Do you have a question about life insurance? Ask Tony Longden, Head of Insurance at Santander - £200 voucher to be won

[LibbyMumsnet]

This Q&A is now complete - there will be no further answers posted.

Planning for what lies ahead isn’t always straight-forward. Share your questions on all things life insurance for Tony to answer.

• Everyone who shares a question on the thread below will be entered into a prize draw
• One lucky Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list)
• Tony will be back over the next couple of weeks to answer a selection of your questions

About Tony
“Tony has more than 30 years experience in Financial Services and has been at Santander since 2010, firstly supporting customers through leadership roles in Santander’s branch network across the UK and for the past 6 years in Insurance which means he has an invaluable insight in customer needs and the importance of Life Insurance and Protection.”

Here’s what Santander have to say
“There’s never been a better time to take stock and get around to those often forgotten, but vitally important jobs, like ensuring we have adequate financial protection in place for our loved ones should the worst happen. Taking advantage of our latest £100 cashback offer on our range of life protection policies is easy. Once you've set up your plan you can sit back, relax and enjoy life.”

Are you someone who doesn’t have life insurance, and you’d like to hear more about the benefits? Or perhaps you have a question on the different policies available? Whatever your question is, post it on the thread for Tony to answer.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

Mumsnet Insight T&Cs apply

Hi Tony,

Does Santander cover people with a medical history? I had a benign bone tumour that spread to the lungs (giant cell tumour). Technically it was not cancer since the tumour was benign and if giant cell tumours spread then they go to the lungs but no further. I struggle to get anyone to cover me. Once they hear my medical history they just say no. What do you recommend? Is it a lost cause? Thanks

What’s the difference between critical illness cover and life insurance?

What is the average amount paid in over a lifetime? What is the average payout?

Can you describe the medical that a woman would undergo please for life insurance cover?

How would you go about estimating the level of cover you require?

How much life insurance would you recommend someone taking out? We have two young children and one on the way, we don't own our own home but we do both work and would struggle alone.

As per of my pension, my partner would get a lump sum if I died. What is the advantage of having life insurance in addition to this (besides for the bigger payout)?

Hi Tony, Would you recommend income protection or Critical illness, or both?

What calculations can we use to estimate an adequate level
Of cover please . Thanks

Will the cost be prohibitive as I’ve had cancer ?

Do the medical history questions go into close family and any illnesses they have had ?

Our life insurance covers paying off the mortgage but nothing else, should we raise it to more? In theory either if us would be completely fine without a mortgage to page. What would you advise?

What is the best point in life to take out Ife insurance? Before children?

Please explain the main life insurance policies you offer in simple terms.

If you have pre existing medical conditions and die of one of those conditions will you still be covered.

We’re in the process of looking at life insurance - both my partner and I. We have a 2 year old and 90k on mortgage. Both early 30’s. What would be the most beneficial cover for both of us?

I have a history of major depression, although the last episode was more than 5 years ago. Throughout this I've still worked full time, paid the mortgage and developed a successful career, yet am denied any cover at all each time I seek any life insurance or critical illness cover, given I've been an in patient at a psychiatric hospital around 20 years ago. Can you explain why this blanket denial of cover is still the approach taken by insurers, particularly where they could simply have a policy exclusion for anything relating to depression etc? It is extremely frustrating to apply, have an insurer trawl through my medical records and then refuse cover on the basis of depression.

Hi Tony

Do I need a life insurance policy if I already have death in service benefits as part of a public sector pension?

Thanks!

Is there coverage which slso cover loss of earnings in the event of serious illness? And when could that take effect from if so?

My partner and I both have death is service benefit from our jobs which pay out 3.5x annual salary - more than enough to cover everything should the worst happen.

Is there therefore any benefit to getting life insurance too?

Why do I keep being refused for life insurance due to self harm/suicide attempts when I was a teenager? As an adult, is this not considered that I have been well for many years?

Our life insurance was taken out with the mortgage. Now we have paid the mortgage off and are in our 50's, the over 50's life insurance doesn't seem suited to us, as seems limited to funeral expenses. We need two wages coming in.
What else is there available than those sun life policies?

I have death in service benefit from job, but DH does not.
Thank you.

Why does depression/mental health exclude someone from taking out life insurance?

Once my mortgage is paid off and my children are grown, is it worth 'downsizing' my cover or should people stick with the policy for life?