case, you had not diagnosis and your current GP doesn't have it on record.
John is incorrect in certain aspects. It is only fraud if you attempt to make a claim under false pretences, having deliberately withheld relevant information. Also there is a list which life insurance companies provide of conditions you are bound to disclose. There are quite number of conditions /illnesses not on that list other than colds, flu and minor injuries

# 117

Posted: 11/02/2008 10:01

JOHN, NIMS HARDLY NON-DISCLOSED A CONDITION SHE DOESN'T HAVE. SHE WASN'T DIAGNOSED WITH EPILEPSY AND HER DR. DOESN'T HAVE A RECORD OF IT SO THEREFORE THAT WOULD NOT BE A NON-DISCLOSURE.

# 116

Posted: 09/02/2008 12:07

well to be honest John, you must work for one or you copied that off somewhere. You've really helped my sleep pattern, thanks!! anon. thanks very much for your advice. in fairness, thank you both. just hard to know what to do, as i don't and can't afford added expense in my life if i put it in and honestly, i know myself i never had epilepsy. It was just exhaustion and alcohol on occasions i think caused it. trying to curb the exhauxtion thing at the minute as my wee girl was up at half five this morning!!! i don't want to disclose something that I can't even explain.

# 115

Posted: 08/02/2008 16:31

When a person proposes for any life assurance, mortgage protection, serious illness, permanent health insurance etc policy they must answer the health questions truthfully. Failure to provide true and complete information may render the contract void. In the insurance world if a person does not tell the truth it's called a 'non disclosure'. All insurance companies although in competition with each other share a common data base of applications. In the event of a claim if it is discovered the person witheld information that could have been known to them at the time and which they should have disclosed then they simply won't pay out. I don't have any sympathy for 'non disclosure' cases - its fraud.

If anyone makes a non disclosure then they should probably write to their insurers so they can make a decision. The insurer will probably write out to the customers GP for a medical report and based on this they will be able to make a decision. Insurance companies are usually very fair in this respect but it would really be false economy not to tell them.

When you are completing an application for insurance if there is any doubt as to whether a fact is material or not then you must disclose it. The only thing you don't need to tell them about is colds, influenza and minor injuries.

# 114

Posted: 08/02/2008 16:00

Well nims if you were never diagnosed with epilepsy, I shouldn't think there was anything to worry about. After all the collapse could have been anything from low blood sugar to exhaustion for all the A&E team knew. I wouldn't worry about the welsh doc. Some docs have bees in their bonnet about certain things. My Doc is dead nuts on cholesterol and tests me every year - and it's perfect every year. If he didn't send a report onto your GP stating epilepsy, I wouldn't think you have a thing to worry about especially as you haven't had a collapse / attack since.

# 113

Posted: 08/02/2008 14:58

Thanks for help anon.! I never got diagnosed with anything as I always signed myself out. What happened the few times was that I collapsed and people called an ambulance. It happened me once in Wales and doctor thought it was epilepsy and put me on epilim, but I think he was just crazy as never had scan or anythnig done. I went off it myself and therefore never went to G.P. about it. I don't think they were ever given name of my G.P. and if so I have new one anyway over five years.

# 112

Posted: 08/02/2008 09:55

nins, first off, what were you diagnosed with as a rsult of your A & E visits? Was it a panic attack or a seizure as insurance wise, they are quite seperate.
second, if it was seizures, were you diagnised as an epileptic?
Third, what report did the registrar / a&e send to your GP?

# 111

Posted: 07/02/2008 18:50

advice needed!! I am lying awake at night worrying about this!! I took out a mortgage protection policy five years ago. When asked about epilepsy or seizures, I said i never suffered to save hassle. Thing is about nine years ago I was admitted three times in year to accident and emergency as had some type of seizure/ panic attack. It was when i was really tired or on night out. Anyway, my doctor has no knowledge of this and never stayed in hospital or had tests done. I'm just worried as have a wee girl now and would hate if anything happened and the mortgage wasn't cleared. Does anyone know if insurance companies could or would check a&e records? Thanks for any advice!

