You must have insurance, which must act as a form of hope for you and your family. For in times of crisis, we turn to our insurance to help us out financially. So what happens when you find out that in spite of having suffered a medical emergency, you are not eligible for an insurance payout? Though you paid for it regularly. Read about this man's story which is heartbreaking.
Much like any other working class couples, Vicky and Steven Huddleston took out a medical insurance to serve them whenever they would have a medical emergency or need. The couple who have three children, Amelia, Jude, and Lena, all under the age of 18, did what any family does and sorted out their insurance policies. And yet they were betrayed at the time they needed it the most.
40-year-old Steven almost died earlier this year when his heart stopped for around 20 minutes. This was not a moment the family would forget in a while, and though he has recovered now. He would receive a shock when he would go to claim his insurance money only to be denied.
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Despite paying £22 a month for 16 whole years the insurance company refused to cover for Steven’s attack. Do you know that the insurance company is the biggest company in the UK? They said that because what Steven suffered was a cardiac arrest and not a heart attack, they would not cover his medical costs. This cost him a £66,500 payout.
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This decision to not cover Huddleston’s costs almost left the couple broke, and they had a difficult time with their finances. Considering they have three children, it’s a total possibility. The couple was obviously counting on the insurance money, as any middle class family depends on the insurance backup in case of a medical crisis.
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Steven is self-employed. Though he is a floor lawyer but he has not been able to work at all since his attack. His wife Vicky is a midwife. But sadly she has been able to cut back on her shifts as she had to take care of Steve and their children. Which means that their total income took a huge hit. It is obvious that they can’t afford help and the insurance denial affected their lives in a big way.
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Vicky who is in her early ‘40s woke up one night when she heard Steven struggling and panting. It was obvious that he was gasping for breath. He then collapsed on the floor. Luckily, Vicky is in the medical profession and was able to start CPR. Eventually the paramedics arrived and they took Steven to a hospital.
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For Vicky, watching her husband go through a cardiac arrest was obviously traumatic. She told the media that she thought they would have no difficulty in paying off their medical bills, as the medical policy would act as a backup. But almost three months after they filed the claim, the couple was told that Steven’s attack does not meet the medical criteria of the insurance policy.
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The company’s insurance terms state that a heart attack is the death of a portion of the heart muscle which happens because of insufficient blood circulation, and is categorized by severe chest pain. The insurance company’s reports state that Steven suffered an arrest due to a disturbance which caused it to stop beating at all for a few minutes. Thus, this was not a heart attack. The company had also updated their policy in 2013 to include cardiac arrest, but the Huddlestone’s made their policy before that.
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A cardiac arrest is someone’s heart suddenly stops pumping blood and as a result the person can’t breathe. Now, it is important to understand that many cardiac arrests happen because of a heart attack, but not all. It mainly happens when a person develops a risky heart rhythm which is not sound and thus it causes a disruption.
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Do you know a heart attack and a cardiac arrest are both categorized as a medical emergency, and most medical pamphlets and instructional brochures instruct people to call emergency services in case they experience discomfort which can be defined as a cardiac arrest.
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The insurance company said that it could not pay Steven’s insurance money in full as Steven’s doctors had confirmed that he would eventually make a full recovery. Steven has been referred to another doctor and the company has said that they want to review the case again.
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A spokesman for the company said that they know how difficult it is for Steven’s family and also insisted that the insurance company was assisting him in his recovery. They also insist that although Steven’s policy is dated and does not cover cardiac arrest, the company has made up in payment due to the income the family lost all this while, as they couldn’t work.
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Do you know that some insurance companies won’t pay you back if your house was broken in by the burglar if he enters by picking a lock, and not by breaking a window? Nowadays, drivers are not being paid the insurance payout if their cars are stolen by con men, or people posing as customers.
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People on vacation, or those who are travelling often take out a traveler’s insurance. But the companies are now researching their clients’ medical past and even a minor visit to the local physician is being brought up so that they can be used to reject medical claims. Some travellers who have had wine or alcohol and then injured themselves are being refused insurance payouts.
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Financial experts say that it is insane for all customers, to be aware of all these crucial clauses. After all a glass of wine on a vacation is a perfectly natural thing. Who knew it could cost somebody their insurance money in case of emergencies? Did you know that some home insurance policy’s terms are longer than 40,000 words and customers are actually expected to read all of it.
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It is unethical for insurance companies to expect regular people to be so well-read on their terms and policies. Anybody can have a heart attack or a stroke, and would obviously seek their insurance money and in that scenario, the refusal to pay money can cost them.
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