Jillus Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 I am sitting here getting really worried. I had an accident on holiday abroad a month ago and was hospitalized as I had to have an op to put pins in my shattered wrist. Submitted the insurance claim for £3000 in medical bills with all the relevent documentation, that went recorded delivery on the 26th. As I had not heard anything I decided to call the claims line today and after waiting for two lots of 10 minutes with no answer , out of curiosity looked up 'reviews' of the company. Well they read like a horror story, claims taking 6 months to be paid and then not in full, emails blocked by the company, rude staff when/if you get through on the phone etc etc I went with the company as they seemed reasonable, it was easy to do and I had used them before although never claimed. As we had to pay the medical expenses up front on our credit card we are seriously out of pocket and I now have a terrible feeling about all this. I am still in plaster, still in pain and don't need this worry. I know it is early days yet and they do have 8 weeks to settle but am now dreading the wait and now envisage all sorts of trouble. Anyone else have any experience of this sort of thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickendoodle Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Try not to worry too much - people tend to only write reviews when they are unhappy (unless they have had absolutely superb treatment when they might be tempted to put pen to paper - or finger to keyboard!). For every person who feels they have been badly treated there might be 100 satisfied customers. I know there are some bad travel insurance companies but if your claim is straightforward and there is nothing "dodgy" like not declaring a medical condition before you bought the cover you should have no trouble. There is always the ombudsman as a last resort but unfortunately they are only there to intervene with amounts claimed or cover disputes, not the length of time the claim takes. The FSA took over the policing of the insurance industry a few years ago and there are guidelines regarding time to settle claims etc, but in practice they seem to have made very little difference (for my sins I have worked in insurance for 30 years - probably time to get a life)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Goodness, poor you,that must be such a worry. I have been lucky enough never to have had to make a claim, but would be concerned too. Insurance companies can be a nightmare. I do hope things work out. If you have all the paperwork & everything is in order,surely they must pay,or you can contest any decision? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillus Posted December 8, 2009 Author Share Posted December 8, 2009 Chickendoodle, you reply was really reassuring, I guess I nver really looked at it that way, most folk don't bother to write good reviews do they? The claim is all above board, no undisclosed medical conditions etc just an accident, plain and simple. It has put my mind at rest for the moment but I will have another go at contacting the company later and also keep copies of all correspondence' just in case'. I think next time though I will take insurance out with a better known company anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Try not to worry too much - people tend to only write reviews when they are unhappy (unless they have had absolutely superb treatment when they might be tempted to put pen to paper - or finger to keyboard!). For every person who feels they have been badly treated there might be 100 satisfied customers.... I totally agree and was about to put something similar myself! I really think that having a sore arm/wrist, possibly not sleeping so well, being stressed about it all, and reading reviews sounds like an excellent recipe to make yourself very VERY stressed indeed! At least, I know that I can get a bit, erm, "overly concerned" when tired/in pain/etc. It seems like your claim should be relatively straightforward, so whilst it might not be settled immediately - paperwork does take some time - it shouldn't take 6 months or whatever. Try getting in touch with them again, and try to be calm/helpful to them (despite the ludicrous-wait-on-the-phone-lines!) and am sure it will go smoothly for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 I've had to make two insurance claims following accidents while skiing. Both companies were reasonably quick but Lloyds TSB were more helpful - we had to organise the flight home with the other company, but Lloyds did it for us. The main spanner in the works with the other claim was waiting for my GP who had gone on holiday - they needed a report from him to say that I didn't have an injury before I went on holiday (duh - like I'd go on holiday with a broken leg!). It is definitely worth persisting with the helpline to see what is holding things up. You should get the money within 4 to 6 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Try not to worry too much - people tend to only write reviews when they are unhappy (unless they have had absolutely superb treatment when they might be tempted to put pen to paper - or finger to keyboard!). For every person who feels they have been badly treated there might be 100 satisfied customers.... I totally agree and was about to put something similar myself! I really think that having a sore arm/wrist, possibly not sleeping so well, being stressed about it all, and reading reviews sounds like an excellent recipe to make yourself very VERY stressed indeed! I also agree. I tend to think on occasions the internet is not the best place to look sometimes because you can frighten yourself something