Income Protection Policy

dave_rees

Has anyone had dealings with Unum? I had had an income protection policy for over 10 years. This year I have had to retire due to ill health - this is supported by my GP, a consultant and my employer. Indeed I have been awarded total incapacity due to my illness. I am unable to perform my job.
Unum disagrees against all advice. I am appealing - does anyone have any advice and know of good law firm to deal with this type of issue?


Your help is much appreciated. Thank you

dunstonh

does anyone have any advice and know of good law firm to deal with this type of issue?

the free of charge complaints process is the best option. You complain to UNUM and if the complaint is rejected, you refer it to the FOS.

dave_rees

dunstonh wrote: »

the free of charge complaints process is the best option. You complain to UNUM and if the complaint is rejected, you refer it to the FOS.

I am very new to this but have read that the FOS is seen as a safe option for the big finance companies.


I just don't have any experience in this area and am not well enough to pursue with rigour needed.

kangoora

I remember someone posting a link a while ago listing FOS decisions against LGPS ( I think). A remarkably high percentage of complaints seemed to have been upheld by FOS and the pension scheme required to pay.

Not that much use to you now but maybe it won't be as bleak as you think. I don't know if it will be worth engaging a solicitor, maybe others here can comment on that. You do have to wait for your appeal to be rejected before you can go to the FOS.

dunstonh

I am very new to this but have read that the FOS is seen as a safe option for the big finance companies.

I suggest you change your reading material as that is rubbish. Indeed, if anything, the FOS is slightly consumer biased as it not only considers law and FCA regulations but also fairness. The law does not consider fairness.

I just don't have any experience in this area and am not well enough to pursue with rigour needed.

Then using the FOS would make more sense.

gadgetmind

dave_rees wrote: »

Unum disagrees against all advice. I am appealing - does anyone have any advice and know of good law firm to deal with this type of issue?

Are they saying that Doctor etc. are wrong or that your ailment doesn't meet their criteria?

bubs38

I am in the same predicament with UNUM. You have to appeal their decision based on your evidence, request all medical information they hold on you (in case you need to go to FOS), await an outcome of their review of the decision (I have been waiting 6 months now) then if necessary, compile a case to FOS including their reasons for decline and outline any discrepancies on their reasoning with your medical information you requested and any other supporting evidence such as specialist medical correspondence, GP letters, DWP benefits letters that support your claim. Hope this helps.

bubs38

p.s. make sure if you lodge an appeal with UNUM or FOS to word your case in line with the terms and conditions of your policy. e.g they will probably uphold the decline if a pre existing condition is an exclusion of the T&C's.

dave_rees

So Unum have given me their final response via voicemail and upheld their decision. The matter is in the hands of the FOS.
They went over the deadline for complaints procedure but didn't apologise. Indeed a month over. I complained to FOS and within days get the final answer.


Unum - !!

greenglide

So this is a group scheme provided by your employer?

From their website their is an interesting section about their critical illness cover:-

Group Critical Illness insurance provides a tax-free lump sum – up to £500,000 – after your employee has survived one of a specified list of critical illnesses for 14 days. At a basic level, the conditions covered include things like heart attack, stroke, cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

It sounds to me as though anyone could be critically ill with a condition not on their list and they wouldnt need to pay?

These schemes seem wonderful until you need to make a claim.

gadgetmind

We successfully claimed on one of these policies and got a six figure sum, tax free. Others aren't so lucky as they have the "wrong" cancer, or similar.