Fortis Life Improves Cover Definitions for Heart Claims

Fortis Life have announced further improvements to their already market leading Critical Illness Cover.

Fortis Life's Critical Illness Coverage now has 10 conditions which improve upon the definitions laid down by the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

Among these latest improvements, all of which are designed to make claims possible in more cases than before, is an improvement to the definition for Heart Valve Replacement or Repair.

Like most Critical Illness policies, Fortis' definition for Heart Valve Replacement or Repair claims had previously required the use of 'open heart surgery', where the breastbone is divided to provide access. With advances in medical science this type of surgery can often be performed without the need for this, and if a policyholder did have advanced techniques used for Heart Valve Replacement or Repair in many cases a claim could not be made under the policy as the definitions would not be met. The new definition has removed this requirement so that claims can still be accepted regardless of this aspect.

We think this is a great move forward and prevents the policyholders receiving advanced heart surgery from feeling short-changed by their insurer over non payment of claims resulting from seemingly trivial aspects surrounding circumstances which are otherwise the same, and most importantly, that have the same impact on the family regardless of this minor point.

If you have Critical Illness Insurance, or have thought about taking some out, perhaps you'd like to consider the potential differences that this small but important point in the definitions could make in the event that you need to make a claim one day, and whether you are prepared to risk a claim being rejected over small print like this.

If you'd like to know more or just have a chat with an expert just give us a call on 0845 003 0065 or visit our Critical Illness Information page