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Mums insurance cover

Get insurance cover to look after your kids if you're ill and can't.

Not linking anymore.

Apols.

Are you responsible for looking after a family?

If you became ill or had an accident and were unable to perform your everyday tasks for a while, how would you cope? You may not earn a wage for being a Mum but your job is invaluable.

If you are unable to look after your family, MumsCover can provide you with up to £750 a month towards housekeeping, child-minding & transport costs for up to six months.

Frequently Asked Questions of Cover
MumsCover

What is MumsCover?

MumsCover is an insurance policy which provides financial help for the family in the event that a Mum or the primary carer of the children is unable to do the normal things needed to look after the family and home such as cooking, cleaning and taking the children to school.

MumsCover cannot hope to replace a Mum, but it can provide a monthly benefit of 80% of the cost of childcare (from a registered childminder only), housekeeping, cooking, ironing and transport. Up to a maximum payment of £750 per month.

When does MumsCover start?

Cover commences immediately once you have completed the application form and it has been accepted

Eligibility

Am I eligible for MumsCover?

Most Mums are eligible provided they meet the following criteria:

- You are at least 18 and under 60 years of age

- You are the Primary carer of a child under the age of 14

- The child/children permanently live with you

- You are resident in the UK, the Channel Islands or the

Isle of Man

- You work less than 16 hours a week in paid employment

What is a primary carer?

A primary carer is a person who is chiefly responsible for the upbringing and well being of one or more children under the age of 14. They must be registered for and receiving Child Benefit for those children.

Does the child/children need to be living at the same address as me?

Yes. Your child/children must be living at the same address.

Can more than one person be covered for the same child(ren)?

No. Only one person can be the primary carer.

Can I apply if I work part-time?

Yes, as long as you work less than 16 hours per week.

Can I apply if I’m in full time employment?

No. MumsCover is designed to provide support for people who are not in full time paid employment. However, we recognise the unique needs of Mums in full-time paid employment and have developed MumsCover Plus.

How is MumsCover Plus different from MumsCover?

MumsCover Plus is designed for Mums who have an income and who are working more than 16 hours a week. MumsCover is only for Mums who are being paid for working less than 16 hours a week or who aren’t being paid at all.

Do I need to tell you if my circumstances change?

Yes. To make sure you are always covered, if your circumstance change you must let us know in writing. If you are unsure call our MumsCover Customer Service Line on 0870 880 3885.

Is MumsCover just for women?

Absolutely not. Men can be primary carers too.

Can I still get MumsCover if one of my children is over the age of 14?

Yes, only one of your children needs to be under the age of 14 to qualify. The number of children you have does not affect the price.

Does it matter how many children I have?

No.

Do I need to be in a relationship?

No.

How do I claim?

See Claims below.

Benefits

What does MumsCover actually cover?

For only £17.90 per month MumsCover provides financial help towards the cost of employing someone to provide childcare, housekeeping, cooking, ironing and transport whilst the primary carer cannot.

Is there a maximum monthly benefit?

Yes. Monthly benefit is limited to a maximum of £750, which is 80% of the first £937.50 you might need to spend. As part of the total monthly benefit above the maximum monthly benefit payable for travel expenses is £300.

Can I increase my monthly cover to more than £750?

No. MumsCover is a fixed-price product that has been designed to offer a simple and practical insurance that is accessible for the greatest number of families. Increasing monthly cover would mean that the price would be higher for everyone.

Why doesn’t MumsCover pay all of my costs?

MumsCover has been designed to offer a simple and practical insurance at a fixed cost that makes it accessible for the greatest number of families. We believe that most families can cope with a short period of inconvenience. Excluding bills incurred in the first thirty days makes MumsCover more affordable.

How long can I claim for?

You can claim MumsCover for a maximum of six months. We believe that most people would not need to claim for more than six months.

Can I extend the benefit period?

Yes you can. If you want the reassurance of knowing that you could receive benefit for a longer period should it be needed, you can take out Extended MumsCover. This extends the maximum benefit period from six months to twelve months. The monthly premium for this product is £27.50 – that’s just £9.60 extra per month.

Are the benefits affected by other insurance policies?

No.

Is the benefit taxable?

Not under current tax legislation.

What are the Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s)?

