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Life Insurance
Hello,
I’m wondering if anyone has any information about trying to get life insurance with a diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy. I was diagnosed back in March & have recently bought a house with my partner but am struggling to get life insurance which is frustrating, especially as I may die from something that is completely unrelated to myotonic dystrophy.
It seems to be a blanket no from every company I have approached. And I have approached many…
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
GenevieveReply To: Life InsuranceHi Genevieve
I too was unable to get life insurance or employment insurance for my last mortgage. Have you tired the lender themselves? I recently got a mortgage quote for what they might lend and the adviser was confident they would also sell me insurance.
Reply To: Life InsuranceThanks Cat but unfortunately I tried that and was denied life insurance from the insurance linked to my mortgage too.
Feels really frustrating but I will keep looking.
Hopefully you have more luck.
GenevieveReply To: Life InsuranceI’ve been denied life insurance every time I’ve tried. Before official diagnosis (this year) I was told I was an unknown risk, then when I had diagnosis confirmed I was still refused!!
Reply To: Life InsuranceI wonder if a contact with one of the over arching bodies like the Association of British insurance, https://www.abi.org.uk/ or indeed the Financial Conduct Authority (Government) https://www.fca.org.uk/, asking how all of these refusals meet the criteria of disability equality. Surely this situation is not acceptable in any way at all.
Mike
So many love songs, so little love.
Reply To: Life InsuranceThought I’d send you an update as I’ve been able to get some life insurance!
I was put in touch with an insurance company called Cura Insurance, a company set up because the founders wife had a pre-existing medical condition which meant she couldn’t access any life insurance.
They were really helpful and now I have life insurance that covers all except my condition (I have myotonic dystrophy type 1) & also I am looking into getting accidental death insurance as well – this is applicable to me as my I am physically quite fit & 33 years old so if I suddenly die it is more likely to be from an accident rather than due to illness.
Just thought it might be good to pass on this news as they might be able to help others too.
Genevieve
Reply To: Life InsuranceWhen I was applying for a mortgage, the adviser was at pains to understand why I wouldn’t even look at life insurance options. I finally fobbed her off with the lie that my mum and dad were wealthy, and would bail me out if difficulties arose!
I was cheated out of my insurance payout when my driving licence was medically revoked. (I was a bus driver) Even though I didn’t know I had Becker MD when I took out the policy, they came up with some cobblers about how I had been born with the condition, and the fact I didn’t know about it was irrelevant.
They don’t make all that money for the shareholders by actually paying out!
Reply To: Life InsuranceHi Ranald,
Really sorry to hear about this.
I definitely think that you should have had an insurance payout as you took out the life insurance prior to knowing your diagnosis. It may be too late now but you could always approach someone to ask some legal advice around this? I’ve had my own issues with my income protection insurance – I’m only eligible to get anything from them if I’m unable to do my job at all for 26 consecutive weeks. Luckily I am still able to work although I’ve had to cut down my hours; unluckily this means that I’m having to live on less money with no current compensation from the insurance company. I’ve gone through the whole contract and it turns out they are technically ‘right’ as that’s what I signed up for. But that didn’t stop me crying in frustration about this numerous times as financial stress piled on top of what was an already stressful and difficult year.
I completely agree that insurance companies are there to make money for the shareholders and taking out any form of insurance is always a gamble whatever our health. It would be naive to think that insurers companies are glad when they have to pay out. I left the above message because I had finally found a company that was at least willing to offer me options rather than getting a blanket no and thought it might be useful information to share.
Genevieve
Reply To: Life InsuranceThe cash I thought I was due is all ancient history now, I can’t miss what I never had to begin with. I didn’t know 10 years ago that I would never find another job, so the money I get in benefits would have been withheld until the insurance ran out. No loss there, except I would have been sort of independent with the insurance.
You are lucky to still be in work, that’s a whole lot of people in your life that I miss out on. I never knew it would be possible to miss such a miserable job as bus driver, well, not until I wasn’t one! I also doubt I would be living on my own still if in work. It’s unlikely one will find love if one never sees a soul all day!
Reply To: Life InsuranceRanald, I’m sorry that you’re in that situation. It sounds really tough.
GenevieveReply To: Life InsurancePlease don’t feel sorry for me, Genevieve, I am incredibly lucky in that I can still get about, unlike some poor individuals who are wheelchair or bedbound. I felt like a total fraud the time I went to the MD Conference and saw all those wee kiddies who have never know the feeling of running, kicking a ball, hiking in the hills etc; they are the real victims of Muscular Dystrophy.
Reply To: Life InsuranceI think we are all victims. Just because I can work and you can walk doesn’t mean that we aren’t suffering, or that those that care about us aren’t suffering either.
Life is full of suffering and also of joy, it’s just hard to see one sometimes when you’re fully immersed in the other.
GenevieveReply To: Life InsuranceThought I’d send you an update as I’ve been able to get some life insurance!
I was put in touch with an insurance company called Cura Insurance, a company set up because the founders wife had a pre-existing medical condition which meant she couldn’t access any life insurance.
They were really helpful and now I have life insurance that covers all except my condition (I have myotonic dystrophy type 1) & also I am looking into getting accidental death insurance as well – this is applicable to me as my I am physically quite fit & 33 years old so if I suddenly die it is more likely to be from an accident rather than due to illness.
Just thought it might be good to pass on this news as they might be able to help others too.
Genevieve
Thats great to hear!! was the monthly cost affordable?
Reply To: Life InsuranceThat is very true, my mum thinks I blame her for my condition, even though that is totally illogical to me, and I certainly don’t. Np other family member is affected, except for my younger brother. He is even less affected in the muscle department than me, but has issues with his heart. He has 3 young children, and worries terribly about dying young and them being left without financial support. He is a high flier you see, and those guys are more money centric than the likes of me, who is no worse off financially for being out of work.
We all have our crosses to bear in one way or another, you just have to get on with it.
Reply To: Life InsuranceCat, the monthly cost was similar to what I was paying for life insurance prior to my diagnosis but the cover that is offered isn’t quite as good (it doesn’t cover all my mortgage, just part of it) so I guess overall it is more expensive. But still in my mind better than nothing
Reply To: Life InsuranceGenevieve- I keep meaning to thank you for the advice! Thank you!
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