# 110

Posted: 06/12/2007 15:11

Hi All

I had life insurance, so this renewal time I went out and shopped around for a cheaper quote. And decided a joint life insurance would be cheaper for my partner and I.

Everything was ok ... But last week we where asked to do PMA's ... Awaiting letters from this company! Who in the end do not send out letters only communicate thru the broker ... Crap indeed!

I have been told they will not cover me! Am getting a bit worried reading thru these various posts!! I am going to appeal and set it in stone WHY ?? WHY ?? ...

Will I get creased for more monies now!! If I said nothing and paid the outrageous monies our old company was looking for I would still be covered!!

Rip off Ireland indeed ....

# 109

Posted: 07/11/2006 15:32

Hi. My partner had testicular cancer last year. He went through months of chemo but has been given the all clear and has been so for a year now. The thing is that we want to apply for a mortgage but ive been told that he will be refused life assurance. If so does anyone know how long we will have to wait to apply. Ive heard he has to be clear for 3 yrs, some say five years so im really confused. If anyone can help me that would be great. Thanx

# 108

Posted: 10/09/2006 21:05

Thank you Sam & sorry for not replying to your postings earlier.
Well, its a no-win situation really.
We have to have the cover if we have a mortgage & it seems the Insurance Companies can just 'think of a figure'.
Then you live in fear that if something did happen to 1 of us, that they would find some loophole in order not to pay out.

Its all money for nothing for these companies.

Thank you Sam for clarifying the situation with the G.P. re. confidentiality but as it is in my case, its a previous G.P. who did the 'mischief' that we are now paying through the nose for.

When I rang that G.P. about what she told the Insurance Company, I was told that he wouldn't discuss it with me as it was none of my business!
Of course, if my partner died & the mortgage wasn't paid, whose business is it then?
Amazingly mean of that G.P. who has the cheek to call themselves a Caring person.

# 107

Posted: 01/09/2006 14:33

To the lady who had malignant ovarian cyst. I had malignant ovarian cysts on both my ovaries nearly fourteen years ago and was
temporarily refused Life cover but after five years I was successful in getting mortgage cover, so don't give up

# 106

Posted: 01/09/2006 13:45

I was diagnoised with Leukemia in 1999 and had have being in remission since april 1999 and also had bone marrow transplant. I recently got married and my spouse and i remortgaged her house to put me on to it. But my life insurance is costing me an outrageous amount. Im charged 250 a month to have cover. Im perfectly health and have'nt been in hospital since 1999. how long do i have to live disease free before i get a fair rate for life cover. My partner only pays 12 euro and im forced to pay 250, its a joke.

# 105

Posted: 31/08/2006 21:44

I work for a mortgage broker and we deal with Life Assurance Companies all the time. Every case is looked at on an individual basis and they can request a medical questionnaire be filled out by the Doctor called a PMA or they can request that the client goes for a Medical with a Doctor of their choice or they may decide to offer cover without these. You can be very lucky and get life cover straight away, but if there is any medical history at all or you're on medication of any kind then it is most likely they will at least request a PMA from your Doctor. If for any reason they refuse you life cover or load your premiums then you can go elsewhere but you would have to declare that you had already sought life cover elsewhere. They would find out anyway as they have a common database that all the companies use. They would then be very reluctant to offer life cover.

# 104

Posted: 28/08/2006 16:10

thanx sam & kitty. i am very much sure that there is no new rule and its happening just beacuse i am not registered with any GP and reason is very simple. iam a medical Dr myself and am feeling myself in very awkward position beacuse of that apparantely very unreasonable demand on behalf of Hibernean insurance to get my medical done by some other Dr of there choice. anyway i am trying few other companies. i'll appreciate any suggestions with lots & lots of thanks.

# 103

Posted: 28/08/2006 08:48

Hi Libra, I have just checked with a collaegue of mine who bought his house approximately 3 weeks ago. He's 35, his partner is 32. They're both non-smokers and ocasional drinkers and they were not referred to any Dr. nor did they have to undergo any tests for life assurance.
They simply got letters, he got one from his GP (whom he hasn't seen in years as it happens) and she got one form her company Dr. and they just filled out a form.

