The insurer has extended cover for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia where a clear diagnosis is made but it has not progressed to Binet Stage A.
This definition goes beyond the ABI’s statement of best practice and is classed as ABI+.
Skin cancers basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma where they have invaded and spread to lymph nodes or transmitted to distant organs; have also been included.
Basal cell carcinoma is a cancer of the basal cells at the bottom of the epidermis. It accounts for 75% of all skin cancers in the UK, according to MacMillan Cancer Support.
Squamous cell carcinoma is a cancer of the cells (called keratinocytes) found in the outermost layer of the skin (the epidermis). It’s the second most common type of skin cancer in the UK – making up 20% of skin cancer cases.
Ian Smart, head of product development and technical support at Bright Grey said: “When you consider that the single biggest cause of claims on a critical illness policy last year was cancer, it makes it so important to make sure that the definition is as wide reaching and robust as possible.
“Although we are seeing more people being diagnosed with cancer, we are also seeing more people surviving it as well. This emphasises a much greater need for protection and putting a financial safety net in place. Everyone should be encouraged to have some critical illness cover in place to help take away money worries should the worst happen.”
