L&G paid out every children?s leukaemia claim

L&G revealed the news in recognition of September’s National Leukaemia Awareness month.

There are up to 400 new diagnoses for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (the most common form of childhood leukaemia) every year in the UK, in children aged from 0 to 14.

The average age of children Legal & General received leukaemia claims for was six, with the youngest being just two years old.

Mark Holweger, managing director, intermediated, at Legal & General, said: “Child leukemia is not uncommon and we understand the distress children’s critical illness cover claims can have on a family.

“This is why we ensure that our staff on the frontline are specifically trained to deal with such cases, and why we strive to pay as many claims as possible, exemplified by our 2014 claims record for children with leukaemia.

“Our additional benefit payments such as the family accommodation benefit, are designed to further ease the burden families may experience from (in this case) a child being hospitalised for a period of time.”

L&G’s children’s critical illness cover spans from 30 days old to 18, 21 or when the child enters into full-time education.

The policy pays cover of 50% of the sum assured up to a maximum of £25,000, while customers can also claim child accident hospitalisation benefit (£5,000), child funeral benefit (£4,000) and childcare benefit (£1,000).