When one takes out this type of cover as a self-employed person, you'd think that's me sorted! Even if you read the small print, you think you're done.
Not at all.
Illnesses take on many forms but critical illness cover is limited to a set list of conditions and illnesses.
In my case, I nearly died. It's a fact. Well, that sounds pretty damn critical to me and you are probably thinking the same. If you read the previous page to this So Doctor, exactly what did happen...? you will get an insight into what went on. I thought, great, family's gonna be ok, I'm covered and so did my Financial Adviser that sold me the cover. Now Andrew (my IFA) is no cowboy. We've known him for years. Lives in our village, kids go to the same school and so on. Sorted. And so, we left Andrew to crack on with it all.
"Can you get a letter from your Consultant describing what's wrong and what you have had- you're condition was quite complicated."
"Yep, I understand, we'll sort that." And we did. Mr Barlow put together a great letter even stating-
His critical condition was considered life threatening
There you go- he said it...CRITICAL!
Houston we have a problem
"Erm, can you ring the insurers. They need to speak to you."
Ok, I said. And so it began. "Mr Crow, do you have a copy of the policy? Can I refer you to the appendix at the back listing approved illnesses. We'd love to pay you out but unless your condition fits one of the approved illnesses, we cannot help you."
"What?!?! Approved illnesses? How can there be approved illnesses?? Are you taking the....
Ok, ok...yes, I'm covered by the terminal illness clause."
"Sorry, no you're not as you are not terminally ill any more."
"But I was and it says nothing of time restraints!"
"I'm sorry Mr Crow. You are not covered in this case."
And so that was that.
I spoke to my consultant and Registrar. Showed them the policy. It would be laughable if it wasn't so serious!- and they were amazed at what wasn't covered. Especially septicaemia. I decided to look into sepsis and blimey...
On the UK Sepsis Trust site, I found out some jaw dropping stuff...
On the UK Sepsis Trust site, I found out some jaw dropping stuff...
- Sepsis is a complex syndrome that is difficult to define, diagnose, and treat. It is a range of clinical conditions caused by the body's systemic response to an infection, which if it develops into severe sepsis, is accompanied by single or multiple organ dysfunction or failure, leading to death. It is a major cause of mortality, killing approximately 1,400 people worldwide every day.
- Mortality rates from severe sepsis are on a similar scale to lung, breast, and colon cancer, and it is one of the leading causes of death in the intesnive care unit (ICU)
- Due to its aggressive, multifactorial nature, sepsis is a rapid killer. Death is common among sepsis patients, with around 30% of patients dying within the first month of diagnosis and 50% dying within 6 months
- Although this much is known, there is no clear clinical definition that can be easily communicated and adopted globally. Its absence makes the diagnosis and management of sepsis a clinical challenge. Some of the symptoms of sepsis, such as fever, rapid pulse, and respiratory difficulty, are very general and are present in many other disorders.
What can I do!? Dispute the policy? I read it. I took it out!! The Financial Ombudsman Service might listen but how long will that take PLUS, I'm not strong enough to fight this. I'm bloody ill! And this is where insurance company's take advantage. Even my solicitor didn't hold out much hope on this one.
Unless YOU know better, the jury is still out on this matter. Do I give it a go...
STOP THE PRESS!
As a footnote to all this, a friend of my wife has recently had her gallbladder removed a couple of weeks ago. Keyhole procedure. She has been running temperatures and not generally well since the op. We've just found out today (via Facebook!) that she's now got septicaemia and has been re-admitted. Maybe I'm a bit over sceptical, but this all seems to be getting a bit too common-place.