silly. Fingers crossed everything for you runs smoothly, I would keep pestering them (in a nice way) and hopefully it will be resolved soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 (edited) i'm sure that it will be fine, these things always seem to take forever ! Edited December 9, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 I think you're much more likely to have the claim handled ok if it's for injury like yours rather than theft. It woould be interesting to know what the bad reviews were for. Years ago when I used to travel a lot myself and colleagues used to use BA annual travel insurance. Two friends had separate significant accidents and their insurance claims went through very easily and BA sorted re-patriating one with no fuss. I had a handbag stolen and needed to jump through so many hoops and submit so much paperwork to prove what was in my handbag (how do you prove what was in your handbag ) that I gave up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 I agree with the advice above re bad reviews. Unfortunately, travel insurance is a prime area for fraud - people falsely reporting theft - and that is probably why you had to jump through so many hoops, Patricia! It's much less usual (and rather more difficult) to make a false accident claim, so that should be treated in a straightforward way. You may recall the two law graduates who were travelling in South America earlier this year and reported that they'd had their valuable possessions stolen, in fact that turned out to be a fraudulent claim and they ended up in prison in Brazil. Regrettably a lot of people use travel insurance to make false claims for lost cameras, iPods etc. I hope you hear from the company soon, Jillus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillus Posted December 9, 2009 Author Share Posted December 9, 2009 What a sensible lot you are, on looking again at the reviews most were for 'thefts' or 'loss' and only a few for injuries and even then the injury claims were more to do with hiring nannies on return home to care for kids and claims for taxi fares to and from hospitals. Mine is mostly for doctors, anaesthetists, drips and medical stuff etc. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 Have you informed your Credit Card company?. I would, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillus Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 (edited) Success!! Delighted to tell you all that a cheque arrived today in full settlement for the injury claim! Yippee...just in time for Christmas. Must get on and write a glowing review of the company Edited December 14, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 That is great news! You must be very relieved to get the money back in time for Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillus Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 It is great news and I might even be getting my cast off tomorrow!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickendoodle Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Excellent news I agree that you must post a good review! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 So pleased that it has all worked out for you. On the subject of writing when things go well - when my daughter had to go to A & E a few years ago, the staff were brilliant. I sent a card to them thanking them for all their help. I then got a letter back from the hospital thanking me for my card. I don't think that they get much in the way of appreciation! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Great news on both counts - cast off in time for Christmas, and a cheque! I agree, a good review is merited. I am very keen these days to say thanks where thanks are due, and it might help someone else in your position who is worrying about the same things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickendoodle Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 On the subject of writing when things go well - when my daughter had to go to A & E a few years ago, the staff were brilliant. I sent a card to them thanking them for all their help. I then got a letter back from the hospital thanking me for my card. I don't think that they get much in the way of appreciation! Some years ago our we went to Florida and the flight back was delayed by 24 hours due to a mechanical problem. The airline staff were brilliant and everyone was found hotel rooms and given a good amount of food vouchers. I wrote to the airline thanking them and I also got a letter back thanking me for my thank you! It's so easy to write a letter when you want to complain but it takes a bit more of an effort to write appreciating good service. I do try to do this where I can (and I think of it!) - lets make it an Olmet New Year resolution to give thanks where it is due Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillus Posted December 15, 2009 Author Share Posted December 15, 2009 I have done a brilliant review for the insurance site and am just putting together a thank you for the Fracture Clinic here in Scotland. They have been wonderful right down to giving me a purple cast embedded with glitter for the Christmas Parties. ( The nurse said everyone gets glitter in December) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 That's great news! Glad to hear your cast should be off soon - though actually, maybe you could keep the purple glittery one to "accessorize"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillus Posted December 16, 2009 Author Share Posted December 16, 2009 Cast removed yesterday, bit sore, having physio so I can get it moving to do Christmas Dinner next week. Saga over , thank goodness! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
