Grandad with Terminal Cancer Denied Life insurance Payout Due to Policy Terms: Aviva Stands Firm

A heartbreaking story has emerged of a grandad with terminal cancer who has been denied the opportunity to cash out on his Life insurance policy. Shaun Pinkney, 53, from Salford, has been paying premiums for 15 years, only to be told by Aviva that he cannot make a claim because he doesn’t have enough time left on his plan.

Shaun, a father of four and grandfather of six, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer, in April 2023. A year later, he received a letter from Aviva reminding him to renew his policy. Hoping to have one last holiday with his family, Shaun called to renew his wife’s policy and cash out his own, only to be told that he couldn’t claim it due to not having 18 months left on his contract.

Despite his terminal diagnosis, Shaun also couldn’t renew his policy because of his health condition. He expressed his frustration, stating, “The pay-out won’t be worth lots, but it would have been something. I’m getting penalized for getting cancer too late. I could pass away next week. I want this sorted before I die. I’m positive and I try and carry on, but I know this is unbeatable.”

Aviva explains that their terminal illness benefit allows customers to receive a Life insurance payment early if a medical specialist confirms they are expected to live for less than 12 months. However, the 18-month period is included in the policy to ensure that any benefit is paid while the policy is still in force.

Despite reviewing Shaun’s case, Aviva has not changed its decision as he does not have a specific prognosis of having 12 months to live. Shaun, who is now largely confined to a wheelchair, has undergone surgery, chemotherapy, and a stem cell transplant. He expressed the uncertainty of his prognosis, stating, “I never know how long I’ve got. It’s terminal.”

An Aviva spokesperson expressed sympathy for Shaun’s situation, stating, “We understand the seriousness of his condition and appreciate that this must be a very worrying time for him.” They clarified that under Shaun’s policy, the terminal illness benefit is not payable within the final 18 months of the policy, as explained in the policy documents.

Unfortunately, due to Shaun’s current ill-health, Aviva is unable to cover him on a new Life insurance policy. The case highlights the challenges faced by individuals dealing with terminal illnesses and the complexities of insurance policies in such situations.