Five months ago I bought health insurance. Under my policy, I cannot claim for anything I suffered within the two years prior to the start of the policy. I understand that. I accept that. It also says that if the issue can be treated by the NHS within six weeks they would not pay the claim. I understand that. I accept that.
A painful medical issue has arisen which satisfies all criteria and for which I require private treatment. I called to enquire about the process as I have not used the insurance before.
I was put on hold for a long time. Eventually, the lady returned to recite all the clauses of my contract and also to says that even though this occurred AFTER I bought the policy and I am now seeking treatment FIVE MONTHS after the purchase of the policy the first symptoms occurred TOO CLOSE after the purchase date.
Therefore, they need to do a full investigation. They need to requisition complete medical history and get it assessed before making a decision. This was not the question I put to them but this is what they wanted to say anyway.
It's a time-consuming process and I am in pain. I want this solved right now not six weeks from today. The reason I bought medical insurance was to access a fast health care as Covid-19 was hogging the show.
The treatment is only a couple hundred pounds. If they treat me this way, for a couple hundred pounds, what would happen if it were thousands of pounds?
The way this came over was that they were looking for the slimmest loophole to avoid a pay-out. This was my first time and first impressions count. The amount of money that I have paid in premiums in the last five months together with the excesses on the policy, it is worth my while to go to a private doctor, dentist and optician, pay their fully fees and the total cost will be a fraction of the cost of the premium.
Needless to say, the policy has been cancelled and shame on me for falling under the spell of their sales pitch.
I want an insurance that will work for me, not the other way around. Aviva is not it.
Reviewed on: 22nd April 2021
