Aviva income protection problems

MRCHOC8

Has anybody had any complaints with AVIVA income protection?? i took this policy out about in june, and in october i broke my thumb and dislocated it, i had an operation to have it put back in. I am a delivery driver and cannot work due to my right hand being in a pot, aviva are trying to dispute this because they think i can do the personnel capabilities , but i cannot drive with 1 hand , has anybody had any similar problems or advice??

lisyloo

Does your cover apply to your particular job i.e. driving?
Or do you only have cover if you can't do any work at all?
I think it's called "own occupation" or something like that.

ACG

What do the DVLA say about it? Have you notified them, has your gp said you cant drive? My grandad had a cataract removed last month and was specifically told not to drive until such a date.

What type of policy do you have? ie is it Own Occupation, Suited Occupation or Activities of Daily Living/Work Related Tasks?

If its own occupation then you stand a better chance of a claim, if its either of the others then you are capable of doing other work so theyre not technically in the wrong.

Also what deferred period did you have? How long does it take for your thumb to recover? If you had a 3 or 6 month + deferred period then im sure you would be back at work before that time elapses anyway?

MRCHOC8

well im actually an escort officer, i escort young offenders to court so 90% of the time is driving the other 10% is dealing with violent offenders. The policy is just income protection , after 4 weeks of being off work i should be paid out, hopefully will only be off work for 8 weeks, the main concern is that i cannot work due to the injuries and need the income protection , the claim has gone to my Gp then it goes too the aviva medical officer, i maybe jumping the gun but i am worried that they are trying to get out of paying.

ACG

In that case i can kind of see your point.

You still need to answer what type of income protection you have though. Also have your employers said your not allowed to work? As theoretically im sure you can still drive and probably still do? (this is me guessing).

If you have an "Own Occupation" definition you should be alright, if you dont (which based on your occupation is the most likely) then i can see them having a reason not to pay as you are still able to get up, be mobile and do a job even if its answering phones or something. The key is whether its own occ or not.

MRCHOC8

Thankyou i will have a look into that, i cant drive with 1 arm because my arm is in a sling and has a cast on it, cant do paperwork because its my right hand but hopefully it will get sorted because thats the main reason for taking the policy out, if i was injured playing rugby and i was off work would i be paid and my financial advisor saird yes.

lisyloo

if i was injured playing rugby and i was off work would i be paid and my financial advisor saird yes.

So would it be a good idea to put these questions to your financial adviser?

They may just be running checks to see what you can and can't do and you may just be jumping the gun a little.

ACG

It doesnt matter how you became injured, its to do with what type of injury you have.

Based on what you have said you should be ok. Just let it run its course, there isnt a lot you can do until they have made their decision. If its not the decision you are after you can always appeal.

MRCHOC8

i know think i am jumping the gun , thankyou for your advice. cheers

weighty1_2

Hi MRCHOC8,

Personally, I don't think you will be able to make a valid claim. You mention that Aviva have stated you can undertake their personal capabilities, this is the equivalent to most other providers activities of daily living/work definition. The criteria for claiming on this is whether or not you can do certain everyday living tasks, such as walking 200metres on flat ground without stopping or experiencing severe discomfort, climbing a flight of 12 stairs without stopping, bending to pick a 1kg object up from the floor and standing up again (there are normally another 2-3 "tasks"). If you are unable to complete some of these, normally 3 or about 6 then it warrants a valid claim. If you can do the tasks, irrespective of whether you can do your job or not, then you aren't able to claim.

Personally, any IFA worth there salt should know that normally drivers do not get an "own occupation" definition of incapacity, apart from with the Friendly Societies. I'd check the recommendation letter which your IFA should have given you. Depending on what they have written I would be inclined to complain to them, not Aviva.

magpiecottage

weighty1 wrote: »

Personally, I don't think you will be able to make a valid claim. You mention that Aviva have stated you can undertake their personal capabilities, this is the equivalent to most other providers activities of daily living/work definition. The criteria for claiming on this is whether or not you can do certain everyday living tasks, such as walking 200metres on flat ground without stopping or experiencing severe discomfort, climbing a flight of 12 stairs without stopping, bending to pick a 1kg object up from the floor and standing up again (there are normally another 2-3 "tasks"). If you are unable to complete some of these, normally 3 or about 6 then it warrants a valid claim. If you can do the tasks, irrespective of whether you can do your job or not, then you aren't able to claim.

I disagree - unless the OP has taken out a "houseperson" policy then it will depend on whether they can reasonably be expected to perform either their own job (if it is an "own occupation" policy) or one to which they are suited by qualification, experience and physical capability. The OP has their writing hand in a sling so it is unlikely they will be able to do any work for the time being.

I'd check the recommendation letter which your IFA should have given you.

There is no requirement to issue a suitability report for an income protection policy (or any other pure protection policy for that matter).