https://mothership.sg/2025/10/insurance-critical-coverage-tumour/
AIA denies S$100,000 payout to S'pore man with benign brain tumour, said condition 'not life-threatening' at time of surgery
An AIA policyholder submitted a Straits Times forum letter calling for greater regulatory scrutiny of how insurance companies define “life-threatening” conditions.This was after his claim for critical illness coverage, which he bought "several years ago", was rejected, despite undergoing surgery for a benign brain tumour.
Diagnosed with brain tumour, had surgery
Frankie Yee Kok Wah was diagnosed with the tumour in 2018, his Oct. 20 forum letter read.As the tumour was initially small and asymptomatic, his doctor advised against surgery, opting instead for annual MRI surveillance to monitor changes in the tumour's size.
However, in November 2024, a scan revealed significant tumour growth.
Concerned that it could begin affecting his neurological functions and overall quality of life, his neurosurgeon strongly recommended surgical removal.
Yee proceeded with the operation.
Hospitalisation and critical illness claims rejected
When he submitted his hospitalisation and critical illness claims following the procedure, both were denied.AIA’s stated reason for rejecting the S$100,000 critical illness claim was apparently that the tumour was "not life-threatening" at the time of surgery.
Yee said this interpretation was deeply problematic and asked if a policyholder must "wait until his condition becomes fatal" before a claim can be accepted:
sucky system
