Just had my first contestable claim not paid and policy rescinded during my 49 year career. 62 year old male died of bladder cancer in October, 2019. The husband of my niece. 100,000 SI 15 YR Term with Columbian issued in March, 2019. We paid $19,992 on a cancer claim with Washington National. That Policy was 25 months old at the time of this diagnosis. When we got the Dr. records I knew there was a problem. About 5years earlier he had surgery for a bladder problem. The Drs report said the client was advised of a malignancy but did not follow up on treatment. When the client saw that he said don't' even send the claim (cancer) in because it would not pay. I told him it would because the policy was over two years old. I did not tell him the life policy might be a problem but I did advise my niece of that fact.
I understand the company's decision based on the info they received. However, the fellow was a bit of a hypochondriac and I just cannot imagine him not following up with a cancer diagnosis if he knew about. He swore he was never told and his wife says the same. Columbian's app ask about cancer in the last 10 years so there is no doubt the original diagnosis was within that time frame. However, the questions are also answered "to the best of my knowledge and belief" but how in the world would we prove he had no knowledge of the cancer diagnosis?
I understand the company's decision based on the info they received. However, the fellow was a bit of a hypochondriac and I just cannot imagine him not following up with a cancer diagnosis if he knew about. He swore he was never told and his wife says the same. Columbian's app ask about cancer in the last 10 years so there is no doubt the original diagnosis was within that time frame. However, the questions are also answered "to the best of my knowledge and belief" but how in the world would we prove he had no knowledge of the cancer diagnosis?