That was only a few weeks back and they weren't told anything about this new regulation that your life assurance seems to be talking about.

I'd check with the industry regulator if I were you.

# 102

Posted: 27/08/2006 08:31

Hi Libra,
When I went for my life insurance I was told by the lady who was dealing with me that had i not declared my hystorectomy I would not have been required to go for a medical as I had declared I was a non-smoker I would ring other insurance companies as you can get insured over the phone

# 101

Posted: 25/08/2006 18:40

hi there, i m 34 & applied for 2nd mortgage life assurance for my new home. i dont have GP but 1 guy an Dublin hospital is my Dr. i dont have any medical condition & no family history either. insurance broker are asking me to go and get my Medical examination done by a certain Dr of their choice as according to them thats the new policy of all irish life assurance companies and even with my declaration of being non smoker, non alcohol drinker, i have to go through all those tests. i wonder is it true or should i go to another broker? i'll highly appreciate the advice on this as my closing date is 28/08/2006. thanks

# 100

Posted: 27/07/2006 13:43

Agnes I looked into my gp disclosing information and was told that because when you go for life insurance you sign a form to allow your gp to disclose medical information about you to the insurance company then he is not in breech. The insurance forms ssk for all information concerning the patient. We need to get together and do something about these insurance companies.

# 99

Posted: 27/07/2006 13:40

They only look for a gp report or medical if you have had any surgery in the last five years of if you have a family history of certain illnesses. In most cases as far as im aware there is none of these (or people choose to not disclose them, which really you cant blame anyone for not wanting to when you get so much hassle) but then they could refuse to pay if anything did happen to you and medical history was found out. I have been intouch with my local mp about starting a support group to assist peole having trouble with life insurance as i dont know about your areas but where I live the citizens advice always seem to give wrong information

# 98

Posted: 27/07/2006 09:25

Does this seem strange to any of you? when I got a mortgage (admittedly a fairly small one by current standards), over 5 years ago, I was 29 and applying on my own but for life assurance all I did was go through a questionare and fill in a form. No GP report or medical assessment was looked for.

# 97

Posted: 27/07/2006 09:03

Its not fair is it we are like little robots being prgrammed and no matter what we do there is no way out i now have a problem with my deeds to my house they have not been registered by my solicitor 13 months after our mortgage im surprised i havnt suffered with a heart attack over all the stres. But i have asked them to investigate as to what happened also when i got my premiums they hadnt loaded me at all i dont think because my husband premiums on his own were 34.63 for life cover no critical illness (for both of us for life covr and critical illness the premiums we were quoted were 76.96) then when they had revised it and added me back on the policy the premiums were only 37.56 how did that work out i really hope everyone gets sorted out im thinking of starting up a helpsite on the web to try to help people but im not sure how to start if anyone has any suggestions please let me know

# 96

Posted: 26/07/2006 19:25

I did go down that route.
My G.P. got the report. There was 1 blood level raised but when it was checked, double checked & treble checked by my G.P. it was completely normal.
Once you have this problem with 1 insurance company, they inform all the other insurance companies so in fact, there is absolutely no privacy & certainly no solution.
In fact, as far as I am concerned it is the Insurance industry that run this country not the Government.
When you have a mortgage you are completely over a barrel & they can pretty much do whatever they like.

# 95

Posted: 26/07/2006 11:11

Sam,
Glad you got it sorted out in the end. Even though the cost is a lot higher than anticipated, it's better than not being able to get it at all.
Maybe roisin will post again to let us know how she got on?

