Cancer Insurance

[Frances999]

I was wondering if anybody else has taken out "cancer cover" - I have seen that Virgin have recently launched their version of the policy. I know it's something most people try to put to the back of their mind (me included) but 1 in 3 people will have cancer sometime during their life, and this seems like a very worthwhile insurance option. We have private medical insurance but this seems to cover a whole host of things, and also counts as life insurance as well.

Has anybody had any experience with cancer insurance?

There are more details at Virgin Cancer Cover

 

[alisonbestford]

I have 'critical illness' cover, which I took out in my 20s, but not 'cancer cover', as such

Just make sure you do an in depth search before you pay for anything.
I'm afraid I'm a little cynical and feel that, unless you took out any cover 'in your youth' (so to speak - before you had any aches and pains..... ) there are too many reported incidents of people taking out cover and then not getting necessary payouts because they'd consulted their GP about something years previously!

As an oncology nurse I have had first hand experience of people having to fight to claim their cover but, then again, I haven't worked for 5 years so maybe things have improved

As I said, I'm very cynical but maybe someone can prove me wrong?

 

[nicola]

I have to agree with you. I am a community occupational therapist. Recently one of my clients who is in her early forties had a stroke which has left her severely disabled. WHen she went to make a claim on her critical illness insurance, they examined her medical records and told her she would not be receiving the claim as she went to her doctor a few times years ago with headaches. My client took her case to the insurance ombundsman (sp?) and he has decided it is between her and her insurance company. My client who was a nurse has had to give up her career and they have now sold their house to move to a small apartment which is all they can afford now that they have only one income. It is heartbreaking! I agree that unless you took it out when you were young or unless you have had no medical complaints I would be inclined to forget it. The insurance company refunded all of her monthly premium payments but that's it and although I am not going to mention any names they are one of the leading insurance companies in the UK!!!