A stroke is about the third most claimed for critical illness. However, the stroke has to bring about permanent changes to the victim, for example paralysis, for an insurance company to pay out on their critical illness policy.
The probability of someone suffering a stroke tends to increase with age. It is generally uncommon for someone under 50 to have a stroke though it is not unheared of for example, in the Uk approxiametely 1000 people under 30 have a stroke each year. Though stroke is the third most common cause of death in the Uk it does not necessarily mean you will not survive. For example at least 250,000 people in the Uk live with disabilities as a result of a stroke. Anyone could be at risk of having a stroke resulting in a complete change in life style due to its effects. However, there is no reason that you could not live for a number of years afterwards and having a critical illness policy that would pay a lump sum in such a event would help in such a situation.
A stroke is where there is death of brain tissue due it being deprived of oxygen and nutrients as a result of an inadequate blood supply to that area. This could be due to either;
- A blood clot in one of the main arteries supplying blood to the brain causing a interruption to the blood supply.
- A brain haemorrhage where there is bleeding on the brain due to a weakened blood vessel bursting.
- Heart disease for example arterial fibrillation. This is irregular beating of the heart that could result in a blood clot forming in the heart and travelling to the brain.
Symptoms of a stroke vary dependent on which part of the brain is affected. The victim may suffer one of the three following groups of symptoms;
- Paralysis or weakness of the right side of the face, arm and leg. This may be accompanied by inability to speak, write read and understand.
- Paralysis or weakness of the left side of the face, arm and leg. Often, one of the side effects of this type of stroke is the loss of a person’s spatial awareness. This can manifest itself with the feeling of loss of the individuals left side of their body.
- No paralysis but difficulty in speaking and swallowing with possible slight weakness of limbs.
Strokes vary in there severity and duration. For an insurance company to payout on a critical illness insurance for a stroke there has to be permanent neurological deficit with persisting clinical symptoms. A consultant would need to confirm death of brain tissue. In order for an insurance company to pay the sum assured, they would need the evidence from the specialist to ensure that the claim meets the definitions as set out in the policy document.
Occasionally, a payout won’t occur and typically this is seen with Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA or sometimes referred to as a mini stroke), has these don’t always produce permanent symptoms.
