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Where there's a will

(or always read small print in insurance policies!)

Kathryn Higham

Open Door - May 2005 page 10

We bought our house in 1997 and signed up for a life/living cover policy covering cancer, heart problems and multiple sclerosis with an insurance company.

In 1998, I had my first major attack of symptoms, so severe I feared death! The doctor at the hospital mentioned the possibility of MS to my husband but after steroids were administered, I made a swift recovery and MS was forgotten. Just a short six months later I was struck by another major attack, although less severe and with different symptoms. This time I was diagnosed with MS. Shock, devastation, fear, disbelief - just four words that sum up how I received the news.

In 2003, my husband looked through some filed documents and came across the insurance policy. As he glanced through, his eyes fell upon the words multiple sclerosis and he rang for a claim form, receiving it just days later. Then he read the policy thoroughly and discovered a clause stating a claim must be made within six months of diagnosis.

My husband was almost ready to give up but I was outraged. How dare someone decide for me that whilst recovering from a second major attack, coming to terms with the diagnosis, considering both my own and my family's future, getting used to the idea of injecting beta interferon every second day and researching the disease, that it would even occur to me to claim money.

I was utterly disgusted and posted the claim form anyway and set about building my support and defences ready to do battle when they rejected my claim. I contacted my union, Unison (I work for the NHS), the MS Trust, the MS Society and my local MP, all of whom supported me.

I received a letter from the insurers asking me to pay (under policy rules) £50 to my GP so they could examine my entire medical records. My GP refused my payment saying the person requesting said documents are required to make that payment, and I should do nothing, which is what I did. Shortly after, I heard from my GP that the insurers had paid the bill and they were in receipt of my records.

I am now in receipt of a letter confirming approval of my claim awarding me the sum assured plus interest!! I am elated, yet also a little disappointed as I was ready to make a very vocal stand for what I regard as morally and ethically right.

Now that is unnecessary, I have approached the MS Trust to bring this to people's attention. Is such a clause unlawful? If not then it should be. Do people with MS everywhere miss out because of such clauses? Most importantly, my message is don't ever lay down and give up. Remember, where there's a will...!!

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