The activities of daily living are as follows. You shall be deemed to be disabled if your doctor confirms you are unable to perform at least three of the activities of daily living:

1. Rising from a chair – the ability to rise unaided from a dining room chair (without arms).
2. Standing – the ability to stand for 20 minutes without support.
3. Walking – the ability to walk 200 metres on a level surface without having to stop.
4. Stairs – the ability to walk up and down a flight of 12 stairs, with two feet on each stair if required.
5. Bending – the ability to bend or kneel from a sitting or standing position as if to pick a single piece of paper off the floor.
6. Lifting and carrying – the ability to pick up, with either hand, from knee height, a two kilogram weight and carry for 5 metres.
7. Transport – the ability to use your usual mode of transport (this may include boarding and alighting public transport or getting in and out of a standard saloon car’s passenger seat).
8. Manual dexterity – the ability to grasp small objects, such as a pen or coin with either hand.
9. Cognitive behaviour – the ability to carry out your usual daily routine without suffering from fits and blackouts on a regular basis, based on reasonable medical opinion.

Making A Claim

When does MumsCover start to pay out?
MumsCover does not cover the first 30 days of your disability. Thereafter it pays out monthly in arrears for each continuous consecutive 30 day period of disability.

When can I make a claim?
You can make a claim once you have been unable to look after the family and home for at least 60 days following an accident or sickness, providing you are unable to carry out at least 3 of the Activities of Daily Living.

Why doesn’t MumsCover pay benefits for the first 30 days?
Excluding the first thirty days makes MumsCover more affordable.

When can I claim?
Sickness/Accident
There is an exclusion period of 30 days from the day that your policy starts. Any disability that occurs through sickness/accident during this exclusion period cannot be claimed for.

How do I claim?
If you suffer an accident or period of sickness which prevents you carrying out at least 3 of the ADL’s and you think you might need to claim, telephone our MumsCover Claims line on 0870 880 3885 and Pinnacle Insurance will send you a MumsCover claim form. Alternatively you can email Pinnacle Insurance at custserv@pinnacle.co.uk.

What types of help can I use?
MumsCover will pay 80% of your childcare bills up to a maximum payment of £750 a month in three main areas:

(i) the costs of taking your child/children to and from school, subject to a maximum benefit of £300
(ii) housekeeping costs, incorporating cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing, collecting groceries; and
(iii) the costs of having your child/children looked after by a registered childminder.

We will require receipts to be submitted as proof of all expenses (see Full Policy for specific details)

Who is there to help with the claims process?
Our MumsCover Claims line is available between 9am and 5pm on weekdays to help you with any claim queries.

Can I get advice if I’m not sure about claiming?
If you think you might need to claim, call the MumsCover Claims line on 0870 880 3885.

Are my Claims details confidential?
The Data Protection Act means that only the people processing your claim are allowed to see your details and any medical details will only be accessed by the insurers team of medical advisers.

How do I know when I can claim?
As soon as you think you might need to claim, call the MumsCover Claims line on 0870 880 3885

Will you require medical evidence if I claim?
We may require information from your GP if you claim. Your GP may charge you for this.

Will you need to see my medical records if I claim?
Possibly. We employ Medical Advisors to help assess each claim. If they feel that further information is required, we may need to ask your GP to provide more information. If we ask for any additional information from your GP then we would pay the costs for this.

Do I continue to pay the premium when claiming?
MumsCover allows you to claim more than once. That is why you will need to continue paying your premiums even if you are currently claiming. As this is a monthly product, if you do not pay the monthly premium then your cover will lapse.

When do I need to notify you of any incapacity?
Tell us as soon as you know and in any event within 90 days of the accident or should be start a sickness.

Can I claim more than once?
Yes, to be able to make another claim you must return to being the primary carer for at least 1 month before you can make another claim for disability benefit for an unrelated condition or for at least 6 months before you can make another claim for disability benefit for a related condition. If you have received the maximum amount of benefits for a claim then you must return to being the primary carer for at least 6 months before you can make another claim.

Paying the Premium

How much is MumsCover?
MumsCover is £17.90 a month. Extended MumsCover is £27.50 a month.

What is Extended MumsCover?
If you want the reassurance of knowing that you could receive benefit for a longer period should it be needed, you can take out Extended MumsCover. This extends the maximum benefit period from six months to twelve months.

What circumstances affect the cost of MumsCover?
None. MumsCover is the same price for everybody.

Are there any ‘hidden’ costs?
None.

Will the monthly premium ever change?
No, although the insurer reserve the right to vary the pricing and/or terms and conditions offered on the anniversary of this policy in accordance to your claims experience.

Does the premium go up if I have more children?
No.

Does the premium increase for older Mums?
No. But the maximum age covered is 60.

