Critical illness claim victory for woman

A woman who had to battle to get justice after making a critical illness claim has won her case, and will receive the value of the policy, which is £40,000.

The woman, a 55 year old nurse, claimed after spending two weeks in intensive care following a brain haemorrhage. She was then discharged but was told she would have to return for surgery.

In between her discharge and returning to have the brain surgery, which carried a 25% risk of fatality, performed the nurse tried to claim on her critical illness cover, which covered her for brain haemorrhage. However, she was shocked with what officials from the insurance company told her.

The policyholder stated: ‘Before my craniotomy on the 28th of September I received a letter saying my policy was nil and void. They said I had not disclosed that I had an episode of stress in 1997, when I was off work for three weeks.

I have researched this and stress or depression does not cause brain aneurysms. I felt totally let down by Phoenix because I really believed that I had informed them of all my illnesses when I applied.’

The policy was originally taken out with Abbey National but when parts of the business were sold the insurance policy was moved over the Phoenix.

Officials from the firm stated that there was ‘clear non-disclosure’ given the policyholder’s occupation as a nurse.