Hi,

I'm currently in this situation. In August I was diagnosed with PMP cancer. I had the major op and now am having six months of chemo.

i have paid  a life and critical illness policy for 19 years. Five years ago my wife and I separated and I continued to pay the policy. My cancer triggered the policy to pay out but my ex is demanding 50% even though she has never paid into the policy and it's 5 years since we separated and the money is there as I can't work etc. How did you settle your issue with your ex? 

Hi Jamesey,

I'm so sorry you've found yourself in the same situation. It's horrific to think that someone who once cared about us can behave so selfishly and, quite frankly, with such lack of morals. I hope your treatment is successful and you go on to make a full recovery.

Unfortunately, even hiring a solicitor failed to resolve the issue. He failed to respond to letters constantly, the insurance company agreed for him to continue a new policy in a solo capacity (obviously not an option for us) and I offered 150% of what he had paid in but this failed to sway him. He eventually offered a 60/40 split and drew the whole process out for 12 months. I was skint by this point and the stress wasn't doing me any good. The money paid for me to live through my two years of intensive treatment, he's paid off half of his mortgage. These policies really should be changed to pay out to the person with the critical condition. The insurance company acknowledged to me that it was an issue but said the majority of ex partners usually back down. 
 

It may be worth talking to a solicitor, as we had both paid 50/50 in, so you may have more weight to revoke her claim. It's also worth reminder her that she can take out a new policy, so if she becomes ill in the future and needs the money, it will pay out. That option is no longer open to you.

I've let the anger go and moved on. Karma is a trusty friend.

I really hope your ex takes a long look at herself and the situation is resolved in your favour and truly hope the future is bright for you.

Thank you for your reply. It was the answer I feared but hopefully as it will probably go to court I might get a sympathetic or moral judge ;)

The worst bit is she gets to keep my house and her pension whilst she knows my chemo is palliative. Still at least I'm still here and that must be an annoyance ;)

I hope you are better and your ex will have to live every day knowing he's not a man and had to live of his ex's payout! 

We were clearly right to get out of those relationships! It's so cruel, the money should be for our care (both now and long term), not so someone can have the holiday of a lifetime and pay off half their mortgage whilst you continue to struggle).  I do hope you have success in court, I like to think that morality will eventually overcome greed. Let me know how you get on, I'll be cheering you on loudly from the sidelines

I had quite a variety of treatment (most on a hugely successful trial) and all is good. I do hope your chemo is successful and it manages to control the cancer growth for as long as possible (and in that time new treatment options become available). Hold onto the hope.
Good luck and look after yourself. 

I'm currently stuck in the same situation. Was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. We had a joint policy which paid out and I stupidly paid off our mortgage in full. We're not married and now going our separate ways. The mortgage is joint so he wants half meaning half my payout money. 
He's now got his own new critical illness policy and will get his full mortgage paid if the worst happens and I'm stuck trying to get a new mortgage for myself, manage my illness and panic about the future. 
it all seems so so wrong that he is benefiting from my illness and I can't do anything about it. 
 

please let me know if anyone has had success in keeping their full award. 

I'm currently stuck in the same situation. Was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. We had a joint policy which paid out and I stupidly paid off our mortgage in full. We're not married and now going our separate ways. The mortgage is joint so he wants half meaning half my payout money. 
He's now got his own new critical illness policy and will get his full mortgage paid if the worst happens and I'm stuck trying to get a new mortgage for myself, manage my illness and panic about the future. 
it all seems so so wrong that he is benefiting from my illness and I can't do anything about it. 
 

please let me know if anyone has had success in keeping their full award.