Money Moral Dilemma: Should my son share insurance payout from his mother's hospital stay with her?

MSE_Kelvin

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

My son has private healthcare, which he pays £200/mth for and can add family members to for free. He added his mother, and a year later she had a badly-infected leg. The private hospital had no room, so she had to go to an NHS hospital, where she stayed for 12 days. My son's policy includes insurance, where you can claim £100/night if you have to use the NHS. His mother made a claim, and after she did all the paperwork, he got a cheque for £1,200. He refuses to give her any of it as he pays for the policy. Is he right or wrong?

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marcia_

 I would say he is right, he paid he benefits. Would be different if she had contributed. 

DullGreyGuy

Would question what his insurable interest is to be entitled to the monies

Sea_Shell

By the sounds of it, legally, as the policyholder, the payout is his.

Would be nice if he maybe treated his Mum to a lunch out or a gift, if nothing else.

HillStreetBlues

You don't have a leg to stand on.

tacpot12

As his mother did all the paperwork to make the claim, not giving her anything seems unfair. Splitting the money 50/50 would seem the best compromise. 

Cambsmum

It was kind of him to add her and I am sure he had her health in mind. The money is a different issue. I don’t think he has to share it but half each would have been nice.

Seekerofguidance

Legally the money is his.  It would be nice of him to share some, particularly if his mother suffered financial loss whilst being in hospital, but he is in no legal, or moral obligation to do so.

Gavin83

It was his mother who “suffered” for the compensation. After all had she received better care he would have received nothing. Therefore morally I think the whole amount should be hers. Legally it’s his though.

2702

No he should not share it. He paid for the policy and his mother is continually benefiting from the cover.She filled in the paperwork very good. So maybe it would be nice to take her to lunch buy a bunch of flowers. I am sure his mother does not think he should pay her anything.

Dickie66uk

Did the mother talk to her son about claiming? If yes, why didn't he make the claim, as it’s his policy? If he told her to claim, then he was in agreement so ethically the money should be shared… but as already said its the sons policy, so its his money. 

If mum didn’t speak to her son, why not?… was she hoping to claim without her son knowing?… Would she have shared the money had it been paid to her? 

Whichever if mum makes a fuss, the son may/will just cancel your free medical Insurance! Don’t fall out over the money, just learn from it.