# 94

Posted: 26/07/2006 10:50

Agnes I totally understand what you are going through, The citizens advise centre told me that because i was in the doctors surgery and i asked him not to disclose the information about my heart which hwe did he has breeched patient confidentiality. If I was you I would go to your local citizens centre and seek advice. As for the insurance company i would also get quotes from other insurance companies and you can request that your medical notes be snet to your own gp for him/her to kook at then he/she can decide if there decision is justified or not if there is any more i can do let me know

# 93

Posted: 26/07/2006 09:43

Agnes, your husband is entitled to a copy of the medical report for the old GP and if it has inaccuracis it must be corrected and can them be re-submitted to the insurance Co.
I would also contact the ombudsman in relation to this.
In fact you and your husband, barring any concerns about your psychological health, are both entitled to copies of all your medical records, once you are over 18.

# 92

Posted: 26/07/2006 01:44

We had a mortgage for years, sold our home and took out a smaller new mortgage for our new home. When it came to Life Assurance, the company wrote to our previous G.P. who furnished them with a copy of our medical history.
We suddenly found ourselves being refused cover for my husband based on the report that the G.P. furnished, yet my husband had never attended this G.P.
The only contact the G.P. had with my husband was when he argued with her about her treatment of me, so obviously the G.P. had a grudge against him.
We eventually got cover but the policy was loaded because of my husbands 'medical history' yet he had no history. We attended a new G.P. who checked my husband out & found him to be fit and healthy but nevertheless the loading stands.
To this day we do not know on what grounds the policy was loaded for & as I have tried to point out, in the interests of his health wouldn't it be prudent for them to tell us what they think is his problem so we can at least try to have it fixed???
I have 2 concerns here.
Firstly, the breach of confidentiality on the part of our old G.P. and secondly the fact that the insurance company have us over a barrel, loading our policy for a condition that we do not even know about.
Do I have any recourse here?

# 91

Posted: 25/07/2006 23:16

since my last post i have had the insurance company turn there decision round they have now decided to give me insurance but are loading e by 225% which is ludicrous for this heart condition that i dont have so there is hope. You just have to be assertive and get your doctors backing. If your doctor backs you then you have more chance of turning the decision around, but just dont give up and take there word for it they cpuls have made a mistake. Good luck to all of you who are looking for insurance and maybe i will be able to give you a hand it would be great to help someone else

# 90

Posted: 24/07/2006 08:05

did anyone manage to get life insurance here after being declined. My case has gone up tp the reassurers because a doctor at my surgery wrote a letter saying she would have no hesitation in reccomending that i should be passed fit for life insurance im waiting in anicipation. If i do not recieve life insurance i will be taking legal action

# 89

Posted: 21/07/2006 18:42

Thank you Cleo, My doctors letter said that she would not hesitate to recommend me to be passed fit for life insurance in order to aquire a mortgage i gave the echo report to the insurance company and they gave it to the chief medical officer who said he could not make a decision on it now and had to pass it onto someone higher again im hoping this is a good sign i have now faxed my doctors letter and i am waiting in anticipation but i have been told that once you are refused its almost impossible to get another insurance firm to even look at you

# 88

Posted: 21/07/2006 15:57

Sam, don't worry, even if your name is added to a register, those who added it can be compelled to remove it later if they were found to be mistaken. I would seek legal advice if i were you, and take steps immediately to have the situation rectified before it goes any further.
Roisin, yes they can refuse to grant you life assurance under these circumstances. When your mortgage was approved, it would have been 'subject to' you getting adequate insurance cover for the total amount. You need to seek independent advice from a broker immediately as regards an insurance policy that would cover all your needs and those of the lender. Under your circumstances, this may prove difficult though. If all else fails, you may need to have the mortgage in your name only in order to secure insurance.

# 87

Posted: 21/07/2006 14:46

Lois, you will on;ly be defined as obese if your BMI is over 30. A BMI of 25 - 30 is regarded as overweight.

Roisin, if I were you I would get onto my solicitor about that, or the financial ombusman maybe.

# 86

Posted: 21/07/2006 14:20

I have just bought a house and have taken insurance through the bank I have my contracts signed and my deposit paid. My loan is at 100% to be repaid. My partner has an incurable illness and I have just found out that the Insurance company will not cover him for the full term of the loan and therefor the bank will not allow us to draw the loan down. I have a closing date of 31/07/2006. Can they do this??? After lending us 10% of the value of the house for a deposit?