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Critical illness insurer 'delays claims'

Some tactics to avoid life insurance payouts among providers have been revealed by a Daily Mail investigation.

Tony Upjohn developed a serious musculoskeletal condition known as 'chronic pain state' - and was forced to leave his job two years ago.

The 42-year-old Northants resident then applied for the £51,000 critical illness insurance offered by his provider, Scottish Provident.

However, his claim remains unsettled - and a data request has revealed the lengths that his provider has gone to in order to avoid paying out.

Swiss Re, which shares liability with Scottish Provident for the claim, was found to have demanded medical tests on Mr Upjohn.

When the doctor's report revealed that there was little prospect of him returning to work, the firm demanded a further investigation - and castigated its fellow insurer in an internal memo for allowing the cover to be taken out at all.

Mr Upjohn commented: "Scottish Provident says it is interested in a speedy outcome to the case but it seems the exact opposite is true.

"I have been horrified to see that Swiss Re, a company that I have never had any dealings with, have been effectively calling the shots - the data protection request has revealed it all and I would suggest others in my position do the same."

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