Sharp practice

[RogerS]

Just got suckered by the AA. We were looking for a modest amount of life cover and the AA came out the cheapest at around £30. I have very very very mild hypertension. They want to use that as an excuse to increase the premium by nearly 30%.

That smacks to me of sharp practice. Entice the punter in with a low premium and then whack him with an uplift. Their stats probably say that 7/10 carry on with the proposal. Well, I'm in one of the 3 and will go eslewhere.

 

[BradNaylor]

Flippin' heck Rog. what's eating you?

A 30% uplift for a chronic medical condition like high blood pressure is only to be expected. I have to pay more than double the standard rate because I had a slight stroke 10 years ago. Never mind that all the many tests I had subsequently gave me a totally clean bill of health. I remain convinced that it was caused by my excessive mobile phone use at that time.

Insurers are just bookmakers. They assess the odds of you dying within the term of the policy and set the premiums accordingly. Quite clearly a bloke with hypertension is more likely to die early than a bloke without it.

Shop around - different companies have slightly different actuarial practices - but I would be surprised if anyone offers you standard rates.

On the bright side, when you need to buy an annuity your hypertension will work in your favour and you will get better rates!


Cheers
Brad

 

[StevieB]

define very very very mild.... Anything under 140/90 is probably OK, anything over that would typically be treated with anti-hypertensives depending on other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Between 130/85 and 140/90 would be borderline to treat.

Steve

 

[BradNaylor]

It sounds like it's gone up a bit since he got the quote from the AA!

:lol:

 

[StevieB]

A 30% uplift for a chronic medical condition like high blood pressure

Sorry, but hypertension is not a chronic medical condition. Its a risk factor for a range of more serious conditions and can have a large range of causes, some of which are biological and some of which are environmental

I have to pay more than double the standard rate because I had a slight stroke 10 years ago. Never mind that all the many tests I had subsequently gave me a totally clean bill of health

Again, sorry, but previous stroke is one of the larger risk factors for a secondary stroke. A mini-stroke or TIA (stroke which resolves within 24 hours of onset) is also a risk factor for future stroke. There is no 'test' in the sense you are using it that means you will not suffer from another stroke.

I remain convinced that it was caused by my excessive mobile phone use at that time.

I am afraid multiple scientific studies disagree with you. No evidence for mobile phone use having a beneficial or detrimental health effect.

I am a senior lecturer in cerebrovascular (stroke) genetics as a day job so have a pretty good idea of this field :wink:

Steve

 

[BradNaylor]

I'm sure you are completely right Steve.

However, my stroke was identified on the scan as a tiny blood clot in a capilliary in my brain just behind my right ear. For some time earlier I had been experiencing a strange sensation in this very area whenever I used my mobile phone for a prolonged period.

I think we both know the reason why no link has been discovered between mobile phone use and ill-health. Anyone finding proof of such a link would no doubt suffer a hill-walking accident very quickly!

It took 100 years for a definite link to be proven between smoking and lung cancer. The adverse effects of smoking were always pretty obvious to the lay person, however.

 

[RogerS]

define very very very mild.... Anything under 140/90 is probably OK, anything over that would typically be treated with anti-hypertensives depending on other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Between 130/85 and 140/90 would be borderline to treat.

Steve

Steve

Many thanks for your comments. They are exactly what I've been led to believe.

That's me..between those ranges. Currently on Aprovel 75mg as that's the smallest does they do.

 

[Doctor]

I had a slight stroke 10 years ago.
Cheers
Brad

Is this why you keep forgetting who you are, Brad, Dan, Dunc?

 

[devonwoody]

Be careful Roger with getting another quote after being quoted a loading, not declaration that another company required nonstandard rates can be a problem down the line.
You are now most probably on a insurance association computer list and companies love you not to declare because they then do not have to pay out and they have the benefit of premium income with no risk ever.

 

[RogerS]

Be careful Roger with getting another quote after being quoted a loading, not declaration that another company required nonstandard rates can be a problem down the line.
You are now most probably on a insurance association computer list and companies love you not to declare because they then do not have to pay out and they have the benefit of premium income with no risk ever.

I've never been asked that question, dw. Only if they have declined.

 

[devonwoody]

usually something like "any conditions " which can mean rate charges besides health declarations.