The Project
Pat was referred to us in 2006 as a high earning company CEO. Despite having four children and carrying a large mortgage, Pat and her husband Greg, had never planned for their future or looked at how to protect themselves. While Greg was uninsurable due to health issues, we took steps to comprehensively insure Pat with life cover and TPD, along with income protection at 75% of her income.
Three years on Pat suffered a mental breakdown due to pressures and disputes at work. As Pat was struggling mentally, in consultation with her psychologist, we filed an income protection claim on her behalf. This resulted in regular payments relieving the financial burden on the family.
Pat was keen to recover and work again, beginning a degree and working part-time as rehab, but after ten years she couldn’t scale up to heavier demands. This resulted in a TPD claim, initially the insurer suggested a 2009 commencement, which would have lessened Pat’s pay-out by $400k. In conjunction with Pat’s medical team, we disputed this, finally receiving a 2018 date. Subsequently, the insurers have disputed the 2018 date. The battle continues!
The Outcomes
- Full coverage for underinsured family.
- IP claim handled as claimant incapacitated.
- TPD claim established.
- Continuing dispute over TPD start date.
Pat’s experience highlights how trying the insurance claims process can be at times. Her condition was brought on through severe stress and the insurance claims process has only added to that stress. There have been some wins along the way, but you can see how the arbitrary nature of the claims process would lead some people to give up.
We won’t be giving up.
