CIExpert has given its verdict on Old Mutual Wealth's critical illness (CI) changes including conditions new to CI.
Alan Lakey, director at CIExpert, said: "Old Mutual Wealth has thrown down the gauntlet to its competitors by substantially upgrading its critical illness plan with ten new conditions including two - Kennedy's Disease and Peripheral Vascular Disease - which are new to standard critical illness plans.
"Thirteen existing conditions benefit from improvements to the wordings which will increase the claims payable.
"While some of these conditions will involve relatively minor claims experience others, such as Diabetes, and non-malignant pituitary tumour, offer worthwhile benefits."
Changes to existing conditions
Benign Brain Tumour Claim requirement has been extended to include radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Benign Spinal Cord Tumour Cover enhanced by the inclusion of radiotherapy treatment.
Cancer The exclusion for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia has been removed.
Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation Claims now allowed for cases treated by radiotherapy.
Chronic Respiratory Failure Claim criteria have been eased by the removal of the need for 6 months oxygen therapy and additional requirements reduced to two.
Coma The requirement for life support systems has been removed.
Dementia Sensibly, Old Mutual Wealth has combined Alzheimer's and Dementia into the one heading. Alzheimer's is a form of dementia so there is no need for duplication.
Heart Attack Like other leading insurers Old Mutual has removed the requirement for a specified level of raised enzymes or troponins. This transforms the claim-paying potential back to pre-2007 days when specific levels of troponins were not required.
Loss of Independent Existence Mental impairment has been added to generate a claim.
Multiple Sclerosis The claim requirement has been made friendlier by removing the need for three months continuous symptoms.
Parkinson's Disease The drug abuse exclusion has been removed but Parkinsonian Syndromes are specifically excluded.
Stroke The requirement for "persisting clinical symptoms" has been lessened to "persisting clinical symptoms lasting at least 24 hours" and the requirement for permanent neurological deficit has been removed.
Third Degree Burns Burn coverage has been improved to cover 20% of the face.
New Additional Payment Conditions - lower of £25,000 and 25% of sum insured
Carotid Artery Stenosis Requires endarterectomy or angioplasty due to 70% narrowing of carotid artery.
Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 Requires 12 months continuous insulin injections.
Ovarian Tumour of Specified Severity Requires surgical removal of an ovary.
Central Retinal Vein/Artery Occlusion Also known as eye strokes it requires permanent visual impairment of the affected eye.
Non-Malignant Pituitary Tumour Requires surgical removal or radiotherapy.
New 100% payment conditions
Intensive Care Requires 10 consecutive days in hospital with continuous mechanical ventilation by tracheal intubation.
Kennedy's Disease This neurological condition is passed on genetically and disturbs motor function in a similar way to multiple sclerosis.
Devic's Disease This rare neurological condition also offers similar symptoms to Multiple Sclerosis.
Peripheral Vascular Disease A successful claim requires arterial grafting to the legs because of narrowing of the arteries. Angioplasty treatment is specifically excluded.
Spinal Stroke Death of spinal cord tissue causing permanent neurological deficit with persisting symptoms.
