When taking out Critical Illness Cover it is important to know exactly what cover you are paying for. A Financial Adviser will always give the customer a copy of the Key Features Document which states what Critical Illnesses are covered. The Key Features document will usually also make reference to a seperate publication called the ‘Critical Illness Guide’ which explains exactly what illnesses are covered and what the definition of those illnesses are. Most Critical Illness Insurance companies will adhere the ABI (Association of British Insurers) guidelines and use the 21 critical illness defintions.
These definitions are openly available from the ABI or life assurance companies direct but just in case we thought that we would break them down for you into a few bite size chunks.
Alzheimer’s disease [before age x] – resulting in permanent symptoms
A definite diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease[before age x] by a Consultant Neurologist,Psychiatrist or Geriatrician. There must be
permanent clinical loss of the ability to do all of the following:
• remember;
• reason; and
• perceive, understand, express and giveeffect to ideas.
For the above definition, the following are not covered:
• Other types of dementia.
Aorta graft surgery – for disease
The undergoing of surgery for disease to the aorta with excision and surgical replacement of a portion of the diseased aorta with a graft. The term aorta includes the thoracic and abdominal aorta but not its branches.
For the above definition, the following are not covered:
• Any other surgical procedure, for example the insertion of stents or endovascular repair.
• Surgery following traumatic injury to the aorta.
Benign brain tumour – resulting in permanent symptoms
A non-malignant tumour or cyst in the brain, cranial nerves or meninges within the skull,resulting in permanent neurological deficit with persisting clinical symptoms.
For the above definition, the following are not covered:
• Tumours in the pituitary gland.
• Angiomas.
Blindness – permanent and irreversible
Permanent and irreversible loss of sight to the extent that even when tested with the use of visual aids, vision is measured at 3/60 or worse in the better eye using a Snellen eye chart
Cancer – excluding less advanced cases
Any malignant tumour positively diagnosed with histological confirmation and characterised by the uncontrolled growth of
malignant cells and invasion of tissue. The term malignant tumour includes leukaemia, lymphoma and sarcoma.
For the above definition, the following are not covered:
• All cancers which are histologically classified as any of the following:
– pre-malignant;
– non-invasive;
– cancer in situ;
– having either borderline malignancy;
or
– having low malignant potential.
• All tumours of the prostate unless histologically classified as having a Gleason score greater than 6 or having
progressed to at least clinical TNM classification T2N0M0.
• Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia unless histologically classified as having progressed to at least Binet Stage A.
• Any skin cancer other than malignant melanoma that has been histologically classified as having caused invasion
beyond the epidermis (outer layer of skin).