Exclusions

What’s not covered?
A summary of the main exclusions are as follows:

(i) any condition you knew about at the start of your cover;

(ii) any condition you sought or received medical advice for in the 12 months before your cover started;

(iii) any disability arising in the first 30 days of your cover;

(iv) a self-inflicted injury;

(v) any disability arising from being under the influence of, or being affected by, alcohol or drugs unless prescribed by a doctor (other than prescribed for the treatment of drug addiction);

(vi) normal pregnancy, miscarriage or abortion unless the symptoms of a normal pregnancy develop into a pathological condition;

(vii) any condition of a mental or nervous origin including stress, anxiety or depression (unless the condition is certified by and under the continuing care of a consultant psychiatrist);

(viii) backache or related conditions unless there is supporting medical evidence from a scan or x-ray;

(ix) any condition directly or indirectly related to AIDS or HIV as recognised by the World Health Organisation unless contracted during medical treatment, which is not a result of drug abuse or a sexually transmitted disease;

(x) from elective surgery (surgery which is not medically necessary).

What if I’ve been ill in the past?
You are not covered for any condition, which you knew about (or ought reasonably to have known about) at the start date or for which you sought or received advice, treatment or counselling from any doctor during the 12 months immediately before the start date.
Application

How easy is it to apply?
Very. It should take no longer than 3 minutes to complete. All you will need to hand are your bank details. Click here to apply.

Will someone be available to help me during the application process?
Yes. At any stage you can ring our MumsCover Helpline on 0870 880 3885 for clarification.

Will you want my email address?
Yes. If you apply online, we will email a confirmation of cover to you. We may also occasionally need to inform you about changes to MumsCover. Since MumsCover is predominantly an internet-based product, one of the means of communicating with the policyholder will be via email. Click here to view our privacy statement.

Do I need to take a medical to apply?
No.

How long is the cover for?
MumsCover is designed to cover you whilst your children are growing up (up to the age of 14). It is a monthly insurance policy, which you may cancel without penalty at any time. However, you must continue to pay the premium each month for cover to remain valid.

Will I need to sign a direct debit form?
No. We use a secure system, which allows us to set up your direct debit instruction electronically.

How secure are my bank details?
Your bank details are secure with MumsCover. Every application is protected using a SSL (Secure Socket Layer) up to 128-bit encryption.

What if I change my mind about MumsCover?
There is a 14 day cooling off period in which time you can change your mind if necessary.

Why don’t you send out paper application forms?
The process is so simple that it can be easily completed on the web site or by telephone. It also helps to make MumsCover more affordable.

Will my personal details be kept private?
We are committed to protecting the privacy of visitors to this website. Please click here to read our privacy statement.
Cancellation

How much notice do I need to give if I want to cancel MumsCover?
We will require just one month's written notice. There is no penalty for cancelling MumsCover, although you will not be entitled to a refund of any premium paid.

How do I cancel MumsCover?
You can cancel your MumsCover by writing to:
Customer Services Department, Pinnacle Insurance plc, Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 2XX.

Can you cancel my cover?
We may cancel your insurance cover immediately if we have proof of your fraud in relation to the cover provided under this policy.

What if I die?
MumsCover is not a life insurance policy. There is no benefit paid if you die. We would strongly recommend that all parents have adequate life insurance in addition to MumsCover.

What happens if I stop paying my premiums?
If you stop paying your premiums your policy will lapse and you will not be entitled to any of its benefits.

Does the policy have any cash value?
No.
Enquiries and complaints

Who underwrites MumsCover?
MumsCover is created and developed by Orton & Beaumont Ltd. They have carefully selected Pinnacle Insurance to manage, administer and underwrite MumsCover. You can find out more about these companies by clicking here. Pinnacle is part of one of the world’s largest banking groups – BNP Paribas, with over €270 billion in assets.

Where can I read what other people are saying about MumsCover?
Click here to read some of the press cuttings.

What do I do if I have a complaint? While it is always our intention to provide a first class standard of service, if you do have any concerns regarding your insurance cover, please address them to:

Customer Relations Manager, Pinnacle Insurance plc
Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 2XX

Should you remain dissatisfied with the outcome of any internal enquiries, you have the right to refer your complaint to:

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR

This procedure will not prejudice your right to take legal proceedings. However please note that there are some instances when the FOS cannot consider complaints.

A leaflet detailing our full complaints/appeals process is available from Pinnacle on request.

Pinnacle Insurance plc is also a member of the Association of British Insurers, 51 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HQ.

Choice of Law

The parties to this policy are free to choose the law applicable to it. Without agreement to the contrary English Law will apply. If you live in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, you will be entitled to commence legal proceedings in your local courts.

Please note: This is only a summary of cover for a copy of the full policy please click here.