Two types of cancer, Essential Thrombocythaemia and Polycthaemia Rubra Vera, are to be included in the definitions for critical illness cover according the Association of British Insurers. This is due to new medical evidence being received, which indicates that the two cancers can be terminal.
The Association of British Insurers are recommending that companies should include the conditions on policies brought before the new 2006 definition, and they will be included in policies taken out after that date.
Our view
Remember these are ABI recommendations and not rules, so your insurer is not forced to adopt the standard. Either way, because of the clauses in many different contracts you are likely to be protected anyway if you are diagnosed with one of these unfortunate conditions. A word of caution though, we recommend that you check with your insurer that you they are adopting these two cancers as part of their definitions.